Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #416

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Bryan Thiessen (E-Mail)

Background

Last week in Onslaught : Marvel Universe, the mutant demigod Onslaught "killed" the world's greatest heroes as he himself perished. In reality, they were sent to an alternate dimension for Image superstars Jim Lee and Rob Liefeld to undo 30 years of continuity (a grave travesty, if you ask me). Now, the world must adapt to life without the aid of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four.

Story 'The Road Back'

Although the book has "Spider-Man" splashed on the cover, he's really a non-event in this book. He mourns the loss of his super hero friends, but the interesting stuff happens away from the tights. The Daily Bugle is damaged after Onslaught, and cannot afford to operate as it has been. Among those laid off is every one's favorite arachnid civilian and photo-journalist - Peter Parker! Mary Jane tries to cheer him up when she announces her choice to name the upcoming kid after Aunt May. (Now who didn't see that coming?)

Also this issue - Scrier is back! Hooray! But what is this? He and the Rose - Richard Fisk (Wilson "the Kingpin" Fisk's son) - are partners? And stranger yet, he also seems to be in league with Gaunt (while their mutual employer is attending to business which is "far more personal in nature". Hmmm. And hmmn... yet again when we discover that Judas Traveller is not a part of Scrier's new plan. Is Scrier working against Traveller and the Host? I'll let you know in a month.

Well, I guess I might as well go ahead and tell you... this book was not brought to us by the "usual Amazing team". Superstar penciller Mark Bagley left the book after drawing this month's cover. To fill his place comes Ron Garney. Garney's pencils are inked by Al Williamson, and the whole shebang was written by Tom DeFalco.

General Comments

Well, okay. Overall, this was an alright book. True, the art was a little sketchy, and Spidey didn't do much, but we did learn the name of the Parker kid, and a few secrets about Gaunt, Scrier and Judas Traveller. I'll give this average Spidey book an average rating of three average webs.

Overall Rating

Three Average Webs

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Bryan Thiessen (E-Mail)