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Friday, November 8, 2024

Amazing Spider-Man #60 Review: Five Short Stories


 


Writers: Zeb Wells & Joe Kelly

Pencilers: John Romita Jr & Ed McGuinness

Inkers: Scott Hanna & Mark Farmer

Artists: Todd Nauck, Paolo Rivera, Patrick Gleason & Mark Buckingham

Colorists: Marcio Menyz, Rachelle Rosenberg & Edgar Delgado

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

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

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Adam Hughes; Stephen Platt & Dave McCaig; Alessandro Cappuccio & Mattia Iacono; Patrick Gleason & Marcio Menyz

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $7.99

Release Date: October 30, 2024 

 

Doctor’s Orders: Story

The Green Goblin impaled Rek-Rap with his glider. So, in Amazing Spider-Man #60, Spider-Man takes Rek-Rap to assess the damage. When the doctor looks down on Rek-Rap, Spider-Man doesn't stand up for the demon he inspired to become a hero. Thankfully, Rek-Rap doesn't need affirmation or credentials to know he is a hero. Once again, Zeb Wells distinguishes between those awarded the power and authority to help people and those who use it to benefit themselves.

 

Doctor’s Orders: Art

In the hospital examination room, Spider-Man perches against the wall. While Spider-Man's gesture suggests his embarrassment, the doctor removes his stethoscope and frowns. Ed McGuinness and Mark Farmer reveal Rek-Rap’s exuberance as he makes the exam table look like an ottoman. Marcio Menyz makes the Web-Whangers glow in their blue-and-red costumes against the green and blue interior.

 


 

 

Team-Up: Part Two: Story

When the Die-Chromator attacks a music festival, Spider-Man and Jackpot team up to stop him. After Zeb Wells brings back an obsessive guardian of lights and colors, the drama shines in this satisfying story about the give-and-take relationships demand. Becoming Jackpot gives Mary Jane a different perspective on Peter's life as Spider-Man. Despite his role in taking Mary Jane away from Peter, Paul demonstrates his willingness to be Peter’s friend and the concern for others he exemplified in Wells’ ASM #56 short story “Responsibilities.”

 

Team-Up: Part Two: Art

Todd Nauck portrays the Die-Chromator as a larger-than-life villain. Jackpot shows she can stand alongside Spider-Man any day of the week. But in Team-Up: Part Two, Jackpot stands before five Spider-Men as she faces down the colorful villain. Todd Nauck throws in a glimpse of a character who will reappear in a later story and shows J Jonah Jameson channeling his anger. Mary Jane's expression mirrors Peter's as they change into street clothes. She exudes happiness and incomprehension as Peter's sacrifice finally hits her.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg lavishes a loaded palette on Todd Nauck’s art in Amazing Spider-Man #60. The Die-Chromator’s technicolor (dream) cloak is iridescent, and each panel packs a colorful punch. Heroes and villains shine amid darkness, enhancing their power and appeal.

 


 

 

Bubs: Story

Before Dr Benjamin Rabin became the Emissary and wrecked Peter's relationship with Mary Jane, Spider-Man and Wolverine rescued him from Mayan warriors. So, when Wolverine faces a difficult time, Spider-Man stands by him. Logan may not be as effusive as Mary Jane. Still, he shows his appreciation. Like Doctor's Orders, superheroes help each other through their difficulties in another Zeb Wells' short.

 

Bubs: Art

Paolo Rivera's muted colors and art style give this story in Amazing Spider-Man #60 a classic appeal. Bubs also shows the characters' exhaustion as Spider-Man remains by Wolverine's side. The second page reveals things hinted at on the first page, while the weather outside is another reminder of the heroes' fight with the Mayans in the snow.

 


 

 

 

 

Mirrors/Same Spider-Channel: Story

This story marks Zeb Wells' final contribution to ASM for now. Yet Mirrors (or Same Spider-Channel) fits chronologically before Team-Up: Part Two. Chasm uses his experience to help Spider-Man take down Bushwacker. "Mirrors" reminds us of Ben's journey from the Scarlet Spider to the Beyond Corporation's Spider-Man to Chasm. It also reminds us of how difficult it can be to accept all you have if you don't own what you crave.

 

Art

Patrick Gleason kicks off this story on a sunny day in Central Park. Peter isn’t battling Madame Masque’s horde. Still, Bushwacker proves hard to apprehend. After the villain unleashes a gun that would make Rocket Raccoon drool, the Spider-Men confront each other. What Chasm grips suggests that he should have the life he wants. But to paraphrase Lonnie Lincoln, that's not how the world works.

 

After delivering vibrant colors in the park, Edgar Delgado reminds us of the Spider-Men's genetic makeup. Peter's mustard-yellow shirt matches the jacket he wore when protecting Aunt May from Sandman, while Ben’s blue coat and reserved manner evoke his namesake. A page of stunning color links the story with Team-Up: Part Two, while the final panel evokes Saladin Ahmed and Juan Ferreyra’s Spine-Tingling Spider-Man series.

 


 

 

Ride’s Over

In Joe Kelly’s contribution to Amazing Spider-Man #60, Spider-Man attacks the Night Bank. Perhaps he should be going after the people who run it. Instead, Spider-Man attacks the man who broke into the villains' headquarters. Joe Kelly’s story is a reminder that the world economy can be hacked and manipulated. But while Spider-Man protects everyone's money, someone watches him and reflects on why he often succeeds despite overwhelming odds.

 

Art

Mark Buckingham opens with a high-energy battle between police helicopters and laser-toting soldiers. Spider-Man crashes through a skylight, leaps among the descending glass shards, and wields webs like netting. He channels Ethan Hunt, evading high-tech traps designed to guard the computer banks inside a vault. Then Spider-Man faces off against Override. The villain wears a Robocop suit and wields Tron-like powers. Edgar Delgado's subdued red, greens, and blues suggest someone glimpsing the action from afar.

 

Lettering

Joe Caramagna’s uppercase black lettering in dialogue balloons and narrative boxes grows bold for inflection, swells and changes color for increased volume, and shrinks for lowered voices. Enlarged and colored dialogue threatens to burst dialogue balloons in Amazing Spider-Man #60. Colored and transparent sound effects amplify Spider-Man’s battle with Sandman, Rek-Rap having a blast, Mary Jane striking it lucky, Ben enjoying his coffee, and Spider-Man earning his Ramen. Yet the sound that lingers is the gavel slamming down in this era-ending issue. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 


 

 

Final Thoughts

While criminals work outside the law, so do costumed superheroes. In Amazing Spider-Man #60, Zeb Wells resets the game board by drawing on classic characters and situations to remind us who Peter Parker is and why he usually wins battles, even if he loses the wars. Additional stories remind us of Spider-Man’s past and forecast his deadly future.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

Curious about the main story in ASM #60? Check out my review from yesterday!

 

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


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