The Amazing Spider-Man #53: Dead Again

In the last issue, to everyone’s shock, Kindred snapped Spider-Man’s neck. Now, it’s gonna be really hard to review this issue without giving anything away, so I’m going to try my hardest to not spoil anything. Author Nick Spencer continues this big summer crossover storyline, that’s not actually taking place in the summer in a fashion that makes it feel like you’re reading a big summer tentpole blockbuster. Even I have to admit, this issue is a lot more “meta” than I’m used to, and maybe more than I’d like it to be, but considering the place that the story’s in right now, it’s very appropriate.

The story only moves forward a couple of beats, but it takes a very interesting way to get there. One that was a little on the confusing side, but not so confusing that you’re not going to find your way back on track by the end of the issue. And speaking of the end of the issue-just when I think there are NO surprises left for Nick Spencer to pull out of his hat, he reaches into a whole other hat and pulls out something I didn’t even believe existed.

Well played, Mr. Spencer. Well played.

And we’re got Mark Bagley on pencils and John Dell on inks!! Talk about a dream art team! There are basically three people who “changed Spider-Man art forever”. You can’t count Steve Ditko because he started everything. So it’s big John Buscema, Todd McFarlane, and Mark Bagley. After those three guys drew Spider-Man the character forever evolved and this issue is another step in the evolution. Bagley gives his art a slight shift in style. Things look “ageless” and by that, I don’t mean they look without age, I mean they look like they could take place today, in 1984 or in 1965. Everything has a timeless look to it, and it looks great. There are pages and pages that have no dialogue and Bagley uses all his talent to tell a story with art only, and does as fine a job as he’s ever done. What you’re supposed to take away from this book is 99% confusion, 1% story moving forward and that’s just what I took from it. Although thoroughly enjoyable, I would be lying if I told you I understood even 50% of it. But, that’s not always a bad thing.