Spider-Boy #18 Review

 

Writer: Dan Slott

Artist: Paco Medina

Colorist: Erick Arciniega

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Paco Medina & Edgar Delgado; Russell Dauterman

Designer: Adam Del Re

Editors: Tom Groneman, Nick Lowe & CB Cebulski

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: April 2, 2025

 

Boy-Spider may share his arachnid and human DNA, but he threatens Bailey’s relationship with his mother. So, when Bailey returns from Madripoor to find Boy-Spider has stolen his life, the Walloping Web-Snapper has nothing good to say about an honorless identity thief. But while his half-brother tries to shatter his life, Killionaire wants to blow up the homeless shelter.

 

Bailey helps Boy-Spider repel the Bada-Bros’ attacks. But in the process, Bailey loses his mother and brother to Stillwell Farms. How will Bailey adjust to splitting his time between Tabitha Briggs and Christina Xu’s parents? And who will Killionaire hire to attack the FEAST Center next? Let's slip on our unstable molecule sneakers, leap into Spider-Boy #18, and find out!

 

Story

Madame Monstrosity experimented on Bailey in her secret laboratory at Stillwell Farms. Eli eased Bailey's distress with humor. But when Bailey tried to reciprocate, Madame Monstrosity took Bailey's joke as a suggestion. Bailey watched, feeling responsible, as Madame Monstrosity merged Eli's human DNA with an elephant and a rhinoceros. In Spider-Boy #18, Dan Slott transports us back in time. We see Bailey and his mom before they became test subjects and learn how Bailey befriended the boy who became Hellifino.

 

Spider-Man ordered Bailey not to fight A-List Villains. But Bailey lives in a homeless shelter founded by Mr Negative. The super A-Lister may not run FEAST anymore. But the Chinese gangster and sometime philanthropist became Mr. Negative when someone experimented on him. So, in the worst traditions of paying it forward, Spider-Boy #18 reveals the gangster’s role in Bailey, Tabitha, and Eli becoming Madame Monstrosity’s playthings.

 

As Mr Negative and Bailey’s lives are bound to FEAST, so is Christina Xu’s. Bailey first met the girl when Inner Demons pursued her through Chinatown. Bailey defended Christina against the masked men in business suits. Then he learned Christina carried one of Mr Negative’s keys. When Killionaire’s Bada-Bros prepped the homeless shelter for a radical makeover (likely involving calculating square roots), Christina discovered more keys. Now, Christina has seventeen of them. And this time, she won't settle for Spider-Boy's previous method of shielding her from the Inner Demons' swords.

 

Art

Erick Arciniega paints the FEAST Center in reddish brown. Pink posters adorn Bailey's bedroom. Rose smoke surrounds the black, white, and gray gangsters who invade the homeless shelter. Bailey's golden bear with a red bow tie remains behind, while Bailey awakens in a gray van beside a boy wearing a red jacket in Spider-Boy #18.

 

After Mr Negative takes a sword to one of his Inner Demons, he produces a gold key evoking the Hydra symbol. While Tabitha picks up her vocalizing cat, dogs gaze up at Christina Xu clutching a bag of keys. Inner Demons hide like Jawas hunting R2-D2 as Christina walks beneath glowing red paper lanterns. When Spider-Boy arrives in his red-and-blue costume, he and Christina discover why the Inner Demons wear masks.

 

As characters speak uppercase black letters into dialogue balloons, Mr Negative speaks white words into black balloons. Words grow bold for intonation, shrink for lowered voices, swell for volume, and change colors for emphasis. The Chinese gangster and Madame Monstrosity merit stylized introductions. Joe Caramagna helps us hear hissing canisters produce coughing, punching, kicking, and Spider-Man's characteristic thwipping. Thanks to Marvel Comics for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Insights into Bailey’s past reveal mysteries surrounding Mr Negative and throw the 10-year-old into moral quandaries most adults cannot figure out. When Spider-Man discovers what Bailey and Christina are up to, he may not take the kids out for pizza and ice cream. But given Peter Parker's improving situation with Tabitha Briggs, the future is wide open in Spider-Boy #18.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.

