Spider-Man’s most “shocking and heartbreaking” issues in 50 years starts in just a few weeks, but before we can read that, Amazing Spider-Man #24 sets things up for readers. Can Spidey save Mary Jane, a woman he recently rekindled a romantic relationship with but had to leave in another dimension? Will Norman Osborn, his only friend, help him get to her? Those questions are answered, and more in Amazing Spider-Man #24, out today!
Spider-Man’s manic rush to save Mary Jane continues this week, carrying on where we left off after Norman agreed to help Peter. The story kicks off in this issue at the Baxter Building, where Ben Grimm is sneaking out to get a snack but hears some bangs and crashes.
This opening with The Thing is some of the best panels in the comic, with Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, and Marcio Menyz drawing a great sequence of events of Thing getting a sandwich. It sounds a bit ludicrous, but it’s good comics.
Enter Spider-Man, who is stealing what is likely a very dangerous power source. Spider-Man must escape, and in a quick two pages, we see the Fantastic Four fumble to stop him. Props to Zeb Wells and Romita for making this scene believable as a mistake or two, and Human Torch’s hot head, aid Spidey in the long run. It’s not often he could top the Fantastic Four.
It’s like a Spidey space suit.
Credit: Marvel
Most of the rest of the issue is devoted to Norman expressing concern about the new suit that’ll send Spider-Man to Mary Jane’s aid and a trippy sequence as he heads her way. Some seeds are planted here, like Ms. Marvel being included in what’s happening, which will likely pay off later.
Sadly, I once again found myself uninterested in the major beats of this story. Spider-Man’s frantic energy to do whatever it takes to get to Mary Jane seems out of character. Rushing to transport himself, knowing full well the suit could have bugs, seems off as well since a scientist with a big brain like Peter’s should know one small mistake could set them back exponentially, not to mention kill him. I still don’t buy why Spider-Man is so afraid for Mary Jane’s life, and as he soon sees in the final moments, he doesn’t have to worry that much. She’s not dead, after all.
The priest villain who sent Peter and Mary Jane to another dimension is also half-baked, or at least we don’t have much to go on about him. That goes for Paul too. We’re left with a story where Peter is acting out of character, and Mary Jane’s actions are yet to be explained since trippy sci-fi concepts like the passage of time aren’t yet explained.
Amazing Spider-Man #24 continues the frustrating experience of this long-awaited story arc. Spider-Man is frantic and unhinged in an issue that leads to what we all expected to happen. How this story shocks and surprises going forward is still up in the air.
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