After an eye-poppingly good opening story arc by Joe Kelly and Peppe Larraz, things are rejiggered this week in Amazing Spider-Man #6. The once-teased Hellgate is entering this second story arc, as well as John Romita Jr., as the main artist. Can Spider-Man, Black Cat, and readers survive the experience?
As is the norm for new story arcs, Amazing Spider-Man #6 opens in a new-reader sort of way. The opening page reveals Spider-Man getting ready to head out, packing his bag, preparing his web shooter, and somehow feeling happy for the first time in ages. As is the case with the Parker luck, one can assume that happiness won’t last long, but heck, if he’s not going to have fun taking out some criminals in a limousine. Romita does a good job drawing your eye left and right as Spidey punches and grabs through cracked and stretched windows.
From there, the issue balances the supporting characters nicely. We’re reminded Peter is pretty bad at showing up to work, but it has been a solid few weeks of getting work done. Kelly naturally weaves in character elements for Peter’s boss as well as Peter’s old middle school friend, who is a bit of a goof. There are different dynamics in play, which refresh things.
I love how the glass breaking has that web effect.
Credit: Marvel
As the cover indicates, Black Cat plays a part in this issue, and there’s some seductive ex-girlfriend energy going around. Besides flirting, there’s even a comment referring to using condoms if you’re just dating people. That comes by way of Shay, who helps define Peter as an immature person to date, but he’s got plenty of room for growth. Peter’s love life is as messy as ever.
Additional growth can be seen with Aunt May’s new friend, who has only seen Peter drugged out, per the last story arc. There’s some effort needed to win him over. On the reverse side, Norman Osborn and Peter are as tight as ever, and it’s nice to see Norman’s near-obsession with righting his wrongs continue.
If this sounds like a table setting issue, it definitely feels that way. The main threat ends up being the cliffhanger alone, but for fans of Spider-Man and its deep bench of supporting characters, you’ll love the progress taking place across subplots.
Love or hate Romita’s work, which admittedly has a profound whiplash effect after Larraz’s clean modern style, it’s a solid entry by him here. It’s dynamic and in your face when needed, while maintaining a simpler layout style that keeps the story moving. Faces can look awkward or strange here and there, but when masks are on, there are no issues.
While Amazing Spider-Man #6 doesn’t deliver major action or revelations, it’s a well-crafted breather issue that builds out Peter Parker’s world with heart, humor, and a tangle of romantic tension. The shift in art style may divide readers, but there’s no denying the storytelling is still swinging strong.
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