ARE YOU NOT BEN-TERTAINED?!
THIS is the issue we've been waiting for, folks! Best issue since the initial two, in my estimation! Let's walk through it together!
1) Cool cover.
2) While reading the synopsis of the previous issues, I chuckled upon seeing that they could cover the whole storyline thus far in such a quick paragraph: proof that little of importance has happened; it's unfortunate that the issues that should've felt like build-up (to this issue!) felt so repetitive and lackluster.
3) But this issue is a different story! I was interested from the start, due to Otto getting to narrate for a bit.
4) So, Beyond has a "spider-program" at all because it utilized what Otto did as the Superior Spider-Man? I like that connection a lot, and it makes Otto's role incredibly believable and fun. But then, I really like "Shades of Gray" Otto.
5) I'm not even sure what to say about the fish and the sandwiches. Beyond is weird.
6) Another chuckle at Otto mentioning the hangover pills. Ziglar is good at callbacks.
7) I enjoyed seeing Otto take down Misty and Colleen -- not because I dislike the characters, but because they've shown themselves to be so competent throughout Beyond; it's nice to see them participating in a fight against someone of equal standing (or more), and I also like how they can't believe they lost: they SHOULD underestimate someone like Ock, I think. It makes sense to me that two hot action babes might forget that the shlubby octopus-man can actually do some real damage.
8) I've decided I don't like Spider-man flying. It's my new pet-peeve. Give me web-swings or give me death! (I still enjoy the web-pits though.)
9) I feel like the artist forgot how to draw Ben's suit.
10) I wonder who or what Maxine Danger really is, considering she can brazenly stand there, arms crossed, stone-faced, while listening to a super-powered megalomaniac killing his way to her, armed guard by armed guard.
11) Liked Otto's "Shining" moment.
12) Maxine felt (to me) like an actual character for the first time with her joke about not breaking any more walls. I wonder how much the writers will try to make her a three-dimensional villain; my hope is that she isn't two-dimensional purposefully, as it might show a general disinterest by the writers in building from this story in the future.
13) Kafka appearance! I CANNOT WAIT for JMD's first issue!
14) Magnet Gun = dumb. Seeing the Spinnerets again = appreciated.
15) "Something about you has changed."
16) Ben jumping out of the building with an armless Otto was brilliant. Loved that move from our Benjy Boy.
17) AH! And here it is: Otto delivering the devastating news to Ben about Beyond.
18) Ben's comments while beating down Otto are so telling, and while it perhaps proves that what Beyond really thinks of Ben might be true, it also demonstrates clearly what his psychological hang-ups are due to being a clone, and I'm of the mind that, even with all the growth Ben has had and will (hopefully) have, he'll always be plagued with doubts about his self-worth and purpose. How could he not? We all have our good days and bad, y'know?
19) Wait. Do the Morbius and Kraven issues exist simply to demonstrate Ben being "an easily controlled lapdog prone to emotional outbursts and distractions?!" Gonna hafta go back and reread.
20) When Otto monologues about the data drive, I couldn't help but think back to when Lil Jack the Clone offered to give Ben the "proof" he needed to prove that he was "the real Peter Parker." I wonder if the symmetry is purposeful.
21) Ben reads his psych profile. Too bad we've barely had interaction between him and Kafka in earlier issues. If only we had been given proper build-up to this point.
22) Do we think Maxine knows what really happened?
23) YES! NOW WE"RE TALKING! Ben makes his first move against Beyond. Nice job with the mask there, Benjy -- and HOPEFULLY this puts Janine in a place of power later in the story rather than simply in distress.
24) OOF! The mirror scene! What an ending!
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I can't wait to see what others think of the issue! Did you enjoy it as much as I did?
-Pav, who IS a real boy...