Amazing Spider-Man #55 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells

Artist: Emilio Laiso

Colorist: Bryan Valenza

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Michael Cho; Donald Soffritti; Luciano Vecchio

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: August 14, 2024

 

The first time Peter Parker took out Shay Marken, Mary Jane's aunt Anna tricked him into a date with her favorite nurse at Ravencroft. Peter enjoyed their dinner but had to bail before dessert. The second time Peter stepped into the date knowingly, ditto. Did his second attempt express interest or an apology? Why should he try again? Is Shay even interested in him? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #55 and find out!

 

Story

Peter arrives late. He's surprised Shay waited. She wants to know why Peter arrived without shoes and with a black eye. He tries to palm her off by saying he has responsibilities to others. But Shay isn't letting him off that easy. Shay works in the Ravencroft Institute, after all. She knows what it means to devote her life to the betterment of others. Shay has seen how people's pursuit of wealth, fame, or whatever they valued turned them into villains.

 

In Zeb Wells' previous story, Kraven said his father feared the monster inside Spider-Man. Given what she deals with daily, Shay imagines the worst: Peter preys upon people's need for love and belonging. Late in Amazing Spider-Man #55, Peter Parker discovers a surprising symmetry with supervillains. Zeb Wells seems to ask if Kraven was correct. Is a man who regularly puts the needs of people he doesn't know over the people he has made commitments to a hero or a villain?

 

In its bid to defeat the Green Goblin, the Living Brain gave up everything it was to save Peter Parker. In Amazing Spider-Man #55, Peter must ask himself if Peter Parker was worth that sacrifice. Or was Peter only worthy of the Living Brain’s sacrifice because he was Spider-Man? The story makes for a brisk, thought-provoking read, alternately uncomfortable and charming. Given the series' history and title, it may only provide a glimpse of what could be. Or it might signal a new direction for our titular hero. One thing is unarguable. Shay understands that dating is hard. But Shay expects Peter to prioritize her and do his best for her.

 

 

 

Art

Emilio Laiso opens this issue with Spider-Man flying through the night. He looks lithe, fit, and elegant in his costume. When Peter reaches the restaurant, he finds Shay looking stylish and dressed to the nines. Yet Peter Parker arrives in casual attire. Unlike Shay, he has more than a few hairs out of place. His clothes cling to his limbs and torso as if he is out of shape, making you wonder how well Peter is attending to his fitness and how much of Spider-Man's appearance is due to the suit.

 

Compared with Shay, Peter looks awkward and childlike. Yet he gains the upper hand when he responds honestly and can't explain his tardiness. Shay momentarily relaxes. She knows employers often force employees to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, and some personal issues must remain private. Peter is also masterful with the waiter. Yet Shay remains the dominant partner.

 

Bryan Valenza lavishes yellows and browns on the background behind Emilio Laiso's characters. The art exhibits a dreamlike luminosity outside and inside the restaurant. Much of Peter and Shay's conversation occurs in six- or eight-panel Old School page layouts. Highlights and shadows play across the couple's changing expressions. Shay rests a brown hand on the blue-white tablecloth when hope fades from her eyes. When Peter lays his hand atop hers, her flesh tones warm, and the tablecloth changes color to match Peter's hand.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell for increased volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Jolting red letters accompany a closing door, suggesting the end of a chapter of Peter Parker’s life in Amazing Spider-Man #55. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Peter Parker always means well. But his friendships suffer, and every voyage across the sea of love ends in a shipwreck. In Amazing Spider-Man #55, Shay forces him to look into the mirror and reassess his life. Will his costume and Uncle Ben’s words always define him? Or could he become the Amazing Peter Parker?

 

Rating 9/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.