 

 

Amazing Spider-Man #53 Review

 

Writers: Zeb Wells

Pencilers: Todd Nauck & Ed McGuinness

Inker: Todd Nauck & Wade Von Grawbadger

Colorists: Marcio Menyz

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Cover Artists: Ed McGuinness & Marcio Menyz; Ivan Bigarella; Tony Daniel & Marcelo Maiolo; Russell Dauterman; Gabriele Dell’Otto

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $4.99

Release Date: July 10, 2024

 

The Green Goblin transformed Peter Parker into Spider-Goblin. Chasm loosened the Golbin's hold on his mind. But then Peter ignores the plans he made for the Goblin's return. Without Spider-Man leading the Goblin Resistance, will Ms. Marvel, J Jonah Jameson, Dr Curt Connors, the Walking Brain, and their Web-Whanging replacement commemorate their victory with Riesling and Gorgonzola? Or will the Green Goblin detonate their new plans with a flurry of pumpkin bombs? Let's thwip into Amazing Spider-Man #53, Big Believers, and find out!

 

Story

The Emissary transported Peter Parker and Mary Jane to an alternate Earth. When Paul sent Peter back to Earth-616, Norman helped Peter return to rescue Mary Jane. Even though Norman was helping his friend, Ms Marvel blames Norman for instigating the events that led to her death. If the Green Goblin influenced Norman's actions, that also makes him responsible for wrecking Peter’s love life and Mary Jane becoming the superhero Jackpot. Whatever the case, Ms Marvel’s not in a hurry to die again. So she teams with the Walking Brain’s posse and invades Oscorp.

 

Norman Osborn currently owns Oscorp, but Peter, Kamala, Dr Curt Connors, and his assistant Doug have spent days and years there. It's as familiar a battleground for the participants as Central Park was for the gangs of New York. Still, much is uncertain in Amazing Spider-Man #53. In Peter's absence, Dr Curt Connors tries to control Doc Ock’s old mechanical legs, the Walking Brain furiously calculates the Green Goblin’s goal, and Norman’s former intern takes on a supervillain with decades of fighting expertise. Yes, Rek-Rap, it is indeed slobberin’ time.

 

 

 

Chasm’s psychoreactive goo helped Peter's consciousness return. But like Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up," once Peter hears the Green Goblin's thoughts, he can't get them out of his head. So, like many of us, he struggles to ignore distracting thoughts and concentrate on what he wants to do. Peter has a plan to combat the Green Goblin. It involves a spear that gave him Norman Osborn's sins and a machine that turns people into goblins. Peter told Hallows' Eve that no good ever came from the Winkler machine. He insisted the machine couldn’t heal Chasm. So why does Peter think that a sin-filled spear and a machine up to no good can heal Norman Osborn?

 

In Amazing Spider-Man #53, the protagonists battle a superior adversary. They struggle and fall. And a hero descends into the darkness to relieve his friend of his inner demons.

 

 

Art

After glaring at faces on a monitor, Norman stands beside his goblin suit and loosens his tie. Norman never looked as happy in a business suit as when clad in his beloved green and purple costume. As Ms Marvel shows how she invaded Oscorp, a goblin glider enters the room. Todd Nauck and Ed McGuinness maintain the tension through character expressions and body language in Amazing Spider-Man #53. Peter hunches over his workbench before clasping his adapted spear. Ms Marvel’s long arms reach out for Norman as Curt Connors scrambles atop Doc Ock’s old mechanical legs. Rek-Rap grabs Green Goblin upside down and stares deeply into his eyes. Hey! That's Mary Jane and Spider-Man's special move, Rek-Rap!

 

 

 

Marcio Menyz adorns heroes and villains with bold, eye-catching colors. Orange and yellow replace gray backgrounds when Green Goblin leaps aboard his glider, and the Walking Brain executes his endgame. Waves of red radiate from Peter as he struggles to control his thoughts, while the Walking Brain and Green Goblin share the same bright color. In the lair of the Sinister Six, Kraven surveys his unconscious associates. If the Green Goblin, Mysterio, Elektro, Vulture, Doc Ock, and Sandman all wear green, does that mean the Walking Brain is evil too?

