When he launched Spectacular Spider-Men, Greg Weisman said that he intended to bring a new dynamic to Peter Parker and Miles Morales’ relationship. “Miles is, in essence, trying to punch up. He’s trying to show how mature he is. He’s hanging out with this guy who he’s respected for so long and who’s been such a huge influence on him. So he’s really trying to be mature and trying to do this,” Weisman said in an interview. “And Peter, on the other hand is like, “I’m hanging with a 16-year-old. I can let my inner 16-year-old out.” In some ways, Peter’s behaving like a goofball because he feels free to do so.”
I bring this up because Spectacular Spider-Men #9 by Weisman, Andres Genolet, Emilio Laiso, and Edgar Delgado (with Joe Caramagna providing his signature Spidey-style lettering) puts the web-slingers in a new position: mentors. Following the battle of the Arcadium, one of Peter and Miles’ fellow therapy members, Juliet Marcos, has somehow gained the ability to transform her body based on the elements, but she needs help controlling this ability. Peter and Miles bring in a wide range of heroes (and one villain) to help Juliet while also trying to figure out how exactly she got their powers.
It’s an interesting conundrum that the Spider-Men find themselves in, especially considering how both of them had to more or less learn superheroism on the fly. “Superhero teacher” isn’t what you’d expect from either of them, and yet they manage to rise to the occasion. Weisman has a knack for writing the dynamic between Peter and Miles; the first page has them both admitting that they don’t know what they’re doing, but they do what they can to help. (Insert great power, great responsibility here.)
Marvel Comics
The parade of guest stars also provides some hilarious moments. Hydro-Man, out on parole, ends up wanting to go back to prison after encountering Juliet. Viz Vision and Ms. Marvel both show up, which lets Weisman build on Miles’ connection with the Champions and the lingering subplot of Miles having feelings for Ms. Marvel. Even the Fantastic Four show up, with Peter giving voice to a theory some Marvel fans have had.
But thankfully, Spectacular Spider-Men #9 doesn’t let the cameos override the main part of the story, which is how Emily adjusts to her powers. In the Arcadium, she was plugged into a fantasy of being with Anna, the girl she has a crush on. But Anna admitting that she doesn’t really know Juliet is what triggered her transformation, and it feels all too real. We’ve all probably had a crush gone wrong (granted none of us have turned into living water, but Marvel’s best stories excel at using superpower as metaphor.) Genolet brings these powers to life, expertly drawing Emily as a whirling mass of water or a living column of fire; Delgado’s colors highlight the transformation in a truly unique way. Genolet also knows how to do emotion, which is fititng since Emily’s emotions trigger her power. Her water form, despite being see-through, takes on a subtle sadness whenever she sees Juliet – and Genolet will crack even the hardest of hearts with this take on unrequited love.
There’s one element of Spectacular Spider-Men #9 that feels a bit tacked on, and that’s a subplot involving the two Electros: Max Dillon and Francine Frye. Given who’s writing this comic, their feud will probably collide with the Spider-Men sooner or later but I’d have liked to see more of Emily (even if Laisio does draw a great seedy bar.) In any case, Spectacular Spider-Men #9 is a promising introduction of a new character.
You must be logged in to post a comment.