Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #52
Background
When we left them last issue, the Shocker was planning a major bank heist, while Hydro-Man was planning on killing Spider-Man...
Story 'Everybody's Workin' for the Weekend'
Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #52
| Editor: | Axel Alonso |
| Writer: | Zeb Wells |
| Pencils: | Francisco Herrera |
| Inker: | Wayne Faucher |
| Cover Art: | Francisco Herrera |
| Reprinted In: | Peter Parker: Spider-Man (Reprint TPB) #5 |
This issue opens with the Shocker and Hydro-Man preparing for their bank heist by loading Hydro-Man up with water. When he's sufficiently full, they produce to the bank where Hydro-Man flushes out most of the people inside, and a torrent of water down a nearby alley alerts Spider-Man that something is up. Back at the bank, the Shocker and Hydro-Man find the safety deposit boxes, and Hydro-Man fills them with water. Once they're pressurized, the Shocker shocks him, rendering him to steam, and the boxes pop open.
Spider-Man shows up, and is quickly caught off-guard, first by the upgrade in the Shocker's vibro-shock blasters, and then by the sudden reappearance of Hydro-Man. Spidey tussles with the two villains and the Shocker again blasts Hydro-Man into steam. The Shocker attempts to make his escape, blasting through a few police officers, which doesn't sit well at all with Spidey.
Spidey pursues the Shocker and a reassembled but weakened Hydro-Man outside. The Shocker tries to blast Spidey, but his upgraded gauntlets overload, exploding right in his face, and turning Hydro-Man into steam yet again. The explosion seems to have taken the fight out of the Shocker, so Spidey grabs him and hands him over to the authorities, and swings home.
General Comments
After a pretty decent first part last issue, I found this conclusion somewhat lacking. The story by Zeb Wells, who I have come to associate with some pretty humourous writing, seemed unfunny and rushed. After spending the entirety of last issue developing the motivations of the Shocker and Hydro-Man, I thought this storyline would last a few issues more. But instead we just sped through a fairly dull "Spidey stops bank robbery" story in one issue. And I cared for the pencils of Francisco Herrerra even less in this issue, as I found them hard to follow and just unpleasant to look at in parts.
One bright point: I did like the creative use of Hydro-Man and the Shocker's combined powers to break into the safety deposit boxes. But unfortunately, that's just about the only thing that stood out about this issue... the rest just seemed rather run of the mill.
Overall Rating 
Sadly, a story that could've been better. Two webs.