The Amazing Spider-Man #617
Reviewed by David O' Leary
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #617
Cover Date: February 2010
Story by: Joe Kelly
Art by: Max Fiumara
Colours by: Matt Hollingsworth
Letters by: Joe Caramanga
Cover by: Paolo Rivera
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Reviewed By: David O' Leary
Book Summery: The Gauntlet continues to close around Spider-Man in this heartbreaking story of love, loss, and lust for power as the Rhino charges into Spider-Man's life, out to make a name for himself...by killing the Rhino? Joe Kelly & Max Fiumara, who kicked off the Gauntlet in Amazing Spider-Man #600's prelude, return for this pulse-pounding chapter!
I have resorted to reviewing this book only when I feel the book merits a mention either when it is really good or vice versa when it is bad. This is one of those times where Spider-Man is at the very top of the pile. I finished this book and felt like this issue was, like its moniker, amazing.
The Gauntlet storyline has been a breath of fresh air to the title. That is not to say that the book was in a slum or anything but I found myself nit-picking over a few of the issues building up to it and that wasn't fair as the majority of the issues have been quite good. But when the Gauntlet started it heralded the return of the classic Spider villains. Some of the newly minted villains in the Spidey-verse were actually alright but you can't go wrong with the classics and in this issue it was the return of the Rhino, although it wasn't necessarily Alexsei in the costume. What followed was a beautifully heart rendering tale of acceptance, petulance and morality that Joe Kelly wrote like nothing else he has done on this book before. Looking back at his run it is hard to pinpoint any specific gripe I may have had with his writing and if I did, on the back of this issue, all is forgotten. The whole idea of Alexsei putting the whole persona of the Rhino behind him with the love of a woman driving his newly found run of law abiding is actually nothing unique. It could really have been just another story but it how the book is written is what makes it come across as it did. Kelly uses a new character in the Rhino suit looking for Alexsei's acceptance before really jumping into the role as the flipside of the peace that the book radiated to that point. Also, how Peter reacts to the scenario is humanising to how he dealt with Alexsei's reasons really giving an overall polish to the book.
The art on the book is provided by newcomer Max Fiumara, who I have heard little of but know that he works with some of the biggest names out there such as Morrison, Remender, and with Joe Kelly on another project. His technique works really well here and I particularly liked how much his own the characters looked. For example his rendering of Alexsei is like nothing I have ever seen before of the character and that was cool. His Spidey in costume is awesome. His action scenes and layouts are eye popping. I like this guy.
I wonder if Marvel knew they had something on their hands here considering how many different covers were made available. Four at the last count! But anyhow, I am well happy that the book is continuing its up curve lately and it worth taking a look at if you were on the fence about the book since the turn of the 600 th issue.
Rating the Book
Story: Overall 8 |
Art: Overall 8 |
Importance: Overall 8 |
Take A Look Inside
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Reviewer Bio
Name: David O' Leary
email: idwfan@yahoo.co.uk
Been reading comics: for about 12 years now.
Review Bio: I am a 26-year-old Hotel Manager from the west coast of the Republic of Ireland and think this is a great way to talk to others about this cool medium. I am a husband to one wife and father to one girl (so far).
Favorites: ONI's Whiteout, Vertigo's Scalped and Garth Ennis Preacher and Punisher in Trades. In comic form I am reading a lot of Marvel and a bit of IDW, Dark Horse & WildStorm among others.
Website: Sorry, I don't have one!
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