Writer: Joe Kelly
Penciler: Ed McGuinness
Inkers: Cliff Rathburn, Mark Farmer & Wade Von
Grawbadger
Colorists: Marcio Menyz & Erick Arciniega
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: Ed McGuinness & Marcio Menyz; Gleb Melnikov;
Gleb Melnikov & Dean White; Alex Saviuk & Rachelle Rosenberg; Francesco
Mobili & Frank Martin; Skottie Young
Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & C
B Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $4.99
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Everyone wants some of Peter Parker’s time. Is he Earth’s
Champion or its punching bag? All Peter knows is Doctor Doom wants Spider-Man to
fight his battles for him. If any of the eight children of Cyttorak defeat him,
Earth will succumb to the dark god’s rule. Can the ghost of Doctor Strange help
Spider-Man defeat a second ambitious godling while avoiding another painful
death like Spaghettification? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #62 and find
out!
Story
Peter's new suit helped him access the mystical universe and
cast a spell when fighting Cyntros. Still, Peter knows more about science than
magic. After Doctor Strange becomes his astral advisor, he helps Spider-Man and
Black Cat bypass the Sanctum Sanctorum's safeguards and retrieve a magic tome.
But days of coffee and cramming won’t make Peter the next sorcerer supreme.
As Peter studies Doctor Strange’s book, real life intrudes
in Amazing Spider-Man #62. The fallout over Peter's recent actions continues,
as the Green Goblin's death prompts Norman Osborn to rethink his life. Like
Rick Jones, Norman knows a thing or two about death. Doctor Strange briefed
Peter on his previous bouts with Cyttorak’s children, but life prevents Norman
from imparting helpful advice.
Joe Kelly’s story focuses on the relationships that define
us. After her relationship with Amelia fizzles, Felicia reevaluates her days
with Peter. But Peter is prioritizing his romance with Shay while starting a
freelance photography career with Randy, training Spider-Boy, helping Aunt May
at FEAST, and looking for a new job. Even his new friend Kevin, who helped
Peter battle Burnout, has a better handle on his life. But then, Doctor Doom
claimed Peter lacked focus, didn't he?
As Peter combines his limited knowledge of magic with his
deep understanding of physics to fight another champion, Amazing Spider-Man #62
also contemplates the dynamics of dysfunctional families. Cyttorak does little
but sit on his throne and watch his children squabble. The god arranged these
periodic challenges with Doctor Strange for his amusement. Instead of training
his children to succeed him, each enjoys power but feels little responsibility.
Are these contests a way for Cyttorak to choose his
successor? Or is the god manipulating his children so he can remain in power?
Perhaps that's why Doctor Doom called Cyttorak’s bargain with Doctor Strange
inefficient. But then, he said the same thing about Spider-Man.
Art
Ed McGuinness, Cliff Rathburn, Mark Farmer, and Wade Von Grawbadger
kick off Amazing Spider-Man #62 with a high-flying heist in the Sanctum
Sanctorum. Like Miles Morales, Peter sports a new, armored suit that evokes the
giver. Felicia enjoys the heist and clasps the book as they leave. Afterward,
Black Cat's posture mirrors Peter, while her expression echoes' Doctor
Strange’s concern. When Spidey raises the Reeds to show his Get Out Of Heaven
Free cards, Black Cat turns away and leaves.
Green energy wisps off Peter and supports the leather-bound
volume as he studies. The green energy dissipates when Norman expresses
disbelief, surrounding the book like a green starburst as it falls on the
floor. Peter and Norman look like they belong together, clad in white, black,
gray, and subdued blue. Peter's gray and brown apartment looks lifeless
compared with Doctor Strange's lavishly colored Sanctum Sanctorum. Nothing
speaks so powerfully as Marcio Menyz & Erick Arciniega's red Limbo-like
godlings who argue in a brown asteroid spinning through black, purple, and
magenta space. But then, there are the red letters adorning Norman's coffee
cup, which signify another ending in this story about death and rebirth.
Joe Caramagna’s uppercase black lettering in dialogue
balloons and narrative boxes grows bold for inflection, swells for increased
volume, and rarely shrinks in Amazing Spider-Man #62. Sound effects help us
hear Spider-Man’s magic armor burn, Doctor Strange’s book hit the floor, and
Aunt May text a reminder about volunteering at FEAST. Yet Black Cat sits atop
brickwork adorned with red and green graffiti, reminding readers that more gods
than Cyttorak control Spider-Man’s fate. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for
review.
Final Thoughts
Neither Spider-Man nor the Scions of Cyttorak conceived these
contests. Yet Earth's champion and the dark god's children must play their
parts in this cosmic contest. Still, one godling intends to break the cycle and
use this fight to pursue a different agenda in Amazing Spider-Man #62.
Rating 9.6/10
To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
To refresh your memories of how this story started see my review of Amazing Spider-Man #61.
