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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #28
The Amazing Spider-Man: American Son
Following immediately on the heels of "24/7", Spider-Man's world has become more messed-up and stressful than ever and the fact that his biggest enemy is in charge of the world - and the Avengers - is only the icing on a really dangerous cake. Now faced with hard choices about family and friendship, Spider-Man knows exactly what he has to do to save the world - it's time to take down Norman Osborn!
136 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Joe Kelly
1,081 books221 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
November 10, 2011
I have a feeling this story won’t age particularly well. This was set during the Dark Reign, a time where Spider-Man’s prime arch-foe Norman Osborn, also known as the Green Goblin, inexplicably became the top law enforcer of the United States as fallout from the Secret Invasion. This was also Spider-Man in his Brand New Day reboot, which restored his secret identity and a controversial annulment from his wife.
This story would be difficult to follow if you are not updated with current Marvel Comics editorial direction. I’m not even a regular buyer of their monthly titles, but I do keep track of the latest news from comics news websites.
The Brand New Day direction has resulted in what I believe the best Spider-Man stories these past five years. This new outlook is helped by a competent editorial influence and a brain trust of the best and up and coming writers in the comic book business.
One of these editorial decisions was to streamline the Spider-Man line from three books to one main title, Amazing Spider-Man which shipped three times a month. This resulted in a stronger and coherent Spider-Man voice, which distinguishes itself from the team books the character appears monthly. This accelerated shipping schedule necessitated a rotating art team. Fortunately, the four artists involved in this story arc have similar art styles so the art change in every chapter is not jarring. The coloring team also helps in ensuring a uniform look.
This story was about Harry Osborn, who has been both a disappointing son and friend to Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego. This character has been, in various stages, a drug dependent, super-villain and dead. He returned in Brand New Day and cleaned up his act. He has been sober and an entrepreneur. He has had his troubles lately, with his failing coffee shop and a relationship that did not end particularly well. Parker feared that his friend may succumb to the lure of drugs since he doubted his resolve. Even his father continued to view his son with contempt and undeserving of his name. With that kind of baggage the writing team managed to develop a nuanced character. They gave him a backbone and in this storyline, Harry confronted his father and Spider-Man. He made a decision here that advanced his development as a character and an integral part of the Spider-man supporting cast.
This story would be difficult to follow if you are not updated with current Marvel Comics editorial direction. I’m not even a regular buyer of their monthly titles, but I do keep track of the latest news from comics news websites.
The Brand New Day direction has resulted in what I believe the best Spider-Man stories these past five years. This new outlook is helped by a competent editorial influence and a brain trust of the best and up and coming writers in the comic book business.
One of these editorial decisions was to streamline the Spider-Man line from three books to one main title, Amazing Spider-Man which shipped three times a month. This resulted in a stronger and coherent Spider-Man voice, which distinguishes itself from the team books the character appears monthly. This accelerated shipping schedule necessitated a rotating art team. Fortunately, the four artists involved in this story arc have similar art styles so the art change in every chapter is not jarring. The coloring team also helps in ensuring a uniform look.
This story was about Harry Osborn, who has been both a disappointing son and friend to Norman Osborn and Peter Parker, Spider-Man’s alter ego. This character has been, in various stages, a drug dependent, super-villain and dead. He returned in Brand New Day and cleaned up his act. He has been sober and an entrepreneur. He has had his troubles lately, with his failing coffee shop and a relationship that did not end particularly well. Parker feared that his friend may succumb to the lure of drugs since he doubted his resolve. Even his father continued to view his son with contempt and undeserving of his name. With that kind of baggage the writing team managed to develop a nuanced character. They gave him a backbone and in this storyline, Harry confronted his father and Spider-Man. He made a decision here that advanced his development as a character and an integral part of the Spider-man supporting cast.
June 27, 2021
This is probably one of the best Harry stories ever!
