We’re eight issues away from Amazing Spider-Man #1000, and it seems writer Joe Kelly is turning the corner on stories he’s set up previously. Last issue, Spider-Man got to know Kintsugi a bit better after being a background character for the most part, and this week it’s time for Spidey’s old bud to go full spore. It’s the beginning of an origin of sorts, as Spider-Man continues to get back into the groove on Earth.
Amazing Spider-Man #29 opens with a nine-panel grid of Peter taking up a booth at a coffeehouse while texting friends to come join him. Kelly immediately leans into Peter being low on friends, especially being in space for weeks, with each giving him the cold shoulder in response. Add in the waiter asking repeatedly to move or get out of his booth so he can turn tables, and it’s the kind of down-to-earth trouble Peter has gotten for decades that makes him relatable.
Enter a training session that pops off the page well, courtesy of artist Pete Woods. A double-page layout features Spider-Man dodging bullets with another hero, with music blasting, conveyed with musical notes jumping all about. It’s a good scene as it allows Spider-Man to let his hair down a bit with a fellow hero and get some necessary action in for good measure.
Gnarly power you got there, Spore.
Credit: Marvel
Kelly does a great job plotting the issue, with key scenes with a variety of characters from Peter’s life. In one, we get a lead on the mysterious cousin, for instance. In another scene involving Spider-Man’s new friends Raelith, Glitch, and Symbie brings that lovable fun and comedy that Kelly is known for. These scenes keep the story moving forward, and while Spore ends up feeling like a light A plot, it means the issue offers a lot of bang for your buck.
The remainder of the book establishes Spore, a new villain for Spider-Man to contend with. Mostly set up in previous issues, it’s in this issue that we can see some of their powers, making them a top-tier villain for sure. Woods draws their growing abilities in a grotesque and cool way, while another power revealed in the last few pages has a particularly rude way of working on people.
As far as villains go, Spore has a rather obnoxious nature to him, making him a kind of bro-dude. Right now, his motivations are why he’s turned into this thing, and he blames Peter. As far as we know, it’s Ben Reilly’s fault, but of course, Spider-Man can’t tell him that. Throw in the bizarre stretching visuals to convey one of his powers, and what he does to a bunch of Peter’s coworkers, and he’s seriously untethered. Given the slow buildup of the character over many months, he feels earned in his closeness to Peter and unique enough in his power set to be a real problem for Spider-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man #29 keeps the momentum going as Joe Kelly sharpens both Peter’s voice and the growing threat of Spore. The issue balances grounded, character-driven moments with energetic action and a steady drip of plot progression. While Spore’s arc still feels like it’s ramping up, the payoff is starting to take shape, and the supporting cast helps keep things lively throughout. It’s packed with a classic Spider-Man supporting cast that makes the world feel alive.
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