Strange Academy: Amazing Spider-Man #1 The Final Mathtake

Marvel has officially created its most terrifying villain. An evil mathematician—liberal arts nerds are cowering in fear as we speak. His goals, as delusional as they are, are actually original. He uses math to essentially make or break people, thus turning math into its own brand of magic that he plans to use to replace all actual magic. It’s one part mathematical, one part mystical, and one part philosophical without hurting your brain. There are no magical headaches here. Echantimatics, as we find out, is magic interpreted by mathematicians, which is really cool.

Artistically, the colors inside the book play out very well, and you feel like you’re on another plane. The design for Dr. Dawnbright felt like he’d put on a bad nightcrawler costume. But the way his body twisted in parts when he was trying to get into the Sanctum Santorum or explain the Phenomenological constant was a cool way to portray his actions visually. The math-obsessed bad guy gets what’s coming to him, whether it is how he wants it to happen. And we all live happily ever after, and Doyle Dormammu gets to stay his adorable self.

Spider-Men prove to us why they are the best, not just because they’re good heroes. But because they are intelligent and capable individuals. Peter Parker especially gets an excellent moment to shine here as he guards the Strange-Free Sanctum.

This leads to a nice conclusion that sees old friends returned and everyone is okay. And poor Zelma really needs a vacation and a pay raise, and an office and a pony. However, I’m not sure why the pony. But she’s certainly earned it. The Strange Academy Math Bowl team certainly proved to be capable heroes and, yes, good mathematicians.

It’s a good conclusion to three inter-connected one-shots that could have been their own 3-issue mini. The characters are fun and unique; the story is certainly different from the usual magical shenanigans, and Spider-Man, both Miles and Peter, fit in well with the gang of Strange Academy. Spider-Man is ultimately a great help, but the focus of this story is not Miles, Marc, or Peter. They are here to assist. The direction never wavers from the Strange Academy kids who shine brightly, literally and figuratively.

Does Peter Parker need a job? I feel like he constantly needs a job. Maybe Strange Academy is hiring. Someone needs to teach them Superhero tactics and not just magic, right?