Spider-Man: The Manga #13

Background

It's the Japanese Spidey! It's a black-and-white five minute read for $2.99 U.S.! It's the longest storyline yet... showcasing the best and the worst of the series. Here's part four of the six-part "Mysterio/Fake Spider-Man" arc.

Story Details

The attack on Rumi is too much. With a scream of "He's an imposter!", Yu vows to "unmask that fake". Dressed again as Spidey (how did he get his costume back?), Yu wanders Tokyo in search of his foe. But the phony Spidey has disappeared. In his place, "Out of nowhere! A hero named Mysterio!" This new figure vows to protect the people and challenges Spider-Man to a fight. Yu realizes that Mysterio must be the fake Spidey. He accepts the challenge to meet on Kiyosu Bridge. Crowds of people form, the army appears, planes patrol the skies, as Spidey and Mysterio face off on one of the bridge's spans. Yu tries to take the offensive but he is surprised by Mysterio's boot springs which allow him to leap away, hand mists which allow him to melt webbing, and concealing smoke which remove Yu's spider-sense. Spidey takes a terrible beating. When his mask starts to fall apart as well, Yu surrenders to his fate. He plunges into the river, decisively defeated.

General Comments

Just when it seems like the whole thing isn't worth it, this fourth part improves considerably. Again Ikegami's graphics are crisp and eye-catching. (I particularly like the shot of Spidey standing very straight on top of the "Eiffel Tower"-type structure and the moment of showdown when Spidey and Mysterio face off.) The fight scene is well-drawn, frenetic and believable and Yu's thorough defeat earns him more sympathy from the reader than the last dozen issues of soul-searching ever could.

Overall Rating

Back with hope once more! Four webs!