Amazing Spider-Man #11 Review

 

Writer: Joe Kelly, Saladin Ahmed, Lee Gatlin, & Jason Loo

Penciler: John Romita Jr

Inker: Scott Hanna

Artists: Pepe Larraz, Pere Pérez, Lee Gatlin & Jason Loo

Colorists: Marcio Menyz, Marte Gracia & Morry Hollowell

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Pepe Larraz & Marte Gracia; Lee Bermejo; Pepe Larraz & Edgar Delgado; Sanford Greene; Junggeun Yoon; Bengal; Benjamin Su; Javier Garrón & Jesus Aburtov; Felipe Massafera; Luciano Vecchio; James Kerigan

Designer: Jay Bowen

Editors: Kaitlyn Lindtvedt, Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe, & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $7.99

Release Date: September 3, 2025

 

With Kingpin’s forces reigning chaos in the streets, Spider-Man has taken off the kid gloves. J Jonah Jameson, never soft on crime, is calling out his friend on-air after Spidey sends three Aftershocks to the hospital. Even Black Cat’s sweet reason couldn’t stop Spider-Man from breaking Shocker’s arm.

 

While Spider-Man is taking out the trash, Peter Parker is whipping everyone into shape. He dissed his freaktastic friend Brian in front of Dr Osmani-Milton. Then Peter broke poor Frankie’s nose, just because he didn’t want to take a ride on the wild side with Tombstone. Why is Spider-Man using harsher webs than Spider-Girl? And why is Peter Parker dating a secret girlfriend and ghosting everyone he loves? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #11 and see!

 

 

Broken Mirror: Story

Peter’s silence and distance weigh down Aunt May. But she can’t sleep, can’t divert her focus from her nephew’s betrayal. So, Aunt May takes comfort in memories of better times, when she believed she could help Peter choose a better path.

 

Usually, it’s Peter who reacts to others' needs. Now, the people in his web alter their behavior to accommodate Peter’s absence. Perhaps most surprising of all is Tombstone’s response. He’s used to Peter Parker being his link to his foe. Yet Spider-Man was an opponent Tombstone respected. The crime boss even checked Spider-Man into the hospital after their brutal brawl in the New York underground. In Amazing Spider-Man #11, the hero who helped Tombstone become the new Kingpin no longer serves as a mirror to gauge his actions against.

 

 

 

Broken Mirror: Art

A framed photograph prompts Black and White memories, while a childhood costume makes Aunt May wonder at her parenting decisions. The city glows yellow, highlighting Peter and Spider-Man’s faces as they confront each other beneath a blue night sky. A double-page spread unleashes a fight between two former heroes, before one dispenses with his disguise as they reenact Spider-Man and Tombstone’s fight at the Canal Street Station. Marcio Menyz unleashes a vivid palette of colors on John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna's dramatic, action-packed, and revelatory art in Amazing Spider-Man #11. 

 

 

 

Broken Man: Story

After the big reveals in “Broken Mirror,” Joe Kelly takes us on a space odyssey in “Broken Man.” Hellgate’s punch proved stronger than Hulkette’s, propelling Peter to a planetoid where he struggles to survive. After the rigors of playing Robinson Crusoe on a planet as barren as Mars, an alien extends a helping hand. Xanto may not live in Xanadu, but life on his spaceship seems ideal. With the Imperial War raging across the cosmos, Peter knows he couldn’t return home right now even if he wanted to. But he knows that Hellgate isn’t through with him. As in his battle with the scions of Cyttorak, that knowledge drives Peter’s actions in “Broken Mirror.”

 

 

 

Broken Man: Art

Marte Gracia lavishes a vibrant palette on Pepe Larraz’s extraterrestrial art. Peter crouches in darkness. Survival reduces him to barbarism. A yellow figure glows like an angel, willing him to survive. Aboard the Beacon, Peter trades his ravaged red-and-blue for a white and black suit with a partial exoskeleton. A sleek fighter sits in the hangar where Peter tests his limits. Afterward, he traverses a circular corridor with someone who shares Korg’s sense of humor, if not his looks.

