Sensational Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #31

Story Details

Peter is at Liz's, while she bleats about not knowing whether to call him Peter or Spider-Man. She also says she hopes that, after this

meeting, she never has to see him again. Charming.

Meanwhile, Aunt May has let Chameleon, disguised as Peter, into Avengers Tower. He rips the phone cord out of the wall while May makes

small talk about cookies.

Peter reveals to Liz he can control his new costume through thought and, in between her whining, Normie walks in. She says sorry as Molten

Man bursts in. Will'o and Scarecrow go after Liz and Normie but Black Cat makes the save. Raxton lets slip that Chameleon is behind the

plans. He adds that Chameleon is at Avengers Tower with May. Peter calls him a coward for letting him go after a defenceless old woman. Cat

and Spidey set off to get to May.

Back at the Tower and supper is served. Well, May's oatmeal raisin cookies in any case. As Chameleon gets tucked into them, May reveals she

knew he was someone posing as Peter because her nephew hates oatmeal raisin. As Spidey bursts in, Chameleon keels over. May has poisoned

the cookies. Peter tells May he's not sure he's done the right thing because he's put her and MJ in the line of fire.

General Comments

I'm slightly perplexed by the lack of consistency. In Amazing Spidey, Tony Stark seemingly has Peter's apartment bugged so much so that he

storms in when Peter wants to sneak away. Here, however, a supervillain walks completely undetected into the building.

Also, why would Chameleon wait to hurt/kill May? He gives her time to get back to the apartment, then cook a bunch of cookies! Seriously,

do criminals/murderers/super-villains really sit around for half-an-hour waiting for their victims to bake some cookies and then, just

for the hell of it, wolf down five of them before committing their crime?

I really enjoyed the scene with Aunt May revealing she knew 'Peter' was someone in disguise - it was well-written and we got to see a

sinister side of Aunt May, which was terrific. The problem is that, because the set-up just didn't ring true, the outcome was tarnished.

The fact that we're seeing some consequences of Peter's actions is a nice turn of events too. It shows the unmasking isn't just being brushed under the carpet as a simple plot point. For now, at least, there is some substance to it.

I enjoyed parts of this arc immensely but, what I just can't get past is how much seems to have been taken for granted. Editorially, May had to be in danger so that's what happened - even though the circumstances didn't seem to make much sense. I'd love to know why Chameleon didn't just kill May when he had the chance. For me the place we've ended at is a good one - I'm just not convinced the means of getting there was too well thought out.

Overall Rating

Frustrating because it could have been so much better.