The Amazing Spider-Man #51.LR: Here Comes The Cavalry

Leave it to authors Nick Spencer and Matthew Rosenberg (THE most underrated comic writer working today) to not only make these LR issues entertaining but to also give them a purpose, which is adding to a story that doesn’t need adding to. These focus mostly on Spider-Man’s supporting cast, The Order of the Web, and also his civilian friends. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I’d want a book for the Order of the Web, but honestly, with this writing team, I’d take a 5 issue mini-series every 2 or 3 years. What am I saying, 99% of Marvel titles are 5 issue mini-series every 2 or 3 years.

There are lots of surprises this time around, people returning to New York, people getting attacked, all the Spider-People are possessed, and wicked good chemistry between Dr. Strange and the Black Cat. They’ve got a really Odd Couple dynamic, and I can’t wait to see it play out in future issues. There is a quick peek into the main storyline running through ASM, but it’s nothing that changes the main story at all. We just get to see what’s going on with everyone else while Spider-Man is busy with Kindred.

Not to be overlooked is the gorgeous art in this issue. One of my favorite books this year was Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and the man who made that book look like a million bucks is also the artist here, Frederico Vicentini. Vicentini gives a great possessed look to each of the supporting Spider-Cast, and a unique look to Dr. Strange and his magic. His style is uniquely his own, but it could also be described as Leinil Yu meets manga. It’s as interesting as it is entertaining.