Stillanerd Reviews: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 14 review

It’s the “Let’s Sit Down and Talk over Supper” edition of The Amazing Spider-Man as Nick Spencer checks in on The Connors family and Aunt May.

Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 (LGY No. 815)

“Family Matters, Part One”

Writer: Nick Spencer

Penciler and Colorist: Chris Bachalo

Inkers: AI Vey, Wayne Faucher, John Livesay, and Tim Townsend

Covers: Ryan Ottley and Nathan Fairbairn; Greg Land (Conan Vs. Marvel Villains variant); and Gerald Parel (Guardians of the Galaxy variant)

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There’s likely a good reason for why Nick Spencer titled his latest story for Amazing Spider-Man “Family Matters.” More than likely, considering Aunt May has a role in this story, and considering the stories Spencer has written for this comic up to now, it could involve a study of her and Peter’s familial relationship and how she’s affected by Spider-Man. However, given what happens in Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 (LGY No. 815), a better title might be “My dinner with…” as the plot takes place at three different dinner tables.

The first dinner involves Peter and Mary Jane attending a rather unusual dinner with the Connors family. It’s unusual because not only is Dr. Curt Connors in his Lizard form, both his wife, Martha, and son, Billy, are also reptilian. Readers might recall that Martha and Billy Connors were “resurrected” as clones during Dan Slott’s Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy,  and that to save them from clone degeneration, Connors injected them with his Lizard regeneration formula. Thankfully, Connor’s not-wife and not-son regained their intelligence at some point, too.

Credit: Chris Bachalo, AI Vey, Wayne Faucher, John Livesay, and Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 14

Clearly, Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 is part of an appetizer before the main course that is “Hunted,” an a somewhat satisfying one at that.

It’s also surreal in how the Connors, in spite of their appearance and that their home is in the sewers, behave like some stereotypical nuclear family. Only when Billy angrily complains about how he’s not allowed to leave home because of his appearance that shatters this illusion of domesticy. Long-time readers may also recall Connors, as the Lizard, ate Billy in the story “Shed” (Amazing Spider-Man No. 630 – 633); as Billy’s clone, this Billy would also have memories of this. Thus Billy calling his father a “monster” during his outburst carries an even harsher, more subtle condemnation, further driving home the point of how Connors desperately seeks atonement.

This dinner scene also allows Spencer to follow-up on Connor’s offer for Peter to return to Empire State University as a means for legitimately earning his PhD. There’s been a strong metatextual undercurrent since the beginning of Spencer’s run, and Peter’s reluctance to accept Conner’s offer might be the most blatant yet. After all, this would lead to yet another scenario involving Peter going back to school, a status quo he seems to have returned to every decade. As Peter tells MJ, “Wouldn’t this be a step backwards?”

Credit: Chris Bachalo, AI Vey, Wayne Faucher, John Livesay, and Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 14

Spencer handles [Aunt May’s] character very well, portraying her as woman made tough from life’s struggles but who preserves in spite of them, all while presenting herself as a typical kindly, naïve elderly woman.

The other remaining dinner scenes both involve Aunt May in the same restaurant. In one, she has a financial meeting with the attorney of her late husband, Jay Jameson’s. In the other, she invites a homeless man to a meal after rescuing him from some muggers, which gets interrupted by Taskmaster and Black Ant pursing the Rhino. Spencer handles her character very well, portraying her as woman made tough from life’s struggles but who preserves in spite of them, all while presenting herself as a typical kindly, naïve elderly woman.

Yet for those who’ve regularly read Spider-Man comics, this is also a very familiar, if also, modern interpretation of Aunt May’s character. There’s a small hint that, due to her cancer diagnosis (as revealed in Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man No. 1) that she’s become more fearless. Without that context, however, Spencer’s portrayal of Aunt May seems no different from before. It’s a story which, thus far, offers no new insights or revelations about her character one couldn’t already have gleaned from past issues.

Credit: Chris Bachalo, AI Vey, Wayne Faucher, John Livesay, and Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 14

…there’s an incredible sense of depth and movement in [Chris Bachalo’s] panels. Even the mere act of sitting gives an impression of movement…Yet paradoxically, there are moments where Bachalo art looks simplistic, even borderline amateurish….

