Amazing Spider-Man #36: Doom is a Real Jerk

Amazing Spider-Man #37 is a really wild ride. Artist Oscar Bazaldua helps with a lot of that. Bazaldua has a lot to do this issue, and he not only accomplishes everything he needs to, but he also excels at it. This issue is so full of….things. Real-world cityscape and landmarks, tons and tons of technology and gadgets and some of the most subtle and over the top acting that I can remember seeing recently, not to mention that a lot of that is done with characters either under or behind a mask.  Add to that, some straight-up drama and you’ll realize just how talented Bazaldua is. One of my favorite scenes in the book is one character talking to a lifeless body. I haven’t seen anyone draw so much emotion into a scene like this until now. And let’s not forget the action sequences. They’re (pardon the pun) amazing! Tons and tons of action this issue, a huge number of heroes and villains make cameos, it’s nice to see that Bazaldua knows how to handle a crowd. He makes some really interesting layout choices, there are no standard six-panel pages in this issue. Bazaldua is a brilliant artist and I’m really glad that he’s on this book.

Did I forget to mention that this issue has an excellent story? Well. It does. It’s technically a 2099 tie-in (that takes place before 2099 Omega), but really it’s only a quick cameo that ties it into that story, and it was a bit confusing, as the 2099 part seems like it’s going to be continued in a future issue of this series. Aside from that, we have some plotlines that are finally tied up. A couple that has gone on about two issues too long in my opinion. As always, Spencer gives us some killer dialogue and some really crazy ideas like a Spider-Man version of the movie Groundhog Day. A great issue that quickly turns the action up to eleven and doesn’t slow it down until the very last panel. And then, he turns it up to twelve! I can’t recommend this book highly enough.