Norman is the leader of the Dark Avengers now and he wants his son Harry to join him but then comes the big reveal with Lily and so Harry has to for her join with his father and go against peter but he wont leave that quietly and he goes undercover only to be found out and so he is being tortured and all by Bullseye and Daken meanwhile Harry confronts his father after a big revelation with Lily and they fight and its Iron Patriot vs American son (Armor) and its an epic clash to see with Peter in the mix and the things that it leads to are heart breaking, character evolving, moment of decisions and so much more and it changes Harry forever!
I like how this story manages to focuses on the father son dynamic of Harry and Norman and what he does to is a cool one and I love how Peter calmed him down and it shows their friendship and that he will never leave him.
This was a wild story from start to finish and will probably not age well but I am excited to see how things progress forward plus the art was decent for the most part and all.
Norman is the leader of the Dark Avengers now and he wants his son Harry to join him but then comes the big reveal with Lily and so Harry has to for her join with his father and go against peter but he wont leave that quietly and he goes undercover only to be found out and so he is being tortured and all by Bullseye and Daken meanwhile Harry confronts his father after a big revelation with Lily and they fight and its Iron Patriot vs American son (Armor) and its an epic clash to see with Peter in the mix and the things that it leads to are heart breaking, character evolving, moment of decisions and so much more and it changes Harry forever!
I like how this story manages to focuses on the father son dynamic of Harry and Norman and what he does to is a cool one and I love how Peter calmed him down and it shows their friendship and that he will never leave him.
This was a wild story from start to finish and will probably not age well but I am excited to see how things progress forward plus the art was decent for the most part and all.
December 9, 2017
Good story. This Lily character is Just very delusional to me
June 28, 2021
2026 Review - Really enjoyed this. Watching Peter beat the living shit out of Norman and then the whole last two issues. Very good stuff, especially for Harry.
2020 Review - A decent story with Peter on edge.
When Peter is pushed to his limit during the Dark Reign era he is trying to decide if he should finally kill Osborn. I always hated the whole "Peter doesn't kill or won't" cause that's just lame. He won't murderer outright but I think if pushed to it, he can kill, and he shouldn't feel guilty when a vicious monster keeps coming back.
So the fact Joe Kelly wrote Peter trying to decide if he should kill or won't is great. Harry also gets a ton of character development that works really well for the character. The brutal nature of Norman comes out and the end result is a pretty good tale though a-okay ending.
Overall, enjoyable but not amazing, but that's okay. That's mostly what I expected.
2020 Review - A decent story with Peter on edge.
When Peter is pushed to his limit during the Dark Reign era he is trying to decide if he should finally kill Osborn. I always hated the whole "Peter doesn't kill or won't" cause that's just lame. He won't murderer outright but I think if pushed to it, he can kill, and he shouldn't feel guilty when a vicious monster keeps coming back.
So the fact Joe Kelly wrote Peter trying to decide if he should kill or won't is great. Harry also gets a ton of character development that works really well for the character. The brutal nature of Norman comes out and the end result is a pretty good tale though a-okay ending.
Overall, enjoyable but not amazing, but that's okay. That's mostly what I expected.
February 22, 2015
Harry is being manipulated by his father to become the next Captain America while Spider-Man tries to stop the madness.
A solid three star, especially if you include the artwork. Almost a four star but not quite.
MY GRADE: B
A solid three star, especially if you include the artwork. Almost a four star but not quite.
MY GRADE: B
May 14, 2014
My girlfriend is Mexican like myself, with a darker tan, extremely beautiful, and had dyed her hair blond for a couple months. We discover we were going to be parents. And her name is Lilly. As the months go by and her stomach starts getting bigger, I pick up this book. You can imagine what a coincidence I thought this was. Also when she gets mad, she can become quite a beast.
Iv finally gotten around to finishing this book and said fetus inside her womb is now my 3 year old son, and he is not a goblin.
Then again he can be a little monster.
Iv finally gotten around to finishing this book and said fetus inside her womb is now my 3 year old son, and he is not a goblin.
Then again he can be a little monster.
