What do you think?
Rate this book
The Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet
The Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet, Vol. 5: Lizard
As the Lizard, Dr. Curt Connors ushered a new kind of villainy into Spider-Man's life. Now a widower with a son in foster care, and working at the bottom of the pharmaceutical industry, Connors is a broken, shell of a man...how long will it be before a Lizard breaks that shell?! How will it affect Peter Parker's date with Carlie Cooper?! How is THE BLACK CAT involved?
Collects Amazing Spider-Man #629-633
Collects Amazing Spider-Man #629-633
128 pages, Paperback
First published September 29, 2010
About the author
Zeb Wells
753 books74 followersZeb Wells is an American comic book writer known for his work at Marvel Comics, as well as his work on the animated TV series Robot Chicken.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 20, 2022
This storyline, which featured a fallen Lizard, was wonderfully scripted, and illustrated by Messrs. Wells and Bachalo, respectively. It particularly fit Bachalo talents, with Wells writing to suit to his artist.
However, when it came to enjoyment for this reader, I found this tale too dark for my taste. It felt that now that the Spider-Man office no longer had easy access to Venom (who was with the Thunderbolts during this time), their hero needed another cannibalistic villain.
However, when it came to enjoyment for this reader, I found this tale too dark for my taste. It felt that now that the Spider-Man office no longer had easy access to Venom (who was with the Thunderbolts during this time), their hero needed another cannibalistic villain.
April 26, 2018
Enjoyed this take. Can see something bigger building
May 14, 2018
The last book in the Gauntlet series and probably the darkest.
The gauntlet continues with the Lizard. Conners is looking for a job in order to keep is son who currently residing in foster care.
As the story progresses we find out that Curt was actually in control all those times he transformed but now the Lizard no longer wants to be pushed to the back of Curt's mind and has decides to take over. You can already imagine whats gonna happen once the Lizard is back in control.
Even though is was a pretty short book the writer really managed to develop Conners and had a good understanding of the the character in a way I never seen before. I really wished the Lizard would appear a bit more in Spider-Man he is such an underrated villain.
Overall the Gauntlet series was pretty fun to read, but if you ever decide to read this series skip Vol 3 and 4 they are not really worth reading.
July 7, 2026
2026 - Yup, still one of the darkest and BEST Spider-Man stories around. Love the vibe, the loss, and the brutalness of it all.
2021 - Update: years later I still love this story. The first issue was really the prologue, and it's still weirdly paced because it's by multiple writers. However, the main story is STILL so good. The transformation of the lizard is so wonderful. I actually like this even more upon re-reading it. Check out my full video below to get a more in-depth look at this book/arc -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-36YJ...
2015 - The first issue was a little meh but the rest were stunning. I'm not much into dark grim tales for our hero Spider-man, but this one felt earned. The lizard is a tragic character, and this time we actually have TRUE consequences to his actions. To a person who pushed the wrong buttons and resulted in a great loss. The ending being bitter sweet worked real well too, and not ending on a silly note really made this the ONLY gauntlet story worth reading besides Rhino. Goodjob Zeb!
2021 - Update: years later I still love this story. The first issue was really the prologue, and it's still weirdly paced because it's by multiple writers. However, the main story is STILL so good. The transformation of the lizard is so wonderful. I actually like this even more upon re-reading it. Check out my full video below to get a more in-depth look at this book/arc -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-36YJ...
2015 - The first issue was a little meh but the rest were stunning. I'm not much into dark grim tales for our hero Spider-man, but this one felt earned. The lizard is a tragic character, and this time we actually have TRUE consequences to his actions. To a person who pushed the wrong buttons and resulted in a great loss. The ending being bitter sweet worked real well too, and not ending on a silly note really made this the ONLY gauntlet story worth reading besides Rhino. Goodjob Zeb!
October 5, 2016
Ολα δειχνουν οτι θα εχουμε μια ακομα ιστορία με τον Lizard, αλλα οχι μονο κανει σεναριακα την υπερβαση, αλλα τα Α-ΠΙ-ΣΤΕΥ-ΤΑ layouts κανουν την ιστορια οπτικα εντυπωσιακη και περνανε την ατμοσφαιρα της με μη-λεκτικο τροπο.
October 31, 2018
Visually stunning, solid story.
World: The art is fantastic, it’s beautiful and stylish. I’ve always loved this art and the Lizard looks fantastic because of it. I will say though that the colours are a bit bland and all on the soft side for some reason but this is also the style of the art. The world building is solid, it builds upon the Gauntlet and is character based so that’s a good thing. Going into Conners and his story with his son as the base for the world building is good.
