If you ask me, Spider-Boy is one of the most interesting new elements in the Spider-Man series coming out right now, and he continues to be teased in Dan Slott and Mark Bagley’s Spider-Man #10. Since getting a little backstory on him in Edge of Spider-Verse, this issue gives us a new nugget to think about regarding his abilities while also hammering home the frustration he’s feeling that nobody remembers he exists. Rest assured, he’ll have a new series coming out in November to call his own, but how is this finale chapter in the latest story arc?
Outside of wrapping up the attack of Electro, this issue continues to show Slott is interested in the larger supporting cast of Spider-Man characters. Aunt May gets some primo time on the page — this time confronting Norman Osborn — and Norman must contend with her while also keeping Spider-Man’s identity a secret. It’s in these smaller moments where secrets are held that the secret identity part of things shines through.
Spider-Boy gets a lot of time to show off his abilities in this issue. That includes a new ability and a hint as to why he doesn’t have web shooters. Slott smartly proves Spider-Boy has always existed thanks to some quick moves that he knows will work on Electro.
Pretty cool how Edgar Delgado lights up the corners of the mask with electricity.
Credit: Marvel
The ongoing tease of who Spider-Boy is continues to frustrate, however. It has felt like we’ve been led on for months about who he is, why nobody remembers him, and what comes next for the character. Likely we have a few more months of waiting to get the full scope of this character in the future, but it doesn’t make the use of him feel like a tease.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense continues to be going haywire. Taking things even further, Slott shows how Spider-Man uses his noggin to utilize them and save everyone. It seemed impossible in previous issues, especially since it was giving him a splitting headache, but he finds a way.
Artistically, the book looks great under Bagley’s detailed line work. The pages are sometimes overpacked, though the quality is never subpar. There’s only one full-page splash to slow things down and let you take action, showing how dense this comic reads. Any given panel on a page could feature detailed city sidewalks, firetrucks, and numerous people milling about on the street. Bagley never skimps on environmental details.
Outside of Spider-Man looking as sharp as ever, Slott continues to show who he is as a person and a hero. No matter how many times we’ve seen Spider-Man put himself in danger to save a villain, as we see in this issue, it never gets old.
Spider-Man #10 continues to show Slott’s expert take on Spider-Man from the supporting characters, Spider-Man as a character, and new elements too, like Spider-Boy. From moments like Aunt May barging in on Norman to new elements like Spider-Boy, there’s a lot to love in this final issue of the story arc.
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