May 12, 2019
I love the last 7 pages, powerful stuff
January 14, 2023
Peter ve Harry'nin arkadaşlığına dair güzel kesitler bulunduruyor. Hem Harry'nin Peter'a duyduğu kıskançlığı hem de sevgiyi görmek güzeldi. Gizli İstila sonrası dönem -Dark Reign- devam ediyor. Norman azılı suçlulardan oluşan kendi Avengers ekibini kurmuş, ekibe son parça olarak da oğlu Harry'i katmak istemektedir. Harry'nin sevgilisine şantaj yaparak onu razı etse de aslında işler çok daha farklı. Norman'ın ne kadar manipülatif olduğunu görüyoruz bir kez daha. Spider-Man'in kılık değiştirerek bir nevi casus gibi düşman üssüne sızması farklı bir tat verdi. Peter'ın kendine koyduğu ahlaki sınırı geçmeye bu kadar hevesli olması biraz garip geldi. Artık canına tak etmiş olsa da bunu düşünmemeliydi bence.
March 12, 2025
Amazing Spider-Man: American Son has not aged particularly well. It is not a bad comic, but it seems like at the time, it was received quite well, which I do not fully understand. In fairness, it is a very late 2000s comic. Reading it now for the first time, though, it is just alright.
The highlight here is the spotlight on Harry. He is quite well written in this story, and this comic shows him as pretty complex, shining a light on many of his most interesting aspects, like his past addiction, his relationship with his dad, his relationship with Peter, and more. It never feels like Kelly is trying to balance too many aspects of Harry’s character, but I did not like some of the plot points used in this regard. A few plot points here feel quite contrived and genuinely just strange. Again, it is a very late 2000s comic.
The characters other than Harry are a mixed bag. Peter is written solidly here, not incredible but not bad either. It feels like more of a Harry story than anything else, so this makes sense. I thought Norman was fine here. He was scary for sure, but I never found him or his plans that captivating. Also, I am not typically a fan of major supervillains becoming mayor, president, or other elected government figures in comics, and I do not think this is a particularly strong example. Granted, this was the hand Kelly was dealt, given the ongoing Dark Reign storyline at the time. Considering this, he handled it relatively well. I do not like the character of Lily, also known as Menace, at all. I do not know a lot about her, but she feels like an amalgamation of a few other Spider-Man characters’ traits but not well fleshed out. She is a derivative, lazy, and strange character. The portrayal of Invisible Woman is pretty bad and feels a little sexist. This is true for the portrayal of a few other female characters in this story as well.
The action in the comic is pretty good. A couple fights probably would have been improved if they lasted longer. None of the action is particularly memorable. Similar things can be said for Jiminez’s art. It is pretty good, but there is nothing too memorable.
Is Amazing Spider-Man: American Son worth reading? Maybe. If you really like Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn, the Dark Avengers, a bit of an edgier Spider-Man, and this era of Spider-Man comics, it is probably worth reading. If that mixture does not sound appealing to you, it is probably not worth reading. Harry is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. All things considered, it is a 6/10.
The highlight here is the spotlight on Harry. He is quite well written in this story, and this comic shows him as pretty complex, shining a light on many of his most interesting aspects, like his past addiction, his relationship with his dad, his relationship with Peter, and more. It never feels like Kelly is trying to balance too many aspects of Harry’s character, but I did not like some of the plot points used in this regard. A few plot points here feel quite contrived and genuinely just strange. Again, it is a very late 2000s comic.
The characters other than Harry are a mixed bag. Peter is written solidly here, not incredible but not bad either. It feels like more of a Harry story than anything else, so this makes sense. I thought Norman was fine here. He was scary for sure, but I never found him or his plans that captivating. Also, I am not typically a fan of major supervillains becoming mayor, president, or other elected government figures in comics, and I do not think this is a particularly strong example. Granted, this was the hand Kelly was dealt, given the ongoing Dark Reign storyline at the time. Considering this, he handled it relatively well. I do not like the character of Lily, also known as Menace, at all. I do not know a lot about her, but she feels like an amalgamation of a few other Spider-Man characters’ traits but not well fleshed out. She is a derivative, lazy, and strange character. The portrayal of Invisible Woman is pretty bad and feels a little sexist. This is true for the portrayal of a few other female characters in this story as well.
