Stillanerd Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 10 review

As the “Thieves’ Guild” arc comes to an end, Mary Jane and Black Cat–and their relationship with Spider-Man–undergo a turning point for the better.

Amazing Spider-Man No. 10 (LGY No. 811)

“Heist, Part Three”

Writer: Nick Spencer

Pencilers: Humberto Ramos and Michele Bandini

Inkers: Victor Olazaba and Michele Bandini

Colorists: Victor Delgado and Erick Arciniega

Covers: Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado; and Phil Jimenez and Jason Keith (Uncanny X-Men variant)

I like to think whoever first came up with the phrase “hindsight is 20/20” also worked in serialized fiction. After all, you, myself, and how many others reading this review are fallible human beings prone to mistakes. The longer we live, the more mistakes we will make. Writing stories is no different. In fact, if you’re writing for an ongoing publication like a comic book, mistakes, which you thought were actually good ideas at the time, will occur. Likewise, if your just one of many writers who’ve contributed to whatever ongoing story who’ve helped tell, mistakes are inevitable.

It’s sort of fitting then that a character like Spider-Man, a superhero who’s all about making mistakes, should have a lot of creative missteps over the years. The one most often cited, of course, is the controversial 2007 story, “One More Day.” Along with erasing Peter Parker’s long-time marriage to Mary Jane Watson, it also retroactively removed any knowledge of his secret identity from the public at large. This included long-time allies like his sometimes crime-fighting partner, sometimes lover, Felicia Hardy, a.k.a. the Black Cat. I’m sure somebody at Marvel thought this was a good idea at the time.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 10

…readers of The Amazing Spider-Man are blessed with a writer of high-caliber like Nick Spencer, who not only knows how to correct the mistakes of his predecessors, but sees those same mistakes an opportunity for character growth.

The thing about misguided ideas in comics, though, is that somebody usually comes along to undo those mistakes. As a reader, all you can hope for is whatever course corrections they do doesn’t further compound the very mistakes they’re trying to fix. Thankfully, readers of The Amazing Spider-Man are blessed with a writer of high-caliber like Nick Spencer, who not only knows how to correct the mistakes of his predecessors, but sees those same mistakes as an opportunity for character growth.

Just as “Back to Basics” (Amazing Spider-Man No. 1 – 5) was a meta-textual commentary on Peter Parker, “Heist,” which concludes with Amazing Spider-Man No. 10 (LGY No. 811), can likewise be viewed as a commentary, too. In this case, the subjects are the two major love interests of the web-slinger’s life, Mary Jane and the Black Cat. The main plot, wherein a secret society known as the Thieves’ Guild steals the belongings of superheroes, is actually of secondary importance.

True, there’s a lot of action involved during Spidey and the Black Cat’s fight with the Thieves’ Guild, as illustrated by Humberto Ramos. Yet, this isn’t just a mere obligatory fight scene; it re-establishes Peter and Felicia’s back to an earlier, less antagonistic dynamic. Under Spencer’s pen, these two have great chemistry and banter between them, reminding you of their mutual history together. Only Spencer doesn’t just restore Spider-Man and Black Cat’s friendship. He also rectified something which happened to Felicia that was long overdue and not just her brief stint as a would-be crime boss. I won’t give away what it is, but it’s certainly one of the comic’s best moments.

Credit: Michele Bandini and Erick Arciniega (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 10

This issue gives MJ and the Black Cat back their heart and soul, showing us why fans love them more than just beautifully drawn women who dangle on Spider-Man’s arms.

Yet, the real heart of Spencer’s story occurs during MJ’s visit to the “Lookups,” the support group for the friends and loved ones of superheroes. Juxtaposed over Spidey and Black Cat’s scenes, and illustrated by Michele Bandini, Spencer writes perhaps the most beautifully written monologue MJ has ever had. As she tells about her love and devotion for Peter, along with her own struggles, aspirations and fears, you’re reminded just what a great supporting character she is for Spider-Man. Moreover, you realize the level of ill-treatment she’s received from other creators these last ten years. Her speech, and what Jarvis says to her afterwards, gives MJ a depth and humanity not seen since Matt Fraction’s “To Have and to Hold” (Sensational Spider-Man Annual No. 1).

Thus, Spencer has performed a remarkable feat. He’s repaired not one but two of Spider-Man’s most important relationships in the span of a single issue. Equally impressive is how Spencer adds further depth to these two popular female characters, who are unfortunately disregarded by some as shallow eye candy. This issue gives MJ and the Black Cat back their heart and soul, showing us why fans love them more than just beautifully drawn women who dangle on Spider-Man’s arms.

