ASM 80 Review and Spoilers!!!

[Pav]

Today, friends, we are blessed with TWO COMICS starring Benjamin J. Reilly. Whoever could've thunk it?!

Let's talk a little about the Amazing issue, and why it maybe wasn't as amazing as some of us might've hoped for.

For me, there were two main problems: 1) the best part of the comic was the preview; and 2) the story doesn't seem to be progressing.

We start right where last issue leaves off, with Ben drugged by Kraven. The interaction between them is interesting, and yet it feels like it's missing something -- some rationale for WHY Kraven cares so much about helping Spidey "look into the abyss." Is it just about Spidey being "corporate?" Would Kraven still be doing this if it were Peter under the mask? And maybe I've forgotten something, but how would Kraven even know that Spider-Man has gone corporate? I don't recall Ben ever advertising; but maybe somebody can remind me if I'm forgetting a story beat. Nevertheless, I get wanting to use Kraven in this story; but within the story itself, I'm kind of at a loss as to why Kraven cares at all. IMPORTANT: We can't forget that Kraven was hunting Ben and Janine. Is there more going on under the surface than we've been lead to believe?

I do like the way Kraven looks from Ben's drugged mind. Very cool.

The most interesting part of the issue is Ben referring to himself as Peter, and then slipping into the "I'm not a real person" sort of thinking that plagued him in the past. I think it's incredibly realistic that Ben, deep down, would still consider himself to be Peter -- perhaps similarly to someone in witness protection, who may never internally address themselves by their new, government-given name.

But again -- we get Kraven's narration and it seems as though he's somehow aware of Ben's "epiphany." Or is he just talking out of his ass? Nevertheless, when Ben is thinking about being "a rough sketch of greater men," we get the art of faceless characters again. I think there's gotta be something here regarding why Beyond wants Ben: this whole "facelessness" thing implies loss of individual identity, and so perhaps Ben is who they want because they believe they can manipulate him into losing any individual identity he has.

Anyway, Kraven essentially defeats Ben, takes him somewhere, patches him up, and then leaves him be. Ben wakes up and three Beyond employees are there. One of the guys has pills to help Ben, and Kraven says that Spidey has "found his offering." Why Kraven killed some Beyond employees but not these three isn't made clear. Kraven continues to lecture Ben about the soul of man being destroyed by modern corporate culture. As far as I can tell, it seems like Kraven doesn't realize that Ben isn't Peter, because the drugs made Ben consider his cloneliness, not corporate ugliness. Perhaps any "insight" Kraven has is merely coincidence.

Ben defeats Kraven and heads back to Beyond. Marcus gets a decent amount of time in the spotlight and is portrayed sympathetically, espcially when dealing with Maxine Danger, who is ready for Beyond to stop Miles Morales from continuing as Spider-Man!!!

Oh, and Aunt May meets up with Doc Ock to help save Peter!

----

So, I will say I enjoyed the issue better on the second read-through. Much of the story was confusing at first, but made more sense when I read it for this post. Still, I feel like the story isn't really going anywhere. Like, why Morbius and Kraven? Do they actually, secretly, have something to do with Beyond? Or is their inclusion essentially random, left to the whims of the writer with no real connection to or bearing on the Beyond subplot?

Maybe we'll find out there's more than meets the eye; regardless, I wish the story had more momentum at the moment.

Still, I didn't hate the issue. I enjoyed it, especially that second time around. Still, my disappointments with the issue exist. One can only hope that the inclusion of Ock into the story means the plot will be moving forward quite soon.

-Pav, who noticed that Ock is sweating when he agrees to help Peter for May...

[HypnoHustler]

Yeah… what’s frustrating is the writer is obviously a good writer based on some scenes and dialogue. This isn’t like some Slott train wreck from beginning to end. I feel like there’s some dashed potential, which makes it even more frustrating. I feel the writer was either constrained from the amount of pages, or there’s some editorial mandates about what they want and don’t want the writers to do during their turns. I don’t know…. there’s something very meh about this event so far. It’s not offensive like Slott’s stuff, it’s not convoluted like Spencer’s stuff, it’s just… boring.

EDIT: you asked “why Kraven and Morbius?” … I’d bet every dollar in my account it’s tied to Sony producing movies based on those two properties. They’re trying to increase property awareness.

[Spiderfan001]

Great review, I have to say being mediocre and forgettable in such a story format is worse than doing something bold and failing.

Can't blame the writers, they only get 2 issues each to set up their stories and end them.

Ben in Beyond to me has shined whenever around Peter, the first 2 issues and then his conversation w/ him an issue ago.When it's just him vs villains or talking w/ Beyond it's not nearly as good(not bad either).

Next 2 issues are some of the ones I'm dreading, the May Ock and Ben vs Miles isn't stuff I have high hopes for.

[Tendrin]

As a fan of Ock's current direction, I am interested to see what propels him into action against Beyond. What does he find out about what's happened to Peter that causes that? It can't be the rights to Spider-man XD

[Kevinroc]

As a fan of Ock's current direction, I am interested to see what propels him into action against Beyond. What does he find out about what's happened to Peter that causes that? It can't be the rights to Spider-man XD

He does it for love.

Aunt May x Doc Ock!

[Tendrin]

He does it for love.

Aunt May x Doc Ock!

Spiderfan001 just threw up in his mouth a bit because old people are Gross.

[Spiderfan001]

Spiderfan001 just threw up in his mouth a bit because old people are Gross.

No, the dialogue is.I have no problems w/ May or Ock being in relationships.

That and Ock hijacked the body of her Nephew whose like a Son to her and kissed his Girlfriend/wife who also happens to be May's almost daughter in law and May's anc Ock's age w/ MJ even knowing.

But yeah it's definitely because of age...

[Sr. Bungle]

Today, friends, we are blessed with TWO COMICS starring Benjamin J. Reilly. Whoever could've thunk it?!


But again -- we get Kraven's narration and it seems as though he's somehow aware of Ben's "epiphany." Or is he just talking out of his ass? Nevertheless, when Ben is thinking about being "a rough sketch of greater men," we get the art of faceless characters again. I think there's gotta be something here regarding why Beyond wants Ben: this whole "facelessness" thing implies loss of individual identity, and so perhaps Ben is who they want because they believe they can manipulate him into losing any individual identity he has.


-Pav, who noticed that Ock is sweating when he agrees to help Peter for May...

Blessed indeed.

I think the empty faces has more to do with Beyond doing something to Ben memories rather than Ben own insecurities. Or maybe amping up those insecurities.

And as for Otto's sweat, May sure knew how to raise the temperature with that "cold trail needing some heat" talk

[Spiderfan001]

I think the empty faces has more to do with Beyond doing something to Ben memories rather than Ben own insecurities. Or maybe amping up those insecurities.

Might be Kafka, she was shown to have a memory machine in 75 backup and took interest in Ben as soon as mentioned.We know she's also a clone and going to be the upcoming Queen Goblin and that Her and Ben's past will be explored upon further in the prequel series by JMD set in clone saga era.

[Sr. Bungle]

Might be Kafka, she was shown to have a memory machine in 75 backup and took interest in Ben as soon as mentioned.We know she's also a clone and going to be the upcoming Queen Goblin and that Her and Ben's past will be explored upon further in the prequel series by JMD set in clone saga era.

Yeah I was thinking the same. Could be