Stillanerd Reviews: Spider-Geddon No. 4 review

As Spider-Geddon nears it’s climax, with betrayals and double-crosses galore, it also feels as if a good chunk of the story is still missing.

Spider-Geddon No. 4

Writer: Christos Gage

Story: Dan Slott

Pencilers: Jorge Molina and Carlo Barberi

Inkers: Jay Leisten and José Marzán Jr.

Colorist: David Curiel

Covers: Jorge Molina; Joe Chiodo; Javier Garrón and David Curiel; and Inhyuk Lee (Connecting Variant)

AUTHOR’S NOTE: Spider-Geddon No. 4 was released on Wednesday, November 21st, 2018.

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How many years have the major two comic book publishers done events? Counting the first Secret Wars from 1984 to 1985, at least more than thirty years. During those decades, one would think they would have figured how to craft the perfect event, especially with regards to the number of installments. It would stand to reason that, like chapters of a novel, each comic would be its own chapter, presented in numerical order, with the same title on the heading.

Unfortunately, somebody decided that events also needed event tie-ins. What did it matter if they interrupted the flow of the event’s storyline; more comics to buy would mean increased profits, at least in theory. Now it seems like every event has tie-ins these days, and the result is a slew of fractured, disorganized, and confusing epics. “Spider-Geddon” is no different, and in the case of its fourth issue, the typical problems of the event-driven story are only exacerbated. Not even the checklist in the back of the issue, designed for readers to keep things in relative order, is of any help.

Credit: Jorge Molina, Carlo Barberi, Jay Leisten, José Marzan Jr., and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon No. 4

[in Spider-Geddon No. 4,] the typical problems of the event-driven story are only exacerbated. Not even the checklist in the back of the issue, designed for readers to keep things in relative order, is of any help.

Take the beginning of Spider-Geddon No. 4. Jessica Drew, a.k.a. the 616-Spider-Woman, teleports back to her home dimension, the crystallized essence of the Inheritor’s father, Solus, in her hand. Where did she come from? How did she come by the Inheritor crystal? Why is she dressed in a radiation suit? The editor’s note states to read Spider-Force to find out. Only problem is that this three-part “Spider-Geddon” tie-in event series hasn’t finished, with the official checklist listing Spider-Force No. 3 taking place after this issue.

It gets worse, as after the introductory scene, Miles Morales, Otto Octavius, and the other Spiders are on another Earth, specifically the home dimension of the late Cosmic Spider-Man from “Spider-Verse.” Why are the Spider people even there? According to Otto, it’s so they can analyze the energy signatures of this world’s Enigma Force–the same cosmic power which fueled the Cosmic Spider-Man–so they can better locate their world’s version. Only it doesn’t take long for a discerning reader to realize it’s just an excuse for pace-dragging exposition.

Credit: Jorge Molina, Carlo Barberi, Jay Leisten, José Marzan Jr., and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon No. 4

Then there’s the matter of characterization, or rather the inconsistency. Much ado is made about the Norman Osborn version of Spider-Man, that he cannot be trusted even as they need his help. The reader already knows Spider-Osborn is up to no good thanks to the ending of Spider-Geddon No. 3. Yet simply because he oversteps his authority, Otto decides to kick Spider-Osborn off the team and exile him. Yet if Spider-Osborn is so dangerous and untrustworthy, why not imprison him instead? Because the plot demands Spider-Osborn be free to enact his scheme, that’s why.

And because the plot also demands it, Miles is suddenly regarded as a mature and capable leader, despite no prior evidence of this in Spider-Geddon‘s previous issues. An argument between Miles and Otto suggests the later has been looking for ways to avoid fighting because “he knows this whole thing is [his] fault.” Again, there’s been nothing about Otto during this crossover to suggest such a characterization. Instead, it reads like writer Christos Gage looking for ways to make Miles look good by comparison, especially in light of what Otto does towards during the final pages.

By the time you’re done reading Spider-Geddon No.4, there’s the feeling that this chapter relied far too heavily on the tie-ins. This not only accounts for the skimping and over-generalization of important plot developments, but also for a striking lack of suspense. The resurrection of the Inheritor’s father, Solus, is intended as the point where the stakes couldn’t be more dire for the Spiders. Yet when it happens, it has all the grandeur of a shrug of the shoulders. Basically, the comic assumed the readers sees Solus as a dangerous threat simply because they read “Spider-Verse.” Too bad Gage overlooked the fact that few took Solus seriously to begin with.

Credit: Jorge Molina, Carlo Barberi, Jay Leisten, José Marzan Jr., and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon No. 4

[Spider-Geddon No. 4] doesn’t give much room for artists Jorge Molina and Carlo Barberi to work with, either. As this is an issue where the majority of the action is characters standing around debating what to do next, that’s pretty much all Molina and Barberi are reduced to illustrating.

The story also doesn’t give much room for artists Jorge Molina and Carlo Barberi to work with, either. As this is an issue where the majority of the action is characters standing around debating what to do next, that’s pretty much all Molina and Barberi are reduced to illustrating. It’s pretty and colorful to look at, but by no means does it look very exciting. At least it’s ordinariness allows for them to do such similar art styles that it’s difficult to tell one from the other. Nothing takes one out of the comic than having a wildly different and contrasting style, after all.

What Spider-Geddon No. 4 boils down to is that it’s a comic going through the motions of being part of an event-driven story. And when you’re going through the motions, you tend to take shortcuts. The thing is those shortcuts become very noticeable when writing stories, when things like consistent characterization, logical plot progression, and smooth, steady pacing suffer for it. In the case of this comic, it also makes me long for the days in which you didn’t have to track down dozens of supplemental material to complete a story.

Stillanerd’s Score: 2 out of 5

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

Credit: Jorge Molina, Carlo Barberi, Jay Leisten, José Marzan Jr., and David Curiel (Marvel Comics); from Spider-Geddon No. 4

“…if your MJ’s anything like mine…don’t let her get away.” Shame the Earth-18119 Spider-Man didn’t give that advice to the 616-Spider-Man. If he did, Peter (and the readers) wouldn’t have had to endure the last ten years of a post-OMD world.

Oh, so this is how the PS4 Spider-Man will get the idea for his Miles Morales’ Spider-Man costume…by admiring the 616-Miles Morales’ Spider-Man costume. Clever.

“And then we’ll talk about retiring your catchphrase.” Thank you, Miles! Especially since Doc Spock’s “the die is cast” catchphrase literally came out of nowhere to begin with.

I wouldn’t describe “Spider-Cop” as “a grizzled veteran of the [police] force”, Miles. Based on how he looks, he’s more like a member of the Village People.

Remember how in “Spider-Verse” damaging or destroying the Web of Life and Destiny would unravel the very fabric of the multiverse? Looks like “Spider-Geddon” literally just blew that whole concept to smithereens.

“I think it’s mad.” Don’t worry, Miles. As the cover for the next issue reveals, you and the Enigma Force will soon become pals. There’s no need to create a false sense of dread, you man.

As we’re almost done with Spider-Geddon (save for those tie-ins), for those who are following this event, what are your thoughts on it now? What are your expectations for the finale? Has this elevated Miles Morales as a character in your eyes, or make you eager for Doc Ock as the Superior Spider-Man again? Also, do you think Ben Reilly will die for the 28th time?