Stillanerd Reviews: Spider-Geddon No. 2 review

The second part of Spider-Geddon tries mixing things up a bit by having Doctor Octopus and Miles Morales have a difference of opinion.

Spider-Geddon No. 2

Writer: Christos Gage

Story: Dan Slott

Penciler: Jorge Molina

Inkers: Jay Leisten, Craig Yeung, and Roberto Poggi

Colorist: David Curiel

Covers: Jorge Molina; Ivan Shavrin; Nick Bradshaw and Rachelle Rosenberg; Inhyuk Lee (Connecting Variant)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Spider-Geddon No. 2 was released on October 24, 2018.

More from Comics

• X-Men: 6 reasons why Marvel’s mutants are the best superhero team
• Harley Quinn renewed for a fifth season on Max (and it’s well-deserved)
• Marvel Comics announces seven important X-Men comic books
• The X-Men were betrayed by Captain America in Uncanny Avengers
• Spider-Man: Miles and Peter team-up for their first ongoing series

In the review for Spider-Geddon No. 1, your humble reviewer made an assertion that, for all intends and purposes, Marvel’s latest Spider-Man crossover was a carbon copy of “Spider-Verse.” Perhaps that may have sounded simplistic on my part, if not a presumptuous. Certainly, the creators behind “Spider-Geddon” are attempting to make it seem different from “Spider-Verse” even while simultaneously evoking nostalgia for “Spider-Verse.” And, to writer Christos Gage’s credit, he does expand somewhat on alternate Spider-Men versus steampunk vampires in Spider-Geddon No. 2.

Most of “Spider-Verse” was essentially one long chase. The Spiders, led by Peter Parker and pursued by the Inheritors, hopped from dimension-to-dimension, desperately searching for a place to hide as they struggled to come up with any plan to save themselves. Now the Spiders know what they’re dealing with in “Spider-Geddon,” and that they have strength in numbers, they’re hoping from dimension-to-dimension to recruit even more Spiders. This, of course, allows the crossover to introduce even more alternative takes on the web-slinger, like the PS4 Spider-Man.

Credit: Jorge Molina, Jay Leisten, Craig Yeung, Roberto Poggi, and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon #2

Unfortunately, like most “hero vs. hero” set-ups, the philosophical conflict is woefully imbalanced…Although we’re supposed to side with the “not-kill” group, guess which one has the stronger argument?

The other attempt at making “Spider-Geddon” different from “Spider-Verse”? Make it like Civil War. On one side is Doctor Octopus, reclaiming his mantle as “the Superior Spider-Man,” who says they must kill the Inheritors like they should’ve done in the first place if they wish to survive. On the other side is Miles Morales, who argues they should follow Peter Parker’s example by not killing the Inheritors and find a different way to stop them. Yes, it’s another one of those “kill or not kill” debates which almost always seems to crop up in major comic book crossovers.

Now some of you may remember that in the “Spider-Verse” tie-ins of Superior Spider-Man No. 32 and No. 33, Doc Ock specifically recruited Spiders who were willing to kill and, knowing other Spiders would disapprove, also recruited Spiders who would be loyal and do what was necessary regardless. Given the bloated nature of “Spider-Verse,” this was a subplot that was sadly dropped early on. For Gage to revive and reconfigure this subplot while also making it crucial part for this new crossover deserves some praise.

Unfortunately, like most “hero vs. hero” set-ups, the philosophical conflict is woefully imbalanced. Miles’ argument basically boils down to heroes don’t kill, it’s what Peter Parker would do, and besides, it’s all Doc Ock’s fault anyway because it was his cloning machines which revitalized the Inheritors in the first place. Doc Ock’s position is that killing the Inheritors is not only a matter of self-preservation, it’s what they should’ve done all along. Although we’re supposed to side with the “not-kill” group, guess which one has the stronger argument?

Credit: Jorge Molina, Jay Leisten, Craig Yeung, Roberto Poggi, and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon #2

Thus the problem with this comic comes down to its script. No matter how many times various characters reiterate what’s happening is all Doc Ock’s fault, it doesn’t really make it so. No matter how threatening we, as readers, are supposed to find the Inheritors, their dialogue makes them sound like petulant, irritating bores. There’s even a moment where it’s made to look as if Spider-Gwen dies which fails simply because it’s Spider-Gwen for one, that she’s having a relaunched spin-off title for another, and that it’s your typical explosion but no body cliffhanger scenario.

At least Jorge Molina still gives it his all on the art. From their costume design to their body language, his figures look distinctive with real personality. Although the action in the opening panels is a bit rigid and cramped, it still appears crisp, especially from David Curiel’s coloring, and very easy to follow. It’s not one percent perfect, of course. There are some wonky perspective angles, such as one panel depicting Doc Ock and Kaine standing next to one another. Also, I’m not sure why some spider emblems appear faded while others are solid black. Must have something to do with three different inkers assigned to this one comic.

I will say that Spider-Geddon No. 2, while certainly not an excellent comic, is a slight improvement over the previous installment. That’s the development of a much broader, interpersonal conflict between the Spiders this time around does make things potentially more interesting. Nevertheless, what little flourishes it has doesn’t discount the notion that it’s essentially a thinly plotted “Spider-Verse 2.0”.

Stillanerd’s Score: 2.5 out of 5

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

Credit: Jorge Molina, Jay Leisten, Craig Yeung, Roberto Poggi, and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon #2

Look, I know that Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man No. 311 showed Morlun leaving to hunt down Spidey.  That’s still no excuse for the fact that he somehow up and vanished in front of all the Spiders, and got himself some new Victorian-era duds in the process.

You got to love how Spider-Gwen, during the middle of fight, stops what she’s doing and gets right up into Doc Ock’s face all because he started into a villain-style monologue.

You also have to love how this issue’s decisive battle involves a person on the opposing side frantically typing on computer consoles while the rest fight in the middle to keep the other way away from said computer console.

“You gave it a countdown voice?” Actually, that’s not the most “cartoony” thing about the self-destruct sequence, Spider-Ham. What’s really cartoony is that, although the voice states there are only thirty seconds left until detonation, the reading time for what follows takes twice as long.

Yep, Spider-Gwen, because she lost her powers back in Spider-Women, wears a version of the Venom symbiote now. Why then was not part of “Venomverse” I have no idea.

“…wait until you’ve seen the clothing I’ve–” Wait, wait, wait? You mean to tell me the Inheritors can clone clothes? No, sorry, there’s just so much “it’s just a comic book” nonsense I can except.

“…as long as our father [Solus] has not returned, there is hope.” You mean the Inheritors big bad Santa Claus dad? The guy who was defeated by Kaine? Oh, my spider-sense is really tingling there, Karn.

“My family’s return has rendered the future uncertain.” Oh, how convenient that their go-to prognosticator supposedly doesn’t know the future anymore.

Yes, Octavia Otto. You’re very right in thinking that wanting to say, “the die is cast” is very silly. What’s even more silly is that Doc Ock only started saying this when he was the Superior Spider-Man even though he acted like this was always his catchphrase.

Verna kills Karn? But if she does that, doesn’t that destroy the web of life and destiny as it no longer has a Master Weaver? How can Karn be dead if since “Spider-Verse” shows he survives into very old age as the Master Weaver and dies there? Wouldn’t killing Karn now completely disrupt the space-time continuum? Where is Doctor Who to explain all this?!

For those who are following “Spider-Geddon,” what are you thinking of this crossover so far? How does it compare with “Spider-Verse”, and are you picking up any of its tie-ins? Which side do you agree with more, Doc Ock’s or Miles’? Or do you think “Spider-Geddon” is an unnecessary sequel?