ICYMI – Red Goblin #7: Enter Taskmaster!

Red Goblin #7 feels like the beginning of the end, which is a shame if true because Alex Paknadel and Jan Bazaluda have crafted something unique within the Marvel Universe that the publishing company desperately needs to capitalize on: Honest and exciting youthfulness that directly taps into what both younger and older readers want to see from superhero comics. With a surprise Spider-Man appearance, rising stakes, and visceral action, I’m happy to continue both recommending and praising this series.

This issue begins with a flashback, fleshing out Phil Urich’s current psychology as the Goblin King whilst emphasizing and further deepening themes this series has played around with since issue #1. Afterwards, the issue jumps between the current arc’s two ongoing plot lines. As Taskmaster hunts down Goblin Knight and her crew at the behest of Urich, Miles shows up to help separate Normie from a monstrous Rascal, acting as a potential mentor for him along the way.

This issue is very action heavy, but each beat of visceral violence serves the overall narrative as our characters continually cave to their darkest desires. The thematic paralleling between Normie and Phil is oh so very rich, and elevates the story unfolding in this issue. Miles’ appearance also works really well, Paknadel having a strong grasp over the character’s personality and perspective on Normie’s situation spinning out of Carnage Reigns. Taskmaster’s role in the story is completely natural and welcome. Their battle of Goblin Knight and how that effects the decomposition of Urich’s kingdom is unexpected yet thrilling.

Bazaluda’s art remains great, but the baton pass between it and Pimentel’s art was flawless. Both deliver clear and consistent panelling alongside sequences that ooze momentum. There’s also some excellent POV swaps and instances of dynamic framing that keep the issue engaging at all times.