Writers: Zeb Wells
Penciler: John Romita Jr
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski
Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Morry Hollowell; Rogê Antônio & Marcelo Maiolo; Chris Campana & Edgar Delgado; Ryan Meinerding; Claudio Sciarrone
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $4.99
Release Date: September 11, 2024
Spider-Man caged the bear. Now he pokes him. As Spider-Man rejoices, Tombstone regards him from the other side of the glass partition. Will Tombstone become the new Kingpin of Ryker’s Island? Or does Lonnie Lincoln have another card to play? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #57 and find out!
Main Story
Spider-Man's victory proves short-lived. Alice may be in chains, but Tombstone makes bail. Peter Parker confronts Lonnie's lawyer later. "You are so cute when you're angry," Michele says. "What'd you do?" Peter Parker asks. "My job," she responds. Perhaps Michele might have shuffled her feet on Lonnie's release had Peter been a better friend to her. But he arrived late for dinner after Randy and Janice’s wedding ended in tragedy. Worse, Peter refused to acknowledge the validity of Michele’s views. Worst of all, he told her that Tombstone was a villain when her client was on life-support. (The Green Goblin’s meddling didn’t de-ice their relationship either).
While Michele ensures the law protects everyone, Luke Cage, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man work to circumvent the criminal justice system. Randy Robinson may have campaigned to overthrow Fisk’s Law, but Luke, Jen, and Peter blatantly disregarded it during the Gang War. They even joined forces with Lonnie Lincoln amid the chaos, only to see Lonnie change his tune and become the new Kingpin of New York. In Amazing Spider-Man #57, Spider-Man contemplates the need to make the laws he wants to live by. Then Spider-Man argues that he should decide who does what in his city. But someone would inevitably ascend to Wilson Fisk’s throne. Shouldn’t Mayor Cage, She-Hulk, and Spider-Man regard Tombstone’s criminal leadership as preferable to mob bosses like Hammerhead and Madame Masque?
Peter, Luke, and Jen huddle in Gracie Mansion until Luke calls the play. Then, they work together to ensure they gain all ten yards in Amazing Spider-Man #57. Yet at Ryker’s Island, Lonnie stated that Spider-Man hadn't learned what he tried to teach him. Despite Janice's familial and criminal experience, Lonnie outfoxed his daughter in the Gang War. How accurately can Luke Cage, Jennifer Walters, Peter Parker, and Janice Lincoln predict Tombstone’s actions?
Art
John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna’s bars, overhead lights, cubicles, viewing windows, counters, and diagonal mesh grills reinforce Tombstone’s rigid surroundings. The lines on Lonnie’s face, neck, and arms show how a life of crime has aged him. When he realizes Spider-Man convinced Janice to testify against him, irregular fractures appear on his white forehead. Yet when Lonnie hangs up the phone, rises, and walks away, a smile creases his face. On the other side of the glass, red lines radiate from Spider-Man’s head. He slams his fist into the counter, creating a web of broken laminate. Outside the courthouse, Michele’s determined expression relaxes when Peter accosts her. Then, she emulates Tombstone and walks away. If not for Marcio Menyz’s flesh tones, Peter’s expression would evoke Tombstone’s when backed into a corner.
Sunlight casts a diagonal shadow across the covered front porch of Gracie Mansion. Luke's gold shirt, She-Hulk's green skin and purple costume, and Spider-Man's red-and-blue outfit glow with vitality against the softened colors of Luke's comfortable office. White Rabbit's cell phone illuminates her face while overhead lights make her attire gleam in the darkened room. An armored vehicle races down the street when the moon projects white rings toward the glowing New York skyline. The vehicle's headlights project white circles, while those lining the top glow red and blue. As Spider-Man crouches on the roof, surrounded by circles of red and blue light, perhaps he contemplates a patriotic victory like the revolutionary soldiers at the Battle of Saratoga.
Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes in Amazing Spider-Man #57. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell and change color for increased volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Colored and transparent sound effects announce the end of a conversation, a woman’s desperate act to save her beloved, Lady Octopus giving her arms a workout, and Tombstone acting to preserve his power. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Kingpin makes a play for his daughter. Heroes and villains wield the American justice system in their best interests. And Digger has a spectacularly uplifting experience in Amazing Spider-Man #57.
Rating 9.6/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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