Story: A fun simple little story that has been told many times with this character. Conners trying to control his Lizard brain and failing and then Spidey reminding him in the end, it’s been done so many times. The art made it solid though and this was an enjoyable read. The pieces are in place for Gauntlet and the stuff building towards it was good.
Characters: Conners is a tragic villain and this story has been told again and again for him so it’s nothing new. The Son and what happened really pushed and ‘is it in good taste’ meter with killing kids for the story...
It was solid, an enjoyable story to close of Gauntlet.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fantastic, it’s beautiful and stylish. I’ve always loved this art and the Lizard looks fantastic because of it. I will say though that the colours are a bit bland and all on the soft side for some reason but this is also the style of the art. The world building is solid, it builds upon the Gauntlet and is character based so that’s a good thing. Going into Conners and his story with his son as the base for the world building is good.
Story: A fun simple little story that has been told many times with this character. Conners trying to control his Lizard brain and failing and then Spidey reminding him in the end, it’s been done so many times. The art made it solid though and this was an enjoyable read. The pieces are in place for Gauntlet and the stuff building towards it was good.
Characters: Conners is a tragic villain and this story has been told again and again for him so it’s nothing new. The Son and what happened really pushed and ‘is it in good taste’ meter with killing kids for the story...
It was solid, an enjoyable story to close of Gauntlet.
Onward to the next book!
Read
December 24, 2018Gauntlet Serisi arasından gerek hikaye gerekse sertlik bakımında en iyisi diyebilirim.
Hikayenin vadettiği Parker'ın psikolojik çöküşünü sadece Mark Waid ve Zebb Wells hikayelerinde alabildim sıralama yapacak olursam
Lizard > Electro & Sandman > Rhino & Mysterio > Vulture & Morbius > Juggernaut
Hikayenin vadettiği Parker'ın psikolojik çöküşünü sadece Mark Waid ve Zebb Wells hikayelerinde alabildim sıralama yapacak olursam
Lizard > Electro & Sandman > Rhino & Mysterio > Vulture & Morbius > Juggernaut
January 31, 2021
I love the phsycology and relationchip between connors, the lizard and his son (Billy Connors) and what destiny´s been waiting for them all ever since The Lizard Shed the skin of Dr Curt Connors..
October 21, 2024
In a fair and just world, Zeb Wells would be breaking rocks in a work camp
January 21, 2018
Book Info: This collection contains
Amazing Spider-Man
issues #629-633 and
Web of Spider-Man
issue #6.
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
In the The Gauntlet, Volume 5, Kurt Connors – after keeping his inner "lizard brain" in check long enough to find employment as a scientist working with reptiles again – finally loses control and lets the monster back out. It's uncommonly dark for a Spider-Man story, and that's one of the best things about it. But perhaps best of all, was Bachalo's art. But this is nothing new; I've been aware of, and loved his style for a while now. Unfortunately, this book makes some significant mistakes that hold it back by at least a star.
First of all, I wish Wells kept focused and channeled the Incredible Hulk for the entire volume. I mean think about it: The Lizard and Hulk have quite a bit in common, if you consider the fact that they're both big, strong, green monstrosities who speak with the vocabulary of a kindergartner. That being said, there's really only three ways to make the Hulk work as a character; you either go for the Jekyl and Hyde treatment (i.e. regularly switching between Banner and the Hulk), you focus on the intelligent Hulk primarily (as Marvel has been doing recently), or you do a little of both. Here, Wells fails to truly accomplish any of those three scenarios; after spending a pretty short while first approach, he then spends a whole lot of time focusing on the dumb "Hulk Smash" side of the character exclusively. This primal and savage kind of villain is too simple-minded to induce much sympathy or elicit fear. What made Wells think that was a good idea is beyond me. I've read enough to know that he's a better writer than this.
Next, there was too much extra crap going on in the periphery that was entirely useless for the events of this particular volume. Not only did you have the crazy "Anti-May" running amok, but there was also a mysterious subplot involving Madame Web and and her mysterious captors who were pulling the Lizard's strings from afar. From issue #630, we aren't given a lot of background to explain either of these two developments – since they were probably introduced in earlier issues – and the volume simply isn't long enough to resolve or satisfactorily explore both. So although the volume suffers a bit as a standalone story, those of you readers who have been closely following ASM for a while are bound to benefit more than those who have not.
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
In the The Gauntlet, Volume 5, Kurt Connors – after keeping his inner "lizard brain" in check long enough to find employment as a scientist working with reptiles again – finally loses control and lets the monster back out. It's uncommonly dark for a Spider-Man story, and that's one of the best things about it. But perhaps best of all, was Bachalo's art. But this is nothing new; I've been aware of, and loved his style for a while now. Unfortunately, this book makes some significant mistakes that hold it back by at least a star.
