Writer: Zeb Wells
Pencilers: John Romita Jr, Emilio Laiso & Zé Carlos;
Inkers: Scott Hanna, Emilio Laiso & Zé Carlos
Colorist: Marcio Menyz & Bryan Valenza
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Elena Cassagrande & Jordie Bellaire; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; John Tyler Christopher; Greg Land & Frank D’Armata; George Pérez & Alex Sinclair
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $9.99
Release Date: August 9, 2023
What else did Marvel include in this oversized special issue celebrating 925 issues of Amazing Spider-Man? Let's fwip into Amazing Spider-Man #31 and find out!
Ms. Marvel Story
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: David López
Colorist: K. J. Diáz
Soft colors accompany Peter and Kamala's heartfelt reunion in Amazing Spider-Man #31. It's one of those If Only stories where a person gets more precious time with a late friend. I'm unsure how story events gel with the spell Emma Frost casts on Ms. Marvel's behalf in X-Men #25, but I enjoyed it.
“The Man With All The Answers”
Writer: Dan Slott
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: John Dell
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Rich coloring and sharp, detailed art breathe atmosphere and charm into Doctor Octopus’ night out. Yet instead of dancing the night away or enjoying his favorite beverage, Ock’s desperately trying to reclaim lost knowledge in a villain’s bar. His integrated ocktoids try to help, but Octavius knows they can’t pull the secrets from his mind. Still, maybe there’s a way he can make himself whole—and superior--again. This one's a perfect follow-up to the Ock's recent tussle with Spidey and Golden Norman.
Mary Jane Story
Writer: Celeste Bronfman
Penciler: Alba Glez
Inkers: Elisabetta D’Amico & Craig Yeung
Colorist: Jim Campbell
Mary Jane and Paul tread the dark road of grief as Celeste Bronfman follows up her story in the Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1. The couple grapples with their children's disappearance as they meet with a therapist and the authorities while trying to pick up the threads of ripped-and-torn lives. It doesn’t help that memories haunt their home, and the owner of their new abode inhabits an asylum. It's a penetrating look at how grief isolates and unites. While nothing can take grief away, the story reminds us that friends can help us find a way through. It’s hard not to love the second half, but the first part—which unspools with narrative but little dialogue—is achingly real.
Spider-Woman Story
Farewell, Doc Ock! The Bar With No Name has filled with other supervillains. Of all those, Spider-Woman picks a fight with Taskmaster. This story follows the End Of The Spiderverse story in Dan Slott’s Spider-Man series. Confrontational and atmospheric, it makes me eager to follow her desperate search in Marvel’s upcoming Spider-Woman series.
“The Mother Of Invention”
Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Paco Medina
Colorist Erick Arciniega
This story in Amazing Spider-Man #31 starts with a chicken farmer. Or a rooster who's also a farmer? Sadly, he can't cock-a-doodle-do because something's stuck in his craw. You'll also meet a Tabby Cat maid, the suit-wearing parrot Polly, and the porcine butler Hogsworth. These Humanimals attend Madame Monstrosity, an elegant villainess unafraid of feeding anyone a poisoned apple if they steal her technology. This whimsical romp presages another Spidey series spinning out of the End Of The Spiderverse story. Might it feature a team-up with Squirrel Girl? Wait and see!
“The Case Of Perry Thomas”
Writer, Artist & Colorist: Albert Monteys
Carefree art sucks you into a typical creator's dilemma. How do you deal with fandom? In this case, it's Peter navigating the difficulties of hero worship. I like how Peter consults a fellow superhero on his dilemma but arrives at his solution.
“Spider-Man Loosey Goosey”
Writer, Artist & Colorist: Cale Atkinson
Atkinson’s delightful cartoon pays homage to Marvel's brightest luminary. This too-short two-pager is something to honk about.
Huntress
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Patrick Gleason
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
This teaser for the next issue is arresting, mesmerizing, and visually stunning. Told from Kraven The Hunter's viewpoint, it sucks you into a nightmare world where life is death, love is hate, and violence is passion. Tell me more!
Dystopian Future Story
Writer & Artist: Kaare Andrews
This Blade Runner-like sequel to the miniseries Reign showcases a monstrous Wilson Fisk. Glittering, magical, and terrifying!
Final Thoughts
Stories in Amazing Spider-Man #31 ask if love can conquer all barriers and tease upcoming Spidey titles, making this issue a must-read for all Spider-fans.
Rating 9.6/10
To preview interior art for the main story, and the Ms. Marvel and Mary Jane shorts, see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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