The comic also has art which, for some, may be the perfect visual representation of the phrase “acquired taste.” There’s no question that Chris Bachalo illustrates with a meticulous and intricate amount of detail that rivals even the best comic book artists. Not many would take the time to draw every single scale on the Lizard’s skin, much less every strands of Spidey’s webs, every speck of dust and droplet of spittle. Likewise, there’s an incredible sense of depth and movement in his panels. Even the mere act of sitting gives an impression of movement.

Yet paradoxically, there are moments where Bachalo art looks simplistic, even borderline amateurish, especially when it comes to his figures. While they’re distinctive enough the closer they are in panel, they’re almost featureless stick figures at greater distances. Moreover, his coloring gives their skin tones the same texture as latex. Bachalo may also need to lay off having characters wear plaid shirts if he’s going to rely on image editing software. At the very least, he should give the grid pattern some curves and bends If he wants to make it look like it’s actually part of the fabric.

Clearly, Amazing Spider-Man No. 14 is part of an appetizer before the main course that is “Hunted,” an a somewhat satisfying one at that. Also, just as appetizers are not a necessary part of a meal, this comic isn’t a necessary read. It does, however, give you an idea of where various characters are at this point in their lives. It isn’t a full course meal, but it certainly makes you crave for one.

Stillanerd’s Score: 3.5 out of 5

Credit: Chris Bachalo, AI Vey, Wayne Faucher, John Livesay, and Tim Townsend (Marvel Comics); from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 5 No. 14

• Okay, the main cover by Ryan Ottley looks great. It’s also entirely misleading as the Rhino isn’t the villain. Then again, what comic book cover isn’t misleading? Still, it does hint at scenes within the comic, strangely enough.
• Hey Arcade? If you want to complain about how today’s super villains don’t appreciate a good death trap while explaining their master plan, don’t blame them. Blame The Incredibles (2004). Blame Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). Heck, blame Last Action Hero (1993)!
• “Your chest hair precedes you.” This is, indeed, a funny line. What would make it even more funny if the art made Kraven’s chest air much more visible.
• “You’re not a mutant, Billy.” But doesn’t Xavier’s School For Gifted Youngsters also accept non-mutants, too? Why some of the X-Men are not even technically mutants, either.
• Hey Peter? Are you just going to ignore the skeleton buried in the wall right next to the entrance way into the Connor’s family lair? You are? Okay then.
• Funny how the art makes Jay’s lawyer look exactly like Jay.
• Wait? So Aunt May learned poker from Nathan Lubensky, a gambling addict in debt with loan sharks? May might want to reconsider her financial recovery plan.
• When one considers the fates of May’s past love interests, Brett should consider May throwing wine in his face a blessing.
• “Holographic Projector.” You mean “Image Inducer,” don’t you Mrs. May Parker? Because that’s clearly what you have. What’s surprising is that X-Men didn’t also sue Parker Industries over such blatant copyright infringement.
• Wait? Is Homeless guy, a.k.a. “Captain Hobo,” Ned Leeds? As if readers needed more reminders of Clone Conspiracy.
• Oh, look! It’s Goldballs, Jubilee, and Dr. Strange just randomly walking down the street.
• Okay, if this story is taking place after Miles Morales: Spider-Man No. 3, then in terms of continuity, this the second time the Rhino has teamed-up with a Spider-Man in less than a week. If he teams up with Spider-Gwen after this…
• Wait? How did Taskmaster and Black Ant escape from Spidey’s webbing so fast?
• “Let’s take it outside, then” But Spidey? You’re already outside.
• All right, Black Ant trying to punch the Rhino as he just stands there is genuinely hilarious.
• Yeah, clearly what the last panel alleges didn’t actually happen. Likely it will involve an Image Inducer…er, “Holographic Projector.”

What’s your reaction to Amazing Spider-Man No. 14? Did you think it was a worthwhile filler issue? Any theories about what Kraven wants Arcade to build for him, or why he’s trying to capture costumed characters with animal themes? Do you think Peter should go back to school? And what plans do you think Spencer will have for “Captain Hobo?”