The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man took its time to find its momentum. Honestly, it wasn’t until Amazing Spider-Man #63 that it really felt like the storyline got its full footing under itself. That is thanks Justina Ireland strong writing of how going through the death and resurrection process is taking its toll on Peter Parker. It was by far the best Peter has been written in a long time. That is momentum that is hopefully continued moving forward with The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man. Let’s find out with Amazing Spider-Man #64.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Justina Ireland
Artist: Gleb Melnikov
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: Joe Caramaga
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #64 SOLICITATION
“THE 8 DEATHS OF SPIDER-MAN CONTINUES! Cytorrak’s most dangerous scion, CALLIX, and his deadly CRIMSON CANINES take their turn to inflict physical pain on Spider-Man. Spidey doesn’t have many deaths left to spend…” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Justina Ireland has quickly established that she understands Peter Parker as good as anyone in two issues of Amazing Spider-Man. Best of all Ireland’s approach is extremely simple in treating Peter as an experienced hero whose humanity is his greatest strength. It isn’t simply the character consumed by “Parker Luck.” In the process it makes the battles against the Scions of Cyttorak be more important because of how Peter is responding.
The opening of Amazing Spider-Man #64 is a great example of how well Ireland understands all the Marvel characters in this story. Ireland and Gleb Melnikov are showing Peter isn’t simply letting the magic powers he’s been gifted as the Champion along with his spider powers.
We see this as Peter is talking with Doctor Strange, he is tinkering with a device that will make it easier for him to cast spells quicker. It is a small but big detail that shows Peter is using his own knowledge to overcome the challenge he is faced with. This is reminiscent to when Peter would create devices or alternate versions of his costume to best fight his villains.
By doing so, it gets across how serious Peter is treating the threats of Scions of Cyttorak. He isn’t just going to Doctor Strange for advice and knows that he has to make himself better. It is understood that unlike Doctor Strange, Peter isn’t settling on having to rely on the power of resurrection to bring him back if he fails a battle.
And as we see with his battle against the new twin sibling Scions, Spider-Man is being more active about taking on the demons. We visually see Spider-Man use his experience and preparation to fight the older brother of the twin Scions. This made Spider-Man actually being able to beat the Scion in a fight go over better.
At the same time, given that this is The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man, there is a feeling that the younger sister Scion let her brother fight for a reason. Her attitude to letting her brother fight spoke to understanding that while they could’ve defeated Spider-Man together she needed to know more about him. This in turn, builds up anticipation for the next fight better than any of the Scion fights we’ve had thus far in The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man.
Adding some more depth to The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man storyline is the sub-plot of Peter’s new girlfriend, Shay, trying to understand her boyfriend. Shay is after all entering as an outsider. She is new to Peter’s world and hasn’t experienced what it means to have Peter in her life. That means how he goes about being Spider-Man isn’t something she is sold on. Shay’s talk with Aunt May shows this and ingratiates her more as a new part of the supporting cast. It is good to see a love interest actually trying to understand Peter rather than putting up with his schtick until she gets tire of putting up with it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Amazing Spider-Man #64 is the strongest chapter of The 8 Deaths of Spider-Man storyline we’ve had thus far. Justina Ireland does a great job understanding how to use this storyline to have Peter Parker show growth as Spider-Man. Combine that with Gleb Melnikov and Marcio Menyz’s vibrant artwork and the interest in this storyline is as high as its been since it was first announced.
Story Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
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