Amazing Spider-Man #588
Creative Team
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Klaus Janson and Tom Palmer
Colorist: Dean White
Story – Character Assassination: Conclusion
Review
With the conclusion of “Character Assassination” Gruggenheim resolves all the storylines that have been running through Amazing Spider-Man since the start of Brand New Day, except for the one involving Mr. Negative. And whatever readers have thought of this new direction for Spider-Man I will say that even though the first 6-8 months weren’t that great the past few months of ASM stories have actually been pretty good. Though “Character Assassination” has had it’s good and bad issues Gruggenheim did a nice job closing out this story arc and I will be interested to see were Vin, Carlie, and the Mayor race goes from here.
Spider-Man is always at his best when is backed into a corner and just as he escapes he is trapped in another corner with no way out. From fighting his way through a prison full of people that would love nothing more to be able to kill him to fighting off Menace from killing all the citizens all the while with only one good arm shows how great of a hero Peter is and it is his determination that allows him to save the day. It was also cool to see Harry, in a Green Goblin mask and glider, help Peter out. I am happy that Gruggenheim reinforces the fact that no matter what Peter and Harry are best friends and that they have always had each others back.
And “Character Assassination” is even better because of John Romita Jr.’s and his two inkers Klaus Janson and Tom Palmer’s artwork. It is no secret that I am a huge Romita Jr. fan and always enjoy his artwork especially when it comes to Spider-Man. All of the action in this action packed issue all flowed nicely together in each panel.
Issue Rating
Story: 8.3/10 – Gruggenheim does a good job closing some of the BND stories allowing Amazing Spider-Man to move on to its second year of this new direction.
Art: 9/10 – Romita Jr does an excellent job with the art and I hope we see Romita’s art again soon on Amazing Spider-Man.
Overall: 8.65/10 – While this arc has had its ups and downs it closed of nicely and I am looking forward to the next few months of Amazing Spider-Man stories.
Wolverine #71
Creative Team
Writer: Mark Millar
Art: Steve McNiven
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colorists: Morry Hollowell and Paul Mounts
Story – Old Man Logan Part 6
Review
While Old Man Logan has faced it’s delays I have to say that if there was one creative team were I will give a pass for delays it is the team of Mark Millar and Steve McNiven. I just love how Millar makes all his work feel like I am watching a movie and if there were comic book stories that can successfully make the transition from comic to film, namely animated, it is Millar’s Wolverine: Enemy of the State, Ultimates 1&2 and this Old Man Logan stories. It helps that Millar has McNiven and Vines to help with the art chores. McNiven and Vines combine for some excellent artwork as always and the artwork alone makes it worth the wait. Because really, how awesome was the old man Black Bolt kicking the Venom T-Rex ass? That was just some great artwork.
Even though I have never been a big fan of alternate timeline stories, with Days of Future Past and Age of Apocalypse being the exceptions, I love the setting of Old Man Logan. I really want to know more about this world with Emma marrying Doctor Doom to keep the remaining mutants alive and her using her psychic powers to keep her young appearance, Pym Falls, the look of New Babylon with the Red Skull statue, and Hawkeye’s real mission this world is full of rich content were Millar or another writer can still explore once Old Man Logan is over.
Issue Rating
Story: 8.7/10 – Millar does a great job making Old Man Logan feel like you are reading a quality summer blockbuster.
Art: 10/10 – Wolverine has never looked better. McNiven and Vines continue to provide Millar’s story with plenty of quality artwork that is as perfect as you can get.
Overall: 9.35/10 – No matter the wait Old Man Logan continues to be an excellent story and a contender for the story of the year once it is over.