The Amazing Spider-Man #48: Things Can Only Get Better

You know how when you go to a restaurant and order an appetizer that should really be a main dish and you eat half of it, then realize that the giant appetizer only made you more hungry? That’s what this issue is. I’m gonna come right out and say it, this issue is all set-up, but that’s fine because that’s what this story needs right now and author Nick Spencer knows just how to put all these moving pieces into one great big awesome machine that’s barreled down headed 89 miles per hour towards next issue, the big 8-5-0!!!! Alright, now’s the time when we see if the bad outweighs the good, I’m very happy that Spidey has a “family.” Miles, Gwen, Julia, Jessica… Nick Spencer do we have to see them at the end of EVERY. BIG. STORYLINE? Peter Parker has been kicking it solo for DECADES and now he suddenly can’t beat a bunch of bad guys turned good guys-turned bad without twelve different spider-people? I’m not buying that. SO does the good outweigh the bad? Yes, it does. Because the bad actually leads to another mystery.

Have you ever seen someone read a Mark Bagley comic in a hurry? No, you haven’t because the man is that damn good. Arguably he is THE Spider-Man artist. This issue no different, as he takes on the task of drawing literally countless characters this issue. I mean it! There are SO MANY people in this issue. He hits on every level, from the Spider-Family to like 500 people that all look different but dress the same. His art is still incredible, and I think that he’s got another five years on this title at least. Maybe ten.