The action in the comic is pretty good. A couple fights probably would have been improved if they lasted longer. None of the action is particularly memorable. Similar things can be said for Jiminez’s art. It is pretty good, but there is nothing too memorable.
Is Amazing Spider-Man: American Son worth reading? Maybe. If you really like Harry Osborn, Norman Osborn, the Dark Avengers, a bit of an edgier Spider-Man, and this era of Spider-Man comics, it is probably worth reading. If that mixture does not sound appealing to you, it is probably not worth reading. Harry is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here. All things considered, it is a 6/10.
October 14, 2018
Very surprised. A meh Spidey story but a really good Harry story!
World: I know this is a book from the 2000s I know but wow the female characters in this book is a bit too much, the way Sue Storm is drawn is pretty much how Catwoman was drawn in the 90s, nude and then with body paint, it's 2018 so it is kinda painful to look at. The world building here is solid, it's a continuation of both Peter's current story but more important it's a direct link to the situation with Norman Osborn and the Avengers, it's pretty interesting and a good stage for the story to play out. It deals with history and I like that, pulling the Norman/Harry relationship back into focus was an interesting move and one that has not been done in a while, good job.
Story: The Spidey angle of the story was rather meh, nothing much really happens to him except he gets tortured and tries to save his friend, and he is a good friend. We see Peter be a loyal and good friend to Harry and that's a good thing to reestablish this for the Slott era, but as I said this is not really Peter's story, it's Harry's. It's an interesting Harry story that starts off rather meh and kinda eye rolling stupid with the baby and all that but when you get to issue 5 and the confrontation happens and the emotions and history of the character come all together that single issue was pretty solid and entertaining, everything else before was rather meh.
Characters: Peter is Peter, nothing new here, he's a good friend. This is Harry's story and even though it's his story he is still rather a bit all over the place and janky but it does all come together in the end with a satisfying confrontation and end, it's a good scene and worth the read of this story alone. The other characters found here are rather meh and do fit the roles they are intended for, it's fun to have all the Rogues in Avengers tower but yeah, they only served their purpose.
An alright story with a really good end that made it a satisfying read.
Onward to the next book!
World: I know this is a book from the 2000s I know but wow the female characters in this book is a bit too much, the way Sue Storm is drawn is pretty much how Catwoman was drawn in the 90s, nude and then with body paint, it's 2018 so it is kinda painful to look at. The world building here is solid, it's a continuation of both Peter's current story but more important it's a direct link to the situation with Norman Osborn and the Avengers, it's pretty interesting and a good stage for the story to play out. It deals with history and I like that, pulling the Norman/Harry relationship back into focus was an interesting move and one that has not been done in a while, good job.
Story: The Spidey angle of the story was rather meh, nothing much really happens to him except he gets tortured and tries to save his friend, and he is a good friend. We see Peter be a loyal and good friend to Harry and that's a good thing to reestablish this for the Slott era, but as I said this is not really Peter's story, it's Harry's. It's an interesting Harry story that starts off rather meh and kinda eye rolling stupid with the baby and all that but when you get to issue 5 and the confrontation happens and the emotions and history of the character come all together that single issue was pretty solid and entertaining, everything else before was rather meh.
Characters: Peter is Peter, nothing new here, he's a good friend. This is Harry's story and even though it's his story he is still rather a bit all over the place and janky but it does all come together in the end with a satisfying confrontation and end, it's a good scene and worth the read of this story alone. The other characters found here are rather meh and do fit the roles they are intended for, it's fun to have all the Rogues in Avengers tower but yeah, they only served their purpose.
An alright story with a really good end that made it a satisfying read.
Onward to the next book!
August 24, 2020
Dark Reign'in Örümceğin hayatını bu sefer damardan etkilediği olayları işleyen bir cilt. Genel olarak aksiyonu yerli yerindeydi ancak bazı mantık hataları canımı çok sıktı: Kendi kurgusu içinde bir tutarlılığı olmalı evrenin.
