Marvel Knights: Spider-Man #3

Background

Spidey has tracked down Electro and the Vulture who he believes, because of in formation he recieved from the Owl, has kidnapped Aunt May

Story Details

Spidey faces off with Electro, while the Vulture escapes so that he can retrieve his suit and return to the fight. The majority of the issue is a bruising fight between Electro and Spidey, both of them going all out and with lots of property damage. During the fight Spidey discovers that he is being used by the Owl and that Electro and the Vulture have nothing to do with May's dissapearance. Electro is defeated, but also manages to topple Spidey off the building they're on. Spidey has taken some serious damage so when the medics arrive he is stabilised and taken to the hospital.

At the hospital, without his mask on, Spidey is cared for. During the process though a dodgy nurse not only takes a pic of Spidey without his mask, but also informs news outlets. MJ sees the footage and is freaked. The Vulture also catches the news and so arrives at the hospital. The issue ends with the Vulture perched on the end of the hospital bed ready to attack.

General Comments

I really, really like this issue. There's not a lot of plot or character development, mainly one long fight scene. But, man it is really well done. This has got to be the best Spidey fight in a long time, at least since his show down with Morlun in Amazing Spider-Man a couple of years ago. Millar and the Dodsons make full use of the Marvel Knights banner. The violence and blood spatter is upped to a give what is essentially a more realistic portrayal of what might happen if two super-powered people decided to really have a go at each other.

I also really liked the neat little ways that Millar shows Electro using his powers. The way Electro is characterised is spot on. I'm glad too about how this fight came about. It seems that so many of Spidey's fights are caused by villains that have a grudge against Spidey and want revenge. This can get really boring and repetative.

I could defintely go, about the art, the dialogue, the realism, the great pacing, etc. But really it would all be the same. This is a great comic and an even better Spidey story, using old villains in a new way. In the first time in a long time Spidey's plight at the leaves me genuinely concerned for his safety. And even better, I don't really have a clue as to whats going to happen next!

Thank you Mr. Millar and co.!

Overall Rating

A promising start gets even better.