Answers are finally coming in with every issue of Amazing Spider-Man, but after waiting a year, how many of us are still raring for this story? That’s a question we might be asking ourselves, but dammit, we must know what happened to Mary Jane and what Peter did! We know answers are coming with issue #25, but how is issue #23, and is it good?
Amazing Spider-Man #23 opens where we left off, as Peter runs as fast as he can from where he was blasted to save Mary Jane. An ongoing theme in this issue is Peter being out of his wits, scared for her life, and doing whatever it takes to move as quickly as possible. Your anxiety will be raised reading this issue as he comes to blows with multiple friends, including Captain America.
That frantic energy feels a bit off, even for Peter Parker. He’s supposed to be a hyper-intelligent dude, yet a few different times I wondered while reading this why he wasn’t using his brain and instead going into fight or flight mode. Peter does learn time moves differently where MJ is, so he knows time is running faster than usual, but why not utilize his friends’ help instead of rudely punching them or rushing away? Maybe his fear would be more believable if he saw or thought he saw Mary Jane die, but instead, he’s just worrying out of his mind in case the worst-case scenario takes place.
Story-wise, Zeb Wells is clearly setting up the cliffhanger in this issue by showing Peter actively coming face to face with heroes who would usually help him, but all of them are asking him to take a second to check things out. To be honest, I don’t know who would be on Peter’s side with how it’s framed here. He’s erratic and downright violent with folks he should trust. It all leads to the team-up and helper we already knew would come to his aid, but at the cost of Peter seemingly going off the deep end instead of being slightly patient and using his smarts with heroes he usually trusts. Since we already knew Norman was the only guy who helped him, the cliffhanger is easy to guess.
Hurry up, guys!
Credit: Marvel
Art by John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, and Marcio Menyz is pretty great throughout. From the framing of Peter falling down a hill battered as the sun rises to a simple yet concise fight with Cap, there’s something enjoyable about all the art. How Menyz casts light from Human Torch onto Thing, for instance, is one of many subtle notes in coloring mixed with Romita Jr.’s pencils that makes this book sing. Peter’s lumpy face can be a distraction, but beyond that, this is a well-drawn book if you enjoy Romita Jr.’s art.
Peter Parker is freaking out, and this issue shows us to what lengths he’ll go to save Mary Jane as fast as possible. Is it the smartest method to save her? Probably not, which feels off for a character who is one of the smartest in Marvel Comics. The art looks great throughout, however, and it’s undeniable that the plot is at least moving forward.
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