First of all, I wish Wells kept focused and channeled the Incredible Hulk for the entire volume. I mean think about it: The Lizard and Hulk have quite a bit in common, if you consider the fact that they're both big, strong, green monstrosities who speak with the vocabulary of a kindergartner. That being said, there's really only three ways to make the Hulk work as a character; you either go for the Jekyl and Hyde treatment (i.e. regularly switching between Banner and the Hulk), you focus on the intelligent Hulk primarily (as Marvel has been doing recently), or you do a little of both. Here, Wells fails to truly accomplish any of those three scenarios; after spending a pretty short while first approach, he then spends a whole lot of time focusing on the dumb "Hulk Smash" side of the character exclusively. This primal and savage kind of villain is too simple-minded to induce much sympathy or elicit fear. What made Wells think that was a good idea is beyond me. I've read enough to know that he's a better writer than this.
Next, there was too much extra crap going on in the periphery that was entirely useless for the events of this particular volume. Not only did you have the crazy "Anti-May" running amok, but there was also a mysterious subplot involving Madame Web and and her mysterious captors who were pulling the Lizard's strings from afar. From issue #630, we aren't given a lot of background to explain either of these two developments – since they were probably introduced in earlier issues – and the volume simply isn't long enough to resolve or satisfactorily explore both. So although the volume suffers a bit as a standalone story, those of you readers who have been closely following ASM for a while are bound to benefit more than those who have not.
September 12, 2011
Volume 5 of The Gauntlet ends on a big high with this stunning, tragic and beautifully drawn Lizard story. I've always been a fan of the Lizard but this time things take a darker turn and we see an evolution as he manages to achieve something he's been trying to do for along time. Zeb Wells manages to make an already tragic figure even more so, adding depth and further conflict to Connors and his alter-ego.
Dark and violent the story is expertly illustrated by some startling, chaotic and gorgeous pages. It really is great to look at mixed with some fantastic splash pages and covers. Credit to Chris Bachalo.
We have a lot more time with the Kravinoffs here (in a last minute reminder that the previous 4 volumes were supposed to have a unifying theme) though I suspect that after all this Grim Hunt is going to be rather a disappointment.
Recommended for all fans of Spider-Man and the Lizard and it can happily be read without picking up the preceding volumes if desired.
Dark and violent the story is expertly illustrated by some startling, chaotic and gorgeous pages. It really is great to look at mixed with some fantastic splash pages and covers. Credit to Chris Bachalo.
We have a lot more time with the Kravinoffs here (in a last minute reminder that the previous 4 volumes were supposed to have a unifying theme) though I suspect that after all this Grim Hunt is going to be rather a disappointment.
Recommended for all fans of Spider-Man and the Lizard and it can happily be read without picking up the preceding volumes if desired.
May 18, 2011
Who the hell is Zeb Wells? He came out of left field... for me at least, with this really great Spiderman tale.
This might as well be the most viscerally violent Spiderman story I've read. I mean there have been killings in other stories, but it's somehow always distant, kinda faceless. In Lizard it's straight up reptilian brain mayhem.
Curt Conners is losing control to the lizard inside. The Lizard is ready to shed, to shrug off its old mammalian psyche and embrace the world in all its cold-blooded glory. It also has found a way to tap in the lizard instinct inside everyone and causes chaos in New York.
Bachalo's version of the Lizard is by far the best. Under his pencils, the Lizard, monstrous yet intelligent, is a cold-blooded shaman of flesh, all teeth and instinct.
This might as well be the most viscerally violent Spiderman story I've read. I mean there have been killings in other stories, but it's somehow always distant, kinda faceless. In Lizard it's straight up reptilian brain mayhem.
Curt Conners is losing control to the lizard inside. The Lizard is ready to shed, to shrug off its old mammalian psyche and embrace the world in all its cold-blooded glory. It also has found a way to tap in the lizard instinct inside everyone and causes chaos in New York.
Bachalo's version of the Lizard is by far the best. Under his pencils, the Lizard, monstrous yet intelligent, is a cold-blooded shaman of flesh, all teeth and instinct.
August 27, 2012
Chris Bachalo's art makes it 4.5 stars. His version of the Lizard is super cool.
