Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #1

By Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos

The Greatest Super Hero of All Time RETURNS! The world may have changed since Spidey’s been gone, but so has Peter Parker. This is a man with a second chance at life, and he’s not wasting a moment of it. Same Parker Luck, new Parker attitude. Putting the “friendly” back in the neighborhood, the “hero” back into “super hero,” and the “amazing” back into “Spider-Man!” Also returning: The recharged and reenergized ELECTRO!

The first in this new run of The Amazing Spider-Man started with a naked peter parker swinging (not what you’re thinking) through the streets of New York and it just kept getting better from there.  It is really great to have Peter Parker back after being gone so long.  I thought Superior Spider-Man was a great series, and I liked Otto Octavius in the spider suit but I am happy Peter Parker has returned. 

Parker is one of those characters who manages to be incredibly annoying in the most endearing of ways.  His witty personality and sarcasm is on full display here which is part of the reason I loved this comic so much.  There is plenty of humour which is great but underneath that you can see how Parker is struggling to come to terms with the fact that someone else has been living his life, making decision he would never make, being a man he would never be.  He is confused and a little overwhelmed but he manages to keep his chin up and get on with things.  It will be interesting to see how he copes as the series continues and the actions of Octavius become more apparent.

The story is short but sweet.  It is packed full of personality and doesn’t overwhelm straight away.  It lays down the ground work for what is to come and from all the hints (and the preview at the back of this issue which includes a very annoyed Black Cat and Electro) there is some pretty exciting stuff coming our way. 

My only grumble has nothing to do with the story but with Marvel adding in Inhuman #1 as a bonus.  I really love Inhuman I have always liked the inhuman characters so a part of me is happy that it is included so more people will see it.  However, the other part of me who has to think about real life things like money is a little peeved.  Why did I bother paying for Inhuman when it is included free in another comic?  A comic that most fans who have already bought Inhuman are bound to buy.  Comics are not overly expensive in comparison to other entertainment products but with new releases in double figures every week it sure adds up quickly.  For the avid comic book fan I am not sure this was the best move from Marvel.

4 Stars

Varient Covers

For more information about this title and others check out the Marvel website.