 

Joe Caramagna thwips uppercase black lettering into dialogue balloons and narrative boxes. The fonts grow bold for inflection, swell for increased volume, get italicized for machine-speak, and rarely shrink for lowered voices. The Green Goblin’s giant red “Me” seeks harmony with Peter Parker’s “No,” while Rek-Rap’s Chud opposes the Goblin’s red laughter. Kraven’s orange narrative boxes follow Ms Marvel’s distraught orange cry, reminding readers that popular characters can die in Amazing Spider-Man #53. Thanks to Marvel for providing a copy for review.

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

As Ms Marvel assembles a team of people more accustomed to using their minds than their fists, Spider-Man attempts to banish Norman's thoughts from his mind. Amazing Spider-Man #53 speaks to the duality inside each of us and reminds us of the importance of our mental health.

 

9.4/10

 

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

X-Men #25 Review

 

Writer: Gerry Duggan

Artist: Stefano Caselli

Colorist: Marte Gracia

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

Cover Artists: Joshua Cassara & Marte Gracia; C. F. Villa & Federico Blee; Mark Brooks; Alex Ross; Bryan Hitch & Alex Sinclair; Peach Momoko; Russell Dauterman & Matt Wilson; Sergio Davila, Sean Parsons & Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Publisher: Marvel

Price: $5.99

Release Date: August 2, 2023 

 

 

 

Kamala Khan died earlier this year in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man. But her latent mutant gene prompted her rebirth in X-Men: Hellfire Gala #1, proving that you can't keep a good Inhuman down. Perhaps this gets Kitty Pryde down, as she believes she can't be reborn if she dies. But if I understand Kitty's history rightly, she died and was reborn. Will X-Men #25 perplex or delight you? Let's leap into this special forty-plus-page issue and find out!

 

 

 

Story

The powerful Orchis organization has transformed Tony Stark's Iron Man suits into machines that do its bidding. They've blamed the mutants for a massacre and portrayed them as terrorists. Additionally, they've tampered with medicine mutants intended to benefit Humanity. 

 

 

 

With mutant hatred skyrocketing, governments allow Orchis to arrest mutants. Surgeons experiment on them. Authorities hunt down, imprison, and deport mutants to Mars. Sadly, the Martians don't exactly welcome them with open arms.

 

 

 

I rarely read an X-Men book, but I was captivated by X-Men #25. This issue mirrors contemporary problems, making it compelling reading. I can empathize with Kamala Khan's struggles. As for Kitty Pryde, she complains that she can't travel through Krakoa’s gates, yet she travels through the gate system several times. Years ago, I enjoyed following her romance with Peter Quill in Guardians of the Galaxy and Legendary Star-Lord. Now she's known as Shadowkat: a highly trained ninja. 

 

 

 

Old School fans who insist superheroes don't kill won't like X-Men #25. If you enjoy martial arts movies, you'll love her scenes. Still, I wouldn't have minded seeing Lockheed. But then, I share Rubeus Hagrid’s love of dragons. Perhaps some of you do as well?

 

 

 

Art

Characters are appealing, expressive, and lifelike. Most people can't phase through walls, but Stefano Caselli makes me believe Kitty could. Energy and movement come across, and you’ll notice plenty of fine detail, such as the woven appearance of Kitty’s sword hilts. The Stark Sentinels inspire awe, as do the space sequences. I also like the Orchis soldiers’ red suits. Marte Gracia’s rich colors provide contrast and enhance atmosphere and drama. Panels scream with life from within black pages.

 

 

 

If I could change one thing, it would be to make the lettering larger. Clayton Cowles’ tiny, lowercase black words require a mutant gene to read. Still, Gerry Duggan delivers plenty of narrative and dialogue, and the good folks at Marvel give you a free digital copy. You can scale that up to whatever size you want and immerse yourself in this fascinating issue. If you’re interested in following the cataclysmic chaos unfolding amid the Fall Of X series, buy the cover of X-Men #25 that most appeals, and prepare for an epic ride!