 

In the station’s upper levels, a tree rises before a waterfall, while Peter enjoys a riparian picnic in the park without Shay Marken. After a workout, his gold-clad companion turns blue as he gazes down and rests his hand on Peter’s shoulder like a proud father. But when Peter stands alone amid a starry and colorful cosmos, a purple shadow points toward danger in Amazing Spider-Man #11.

 

 

 

Rapid Return: Story

Roger has a lot to be grateful for. In Lea, he has a loving helpmate. Noah is an adoring son. Roger knows that love means taking care of the people in your life. But as with Aunt May, it can be draining. Roger and his father have always been distant from each other. Now, visiting his dad in the hospital reminds him of his unhappy childhood. And he resents the time he spends with his comatose father when he could be investing it in Lea and Noah.

 

After Roger’s debut in Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man #1, Saladin Ahmed brings us a day in Roger’s life. An experimental serum that could have healed his father accidentally helped him slow time. Spider-Man helped him during his rough superhero birth as Rapid. So when Spider-Man isn’t around, Roger uses his super-speed to protect his neighborhood. Roger may not have spider-powers, but he demonstrates all that Peter could have if he realigned his priorities. 

 

 

 

Rapid Return: Art

As Roger leans against the hospital wall, his shirt heralds the energy he wishes he possessed. The motto on another visitor’s T-shirt urges him to “Be stronger.” Instead, Roger glares at his unresponsive father and strides from the room. Lea and Noah’s embraces make him feel guilty. Roger’s eyes widen when he stares at his phone. Another hug brings him peace.

 

Morry Hollowell imbues vibrant color on Pere Pérez’s heartfelt intro. Then, energy lines and smoke infuse pink, blue, and gray backgrounds as energy arcs around Rapid’s pink and black suit. Another pink bubble evokes the explosion that Spider-Man helped him control. Yet a gray cloud that hovers before a close-up shows what empowers the latest hero to hold an Avengers membership card.

 

 

 

Spider-Mayonnaise

Lee Gatlin’s two-page cartoon showcases Peter Parker’s innovative nature. He is always learning and growing. While Peter takes inspiration from science, another hero wonders if sometimes he doesn’t go too far in Amazing Spider-Man #11.

 

 

 

In The City With…Spider-Man

Jason Loo delivers another two-page story highlighting Spider-Man’s abilities. While a snapshot of what makes Spidey special, it highlights a different ability than Peter works hard to enhance in Joe Kelly’s “Broken Man.”

 

 

 

Lettering

Peter shares his thoughts in red-edged narrative boxes. Roger’s thoughts appear as white letters in pink boxes. Joe Caramagna's black uppercase letters in white balloons grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices, and shrink for lowered voices. Sound effects accompany battle and betrayal, while faint lowercase black letters reveal an imposter’s thoughts. Thanks to Marvel for providing a review copy.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

As Shay Marken once noted, Peter’s life may be a dumpster fire. But when Peter pulls a no-show, friends and villains shine in Amazing Spider-Man #11.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch. 

 

Amazing Spider-Man #56 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells & Lee Gatlin

Penciler: John Romita Jr

Inker: Scott Hanna

Artists: Andrés Genolet, Ramon Rosanas & Lee Gatlin

Colorists: Marcio Menyz, Rachelle Rosenberg & Lee Gatlin

Letterers: Joe Caramagna & Lee Gatlin

Editors: Kaeden McGahey, Nick Lowe & C B Cebulski

Cover Artists: John Romita Jr, Scott Hanna & Marcio Menyz; Rafael Albuquerque; Joëlle Jones & Rachelle Rosenberg; Paco Medina & Jesus Aburtov; Pablo Villalobos

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $7.99

Release Date: August 28, 2024

 

Lonnie Lincoln once worked for Wilson Fisk. On a hunting trip, Wilson recognized Lonnie’s potential. So, he taught the new boy what it means to take power and retain it. During the Gang War, Wilson showed that he had changed. The former Kingpin was putting family before power. Now, Lonnie controls the criminal underworld of New York. Lonnie stripped his daughter of her wings. What else will he do to stay on top, and how will his actions affect Spider-Man? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #56 and find out!

