The back and forth of Amazing Spider-Man has allowed smooth artist changes while Joe Kelly explores different facets of the current Spider-Man mythos. This week, we bounce back to Peter Parker in space, who is marooned on a planet and trying to figure out his newfound feelings for an alien crew member. Is this love, lust, or something else? Who are we kidding? The Parker luck will certainly drop at the worst time!
Amazing Spider-Man #17 is an important issue, doing a good job juggling the found-family aspect of Peter’s crew, a budding romance, and the looming Hellgate threat. The crew being stranded adds a subplot that gives the issue its own satisfying conclusion, but the real meat of the issue involves Peter and his newfound flame, Raelith, alone in the woods.
Kelly and artist Pepe Larraz bring a lot of what works to this issue, combining into a highly satisfying superhero comic. From the beautiful alien worlds to the lustful and natural relationship of Peter and Raelith, there’s a lot to chew on. After the subplot of the shipwreck is established, the story takes us into the woods, where the two lovebirds discuss their relationship. Before long, an entity arrives, forcing Raelith to her knees, and Spider-Man fights alien raptors alone.
An interesting theme of this issue is how we get into Peter’s head: at one point, from his new suit, and in another instance, from the threat of Hellgate. Consent is a recurring element of this story arc, a wholesome grounding for all the sci-fi stuff.
Cool effect on Nikodimu of Pinnacle.
Credit: Marvel
Also returning in this issue are the key flashbacks to Peter’s youth. Less heavy-handed than previous issues, we get a clear connection to the fight at hand as Peter attempts to inspire Raelith to fight her domineering homeworld force. Sure, Peter telling a story from his youth while fighting alien raptors only to end the story right as he is exhausted is a bit much, but this is comics! It also leads to a triumphant moment that’ll make you love Raelith even more.
Visually, this is a stunner of an issue, and likely your favorite art out this week. Larraz is an exceptional artist, especially when paired with the extraordinary color artist Marte Gracia. The two capture the alien world well, with dramatic beats that hit hard. When Raelith rises, you’ll feel it in your bones. The new alien suit is super cool looking, the fight choreography is easy to follow, and it packs a punch. The creature from Hellgate’s world, Nikodimu of Pinnacle, appears in a trippy spray of light, capturing its godly nature. This is event-caliber visual storytelling at its best.
It’s a minor gripe, but can we get more Symbie in this book? He’s cute, a big mystery, and mostly just in the background. True, we get one tidbit about their intellect in this issue, but let’s get more of this future-plushie, can’t we?
Amazing Spider-Man #17 is a gorgeous, emotionally resonant sci-fi romance wrapped in superhero spectacle. Kelly continues to prove how flexible and emotionally rich Peter Parker can be across any genre, while Larraz and Gracia deliver visuals worthy of a major Marvel event. With Hellgate looming and new feelings complicating Peter’s already chaotic life, this issue hits hard on both the heart and the senses.
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