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Spider-Man and the League of Realms might be my most anticipated War of the Realms tie-in yet. It features Spidey with a ragtag group of Asgardians fighting what appears to be angels. How can Spider-Man lead these guys? Wait, who put him in charge!?
So what’s it about?
Read the preview.
Why does this matter?
This was Forrest’s most anticipated comic out this week on last week’s Comics Podcast and I don’t blame him. Spider-Man sporting a helmet, shield, and leading the charge to save Earth? Giddyup.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Is it just me or is it always funny when Spider-Man drives?
Credit: Marvel Comics
This issue has a good pace, opening with Spider-Man driving his crew into battle as the narrative effectively flashes back as to how he got here. We then get some crazy war battling, a touching bit of Spider-Man endearment, and a cliffhanger that should ramp things up for issue #2. Most importantly writer Sean Ryan brings the iconic Spider-Man humor in full force. A running gag early on is how each one of these Asgardians has an insane name that’s either hard to pronounce or so long you might as well not bother. This looks and sounds like Spider-Man and given the very unique position he’s in that’s great.
Ryan does a good job with introducing an angel character named Fernande. She’s in an unenviable place but is part of a war culture where soldiers do as they are told. In a quick flashback, and then later in a scene where she connects with a hero we learn who she is deep down. In an early flashback, we learn why Thor picked Spidey to be the leader of this crew; Spider-Man might be a goof, but he has a heart and has loads of empathy.
Nico Leon draws this issue with Carlos Lopez on colors and Joe Caramagna on letters. Leon draws a lanky and tiny Spider-Man that helps set him apart from the giant Asgardians. The eye expressions work well too which includes intense staredowns and moments of seriousness. The Asgardians joining Spider-Man are all eclectic and well designed too. The Thor flashback is quite nice with a cooler color tone to help add weight to Thor’s compliments and remind us it took place at an earlier time.
Seriously how can you remember these people’s names?
Credit: Marvel Comics
It can’t be perfect, can it?
The only negative I can see here, aside from your need to read the bigger event to really understand the weight of this story, is the backgrounds. They’re quite blank and limited. They leave the scenes looking underdeveloped and sometimes lacking in composition.
Is it good?
I had a blast with this tie-in and I’m thirsty for more. Spider-Man leading a crew of killer Asgardians is funny enough, but under the pen of Leon and Ryan, the goofy Spider-Man is shining through nicely.
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