The Amazing Spider-Man #32: The Aftermath

While I had both praises to sing and criticisms to fire off about the last issue of The Amazing Spider-Man, the second half of Joe Kelly’s foray into the emotional upheaval caused by one Cormac Crane is really dang good. Its character arcs are fulfilling, its use of action set pieces thrilling, and its thematic payoff full of weight in such a way that builds on uneven ground with a strong sense of security.

The issue continues to play around with the past/present format the first one did, but it works more in its favor here as we see the feelings Peter had buried play off differently in his jump from the end of last issue to his throwdown with the Vulture. It’s ripe with messiness in the emotions department for Peter, it brings in his new side cast in a way that elevates both their relationship to him and their own identities as standalone characters, and it packs a mean thematic punch that carries the weight of recent events forward with meaning. Getting to see and relate to Peter struggling with an overwhelming number of emotions that he is trying to untangle in ways that are objectively unhealthy but well-meaning has a greater effect than if they played it off with a Charlie Brown attitude, as many stories have post-One More Day.

Raelith is the standout character in this issue. As great as Kelly is at playing with Peter’s constant back and forth with Vulture and Tombstone, the subtle strength in her growing companionship with Peter helps fill the thematic struggle of our titular hero with a level of heart that endears her to the audience in a multitude of ways. Yes, her role in the story may be directly linked with Peter and, as a result, her agency is a bit stifled, but she gets moments where her own character glows in ways that are divorced from him.

Whether it be her quiet confidence in the face of Peter’s emotional walls or the sincerity she brings to even the smallest interactions, she has a presence that makes her feel like more than another supporting player orbiting Spider-Man. I came away wanting to spend more time with her, and that is about as high a compliment as I can give a new addition to Peter’s world, given how often new additions leave me wanting less of them and more of his legacy cast.

Pat Gleason continues to hit home runs with his pencils, with Marcio Menyz stealing home with his color work. There is not much I can add with regards to their greatness as a duo that I haven’t already said in previous reviews, but that consistency deserves recognition. After an opening issue that left me cautiously optimistic, this follow-up sticks the landing in a way that exceeded my expectations. It pays off its emotional groundwork whilst developing wrinkles of complexity that have me on the hook for the rest of this arc.