The two-and-a-half-month event that is Dark Web rages on this week with three chapters, one with Dark Web: X-Men, another with Venom, and some major confrontation taking place in Amazing Spider-Man #16. Regarding reading order, read Amazing Spider-Man #16 last as Zeb Wells and Ed McGuinness have Peter Parker and Ben Reilly face off!
Ben Reilly aka Chasm steals the show in this issue, mainly because we get to see the wonderful new toys and powers Goblin Queen has given him. To start things off, Wells reminds us of how Ben lost his memories, but in the flashback, we see Ben sees it all differently. It’s another reminder Ben isn’t necessarily evil. He doesn’t have the context or memory to know any better. Throughout the issue, we see Chasm has abilities like an amped-up spider-sense, magic powers, and a dark place for Spider-Man to exist for possibly the rest of the event.
The selling point of this issue will certainly be the glorious fighting between Spider-Man and Chasm, rendered incredibly by McGuinness, inker Cliff Rathburn, and colorist Marcio Menyz. McGuinness’ style suits Spider-Man as it’s in your face, features bulbous muscles, and shows off some incredible agility from these two characters. This issue has some neat effects to give the action extra zip, like speed lines practically bleeding out of Spider-Man as he ducks a magic axe Chasm swings at him or the way McGuinness draws spider-senses. I still can’t get behind the Spidey mask being a helmet, but McGuinness typically only depicts that when we see him from the side.
An excellent sense of humor continues to be a highlight of Dark Web, and that’s present here as well. That includes a talking scooter who takes issue with Chasm and Spider-Man knocking him over. It’s absurd, dumbs down the rather scary notion of demons taking over inanimate objects, and leans into entertainment only comics can get away with. The cliffhanger ending, which puts Peter into a hilarious work situation, further cements the humor angle of the event.
Don’t you hate it when you don’t see things the same way as your friends?
Credit: Marvel
It’s not all jokes, however, as Spider-Man makes it clear even if technically Ben is his closest sibling, he’ll stop at nothing to protect his city. These two characters have had a lot of tension over the years, and it’ll be interesting to see how they iron things out by the end of this story–if they both make it out of this story.
Joe Caramagna continues to excite with his lettering, going with loud black and white text for the scooter or big Christmasy font for a “Merry Christmas” uttered with a punch by Spider-Man.
However brief, there’s also a short scene with Goblin Queen, Hallows’ Eve, and Venom. This scene is a bit too goofy for its own good, especially since Venom’s mindless rage continues to be confusing (though if you read Venom this week, that’s somewhat explained). Another gripe I have is with how Peter looks under the mask. He’s a bit cartoonish and manga-like with the big eyes.
Amazing Spider-Man #16 offers up the big showdown between Chasm and Spider-Man while showing Ben Reilly has had some upgrades. It’s in your face, comical, and fun from cover to cover.
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