 

Main Story

Peter’s life is a mess, but he doesn’t want it to be. He lost Mary Jane and Felicia Hardy. Now he’s got a chance with Shay Marken, and he doesn’t want to blow it. But that means getting his life under control. That’s not easy, given his responsibilities as Spider-Man. Creditors may no longer hound him, but neither does he have a job. A visit to the Daily Bugle knocks that possibility off Peter’s list.

 

Often, people who struggle in personal relationships throw themselves into work. Peter is better at being Spider-Man than he is at being Peter Parker. But if he’s such a great Spider-Man, why couldn’t he prevent Randy from getting shot? Nearly losing his friend plagues Peter, so Spider-Man takes his anger and frustration out on criminals. If he’s not hassling dodgy real estate agents, he’s making Tombstone look like a crook that other crooks can’t trust. Peter has good reasons to hurt Lonnie, Kareem, and White Rabbit’s reputations. But his actions not only make them look bad. Spider-Man’s duplicity could get them killed.

 

Lonnie Lincoln recognizes this. Like any leader, he knows his position is tenuous. If Spider-Man contemplates loose threads in Zeb Wells' main story, so does Tombstone. After he won the Gang War back in ASM #44, Tombstone told White Rabbit he'd have to kill Spider-Man. But like the new-and-improved Wilson Fisk, Lonnie has been holding back. In Amazing Spider-Man #56, Spider-Man wants to take down Tombstone. Tombstone needs to take down Spidey. But unlike Peter Parker, Lonnie Lincoln gets no pleasure from it. It’s just something he has to do.

 

Art

Peter’s eyes glow, and he smiles wide as Randy walks on crutches. His smile fades, and Peter's eyes narrow when Randy asks him to leave. Spider-Man looks like he's addressing flies from atop the villains’ van. Then he yanks the back doors open, filling the air with their blood. Spider-Man thwips the crate of guns away and rides atop Kareem's car. Then he thwips away, leaving a locator beacon on the roof. Lonnie dines alone in a restaurant while bodyguards wait nearby. He wipes his mouth with a cloth napkin as he studies photos of Peter Parker. Do Tombstone's thoughts return to Fisk's object lesson in Africa?

 

Marcio Menyz tinges John Romita Jr and Scott Hanna’s Daily Bugle newsroom with yellow. While Robbie Robertson’s head glows, the overhead florescent lights cast light diagonally into Robbie’s darker office. But they’re no match for the streetlight that shines over the silhouette of Janice on the sidewalk, casting shadows across her eyes and shoulders as she sniffs red roses. Light streaks the window and the mirror as Tombstone adjusts his tie. He wants to look his best when he rolls down the green window of his black limo and tells Peter to get out of the rain.

 

 

 

Proxy: Story

Spider-Man requests that She-Hulk meet him at Pigeon Coffee And Donuts. He wants to discuss building a case against Lonnie Lincoln, but Bulldozer gets in the way. She-Hulk helps Spidey take Bulldozer down, but she’s upset. She’s on her way to Ned Leeds’ hearing, and the brawl with Bulldozer ruined her favorite blazer. With so much going on in his life, Spider-Man forgot about Ned’s hearing. He wants to be there for his friend. But while She-Hulk heads directly to the courthouse, Spider-Man arrives late.

