By Isaac Mills and Miles Baker
Isaac’s Book
Spider-Man: With Great Power #2 (of 5)
Written by David Lapham
Art by Tony Harris
What this mini-series (written by David Lapham — best known for his book Stray Bullets) does is look at Spider-Man’s career before Uncle Ben gets shot. We’re given a glimpse of it back in Amazing Fantasy #15 (that’s Spidey’s original debut for you uninformed) and while it alludes to a lot, not much is shown.
A bunch of cool stuff happens in this comic, Peter gets his costume, makes his web shooters, and there is some action in the wrestling ring. However there’s also stuff in here that, while it makes sense if you stop to think about it, takes away from the mythology of Spider-Man’s origin. Case in point: Peter’s a bit of a jerk to Aunt May and Uncle Ben. He’s defensive about his secrets to them and doesn’t appreciate all they’ve done for him. Like I said, it makes sense from a character stand point, Peter is arrogant and drunk on his own power, a teenager in this situation would be like that but it’s a cheap method of connecting to readers. How could anyone relate to a kid who didn’t start rebelling against his folks when his first chance at power and adulthood comes along? Plus this approach to Peter Parkers genesis was already done in Ultimate Spider-Man, so I hope that changes for the upcoming issues of the series.
The artist is Tony Harris — and if you don’t know him from his work on Ex Machina, then you’ll know him from Starman. So yes, beautiful art. I’ve got two problems with it though. Uncle Ben is drawn very skinny with an almost Jonah Jameson style mustache. Where’s the powerful adult who could inspire confidence in old, young Pete? This fella doesn’t look jolly either. That’s very important to the design of the Uncle Ben firmly implanted in my head. And what’s up with all his Hawaiian shirts? He looks like Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. Not a good thing.
Overall it’s a fun story, but probably not even all that essential to the rest of this miniseries; it just marks time, getting some logistical stuff (costume, web-shooters) out of the way before any intrigue kicks up next issue.
Miles’ Book
Crossing Midnight #16
Written by Mike Carey
Art by Jim Fern, J.H. Williams III, Gabriel Hernandex, Mateo Guerrero, and Jose Villarrubia
Veritgo, 2008
You know, in many ways it’s a lot easier to hate these random books of the week. You get the fun of slamming stuff and the part of me that manages my finances is content knowing that it will never have to spend another penny on this series. Sometimes, though, you get a surprise.
This is an impressive issue because while I have absolutely no prior knowledge of this series I was interested, intrigued, and wowed by what I read. This is incredible considering there is complex mythology at play that if done poorly would have drowned out the story. But, by the end of the last page, I know what I must do. I must read more Crossing Midnight.
Oh, also, the art was pretty great too. With so many artists, you might guess that this issue would be a mess, but it isn’t. The colour palette used holds the art together really well. Of course it helps that the visual shift is framed in narration from the three main characters. Plus, awesome looking bird monsters that are killed by sentient glass. How cool is that? Hmm, that might just sound crazy. But it isn’t if you read this book. Read this book.
Sorry Miles, Crossing Midnight is cancelled. Maybe if Mondo hd reviewed it sooner it might have been saved. I also love this series and will miss it.
Hmm… I think is see why this issue was so good and generous with the story then: Carey’s gotta wrap it up.
Sad though, for you and your Crossing Midnight fans. Be comforted with the knowledge that I will join your sad ranks soon.