Writer: Zeb Wells
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Patrick Gleason & Richard Isanove; Lee Garbett & Yen Nitro; Joel Mandish; Vitale Mangiatordi; Ryan Stegman, J.P. Mayer & Marcio Menyz
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $5.99
Release Date: December 6, 2023
Ringmaster is raising an army to tackle Crime-Master. His opponent contracted with A.I.M. to defend his territory. Can untrained and hypnotized citizens overcome the criminal organization of scientist-soldiers? And where is Spider-Man while all this goes down in Manhattan’s Upper East Side? Let’s thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #39 and find out!
Story
Like Star-Lord in Avengers-Infinity War, Peter learns the difference between assembling and leading a team. Miles Morales and Jessica Drew take more notice of Peter's orders than She-Hulk and Electra. Still, when the battle's over and Luke Cage tells Spidey that other districts need help, only Shulkie remains. That's good. Peter will need her help to take on a monster uprising.
The big news in Amazing Spider-Man #39 is Tombstone's return. While Robbie Robertson sat by his comatose frenemy's bedside in Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike #1, now he sits beside his sleeping son. Robbie lacks an A.I.M.’s Imagin-Ray rifle, so he lashes out with his acid tongue. Tombstone protests that he’d gladly protect Randy from harm, but the Daily Bugle stalwart blames his lifelong adversary for Randy’s predicament and the chaos overtaking New York City.
This issue sparkles with intriguing and disturbing character moments. Electra shows how her past shaped her, Luke Cage defies a law he can't overturn, and Madame Masque has plans for Hammerhead. Zeb Wells lightens monumental battles with humorous exchanges between Spider-Man and She-Hulk that evoke memorable moments from Peter Jackson’s Lord Of The Rings movies. Yet the drama between Janice and her father looms largest in Amazing Spider-Man #39. Tombstone wants to save his daughter from a life of crime. But Janice—the Beetle—is embracing it.
Art
John Romita Jr. and Scott Hanna give the opening scenes two double-page spreads: one for Spidey and friends observing the battle and another as Crime-Master and A.I.M. clash with Ringmaster’s hypnotized recruits. The Amazing Artists divide the remaining pages between fighting scenes and character clashes. Spider-Man carries a bat as the night wears on. Did his web shooters run dry? And Madame Masque drags a whimpering and bleeding Hammerhead around, unconcerned about what his injured head might bash into next.
Marcio Menyz breathes life and individuality into scenes, differentiating each with an ample range of colors. Spider-Man and his team stand out amid a furious night battle. Lavender, pink, and green dominate the Beetle's battle with Mariah, while green and blue chill Robbie's glare. An overhead lamp bathes Janice and her lieutenants in yellow as she briefs them on her battle plans. If only the monsters had been more vibrant in Amazing Spider-Man #39!
Huge colored dialogue and vibrant sound effects amplify the opening battle and differentiate between Ringmaster’s rifles and A.I.M.’s Imagin-Ray guns. While Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black letters into white balloons, most of Tombstone’s utterances are tiny. Strangely, that makes the tired crimelord even more compelling.
Thanks to Marvel for providing this essential chapter of the Gang War saga for review.
Final Thoughts
While Peter acts as unofficial lieutenant to Mayor Luke Cage in Amazing Spider-Man #39, Tombstone’s uneasy reunion with his daughter steals the spotlight. Despite all the love in the world, youth must have its day.
Rating 8.8/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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