Spider-Man has had a really bad year, but what else is new for the character? He’s witnessed the death of Ms. Marvel, had a failed wedding, been broken up with, learned the love of his life isn’t in love with him anymore, and had to fight his brother Ben Reilly and see him completely lose himself. Now with one of his only friends being Norman Osborn, will he lose him too? If Kraven’s plans for who he calls the Green Goblin are any indication, probably!
Something you’ll notice right off the bat is Amazing Spider-Man #32 looks fabulous. Patrick Gleason draws a highly detailed and dynamic comic. Paired with Marcio Menyz, this issue looks great, with big dramatic beats hitting home and characters looking cool as hell. A smash-cut reveal of the Goblin costume looks iconic, with a great sense of atmosphere and weight. And it’s just a piece of cloth in a coffin! The issue is quite dark, with lots of blacks and dark reds used, conveying a ritualistic Halloween vibe.
This suits the fact that Queen Goblin is one of the main players in this issue. Spinning out of the backup in Amazing Spider-Man #31, we see Queen Goblin and Kraven have shacked up. The plan is to get all the sins Queen Goblin has in her from Norman and put them back. There’s a heavy dose of Norman and Peter being buds in this issue, which juxtaposes well with the doom hovering over them, thanks to the opening scene.
Longtime fans will appreciate the reminders and callbacks in this issue. There’s a callback to Kraven’s Last Hunt that fans will be excited about, and it’s nice to know which Kraven we’re dealing with here. It’s all but confirmed he’s the clone, which means the death of Kraven still stands.
Who knew Kraven liked goblins?
Credit: Marvel
Along the way, Peter has to deal with a jealous Black Cat after she finds out he’s meeting with a lawyer named Michelle. Zeb Wells nails Peter’s awkwardness as he tries to suss out the deal with the almost-newlyweds not speaking to each other since the botched wedding in the last issue. A bit about Punisher seems random, but the effect is apparent: Peter and Michelle aren’t getting along, and they’re supposed to help iron things out between their friends. After a brief moment between Norman and Peter, the story moves on to its major confrontation with Kraven.
Again, the art is great with a tense confrontation between Kraven and Norman. The scene is drenched in red light, and the art captures the tight spot Norman is in, literally and figuratively. Anyone paying attention to the sins that are like a hot potato changing hands, you’ll probably see what’s coming.
Unfortunately, how we got here is too quick in that there isn’t much weight to it. From Karven somehow transferring sins to a spear to Kraven setting up shop in Norman’s lab undetected to the scuffle that lasts only three pages, it’s a rush to change Spider-Man that doesn’t feel earned. I also wonder how many will be confused about why Kraven and Queen Goblin hooked up since it was only introduced recently in the short backup last issue.
Instead of building toward Spider-Man turning evil, it happens like a light switch flipping, making it seem plausible it could just as easily switch back. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued to see how Spider-Man’s evil nature shows itself, but it could have used a little to build towards this moment.
Amazing Spider-Man #32 is a good-looking issue, but it’s too impatient to get to the big cliffhanger moment. This issue falls prey to never earning some rather significant plot developments as it seems more interested in turning Spider-Man evil.
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