Stillanerd Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 13 review

Despite its pitfalls, the latest issue of the Amazing Spider-Man sees J. Jonah Jameson undergo a profound, if not radical, attitude adjustment.

Amazing Spider-Man No. 13 (LGY No. 814)

“Lifetime Achievement, Part 3”

Writer: Nick Spencer

Penciler: Ryan Ottley

Inker: Cliff Rathburn

Colorists: Laura Martin and Andrew Crossley

Covers: Ryan Ottley and Laura Martin; and Phil Noto (Marvel 80th Anniversary)

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A character like J. Jonah Jameson seems easy to write stories about. He yells at his employees, contradicts himself all the time, never pays submissions what they’re really worth, won’t listen to reason–all the stereotypical qualities of the mean boss. Except Jonah isn’t a stereotype. Like any three-dimensional, well-rounded character, he can and does show virtue. He can, and does, show aspects about himself that are admirable, even heroic. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s a reminder of how the once-constant thorn in Spider-Man’s side isn’t as a bad a person as the comics sometimes make him out to be.

Credit: Ryan Ottley, Cliff Rathburn, Laura Martin, and Andrew Crossley (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 13

[Nick] Spencer and [Ryan] Ottley have the audacity to do the one thing comics are often accused of not doing enough of: they give [J. Jonah Jameson] character development

Take Nick Spencer and Ryan Ottley’s current issue, and their current story arc, of The Amazing Spider-Man. It’s not just that Jonah, having now become aware of Peter Parker’s identity as Spider-Man, has now become his most vocal advocate. Nor is it just how, when the mastermind behind their abduction, after recreating moments from Jonah’s past to convince him why he should still hate Spider-Man, that Jonah’s basic response is, “Oops.” No, this time Spencer and Ottley have the audacity to do the one thing comics are often accused of not doing enough of — they give Jonah character development

During the issue’s climatic moment with the story’s mysterious villain, Jonah finally acknowledges he was in the wrong. He admits that every negative thing he ever said about Spider-Man was a lie, that he used his own tragedy–and that of the mastermind’s–as an excuse for his “sad, sick crusade.” Later, when faced with the Kingpin, he again admits he was in the wrong, on top of calling out Wilson Fisk exactly for what he is. Such self-reflection among supporting characters in the superhero genre is very rare, and when it happens, it’s a joy to behold.

Credit: Ryan Ottley, Cliff Rathburn, Laura Martin, and Andrew Crossley (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 13

[Spider-Man and Jonah’s dialogue] may sound heavy-handed, especially in the way it’s actually worded in the comic, but one cannot fault Spencer when it comes to nailing these characters.

As for those virtues Jonah already had beforehand, the issue reminds readers of them via a dialogue between himself and Spider-Man, too. The wall-crawler points out that Jonah, despite his bluster, was still willing to give him a job after his Uncle Ben died, a point of fact often overlooked by even the more notable Spider-Man comic book writers. He reminds Jonah that he’s willing to take a stand no matter how much it costs him, sort of like a certain web-slinging superhero does. All of this may sound heavy-handed, especially in the way it’s actually worded in the comic, but one cannot fault Spencer when it comes to nailing these characters.

When it comes the overall narrative structure, however, there are noticeable pitfalls. When it comes to the mystery villain, not only is his true identity not much of a mystery, it also involves a direct relationship to a classic Stan Lee and Steve Ditko creation everyone in-story knows about but which has never been disclosed to the readers until now. Just like Spider-Man’s reaction to when he learned Venom’s identity in Amazing Spider-Man No. 300, this villain reveal lacks any real weight and thus feels undeserved.

Spencer also spends at least four pages–one fifth of the story’s page count–recounting what happened in the previous two issues. Granted, it doesn’t consist entirely of reprinted panels from those comics; it’s broken up by scenes in the present of Spider-Man fighting a gigantic, robotic version of the Big Man. Even so, when one considers the comic already recounts what happened before in the credits page–just like every issue already does–it does seem excessive.

Credit: Ryan Ottley, Cliff Rathburn, Laura Martin, and Andrew Crossley (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 13

Naturally, time will tell whether Jonah’s current attitude towards Spider-Man and newfound epiphany about himself will last. For now, seeing Jonah grow and evolve like this is a wonderful thing to behold.

At the same time, it also gives Ryan Ottley the opportunity for some wonderful action. With every image showing the giant Big Man slamming Spider-Man into a brick wall or into the ground, one can practically feel the impacts even while seeing it. Later, Ottley also shows, in a series of related panels, just how strong and physically powerful Spider-Man can really be, one which doesn’t replicate but still recalls to mind Steve Ditko’s classic image from Amazing Spider-Man No. 33. Of course, the rest of the comic is also brilliantly illustrated, particularly when it comes to postures and facial expressions.

Along with setting up a couple of surprise storylines, Amazing Spider-Man No. 13, while not a dense, complex read, still makes for an enjoyable one. It’s certainly a treat for those who see the value of Jonah as a Spider-Man supporting character. Naturally, time will tell whether his current attitude towards Spider-Man and newfound epiphany about himself will last. For now, seeing Jonah grow and evolve like this is a wonderful thing to behold.

Stillanerd’s Score: 4 out of 5

Next. Stillanerd Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man (2018) No. 12 review. dark

Stillanerd’s Nerdy Nitpicks (possible spoilers)

“…some old-school baddies with a real discount-costume-store vibe…” Hey Spidey? Didn’t you already make a similar joke about the Enforcers bad sense of fashion two issues ago?
Yes, Spider-Man is correct that Fredrick Foswell did use “elaborate costumes for undercover assignments,” but he only did so after he was arrested and served time as the Big Man. He even used his “Patch” disguise to gather information to help Spider-Man.
Wow! Nick Spencer actually remembered Fredrick Foswell’s daughter, Janice, was the second Big Man. This isn’t a nitpick but a salute to Nick for doing his homework.
Oh yeah, Jonah did accidentally shoot Spider-Man in Amazing Spider-Man No. 800. Thanks for reminding readers about the silliest panel in that entire issue, comic.
As the issue points out, Jonah knows the Big Man’s goons killed Foswell. Why did he accept the Kingpin’s invite in the first place again? Also, why isn’t Fredrick Foswell Jr. also targeting Kingpin as well?
“…to the untold millions swayed by my masterful writing…” You have to love how, even when he realizes how wrong he was, Jonah still can’t help but pat himself on the back.
“When you fall, [Spider-Man] will be the one standing over you.” Jonah should’ve added, “But only because Daredevil is temporarily dead.”
Looks like it’s goodbye to Jonah’s talk radio show, even though it was the perfect occupation for him. Though the idea that he might be working for Norah Winters certainly has potential.
How did the Scorpion escape? Shouldn’t he have been there along with Fredrick Foswell Jr. when the authorities and paramedics arrived? What’s he doing roaming around calling up his angry girlfriend?
Also, how is it that Fredrick Foswell still used the “Jonah museum” without paying Arcade first?
Ah, so Kraven the Hunter is going after all the animal themed characters, is he? Wouldn’t this include Black Ant? And how did Taskmaster and Black Ant capture Stegron the Dinosaur Man?

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Looks like there’s going to be another change in artist come Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 with Chris Bachalo. Until then, for those who read this issue, what did you think of it and “Lifetime Achievement” overall? Do you like the changes Jonah went through during this story? Finally, what do you think Kraven the Hunter is up to?

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