 

Ned is unhappy with Peter in Amazing Spider-Man #56. Like Randy Robinson and many in Peter’s life, Ned feels that Peter hasn’t stood by him like a friend should. In Proxy, Spider-Man may win, but Peter Parker loses.

 

Art

Like Jaws in Moonraker, Rhino consumes his side of a booth, while his date requires little. As they glimpse the fight on the street through the streaked coffee shop window, their guarded expressions relax, and they exchange smiles. Spider-Man thwips a car. She-Hulk rips a streetlight off the curb. Sparking electric cables cast a yellow glow on the rising smoke as She-Hulk throttles Bulldozer with the streetlight. As the villain lays face down on cracked concrete, She-Hulk doesn’t look at Spider-Man. Instead, she inspects her torn shoulder seam and ripped sleeve.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg paints Andrés Genolet’s courtroom in gray, beige, and brown. While She-Hulk dominates the room in her purple blazer, Ned echoes her color with his V-neck sweater. Bettie and her child wear light blue. The red, white, and blue American flag hangs next to her in the adjacent panel. Peter’s presence offers a weak glow, but his gray clothes diminish him as he pursues Bettie, Ned, and She-Hulk past brown wood and white marble walls. The overhead lights and the sunlight streaming in through the windows behind them give She-Hulk an angelic appearance, while Peter casts a black spider and a Spider-Man standing before a spider-web on the wall. 

 

 

 

Responsibilities: Story

Peter visits Mary Jane and Paul one night. Before he thwips away for an evening of crime fighting, he thanks them for Paul's delicious Chicken Korma. The time Paul took to learn how to make the Indian curry is another reminder of how Paul cares for MJ. But Paul's concern for others isn't limited to the woman he loves. In Zeb Wells' story, Paul is a visitor from another universe. Yet Paul made a list of people injured by his profit-driven focus before he traveled here. He can't help the people who died or still suffer there, so he helps their counterparts on Earth-616. The affecting story makes you wonder. What kind of Spider-Man might Paul become?

 

Art

Paul and Mary Jane’s apartment is a showroom of straight lines and rectangles. The panel doors, kitchen cabinets, wood floor, kitchen tile, picture frames, and the sleek couch exude ordered calm. When Paul ventures outside into the sea of humanity, he gives a street vendor money, even though he doesn't buy anything. Yet when Paul ventures into the apartment building of a person in trouble, the lines go askew. The building has fallen into disrepair, and the stark lighting creates drama.

 

Rachelle Rosenberg lavishes a loaded palette of appealing colors on Ramon Rosanas’ art in Amazing Spider-Man #56. The subdued colors of Paul and Mary Jane's apartment make it a beacon of light. The next day, Paul travels past beige buildings, vibrant foliage, and passersby dressed in colorful attire. Paul's memories of his business career reinforce Paul's former indifference to his world, while the warm greens and browns of the apartment he visits suggest the occupant's connection. By the time Paul leaves, the sky has turned gray, and rain pelts down, a final reminder that Paul's form of caring means investing time in others. 

 

 

 

Stark Kraven Mad

In Lee Gatlin's delightful cartoon, Kraven sits on one of the stone statues outside the New York Public Library when Spider-Man thwips into view. The soft green foliage surrounding Kraven evokes the jungle. Is the stone lion Patience or Fortitude? Given Spidey's antics, I can make an educated guess.

 

Aside from Lee Gatlin’s one-page story, Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes in Amazing Spider-Man #56. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell and change color for increased volume, and shrink for lowered voices. Colored and transparent sound effects heighten thwipping, headbanging, gavel-banging, a car crash, police sirens, and a brutal brawl. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

Final Thoughts

Mary Jane has her life in order. Randy Robertson and Ned Leeds are making progress. But Peter is more lost than ever. He wants to start something good with Shay Marken but doesn't even have a job. So he’s putting Spider-Man’s house in order in Amazing Spider-Man #56. But will becoming a more controlling Spider-Man create more problems than it solves?

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

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