Writer: Joe Kelly
Penciler: John Romita Jr
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Marcio Menyz with Erick Arciniega
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Doaly; Simone Bianchi; Lee Bermejo; Leonardo Romero
Designer: Jay Bowen
Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $4.99
Release Date: July 2, 2025
It’s been so long that he doesn’t recognize it. Then Peter realizes what he is feeling. He’s happy. Aunt May and Shay gently nudge Peter to keep improving, but they like the direction he’s heading in. Black Cat wants to get frisky with him again. Peter’s boss is eying him for promotion. His friend, Brian, is looking out for him. Tombstone is helping Peter prevent another Gang War. And an axe-wielding armor-clad knight just hailed him the Prince of Steelsilk. Say, you don't think that last thing could make Peter unhappy, do you? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #7 and see!
Story
Hellgate explains that he has traveled through mystic realms to reach Spider-Man. Even if he's not a pirate, Hellgate's mistress wants Hellgate to parley with Spider-Man. But Peter is tired of cosmic beings interrupting his duties. Compared with the scions of Cyttorak, the knight seems like an obsessive gamer. Besides, Peter and Felicia have waited hours to apprehend the Queen's Cola goons. So, like the Hollywood agent in Bolt, Peter suggests they put a pin in whatever Hellgate wants.
A month ago, Hermes Crenshaw told scientists in Arizona that sandstone formations were petrified tree trunks. While the scientists mused about microbursts of cosmic radiation, Hermes spoke of the heartbeat of a tree. Then a doorway opened, and Hellgate hopped out of the hoodoo. Using his research and the devices he has built, Hermes follows Hellgate. In Amazing Spider-Man #7, Hermes arrives in New York City. With his insights into the beliefs of indigenous peoples, Hermes hopes the superhero community will take him seriously. Perhaps Hermes can even pick up some Shawarma, and prevent Hellgate from giving Iron Man more panic attacks.
Joe Kelly intersperses Spider-Man's story with glimpses of what other characters are doing. Some participants are aware of the cosmic event taking place. For others, it seems like another day in New York City. Like many of the great stories of Human literature, Amazing Spider-Man #7 is a tragedy. An unnecessary battle occurs because a hero is fatigued, misjudges a situation, and disrespects someone who comes into his life. It’s a mistake anyone can make when we feel like we’re getting on top of things, that life is finally going our way, and we don’t need to listen to others because we know the score.
Art
Studded armor runs from Hellgate’s helmet to his shoulders. Iron circles his wrists and waist. He carries his notched axes in an X on his back like a ninja. Yellow fire burns through Hellgate’s veins like lava flowing beneath a cooled layer of pahoehoe. This mystic angel of death hurls fire like Han Solo’s blaster and leaves burning destruction in his wake. As Spider-Man bounds across rooftops, John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna show that fire and webbing don’t mix.
Dawn creeps into the sky as Hellgate confronts Spider-Man and Black Cat in black, yellow, silver, purple, and blue. Pink and peach creep into the sky as Hellgate unleashes yellow and orange. Marcio Menyz and Erick Arciniega fill the destruction with gray smoke as Peter Parker goes on the offensive in Amazing Spider-Man #7. Soft blues and greens dominate Hermes’ scenes while another yellow and black character sits beneath a purple sky. Yet Peter revisits a place he had hoped to avoid, as orange and yellow suffuse the air above a sea of greenery.
Peter shares his thoughts in red-edged narrative boxes. Joe Caramagna's black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. Block letters indicate time shifts in Joe Kelly’s linear story, while enlarged colored dialogue and sound effects heighten the action. Amid the thwipping, shooting, and explosions, Hellgate's font reminds us that Miles Morales isn't the only Spider-Man fighting the gods. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.
Final Thoughts
We all know appearances can be deceiving. Yet, it's hard to ignore our first impressions. When Peter Parker disrespects Hellgate, he unleashes the catastrophe he was trying to prevent and initiates a conflict between Earth and the mystic realms in Amazing Spider-Man #7.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.
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