Writer Zeb Wells is wrapping up his run on Amazing Spider-Man, and part two kicks off today with Amazing Spider-Man #57. Wells’ run has come full circle with Tombstone taking center stage, but he was put in prison last issue. Certainly, he can’t do anything now!
Amazing Spider-Man #57 opens with Spider-Man visiting Tombstone in prison. Over the first four pages, Spidey justifies what he did and lets Tombstone know he won’t get away with it. And then he’s let out on bail! So begins Spider-Man’s rush to make sure Tombstone’s daughter Janice and her lover (and Pete’s friend) Randy Roberson are safe.
Plotting moves pretty fast from here like She-Hulk and Luke Cage getting in on what to do or White Rabbit getting called up by Tombstone. I’d prefer if more time were spent going over the route Spider-Man is guarding, but at least by the end of the issue, there’s some decent progress.
Compared to the last issue, this issue does feel shorter-sighted. It’s all a rush to see if Tombstone will actually kill his daughter or not. It certainly makes you want to read the first story arc under Wells to see if there are any connections.
Would they really let Spider-Man in? Doesn’t he need ID?!
Credit: Marvel
That means very little Peter Parker drama in this issue. There’s a single page where he lets his anger get the best of him, but mostly he’s in the Spider-Man costume trying to save everyone.
John Romita Jr. brings his usual quality work with the usual foibles. A few chins here or there look awkward, but Spider-Man is undeniably cool when he appears on the page. White Rabbit gets the most acting in a key scene as we see she’s a dynamic character and not some evil villain. The opening conversation between Tombstone and Spider-Man takes the cake, however, with solid storytelling in their back and forth. Tombstone is positively foreboding in the final full-page splash.
If you like crime family drama, Amazing Spider-Man #57 will satisfy you. Tombstone has to rush to prevent himself from going to jail for a long time, but can he kill his own daughter? I guess we’ll find out by the end of the story arc!
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