Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 4) #1 (Story 6)

Background

Somehow, because of the Secret Wars, Miles ‘the Spider-Man formerly known as Ultimate’ Morales is part of the mainstream Marvel Universe.

Story 'The Cellar'

The Ox has just smashed open a bodega and stolen the cash register. As he saunters off, Spider-Miles web-swings in! His drop-kick barely fazes the Ox, but his venom strike knocks the supervillain out. After the web-slinger leaves, the paramilitary forces of Empire Unlimited arrive to take the Ox into custody, having earlier picked up White Rabbit, Goldbug, and the Walrus from Spider-Woman’s apprehension of them in Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 4) #1, story #4.

Empire Unlimited is the outfit that won the contract to rebuild the Raft that Parker Industries and Alchemax were fighting over in “The Graveyard Shift” arc that immediately preceded the Secret Wars. Empire has build a subterranean facility on Ryker’s Island that has been dubbed ‘the Cellar’. Upon arrival there, the Walrus and the Ox, as superhuman prisoners, are segregated from the White Rabbit and Goldbug and put into special cells… actually, they’re less cells than holding tanks, which hold them suspended in some strange red fluid.

We’ve seen this before, and recently. The warder says “I’m afraid our new arrivals are average at best… no powers you’ll find terribly stimulating.”

Her interlocutor isn’t concerned. “This is just the start,” says Regent.

Regent was last seen in the alternate-universe ‘Renew Your Vows’ tale. I guess, like Miles, he’s mainstream now. To be continued!

General Comments

Points to Dan Slott for surprising me here: I had not expected to see Regent again ever. I have no brief for Miles Morales; I’m glad he exists, but I’m not interested in reading about him. Now, Regent, on the other hand, is interesting. I liked him in ‘Renew Your Vows’ and look forward to seeing him tangle with mainstream Spider-Man.

Overall Rating

Sure, it’s brief, but I always like an earned surprise. Three webs.