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It’s also an issue that’s full of laughs, especially for those who like some subtle, biting wit in their comedy. For instance, the Thieves Guild’s leader, Odessa Drake, keeps calling Spider-Man “Spiderman.” My immediate thought was that this was a misprint the editors didn’t catch. That is, until Spidey himself calls Odessa out on this. Or, how about super-geniuses Reed Richards and Tony Stark proposing a sophisticated tracker, only to get a dose of common sense from Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel? It’s fan service-heavy humor that even readers less versed in Marvel lore can appreciate and understand.

Credit: Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba and Edgar Delgado (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 10

Even though Amazing Spider-Man No. 10 is light on story, it’s deserving of high marks simply for what it does for its characters alone. In fact, it’s the characters themselves, and Spencer’s ability to reveal the humanity underneath their colorful attire and surroundings, that make this comic worthy of reading.

Even the art looks better, as the issue plays to both Ramos and Bandini’s mutual strengths. More importantly, their respective styles reflect the tone of each plot thread and the supporting female character involved. Thus, Ramos’ frenetic exaggeration is ideal for the frenetic pace of the Spider-Man and Black Cat’s reverse heist and the sassy feline-themed thief herself. The softer, gentler illustrations from Bandini lend poignancy to MJ’s scenes, conveying how this former party girl is truly a gentle, mature,  and loving partner for Peter. You couldn’t have chosen better artists for this issue, and I’m not even what you’d call a Ramos fan.

Even though Amazing Spider-Man No. 10 is light on story, it’s deserving of high marks simply for what it does for its characters alone. In fact, it’s the characters themselves, and Spencer’s ability to reveal the humanity underneath their colorful attire and surroundings, that make this comic worthy of reading. It also, in a weird sense, makes you glad the mistakes done to Spider-Man, Mary Jane, and the Black Cat happened. If they hadn’t, we wouldn’t have gotten an issue as beautiful as this one.

Stillanerd’s Score: 5 out of 5

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

Credit: Michele Bandini and Erick Arciniega (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 10

• “Or Kree, I suppose.” Is this a nod by Jarvis to Carol Danvers? In case you don’t know, it was revealed in The Life of Captain Marvel that Carol’s mom was actually a Kree sleeper agent. The better to be more like her live-action movie origin, of course.
• Okay, maybe I’m just thick-headed, but I hope what Spidey is saying about Black Cat driving while on her phone is a joke…because I don’t think we’ve ever seen her drive…ever!
• Yes, while Spider-Man correcting Odessa about the hyphen in his name is funny, I’m not sure anyone can just hear it. And no, I don’t think his explanation about “the tiniest pause” between words counts. Then again, maybe Odessa says “Spiderman” really fast.
• “You wanna steal Night Trasher’s skateboard? Fine.” Dang! I remember a time when the leader of the New Warriors used to be the coolest. Then again, he is a product of the 1990s, and a lot things people thought were cool back then definitely aren’t.
• Wow! Who would’ve thought the death of Flash Thompson would be the catalyst for helping bring Peter and MJ back together? Thanks for making me feel emotionally conflicted, comic!
• “I lost my job over some…complicated issues.” If by complicated issues, you mean Brian Michael Bendis leaving Marvel for DC, then sure. Otherwise, I’d sure be nice to know exactly why MJ left Stark Industries in-universe.
• I just love that as MJ talks about how Peter having dated “costumed people” in the past, she’s clearly talking about Black Cat, not Mockingbird. If that’s intended as a burn against the Spider-Man/Mockingbird romance, I’ll gladly take it.
• “Whoever that lucky hero is, young lady, I assure you–you are indispensable.” And Jarvis just became my favorite character.
• Wait, I was just kidding about the Thieves’ Guild being magic bandits, but they actually cast magic? Of course, now trying to figure out what language the Thieves are chanting will bug me to no end.
• Among the other items the Thieves Guild stole are Scarlet Witch’s tiara, Iron Fist’s mask, and …The Ultimate Nullifer? Really?! 
• “…you might wanna table that D&D campaign.” Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought of that when thinking of the Thieves’ Guild.
• Just when I thought super villain plots couldn’t get more elaborate, the Thieves’ Guild’s real motive for stealing all the superheroes’ stuff really takes the cake.
• I thought the Thieves Guild had stolen all of Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor. Guess I was wrong.
• Now I’m curious about who the Black Cat’s new significant other is. I hope that curiosity doesn’t kill me. And speaking of mystery folk…
• Who the heck is this Centipede Man? And how does he know the Black Cat? Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the mystery, but I confess, as far as theories go, I’m completely stumped.

Now that “Heist” is done, what did you think of this story, particularly Amazing Spider-Man No. 10? Next time, it looks like we’ll see the return of Ryan Ottley on art, as he and Nick Spencer tackle J. Jonah Jameson. Considering how JJJ knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man, any thought about him joining MJ at the Lookups?