Web of Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #48

Background

Since last issue, The Green Goblin and Hobgoblin have fought it out - with Harry victorious. The Lizard is back in Amazing and in Spectacular, we have found out that some 'Master of Demons' called 'N'astirh' is responsible for all the weird events and demons appearing in New York. It is something to do with the X-Men titles. Hobgoblin trades his soul for the power of a demon.

Story 'Eyes Of The Demon'

A day has passed since the previous issue. Everything is still out of control in the city and Hobgoblin is not happy with the effects of what N'astirh has done to him. He spots Spidey swinging through the city and goes after him.

Spider-Man goes to the studios where MJ had a modelling assignment earlier in the day. She and the rest of the crew are down in the sewers after trying to escape when demons attacked the studio.

Daily Bugle reporters Ben and Joy are now fully distracted from the Kingpin story as they help out in the Bugle offices which have been nearly destroyed by demonic attacks.

Glory and Eduardo are still hanging out together and they are out on the streets evading burning overturned cars and possessed New Yorkers. Glory thinks they should take shelter in the Daily Bugle building but Eduardo assures her that he can keep her safe himself.

They make their way through a trashed warehouse but retreat to an alley when they are attacked by a forklift that has come to life. Eduardo pushes Gloria aside to protect her. Then, he grabs a handy metal pipe, takes a prodigious leap and uses the pipe to stab the forklift. The forklift explodes and burns. Glory observes this super-human feat and realizes that she knows nothing about Eduardo but his name. It is enough. She loves him. Eduardo returns to her and, amid all the devastation, he and Glory stop briefly and kiss.

Harry is out in Queens, and decides to check on May for Pete.

Hobgoblin attacks Spidey in the sewers. With his new powers, he is faster and stronger than before. Elsewhere in the sewers, the slime at the bottom has come to life and is attacking MJ and the photoshoot crew.

Hobgoblin and Spidey are fighting with Hobby well on top. MJ and her crew stumble across them though and MJ manages to set Hobby on fire, giving Spidey the upper hand. The ceiling begins to fall in as Spidey gets everyone to safety. Hobgoblin is seemingly trapped.

Out in Queens, May resolves to go to Manhattan.

General Comments

After an excellent last issue, the storyline has come off the rails slightly. Harry became the Goblin but had none of the intensity of madness he had before. The artwork on the demon Hobgoblin was excellent but, as a villain, he doesn't have that Spidey-feel to him.

This was a lot more run-of-the-mill type stuff with a villain and Spidey saving MJ. The class brought to issue 47 just isn't present here and the X-Title crossover just doesn't work well because N'astirh isn't a Spidey-villain either.

Overall Rating

Better than the awful fill-ins we've had recently but a let-down in the Inferno crossover – especially after issue 47.

Footnote

Details by Kerry & Al. Summary and Rating by Kerry.