Ayrıca Norman ve Harry Osborn'un zilyonuncu kez işlenen baba-oğul düşmanlığı hafiften kabak tadı vermedi değil.
Ayrıca Norman ve Harry Osborn'un zilyonuncu kez işlenen baba-oğul düşmanlığı hafiften kabak tadı vermedi değil.
July 8, 2019
Wasn't sure where this was going to go, but I suppose further addressing Norman Osborn as a hero and how his son Harry may deal with all this was rather long overdue. The resulting story, which included efforts to make Norman even ickier since he's cultivated a relationship with Harry's goblin-powered ex-girlfriend was a little cringy but the whole story certainly made sense in terms of just how sick Norman can be. Spider-Man is in this story too, but let's get real and admit this is all about the Osborns again and that helped it move forward. The way Spider-Man was trying to shoehorn himself into the situation as a good friend was a little awkward but well-intentioned nonetheless. Apparently, Peter Parker is THAT sort of friend.
January 17, 2022
This is baffling.
Why would they sign off on a story that so massively seems a step backwards for the Norman Osborn character?
Right during an event where he was supposed to be set up as a Lex Luthor-esque master genius? One who plots and schemes with the very best of 'em.
The story is convoluted at best, and the finale reeks of the worst of mid-80s super-heroics.
It's not without its charms; and Kelley is best when he can write dialogue that sizzles. But the plotting is absurd and the final act just devolves into mush.
Why would they sign off on a story that so massively seems a step backwards for the Norman Osborn character?
Right during an event where he was supposed to be set up as a Lex Luthor-esque master genius? One who plots and schemes with the very best of 'em.
The story is convoluted at best, and the finale reeks of the worst of mid-80s super-heroics.
It's not without its charms; and Kelley is best when he can write dialogue that sizzles. But the plotting is absurd and the final act just devolves into mush.
April 22, 2023
3.5 stars
Oh my god, Norman Osborn is...really messed up. Oof. Spider-Man takes a little bit of the sidelines in this story, focusing instead on Harry and his father. There's some great stuff that comes out of that storyline; a lot of emotional depth and honestly, lots of trauma. You really feel for Harry, though.
There's some stuff in here that doesn't age particuarly well (especially when it comes to the female characters), but alas. It is from the early 2000s. Overall, an engaging story that really gets tense in spots. It'll be interesting to see what happens next!
Oh my god, Norman Osborn is...really messed up. Oof. Spider-Man takes a little bit of the sidelines in this story, focusing instead on Harry and his father. There's some great stuff that comes out of that storyline; a lot of emotional depth and honestly, lots of trauma. You really feel for Harry, though.
There's some stuff in here that doesn't age particuarly well (especially when it comes to the female characters), but alas. It is from the early 2000s. Overall, an engaging story that really gets tense in spots. It'll be interesting to see what happens next!
July 23, 2025
"BY THE WAY, HITLER WANTS HIS MUSTACHE BACK."
- Peter Parker to J. Jonah Jameson, soon to be brothers-in-law.
"WHERE'S THE REST OF THE GESTAPO? OUT FOR A ROUND OF STRANGLING PUPPIES BEFORE BED?"
- Spider-Man to some of the Thunderbolts.
"YOU WILL NOT DIE ALONE. I WILL FIND YOUR FAMILY AND THEY WILL JOIN YOU... AFTER I HAVE DONE THINGS TO HIM NOT HEARD OF SINCE THE SPANISH INQUISITION."
- Norman Osborn not holding back.
Major revelations in this one. Very Osborn-centric
Four stars!
- Peter Parker to J. Jonah Jameson, soon to be brothers-in-law.
"WHERE'S THE REST OF THE GESTAPO? OUT FOR A ROUND OF STRANGLING PUPPIES BEFORE BED?"
- Spider-Man to some of the Thunderbolts.
"YOU WILL NOT DIE ALONE. I WILL FIND YOUR FAMILY AND THEY WILL JOIN YOU... AFTER I HAVE DONE THINGS TO HIM NOT HEARD OF SINCE THE SPANISH INQUISITION."
