Sinister War #2: Sinister Six… THOUSAND

Boy, something BIG is coming! Most likely in the pages of this series but something big is definitely on the way. The way writer Nick Spencer (with a deft assist from the always-awesome Ed Brisson) lays things out, the feeling is tangible. There’s a very powerful anticipation/foreboding to these pages and everything going on in them. Spencer gives you the feeling that every single aspect of this book is weighty and important. While there are a couple of subplots that are left out this issue, Spencer is able to start a couple of new ones and honestly, it never feels like it’s too much. There are so many moving parts to this story, but you never feel overwhelmed in the least, just excited and impatient for what’s coming. This issue left me with one big takeaway: No matter what anybody says, Spider-Man has the best, most diverse rogue’s gallery in comics. Also, that all of Spider-Man’s main villains have been women at some point. There are literally two teams that are almost the exact same villains, except that one team has no Y chromosomes. This book is just flat-out pure entertainment. There’s action from cover to cover, a great mystery going on, and again, something BIG is coming. Like BIG-big. While I’ve loved Spencer’s run on Amazing Spider-Man, I’m sad to see it coming to an end, but make sure you enjoy the time that’s left by picking up this issue and adding this series to your pull list. 

Mark Bagley is the artist for most of this issue, so most of the issue is awesome. The rest is pretty good, but it’s not Mark Bagley. Don’t get me wrong, the other artists are great, but imagine you’re eating a footlong Twinkee. Now imagine every third or fourth bit is a Zinger. It’s kind of like that: still good, but not on the same level. But how does anyone possibly get on Mark Bagley’s level – especially when it comes to Spidey?!