The day has finally come: “8 Deaths of Spider-Man” ends in Amazing Spider-Man #70. The story may have only started four months ago, but with Amazing Spider-Man double-shipped, there are a lot of comics on this road of magic, Scions of Cyttorak, and Doctor Doom putting the fate of Earth in Peter Parker’s hands. Spider-Man is now a juggernaut ready to punch his way to victory in a turn we never saw coming at the start.
Amazing Spider-Man #70 is a lot of fun in a way that only comics can deliver. Spider-Man has been transformed into a hulking Juggernaut-looking hero, and he’s loving the power. Writer Joe Kelly leans into that via the captions highlighting how being an unstoppable force feels really good. It looks good with a fun design by Ed McGuinness.
Outside of looking good, McGuinness also brings the big blockbuster art with Spider-Naut jumping into space. The scale of the threat Peter is facing is truly awesome. These are event-caliber visuals for a story that is event-caliber in stakes.
Love seeing them hang out.
Credit: Marvel
Speaking of, Kelly does a great job tying everything back to Spider-Man’s journey so far. During this story Spider-Man quit, thinking there was no reason to save people, and Kelly circles back to reveal how Spider-Man’s point of view has changed for the better. One of the remaining Scions also has a heartwarming moment with her father that feels like it’s setting up for future stories but also paying off. The events of this series meant something and built up to this finale. It’s also a surprise that everything wasn’t simply reset, but even Cyttorak is changed.
Props should also go to Kelly for nailing Magik and Jungernaut’s relationship. They’re like brothers and sisters, a bit weird and total goofs.
This issue also has a lovely final few pages that wrap up loose ends. That includes how Black Cat saved Spider-Man when he quit, Aunt May’s relationship with Peter, and even Shay. It’s a nice way of wrapping things up before the new #1 issue drops on April 9th.
As far as gripes, sure, this isn’t a conventional Spider-Man story since he’s powered up into a Juggernaut, but it’s also big and fun. One weakness is how easily Spider-Man defeats the Scion, who got them into this mess. It seems he has to fall fast so Spider-Man can focus on the final looming threat. Still, given his rise and focus in previous chapters, he’s pretty much swept under the rug.
Amazing Spider-Man #70 is a thrilling and unconventional conclusion to “8 Deaths of Spider-Man,” bringing big action, emotional payoffs, and a visually spectacular showdown. The issue successfully balances fun superhero bombast with meaningful character moments, making it a strong send-off before the series resets to #1.
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