Spider-Man Noir #1
Duna Haller
Recap
As the specter of war looms on the horizon, Spider-Man Noir fights the good fight at home, stopping the injustices of a more friendly-neighborhood variety. But after a dame is murdered at The Black Cat nightclub and all clues point overseas, Spidey will have no choice but to board the next flight to Europe and kick off a globetrotting adventure through yesteryear of the Marvel Universe!
Review
Spider-Man Noir first number sets up a mystery, and takes its time to do so, showing towering buildings in the night rain and lamp-lighting our characters’ dark drama expressions. The issue begins after the events of the two Spider-Man Noir minis and its next crossovers. Peter is no less than back from the dead and to his business, which quickly turns from catching bank robbers to a mystery involving Huma, an intriguing new character.
There’s a detailed mood recreation, every character can feel the war and the desperation coming, and their reaction to the dark times feels with the proper weight. The Second World War placing sets up a political scenario we see upfolding, and we appreciate that the story is taking its time to arrive to the social commentary. Like Stohl, we want to see Spider-Man punching Nazis, but we appreciate the way she’s placing it slowly.
It’s specially sweet for me, as a Mary Jane fan, that MJ is helping girls in poverty in training centers, giving her presence and action in this story. The two conversations between Aunt May, Peter and her make one of the best things of this issue’s writing: they bring this darker, tougher Spider-Man comic still a recognizable Spidey one: he has to help Huma cause he has the responsibility to do all that is in his hand. Aunt May drops an specially stunning line about Peter’s choices: “I can only remind you of who you are. I can’t tell you what to do. No one can.”
The mystery gets round up by the dark art, contrasting with the vivid colours of certain details (MJ’s hair, buildings, some emotional inflection panels) and the realism in close ups of their faces. The fight scenes are not as spectacular, since this is a slow burning draw that also don’t get too gritty or bloody. It’s a good thing it doesn’t measures itself with the art of the original two runs, since the way this creates its own aesthetic makes it more mysterious and emotion-filled, credible. On the other hand, Dave Rapoza’s cover art doesn’t really tease any of that mystery, and the imitation of Noir era posters isn’t enough to make it shine, feeling too much colourful adventure-like cover to a much darker and suggesting interior art.
Final Thoughts
Stohl stays true to its characters and sets up an effectively mysterious tone and story, with Ferreyra's art providing it with a rainy and jazzy visual soundtrack. With some of the greatest themes in Spider-Man present (like his need to do everything in his hands to help others), and some really sweet character interactions, the book promises a story that we're eager to see unfold.
Spider-Man Noir #1: I Can Only Remind You Of Who You Are
- Writing - 9.7/109.7/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9.7/109.7/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 5/105/10
8.5/10
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