- Norman Osborn not holding back.
Major revelations in this one. Very Osborn-centric
Four stars!
March 12, 2023
Wow
I really enjoyed this. I was glad to finally see Harry grow a backbone, the plot actually went somewhere, and the artwork was great! Some creative developments, but I hated to see Sins Past revisited. The plot line sucked then and the trope sucked again, but aside from that, a great collection!
I really enjoyed this. I was glad to finally see Harry grow a backbone, the plot actually went somewhere, and the artwork was great! Some creative developments, but I hated to see Sins Past revisited. The plot line sucked then and the trope sucked again, but aside from that, a great collection!
July 7, 2024
Joe Kelly's run isn't quite as good as the rest of the 'Spidey Brain Trust"'s, but that could be because he was dealt the Norman Osborn/ H.A.M.M.E.R. hand. Don't get me wrong, this arc has it's moments and is overall an enjoyable read, but it wasn't great. That's okay, ASM is still the best title Marvel has going right now and every issue doesn't have to be the greatest issue ever made.
October 19, 2025
10 cildin arasındaki en iyi hikaye kesinlikle. Güzel bir twistin de mevcut olduğu bu hikaye Norman ve Harry Osborn ilişkisine odaklanıyor. Harry' nin babasına karşı olan onay görme isteği ve babasının Harry' e karşı hayal kırıklığı çok güzel işlenmiş. Sonda Harry' in Norman' a resti çekip onu hayatından çıkarmasını da çok beğendim. 4.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
I loved this book. The Peter/Harry interaction is fun to read. Norman Osborn really is so evil, and I love to hate that man. I can't wait for the Dark Reign to end and see Norman put on his place, that's gonna be epic! (I hope)...
May 18, 2026
Considering how well everything else has been tying into Dark Reign, this was stellar. I really enjoyed the exploration of Norman and Harry's terrible relationship, and it was exciting that my two favourite Dark Avengers got little extended moments, even though they deserved better.
July 7, 2018
Poor start, good finish
July 16, 2019
Well, this was pretty messed up. Dear God is Norman evil.
July 4, 2020
It is truly so hard being a Harry Osborn fan in this economy.
May 11, 2022
The vanilla ice cream of Spider-Man stories. No problems, but nothing especially dazzling either.
October 24, 2026
Hikaye cidden cok heyecan vericiydi aksiyonu cok iyiydi
July 23, 2022
i just can't help feeling sorry for Harry, his father always finds new ways to manipulate him and make him suffer :(
July 16, 2011
I'm not particularly a follower of Spiderman-nothing against the series, just not my thing. I read this because I've been enamored with Joe Kelly since reading his graphic novel I Kill Giants (which was a limited series he did for Image and is therefore fairly different from the stuff he writes for DC and Marvel to pay the bills.)
This is a decent story arc about Spiderman and the continuing conflicts in the Osborn family between Norman (also known as The Green Goblin, of course) and his son Harry. This TPB collects the 4 issues of Kelly's story arc American Son where Norman has turned into a national hero and taken over the Avengers with super villains posing as the original members (Bullseye for Hawkeye, Venom for Spiderman and so on.) There were a few potentially dramatic moments in the story that were squandered by not being clearly explained-like the coda involving Peter's journalist friend Norah and the article she's writing on the Osborn-era Avengers Tower. And while I liked the storyline overall, there was a little too much Osborn family angst.
Having said that, the best part of the collection in terms of story (Joe Kelly, again) and art (Dale Eaglesham) was the short story tacked onto the end about a really twisted and sad father/son moment from Harry's childhood involving his stolen bicycle. Out of a large crew of artists that worked on this book, including Phil Jimenez, Dale Eaglesham easily draws Harry the best.
