The Spectacular Spider-Men #14 Review

 

Writer: Greg Weisman

Artist: Andrés Genolet

Colorist: Edgar Delgado

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Production: Gabriel Mata

Editors: Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Cover Artists: Mark Bagley & Edgar Delgado; Andrei Bressan & Edgar Delgado

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 16, 2025

 

Curt and Martha Connors begged their son to live in Shift's Enclave. But Billy Connors didn't want to hide in the sewers with jackals and vermin. Angered by society's disdain for his appearance, Billy climbed up to the streets. But when he noticed Max Dillon and Francine Frye, the kissing Electros spotted an opportunity. They held Billy for ransom and forced Curt to help them fry The Spectacular Spider-Men.

 

Curt Connors isn’t the Lizard anymore. Still, the Lizard helped Curt force the Electros to take them to Billy. But when Billy wasn’t where they left him, the Lizard threw a hissy fit. Can Peter Parker and Miles Morales help Curt Connors and the Lizard find Billy? And how is Anna Romney doing after Max and Francine electrocuted her? Let's grab a "Parker" from Max Vinck, thwip into The Spectacular Spider-Men #14, and find out!

 

Story

Before she gained superpowers, Juliet Marcos enjoyed a whirlwind romance with Anna Romney. But all that was an illusion spun by Arcadium. When Anna stepped into the ESU Coffee Bean, Juliet introduced herself. As the two became friends, Rickie Lund wondered where she stood with her girlfriend. When Anna risked her life to protect Juliet, Rickie lashed out. Rickie hesitates to enter Anna’s hospital room in The Spectacular Spider-Men #14. How can Rickie face Anna after distrusting her and blaming Juliet for endangering her?

 

Peter and Miles bear responsibility for Juliet and Anna’s electrocutions. The Electros were after them, not the ladies. But when they awakened, Peter and Miles left the paramedics to deal with Anna so they could prevent the Lizard from devouring the Electros. They didn’t even wait to see if Juliet was okay. So after Max resuscitates Juliet, the young superhero reacts badly to being blamed for Anna's near-death experience in The Spectacular Spider-Men #14.

 

Shift has told Miles that he wants to belong somewhere. Like Billy Connors, Shift wants an identity and a life above ground. He may be Miles’ clone. Still, Shift also feels responsible for the people he looks after in the sewers. While Peter and Miles thwip and fight in the spotlight, Shift proves the most responsible Spider-Man in Greg Weisman’s story.

 

Art

The Lizard’s white lab jacket, purple slacks, and green skin evoke the Hulk as he battles Peter and Miles in the abandoned warehouse. The Lizard hits, slashes, and snaps his T-Rex-like mouth as he insists upon Billy’s return. The Electros may have left, but the Lizard seeks a target for his anger. Yet Andrés Genolet suggests that the Lizard's anger may also stem from his relationship, or lack thereof, with the boy he loves in The Spectacular Spider-Men #14.

 

Rickie's yellow and black hair echoes her black top and tan slacks. Edgar Delgado's coloring reminds us that we all wrestle with positive and negative emotions. The red-and-yellow print hanging in the room suggests Rickie’s link with superheroes. Rickie's future reverberates through Peter and Miles' flight past dark buildings with glowing yellow and tan windows as they search for the boy close to Curt and the Lizard's hearts.

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase letters into white and colored balloons and narrative boxes. Dialogue grows bold, swells for volume, and rarely shrinks. The Lizard’s cloudy balloons fill with large letters, evoking the differences between the Hulk and Bruce Banners or the two Captain Kirks in "The Enemy Within." The names and descriptions in white boxes remind us how large Peter and Miles' circle of care has become in The Spectacular Spider-Men #14. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Amid drama, reconciliation, and an intense rescue plot, The Spectacular Spider-Men #14 reminds us families come in all shapes and sizes and to look out for the people we bring into our lives.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.