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

False flag attacks, illegal imprisonment, and racial hatred turn Humanity's gifted benefactors into America's Most Wanted in X-Men #25.

 

Rating 9/10

 

Preview interior art & get another reviewer's perspective at Comic Book Dispatch.

Mary Jane & Black Cat #4 Review

 

Mary Jane & Black Cat #4 Review

Writer: Jed MacKay

Artist: Vincenzo Carratù

Colorist: Brian Reber

Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher

Cover Artists: Paulo Sequeira & Rachelle Rosenberg; Alex Ross; Russell Dauterman

Publisher: Marvel

Price: 3.99

Release Date: March 8, 2023

 

Mourning Marvel’s Dark Web crossover? Then you’re in luck! While the Amazing Spider-Man series strides boldly into the future, time-travel back to see how Peter's two favorite gals escaped Limbo. Black Cat’s secrets interfered with Mary Jane’s powers, allowing a monster to capture them. What happened next to Peter Parker’s two favorite gals? Let’s descend into Mary Jane & Black Cat #4 and find out!

 

Story

Tasked by Belasco with retrieving the Soulsword, the gals hired S’ym as a guide. They know the demon will betray them if he gets the chance, but if they don't give Limbo's former ruler his beloved sword, Belasco won't regain the power to send them home. Mary Jane also gets mad at Black Cat for keeping her relationship with Peter a secret. Friends don't keep secrets from each other, right?

 

After the Dungeons & Dragons-style investigations and battles in the previous issue, Mary Jane & Black Cat #4 takes place in one geographical location, involves a fight with one monster, and covers one conversation. Still, Jed MacKay shares some profound insights on how relationships work, how we often hamper them, and the empowering nature of honesty. I liked how Black Cat's thoughts reveal her anxiety and doubts and how those complement her conversation with MJ. I also enjoyed how the relationship between the gals and their demonic tour guide evolves. An intriguing quandary near the cliffhanger ending left me wondering how MacKay will wrap up this hellacious miniseries. 

 

 

 

 

Art

Due to MacKay's story structure, Vincenzo Carratù and Brian Reber provide less-varied art in Mary Jane & Black Cat #4. Instead, we get panels and pages of our heroines fighting the monster guarding the Soulsword and dangling upside-down as they negotiate this impasse in their relationship. Like the Watcher in the Water guarding the entrance to the Mines of Moria, it grasps Mary Jane, Black Cat, and S’ym in its tentacles. "Tell your friend you’re sorry, Black Cat!” we cry. “And say it in Elvish!”

 

When Mary Jane ascended to the fullness of her powers, she reminded me of Marvel heroines like Medusa and Phoenix. It also made an interesting comparison with Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D'Amico, and Matthew Wilson's Scarlet Witch. I appreciate how Carratù and Brian Reber capture our heroines in loving detail: expressive features combine with sleek proportions and fluid movements, and their hair sweeps through the air like in a shampoo commercial. S’ym brightens up the gloomy caverns, and not just with his glowing pink skin. Even the monster's eyes show hints of curiosity and fear. I almost wonder if it intends to harm or merely wants to play. Inside the Dark Tower, power sparks off a very hellish-looking Soulsword.

 

Ariana Maher devilishly differentiates the dialogue in Mary Jane & Black Cat #4. She shares Black Cat's thoughts in white uppercase letters in black narrative boxes. Dialogue balloons get red outlines to show strong emotion. Yet more intense dialogue makes the bubbles straighten and grow sharp edges. The monster's cries are bold, uneven immense letters. Sound effects help us hear its cries and feel the monster's concussive force. When she comes into the fullness of her power, I like how Ariana shows Mary Jane's dialogue as puffy clouds outlined in red. The new dialogue balloons contrast nicely with her luminous, spiky appearance. 

 

 

 

 

Final Thoughts

Mary Jane & Black Cat #4 may be all too short, but it glows with profound insights that could unlock the potential inside each of us. Who knows what we could all become—and how we might transform our world--if only we could trust each other?

 

Rating: 8.6/10

 

To view the preview at see my review at Comic Book Dispatch