Spider-Man Unlimited (Vol. 2) #4

Background

Peter Parker has made some small progress acclimating to life on Counter-Earth. Still, he has no plan how to get home or what to do about John Jameson.

Story 'What Lies Beyond the Edge of Manhattan'

NOT based on a teleplay by Will Meugniot & Michael Reeves.

Peter takes a rented scooter ride with Shayne and Naoko through Verdant Park in Counter-Earth's Manhattan. Curious about life outside of the city, he questions Naoko. She is clearly uncomfortable discussing what may lie beyond.

Later, as Spider-Man ponders, he encounters the Goblin. The Goblin calls wanting to travel outside Manhattan a "death wish". The populace's subduracl chips allow the High Evolutionary to reack every human's move,ments. Admitting to the Goblin of his extra-planetary origin (and lack of a chip), the Goblin leads Spidey to an exit tunnel off the island.

Spidey travels to the other side and is quickly dragged under water by a tentacled creature. He awakens in a tree-house in a forest paradise called "Harmony". Here, humans and beastials live together in peace after seeking refuge from the reign of the High Evolutionary. A human named Brixton, apparently one of the leaders of Harmony, turns from friendly to hostile once Spidey expresses a desire to see what lies beyond Harmony. Once you enter Harmony, leaving is rarely an option. Fleeing from Harmony's policing air ships, Spidey is given shelter by Counter-Earth's Gwen Stacy. Gwen leads Spidey to the tunnel, and he escapes back to Manhattan.

General Comments

This is the second story written independant from the animated series (still on hiatus during publication of this issue), and again I enjoyed this story better than the mainstream plot line. The story is a bit rushed, forced to begin and end within the confines of a single issue. Also, the artwork is again simple as per an animated series. Still, this was not a bad premise, and the journal notes provide a bit more meat to the characterization. Nice cameo by Gwen. I was waiting for her to show up.

Overall Rating

Two and a half webs.