Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4
Cody White
Recap
Freshly escaped from Under York, Spidey and company prepare themselves for a counter-strike. Attempts to alert the police to the coming chaos are thwarted, however.
The Under Yorkers arrive to extract their revenge on New York, willing to wage war in efforts to return Leilani and her children to the home that they fled and with no police on hand to assist, thanks to Mayor Kingpin, its up to New York to once again stand up for herself.
With war off the table (for now), Peter finally returns home to rest, only to find Aunt May waiting for him in his room with terrible news...
Review
I continue to love this series as it maintains course towards being the best Spidey book I’ve read in decades. Taylor’s writing is relevant and on point, with just enough political charge to keep the book sharp without weighing down the story in the process. Cabal’s artwork and deft hand with layouts persist. I’ve spoken on both of these elements of the book in previous reviews. Now it’s time for something a little different.
It is often difficult to laud letterers for the crucial work they do. As a general rule, if you can read it, they did the work. Travis Lanham managed to make it very easy for me to find ways to praise him with this issue. The effects work in this issue is amazing and plays a crucial role in the narrative structure in a way you rarely find in modern comics. The following two-page spread is an absolute clinic in the power of lettering and I wanted to be sure his work was spotlighted this month. Enjoy!
Final Thoughts
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man may not be the Spidey book we deserve but it is certainly the one we need!
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4: Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
