Stillanerd Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #6 review

Despite his best efforts not to, Spider-Man hangs out with his villainous roommate, Boomerang, in another terrific issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807)

“A Trivial Pursuit, Part One”

Writer: Nick Spencer

Penciler: Humberto Ramos and Steve Lieber

Inker: Victor Olazaba and Steve Lieber

Colorist: Edgar Delgado and Rachelle Rosenberg

Covers: Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado; Paul Renaud (Cosmic Ghost Rider Vs. variant)

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Some of you may not know this, but one of the first comics I started reviewing online was Nick Spencer’s The Superior Foes of Spider-Man. At the time, I was still recovering over how Peter Parker supposedly died like a chump in Amazing Spider-Man #700, and was very skeptical about the upcoming Superior Spider-Man era. So when I was asked if I could review Superior Foes, I agreed, but had my doubts. After all, it was a comic about a bunch of low-tier villains branding themselves as the new Sinister Six despite only having five members.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807)

Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807) is definitely Boomerang’s story…Yet even though [he] has essentially hijacked the role of protagonist from Spider-Man, it’s easy to give this a pass.

I’m very glad I did, because I consider Superior Foes of Spider-Man an underrated classic. It’s also the series in which Spencer humanized Fred Meyers, a.k.a. Boomerang, transforming him from a gimmicky, one-trick villain into a lovable rogue, a would-be criminal mastermind who, despite being nothing of the sort, somehow manages to get away with almost everything. If Peter Parker is the everyman superhero, then Fred Meyers is the everyman supervillain.

Hence why, despite a brief prologue involving the Vulture, Taskmaster, and the Black Ant, and despite this issue being narrated by Spidey, Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807) is definitely Boomerang’s story. His actions drive the narrative, everyone in the story reacts to what he does, and nearly every conversation revolves around him. It might as well be a new issue of The Superior Foes of Spider-Man all things considered. In fact, we even have a reunion of Fred’s Sinister Six, complete with art by Superior Foes artist Steve Lieber.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807)

Yet even though Boomerang has essentially hijacked the role of protagonist from Spider-Man, it’s easy to give this a pass. Boomerang, much like how Spencer wrote him in Superior Foes, is a charmer, and someone who, despite everything the contrary, is willing to overlook all the shady stuff he does because “he seems nice.” For Peter Parker, however, that’s what so infuriating. Aside from the fact he has to live with the guy, he can’t expose him without revealing himself as Spider-Man. Moreover, as we also learn in this issue, Fred received a Presidential pardon for helping the resistance during Secret Empire. In short, Boomerang’s untouchable and everyone likes him.

Well, not everyone, and not just Peter. Fred has run afoul of Wilson Fisk, who’s still the mayor of New York. While he publicly praises Boomerang, in private, he’s working to bring about his downfall. How he does this would give away the fun.

And make no mistake, this comic is fun. From the new Sinister Six poker game to “Spider-Man Trivia Night” at the Bar With No Name, this is a comedic and celebratory look at Spider-Man’s lesser known, more obscure, and outright ridiculous rogues. Underneath their costumes, powers, and gear, they come across as ordinary working stiffs despite that they’re also petty, small-time crooks who think they’re big timers. Fred Meyers encapsulates this. Even though Peter, and the reader, have every right to be suspicious of him, we somehow identify with him.

It’s also a story, I would argue, that wouldn’t work with any superhero other than Spider-Man. If this had been a Batman comic, most likely the Caped Crusader would’ve accosted Boomerang in a dark alley, hoisted him up into the rooftops, and driven the fear of God into him. If this involved Daredevil, likely he would’ve charged right into the Bar with No Name, roughed up a few goons, and then afterward tells Fred, “Let’s talk.” If this had been the Punisher, then there’d be a body count. Only Spider-Man, a superhero whose ordinary, everyday life out of costume is just as important, could have a story about the ordinary, everyday lives of his villains.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807)

…you might balk at the notion of Peter Parker, the paragon of responsibility, hanging out in a bar full of criminals and having a good time. Yet, just like Peter and his opinion of Fred, you might be swayed by this comic’s charm in spite of yourself.

As for the art, some of you may know I have mixed emotions when it comes to Humberto Ramos. When it comes to depicting motion, his work is some of the most dynamic and fluid comic book illustrations out there. Yet, when it comes to his depicting people, it’s as if Ramos doesn’t even attempt at anything resembling consistency. In his are, a character can have short, stubby arms in one panel and that same character can have long, gangling arms in the next. Near the comic’s end, there’s a series of three panels where Peter’s face seems to have all the properties of silly putty with every facial expression he makes.

Even so, there’s no denying that Ramos’ art pulls you in and holds your attention throughout.  Moreover, having Lieber and Rachelle Rosenberg as a guest-artist and guest-colorist for the Superior Foes poker game reunion was an unexpected and welcome surprise.

If the last five issues of Amazing Spider-Man acted as a character study of the wall-crawler, then Amazing Spider-Man #6 is the start of how Spidey’s and his villains have an effect on one another. Granted, you might balk at the notion of Peter Parker, the paragon of responsibility, hanging out in a bar full of criminals and having a good time. Yet, just like Peter and his opinion of Fred, you might be swayed by this comic’s charm in spite of yourself.

Stillanerd’s Score: 4.5 out of 5

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (contains possible spoilers)

Credit: Steve Lieber and Rachelle Rosenberg (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man #6 (LGY #807)

Darn it, comic! Now I demand that there be a story about a self-aware barbecue sauce stain with the powers of a symbiote.

I am a little curious now about who Black Ant and Taskmaster’s client is. The way the last issue ended, and now with their capture of the Vulture, it makes me think it’s Kraven. Another Sinister Six in the works, maybe?

“…making out with his supermodel girlfriend.” Oh no, Mary Jane’s back to being a supermodel again? Not that I’d be complaining if I was in Pete’s position, but is there some prerequisite that Peter can only date MJ if she’s a supermodel?

“Like half of the Avengers used to be bad guys.” Not to mention all the Thunderbolts and some of Spidey’s own rogues. Also, isn’t it a little hypocritical for Peter acting so skeptical about supervillains going straight considering his attitude towards Doctor Octopus prior to this run?

And here we go, word getting out how Peter was once “Spider-Man’s personal photographer” and thus making it more likely for someone to put two-and-two together. Maybe not as bad as Peter saying he’s “Spider-Man’s tech guy” but even so.

Nice Easter Egg of Daredevil’s picture on a dartboard in the Bar With No Name.

The Scourge, also known as The Scourge of the Underworld, is a gun-toting vigilante who wears a skull mask and kills criminals. Basically, imagine if the Punisher targeted C and D-list super villains. Hence why Scourge actually has a higher body count. That and more than one person has been the Scourge, including the Punisher.

“He ain’t wearing a costume.” Sure he is, Kangaroo. As a friend of mine pointed out to me, “The Liar” has the villain color scheme down pat.

What did you think about Amazing Spider-Man #6? What do you think Boomerang has that the Kingpin wants? Who were some of your favorite loser villains that you spotted in this comic, and who would you like to see show up? And would you also like to see the return of a Superior Foes of Spider-Man ongoing series? Also, don’t forget to check out another review of this issue over at our sister site, Whatever A Spider Can.