Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Marte Gracia
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia; Joëlle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg; John Romita Sr, John Romita Jr & Morry Hollowell; Mark Bagley & Edgar Delgado; Peach Momoko; Luciano Vecchio
Designer: Jay Bowen
Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $4.99
Release Date: June 4, 2025
Peter’s school chum Brian Nehring got him a job at Rand Industries. But before Peter can impress his new boss, Dr Maira Osmani-Milton, Rhino has a heart attack. Then someone roofies Peter, twisting his past and fears into a bad trip. When Peter’s investigation into hallucinatory drugs takes him to the Queen’s Cola facility, he finds Hobgoblin guarding the factory.
Before Peter can apprehend the villain, Hobgoblin flies away while Itsy Bitsy puts him in a tizzy. Will Brian and Maira be the latest casualties of the Cola Wars? Can Peter prevent Roderick Kingsley from making his office look even more like Easter Island? Let's grab a can of Queen’s Cola, leap into Amazing Spider-Man #5, and see!
Story
Before Hobgoblin left, Itsy Bitsy told him that someone from Rand informed the Justice Department about his exciting new range of anxiety drinks. Hobgoblin’s drugs have made Peter fear losing the people he loves. As he leaves the Queen’s Cola plant like Bruce Banner left a bottling factory in Rio de Janeiro, Peter gives Brian a call. But Peter’s too late. Hobgoblin’s already yucking his murder yum at Rand Industries.
Joe Kelly's story alternates between Peter, Dr. Maira Osmani-Milton, and Brian Nehring as Hobgoblin attempts to protect his industrial secrets with extreme prejudice. Maira shines as a mother, an easy-going boss, and a caring employer.
After all the people he failed at Ravencroft, Spider-Man gives his all to ensure no additional deaths weigh on his conscience. While Brian may not impress immediately, he earns his place at Rand (and reader’s hearts) in Amazing Spider-Man #5.
Hobgoblin’s spectacular entrance suggests an Ultron-level tragedy, but the characters work together more effectively than the Avengers on the SHIELD helicarrier. Peter demonstrates his ability to think while thwipping and quipping. Amid all the fighting, this fast-paced action thriller is about the importance of protecting the people we care about and never pushing them away.
Art
Pepe Larraz begins Amazing Spider-Man #5 with Rand Enterprises in flames. Hobgoblin descends into the plant-and-tree-filled atrium, driving away workers like the angel sent to guard Eden. Brian clutches his notebook to his chest, cognizant of the secrets he guards. Although wide-eyed, Dr Maira Osmani-Milton never loses her cool, facing down Hobgoblin even as he strangles her.
Marte Gracia surrounds Spider-Man with yellow, orange, and red as he crashes through the skylights. After sheathing his yellow flaming sword, bluish-white energy crackles from Hobgoblin’s hands and red eyes in Amazing Spider-Man #5. Past merges with present as gray characters frame colorful scenes and yellow fire washes across Peter's Black and White memories.
Amid frantic panels, splash pages, double-page spreads, and a raging contest between Black and White, limited color schemes, and loaded palettes, Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into dialogue balloons. Words grow bold for inflection, swell, change color, and rarely shrink. Texting with emojis turns narrative boxes blue amid glaring red lights. Sound effects include web-thwipping, glass shattering, and Brian bonking Hobgoblin. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
Amazing Spider-Man #5 pulses with MCU-level action and drama as Peter draws a line in the sand and Hobgoblin tries to capitalize on people’s inclination to destroy their lives. Hey, if they’re going to worry about things they can’t control, why not make money off their lack of mindfulness?
Rating 9.4/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
No comments:
Post a Comment