This is a decent story arc about Spiderman and the continuing conflicts in the Osborn family between Norman (also known as The Green Goblin, of course) and his son Harry. This TPB collects the 4 issues of Kelly's story arc American Son where Norman has turned into a national hero and taken over the Avengers with super villains posing as the original members (Bullseye for Hawkeye, Venom for Spiderman and so on.) There were a few potentially dramatic moments in the story that were squandered by not being clearly explained-like the coda involving Peter's journalist friend Norah and the article she's writing on the Osborn-era Avengers Tower. And while I liked the storyline overall, there was a little too much Osborn family angst.
Having said that, the best part of the collection in terms of story (Joe Kelly, again) and art (Dale Eaglesham) was the short story tacked onto the end about a really twisted and sad father/son moment from Harry's childhood involving his stolen bicycle. Out of a large crew of artists that worked on this book, including Phil Jimenez, Dale Eaglesham easily draws Harry the best.
February 11, 2012
First things first: the rotating artists got kinda old after awhile. They were all good-to-great, don't get me wrong. But Starting off with the sublime Phil Jimenez only makes it harder on any other artist involved in a given storyline. Amazing at times, but the shifts took me out of the story a little too often.
That said, Can Joe Kelly write Spider-Man? Like, forever? Yes, it's a little too tied to The Dark Reign storyline at times. But the characters are so pitch-perfect, 'tis an east sin to forgive. If you want to get hung up on "civilian unfriendly" details like JJJ being mayor or Aunt May being engaged, I can't stop you. As someone who doesn't read Spidey regularly (except for his appearances in The Avengers and the odd limited series or older storyline in TPB format like this one), it's the price you pay for doing that kind of business.
Peter Parker and Harry Osborn are best friends, despite Harry's dad being obsessed with destroying Parker's Friendly Neighborhood alter-ego. This storyline (set within the aforementioned Dark Reign company-wide rubric) put that friendship to the test. With a near-perfect blend of action, quips, drama and character moments, it's easily some of the best Spidey of the last few years. For a guy in Kelly who made his reputation in the comics industry on an acknowledged Spidey rip-off in Deadpool, his work on the OG leaves nothing to be desired but more please.
That said, Can Joe Kelly write Spider-Man? Like, forever? Yes, it's a little too tied to The Dark Reign storyline at times. But the characters are so pitch-perfect, 'tis an east sin to forgive. If you want to get hung up on "civilian unfriendly" details like JJJ being mayor or Aunt May being engaged, I can't stop you. As someone who doesn't read Spidey regularly (except for his appearances in The Avengers and the odd limited series or older storyline in TPB format like this one), it's the price you pay for doing that kind of business.
Peter Parker and Harry Osborn are best friends, despite Harry's dad being obsessed with destroying Parker's Friendly Neighborhood alter-ego. This storyline (set within the aforementioned Dark Reign company-wide rubric) put that friendship to the test. With a near-perfect blend of action, quips, drama and character moments, it's easily some of the best Spidey of the last few years. For a guy in Kelly who made his reputation in the comics industry on an acknowledged Spidey rip-off in Deadpool, his work on the OG leaves nothing to be desired but more please.
May 14, 2012
Loved Siquero's art again, and the involvement of the evil Avengers. Hated the Deus ex machina of Peter's Venom mask saving him from getting shot. My two biggest problems were, there is an assumption of an emotional investment in Harry as a good guy that after 30 years of villainy and death I just don't have anymore (blame One More Day) and Norman knocking up Harry's ex and acting batshit crazy at the end was more a negative for him as a villain than a positive. He's always better as the evil-genius-ruthless-businessman than as the totally insane obsessed-with-weird-goblin-shit villain. Last note: 2 more references by Kelly here equal over a dozen references to Spidey as an uber-liberal who hates Republicans, Bush, the war on terror, and to being a communist of the Green Arrow level since Brand New Day began. There is no reason to alienate fans with your political bullshit. I realize that Civil War was a none too subtle allegory, and that Spidey came down on a certain side. But that doesn't suddenly make Spidey the poster child for Obama's election campaign or your outlet for that great Bush hating joke you just heard. Grow up, be professional, and do your jobs, people. Leave your politics in the voting booth when it comes to internationally beloved iconic American characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews