Spider-Boy #13 Review

 

Spider-Boy #13 Review

Writers: Dan Slott

Artists: Paco Medina

Colorist: Erick Arciniega

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Paco Medina & Edgar Delgado; Chrissie Zulo (The Thing); Josemaria Casanova (Kraven); Michael Cho (Design); Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg

Designer: Adam Del Re

Editors: MR Daniel, Kaeden McGahey, Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Ellie Pyle, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: November 27, 2024

 

Tabitha Briggs let her son don his costume to bask in the adoration of his fans. But Daredevil ruined Spider-Boy Day by demanding Bailey return a Hellfire Club trophy. Spider-Boy’s mentor didn’t realize he was being followed until Bullseye and Spider-Girl attacked. Can Spider-Boy and Daredevil reclaim the legendary Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw from Bullseye and Spider-Girl? And who is this young girl who knows that Bailey is Spider-Boy? Let's book a flight to Madripoor, thwip into Spider-Boy #13, and find out!

 

Story

Bailey's disobedience got him into hot water with Daredevil three years ago. Spider-Boy owes his mentor for training him to fight and control the sensory information flooding his brain from his additional spider-eyes. So, when Daredevil tells him the world's fate hangs on retrieving the Golden Fang that Bailey won by crashing a cage match, Spider-Boy climbs into the cargo compartment of a jumbo jet for the nineteen-hour flight to Madripoor.

 

Like Bailey Briggs, Makawalu Akana once led a very different life. But when her abilities manifested, she wanted to push her limits. Maka drew Bullseye's attention by displaying skills that most people train for years to master. Bullseye promised the Hawaiian girl the biggest challenge of her life if she helped him defeat Spider-Boy. But that was before everyone forgot about Spider-Boy. After Spider-Man restored Bailey to the Web Of Life And Destiny, Maka and Bullseye remember why they got together. They’re making up for lost time in Spider-Boy #13.

 

As in most Spidey stories, Bailey must choose between his everyday life and his superhero career. Worse, his mother feels guilty over abandoning him for years. While Tabitha Briggs allows him to be a superhero, she won't be happy about Bailey spending more days away from school. Bailey fears she will ground him for life for his unsanctioned flight, but he accompanies his mentor anyway. Unlike Bailey, Spider-Girl exhibits little concern for others in Dan Slott's story. Her ability to master any skill effortlessly insulates her from the need to connect with others. All Maka cares about is winning.

 

 

 

Art

Paco Medina compares the lives of those who work at the expense of others with those who work on behalf of others. Bulleye tilts his champagne flute to the flight attendant, and Spider-Girl listens to tunes while eating shrimp kabobs and a strawberry sundae in Spider-Boy #13. By contrast, Daredevil and Spider-Boy sit on the floor between storage containers, with no food service or in-flight movies. As a crowd surrounds Koa Iona with adoration and cellphones, the sports champion smiles at the ladies but frowns when Maka offers him a pen and notepad. Later, she raises a trophy above her head, evoking Spider-Boy when he grabs the legendary Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw in the Hellfire Club.

 

 

 

Erick Arciniega keeps red and blue foremost of Spider-Boy #13, as the dominant red of Spider-Boy's suit seems an homage to his mentor. Yet Bullseye and Spider-Girl's first meeting seems a nod to their target, as Maka wears a red swimsuit, and Bullseye wears a blue shirt adorned with his signature target logo. The yellow of Spider-Boy's visors makes its presence felt in Maka's business suit, the flight attendants' scarves, and the famous relic displayed in Bullseye's private jet. Even an airplane's landing gear produces yellow fire, which finds its partners in a torchlit fight club. Yet green dominates the arena as the master of ceremonies and the members of the Gaping Maw gather around the green receptacle of Bullseye and Spider-Girl's Golden Fang.

 

 

 

While Erick Arciniega lavishes a loaded palette on Paco Medina's attractive characters, costumes, and settings, Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into white dialogue balloons. Words shrink for distant or lowered voices, embolden for intonation, and swell for volume. Giant, colored dialogue expresses an airport worker’s anger and Daredevil’s concern for his charge. Sound effects help us hear a cheering crowd and enliven Spider-Boy's fight with a young green-skinned protégé. Mahalo to Marvel Comics for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Spider-Boy #13 introduces a young Hawaiian mutant and several more superpowered youngsters. While Bailey doesn't learn how it could affect world events, he discovers the Golden Fang of the Gaping Maw's immediate purpose. After risking Tabitha Briggs' wrath, Daredevil must do something that goes against his sense of honor. Still, it's Madripoor, Daredevil. “When you’re here, anything goes!”

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

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