Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #44

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Jeff English (E-Mail)

Background

When Spider-Man and the Green Goblin last tangled, the Goblin almost succeeded in brainwashing Spidey into becoming Osborn's heir. When Peter resisted the Goblin's programming, Osborn declared that sooner or later, he and Peter would kill each other. And now the Green Goblin has returned...

Story Details

  Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #44
Summary: (#142) Green Goblin Returns
Arc: Part 1 of 'A Death in the Family' (1-2-3-4)
Editor: Axel Alonso
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Pencils: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Wayne Faucher
Cover Art: Humberto Ramos

In the middle of a violent thunderstorm in Forest Hills, May Parker is shocked to find her soaked, sullen-looking nephew Peter show up on her doorstep in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn has gone to visit the grave of his son Harry, where he declares that something big is coming in his relationship with Peter Parker.

Back in Forest Hills, Peter is finding it nearly impossible to talk with Aunt May about what's troubling him. All he can tell her is that he keeps having this same dream, over and over. In the meantime, Osborn has donned the Goblin gear and soared out of his office on his glider.

Peter, meanwhile, has changed to Spider-Man, and has called Mary Jane in California. But when MJ answers the phone, Peter finds that he's unable to say anything, and just hangs up. Spidey web-swings onto a rooftop, where he's confronted by the Green Goblin. Spidey and the Goblin fight to a stalemate, until the Goblin stabs Spidey in the arm with a piece of pipe. But instead of pressing his advantage, the Goblin tells Peter how he thinks of him as a member of the Osborn family. As such, he's inviting Peter to an Osborn family reunion, but since the Osborns are so difficult to get together at the same time, there's only one sure way to bring them all in: a funeral.

General Comments

Paul Jenkins is a cruel, cruel man. I mean, he's a great writer, but time after time, he makes me sit here on the edge of my seat for an entire month, desperate to find out just what's going to happen to Spidey in the next issue. Mr. Jenkins has laid the groundwork here for what looks to be yet another masterpiece for him.

Cover artist Humberto Ramos is providing the interior art for this story arc, and it's some pretty dynamic stuff. Aside from the way he makes Aunt May look like a particularly frightening skeleton, this is top-notch artwork.

Overall Rating

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I can't wait until the next issue. Four very solid webs.

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Jeff English (E-Mail)