Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #562

Story 'The Other Spider-Man'

Peter is at New York's Now Magazine being turned down in his eighth photographer's interview in two days. Dexter Bennett never forgets the name of his enemies and has been bad-mouthing him through the industry.

Peter goes off to have lunch with Betty Brant. She tells him that the latest victim in the spider-tracer killings is Roy Dreimeyer – an anti-masked vigilante campaigner. Dreimeyer had recently written some anti-Spider-Man material that was going to be published by Dexter. Betty says that she thinks the events of Civil War took a big toll on Spider-Man.

On YouTube, some no-mark called Basher has challenged Spider-Man to a battle and the bookie is taking bets on the outcome at The Bar With No Name.

At his new apartment, Pete shows the video to flatmate Vin Gonzales. Vin can't do anything about people on the web looking for a fight. Pete hasn't told him he's been fired from the DB yet.

At some random place in Jersey, a guy called Johnny is telling his dad Lester that he'll be able to pay him back the $12k he owes him as he has money on the Basher-Spider-Man potential match-up. His dad isn't convinced.

As the Basher is on a roof calling out Spider-Man – and Peter watches from the street to keep an eye on things – a fake Spidey shows up. The whole thing is a setup and the other Spidey takes out the Basher.

At the Bar With No Name, everyone is watching the video feed and the bookie is about to clean up – until the real Spider-Man shows up, exposing the fake.

Spidey gives chase. The fake is an excellent acrobat but is eventually caught and exposed (away from the Bar's cameraman) as Screwball. She was arrested in 559 – but apparently bailed by the Bookie, who wanted her pose as Spidey as part of the scam. It seems that Johnny from Jersey is most likely the Bookie! She tells the real Spider-Man where he can find the Bookie. Spidey turns up to the bar, which is full of costumed villains.

General Comments

Perhaps for the first time since Brand New Day began, this issue seems a bit more 'filler' than some of the others. That's not necessarily a bad thing. BND has been flying along at a cracking pace with lots of things happening in Peter's life. This one almost takes a step back from that and allows Peter to breathe for 22 pages.

The best example of that is that the story steps away for three pages to focus on a dysfunctional father-and-son combo. There are some nice touches, though. The fact that Screwball was the fake Spider-Man adds a nice amount of coherency to the Spidey universe. Also that Peter has a good relationship with Betty. They obviously had a relationship early in their lives but are now good friends.

Overall Rating

Not a bad issue. It's nice to see Peter having something of a life away from Spider-Man. Perhaps a bit too much focus on the Bar With No Name.