The second issue of Amazing Spider-Man: Torn has plenty of “quipping and thwipping”, the combination of web-shooting and wisecracking that Spidey brings to his fights. It is also a comic that’s full of conversations about ancient grimoires, relationship problems, and the depth of the English language. It’s not what you’d expect in your usual Spider-Man book, but J. Michael Straczynski has never written the typical Spider-Man comic.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #2 finds Spidey on the hunt for the mysterious thief Evangeline, who’s been transformed into a demonic figure despite her heavenly-sounding name. Evangeline’s transformation is linked to a mysterious book she was contracted to steal from Empire State University, prompting Spidey to investigate the book’s origins. Meanwhile, Peter Parker deals with the lingering guilt of failing to stop the theft, and his budding feelings for Mary Jane Watson.
It’s the Peter Parker portions of the book that stand out the most, as Straczynski brings his talent for character work to the forefront. Peter and MJ has a raw, real conversation about where their relationship is going, and when MJ asks him if she means anything to him, Peter answers her with a kiss. It’s a reminder of the love that makes them a phenomenal couple, and how Straczynski was one of the best writers to capture that relationship.
Evangeline, on the other hand, continues to be little more than a cipher of a villain, albeit one who can fly through the air and possesses immense strength. Readers will learn more about the book that she was sent to steal rather than her own character, and it results in her scenes being rather superfluous. I know that not every supervillain can be on the level of Magneto or Doctor Doom, but when Straczynski brought Morlun into the pages of Amazing Spider-Man he gave the vampiric villain a dry sense of humor that contrasted with his ruthless march to kill Spidey. Evangeline could use the same sense of flair.
Marvel
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #2 continues to feature great work from Pere Perez and Guru-eFX. Perez has a gift for drawing the mundane and the superhuman in equal measure, especially in the very first page. We open in a deli where the owner is emphasizing the importance of regulars to his nephew, even as he carefully packs a brown paper bag while speaking. If not for the webline that grabs that bag, you wouldn’t guess that this was a Spider-Man comic. Another moment features Spider-Man pulling off an impressive, physics-defying feat just to surprise Empire State’s German teacher (who Peter Parker is not a fan of.)
Once again, it’s the Peter and MJ moments that stand out. Perez hones in on MJ’s face when she’s having her conversation with Peter, showing the well of emotions running in her eyes. There’s some hesitation, but there’s also determination: she wants to know that she means something to Peter. When Evangeline tries to ruin their date, Perez delivers the incredible image of MJ grabbing a rake and whacking the demon across the face, reminding fans that she’s the furthest thing from a damsel in distress.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #2 thrives when it focuses on Peter Parker rather than Spider-Man, though it does manage to balance the superheroics and human drama. Straczynski and Perez aren’t just crafting a throwback tale here, but a reminder of what makes Spider-Man such a great character.
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