If you’re looking for a new Spider-Man comic that’s amped up with energy and quips, you’ll probably love The Spectacular Spider-Men. Greg Weisman and Humberto Ramos are mixing fast-paced action with classic Peter Parker melodrama you can’t get anywhere else. The first issue established a larger cast and a direct threat that may be from clone maestro Jackal. Meanwhile, Peter and Miles are best buds bonding over beating up baddies.
The Spectacular Spider-Men #2 opens pretty much where we left off. A decomposed body is being investigated, and it turns out it has exploded at a cellular level. Soon, Detective Sebbens is interviewing Spider-Man, who is his usual chipper and endearingly annoying self. The quipping continues to be excellent in this issue, with coined terms flying fast.
On the Miles side of Spider-Man, he’s as positive and chipper as Peter but less of a dork. He’s got the gusto of a teen, which explains his demeanor, though Peter has no excuse. When these characters are fighting, they’re practically flapping their gums as much as they’re punching and kicking.
Ramos pulls off yet another stellar visual feast. The fight scenes hammer home the agility and quickness of the characters with fast kicks and cool yet awkward moves. The flow of the action is like a dance, and it’s fairly easy to read this issue more than once and take in little details. There’s also a fabulous double-page splash of Miles navigating the coffee shop that is filled with fun Easter eggs and personality.
The way Spidey annoyingly quips is so on point.
Credit: Marvel
Similar to the last issue, there are some peculiar cutaways and people not acting themselves. So far, things aren’t adding up yet, although one cutaway is directly tackled in this issue. The others are borderline frustrating since you feel like you missed a page or aren’t getting it. That said, these scenes will likely get explanations going forward.
While we continue to question the main threat, there’s at least one monster-of-the-week conflict to explore. Another classic villain pops in to give Miles and Spider-Man a run for their money. Fans of the ’90s Spider-Man comics will be happy to see this villain pop back up.
Expect incredible art from one of the greatest Spider-Man artists, with some of the best quipping and comedy writing for Spider-Man in some time. The Spectacular Spider-Men is vibrant, fun, and hard to put down.
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