The penultimate issue of “The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” is out this week with Amazing Spider-Man #69, and the creators who started it all are back. Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness are wrapping up the story, which has had a lot of ups and downs, but can they stick the landing? Judging by the quality of art and the epic nature of this issue, they sure can.
The fact that the first page of Amazing Spider-Man #69 is a full-page splash of Juggernaut smashing Cyclops’ head and Psylocke slashing his helmet with a sword is everything you need to know about this issue. It’s epic with a capital E, and McGuinness continues doing some of his career’s best work.
Cool double-page layouts, excellent inks by Mark Farmer, and Marcio Menyz’s colors make everything pop throughout the issue. This is about as primo as a superhero comic can look, with a great sense of scale when it comes to Cyttorak, who is as big as a building. Meanwhile, small details draw you in, like skulls in Death’s eyes or the detail of Callix’s whip.
Epic opening page!
Credit: Marvel
Props must also go to longtime ASM letterer Joe Caramagna. He knows how to amp up a word balloon with cool borders and extra emphasis.
At its core, this issue is all about asking what the point of anything without love is, especially in the face of death. Cyra, a Scion of Cyttorak, kneels before Spider-Man, upset the champion of Earth is dead. And he’s dead-dead. The stakes are high as her brother Callix aims to kill their father, Cyttorak. For beings who are emotional on a basic level, they are also incredibly unloved. It seems Peter’s ability to witness the death of millions inspires Cyra, and that’s a nice message.
Does this issue implore a deus ex machina solution? Sure, but it’s also a superhero comic with an uppercut of a final page. It’s a combo of Spider-Man and something else that is equally fun, silly, and cool. Did there need to be so many chapters in this story arc? Probably not, but so it goes with Marvel Comics, and I can’t help but be excited for the conclusion.
Amazing Spider-Man #69 delivers a powerhouse of action, emotion, and spectacle, making it a must-read for fans of epic superhero stories. Sure, the turning point feels a bit convenient, but it’s still a heroic turn that Kelly smartly ties to love and caring. Kelly has seemingly done the impossible by giving Spider-Man a new wrinkle that reminds us he’s the most empathetic hero of all time. With stunning visuals and an exhilarating final moment, it sets up an exciting conclusion.
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