October 8, 2021
Puede que sea debido a las altas expectativas por la buena estima general en que se tiene a este arco argumental, pero diría que es una de mis mayores decepciones con el personaje. A nivel argumental me ha parecido una historia intrascendente y que no aporta nada a unos personajes a los que, por cierto, no se brinda un buen tratamiento, precisamente. Tengo enormes problemas con la narrativa del cómic, farragosa y espesa a más no poder. Como ocurriera con cierta historia previa con el mismo villano, aquí se hace un uso perverso y deplorable de los textos de apoyo, en un intento lamentable por emular a autores como Miller o DeMatteis. Lo único mínimamente salvable es el alto nivel de violencia que exhibe el Lagarto; no obstante, no luce lo que debería por contraste con el estilo de Bachalo.
January 16, 2022
Most Curt Conners tend to incorporate a fairly predictable redemption element, so it's nice to see a Lizard story where he goes entirely off the rails. The chief emotional beats are done well, and I enjoy the new concept behind how the Lizard's powers operate, but Peter's presence in the story feels more incidental than it could have been. In fact, pretty much every diversion into ongoing plot threads coincides with a clear drop in quality, which only serves to exacerbate feelings of underdevelopment in an already rushed storyline. The real star of this collection is Chris Bachalo, who manages to sell the Lizard as a visual threat the way few artists can. Not quite as strong a story as I remember, but serves as a good reimagining of a classic Spider-Man villain.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2019
Wowzers, this was a pretty disturbing book. At first, I thought it would be "just another Lizard story" if you get my drift, which tends to be a lot of back and forth with Spider-Man hunting down the Lizard as he typically goes after his son Billy. But in line with the larger "gauntlet" arc that has the theme of powering up different Spider-Main villains, this book twists this direction by making a Lizard that no longer has Curt Connors somewhat holding him back. The implications are rather disturbing and the results are pretty intense and downright shocking. Surprisingly good book amid the rest of the Gauntlet storyline.
July 2, 2024
Zeb Wells is the weak link in the writers of the 'Spidey Brain Trust'. He writes in a more Bendis-esque, ultra-padded style than any of the other cats involved with this title. Couple that with Chris Bachalo's manga-crap-infused "artwork", and you have one unenjoyable book. I would dump this book in a heartbeat if not for my Amazing Spider-Man completist OCD. At least they tried to do something new with the Lizard. It wasn't any good, but it was new, and they tried.
October 14, 2025
As a standalone story within the larger Gauntlet arc, this collection is nicely self-contained and easy to pick up and put down. Once I started, I wanted to keep reading and get to the end - the pages flew by. While I haven't read the earlier Gauntlet stories, I'm now interested in the plotline and will consider them the next time I'm looking for a Spidey comic to enjoy. If you like Spider-Man and haven't read any of these comics, you should certainly consider it!
March 10, 2023
A delightful little tale, if your idea of a good time is a father gruesomely devouring his own child on the page. This story gets praise from readers who fantasize about being edgelords, but if you take away the shock value it's....mediocre at best.
And what is up with writer Zeb Wells's obsession with killing fictional children...?
And what is up with writer Zeb Wells's obsession with killing fictional children...?
May 8, 2023
Well, this one got kind of dark! Might be the best of the entire Gauntlet batch, honestly. The storyline felt more cohesive and it felt like it was working towards something. Plus, there were some really great layouts in this particular volume! It drove home the action, and the character work was excellent.
July 2, 2023
Recommended by a friend as one of the darkest spider man tales out there, its a book that I think will stick with me for a while. We really get to see what Peter is made of and what makes him so compelling as spider-man. I loved the writing here, and I found the art to be quite fitting for the most part. I love how spidy is drawn with wider eyes and the lizard itself looks terrifying.
February 21, 2020
This was darker and more ‘serious’ I guess, compare to the other runs in the Gauntlet.
October 19, 2020
Aunque el doctor Connors siempre me ha parecido un luser, este arco está muy bien. Bachalo a los pinceles se saca la chorra, directamente.
April 16, 2022
Rounding up, but this was one of the strongest stories from The Gauntlet event by a decent margin.
September 19, 2022
rating: 3.5*
April 26, 2023
I had higher expectations for this but they were not met. Overall "The Gauntlet" was disappointing.
May 30, 2023
Beginning was a little confusing and rough, but after that it was a page turner.
April 13, 2025
This is a 8/10 to me, loved how they wrote Dr. Connor dual identity and how the lizard goes full animal. I didn`t like Billy Connors death, was unnecessary and the art was weird.
October 22, 2025
Meydan okuma(Gauntlet) ciltlerinin en iyisi. Lizard' ı uzun süre sonra tekrardan görmek güzeldi. Yazar karakteri çok iyi anlamış. Çizimler de çok güzeldi. 4/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews