Writer: Justina Ireland
Penciler: Andrea Broccardo
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Flashback Sequence Artist: Niko Henrichon
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: Patrick Gleason & Richard Isanove; Skottie Young; Aka; Rogê Antônio & Marcelo Maiolo
Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 12, 2025
Spider-Man has defeated every scion of Cyttorak he has faced. Peter Parker dreamed of winning these bouts without using the Reeds Of Raggadorr. While he tires of dying, seeing the new Grim Reaper take millions of lives and not be able to revive them leaves Peter gutted. When Peter disengages from meaningful relationships, Cyra feels ashamed. Desperate to cope with these new emotions, the scion of Cyttorak turns to Doctor Strange for help. But the former Sorcerer Supreme can’t make her feel better about destroying the idealistic hero.
Will Peter Parker heed Spider-Boy’s assertion that things can get better? Will Spider-Man don Doctor Doom’s arcane armor and take on the mantle of Earth’s Champion again? Let's push Felicia Hardy’s cats off our laps, thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #67, and find out!
Story
In the Eight Deaths Of Spider-Man, Doctor Doom reveals that Doctor Strange sought to protect Earth. He entered into these periodic contests to gain the protection of the Crimson Casket Of Cyttorak. Yet the casket doesn’t just protect Earth. It also protects Cyttorak and his family. In Amazing Spider-Man #67, Doctor Strange reveals what Cyttorak and his family fear.
In Justina Ireland’s story, Callix grew so tired of trying and failing to gain his father’s respect that he ventured beyond the casket’s protection. He and his crimson hounds encountered the Blight. Although they fought off the symbiote-like limbs that threatened to drag him into one of Sarlacc’s cousins, Callix did not return home unaffected. In Amazing Spider-Man #67, an infection rages. The pain burns away Callix’s ambitions. In its place, Callix finds new strength. He doesn't need to impress anyone anymore.
Peter Parker has always pushed himself to his limits. Spider-Boy is ten, but even he realizes the importance of preserving one's mental health. Cyra’s test broke Peter's ability to keep striving to help others. The window washer that Peter fought to save has died. Doctor Strange wants Peter to understand the danger threatening Earth if he doesn't care about others. But with his mental health in tatters, Peter seeks serenity in accepting that it was always unrealistic to believe he could save everyone. After all, Peter couldn’t save the window washer any more than Kenneth could protect the Rick Jones album Peter bought for Shay.
Art
Andrea Broccardo and Scott Hanna show the scions beseeching their father in his throne room. But Cyttorak doesn’t look at them. Instead, he focuses on a vision of Juggernaut stomping Cradios. When the X-Men attack Cradios with swords, ice, and energy beams, an observer asks if Cyttorak will let the bout continue in the Champion's absence. The giant god resting his feet among skulls smiles.
While Lockdown used his spaceship’s magnet to wreak havoc in Hong Kong, Kid Omega and Doctor Strange demonstrate that psychic energy and magic can achieve the same results. Doctor Strange’s features finally glow with vitality in Amazing Spider-Man #67. If Peter notices, he emulates Thanos and refuses "to take the matter seriously."
When Marcio Menyz shows Peter at home with gray, brown, and beige cats, Cyra’s radiant red form seems a reminder of the vibrancy Peter has lost. Callix's white face shows how cold and uncaring Cyra's brother has become. Niko Henrichon’s flashback reveals Doctor Strange’s fright and determination to protect Earth in Amazing Spider-Man #67.
Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes as Peter no longer battles his malaise. The dialogue grows bold and changes color for inflection. It enlarges for volume and rarely shrinks as Randy and Shay rally around the aunt Peter has abandoned. Sound effects help us hear an immovable scion meet an unstoppable X-Man. Yet pain fills the air when red dialogue and barking enliven a purple background. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.
Final Thoughts
Doctor Doom refused to relinquish the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme because he wanted to ensure Earth’s survival. He criticized Doctor Strange’s deal with Cyttorak, claiming it was an unreliable and inefficient means of safeguarding the planet. Doom foresaw Bloodhunt and protected Latveria from Varnae’s coordinated attack. But when Spider-Man refuses to carry out his duties as Earth’s Champion, Amazing Spider-Man #67 asks if Doctor Doom planned for this eventuality.
Rating 9.8/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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