Now that we know that Norman Osborn is filling in as the new Spider-Man, we see much more conflict for him in this issue, as Norman realizes just what it means to be a superhero like Spider-Man, and he wonders whether that is the kind of person that he can actually be (while, at the same time, wondering how awesome it would be if he WAS that kind of person).
Image via Marvel
Amazing Spider-Man #14 is from writer Joe Kelly, pencilers Ed McGuinness and Todd Nauck, inkers Mark Farmer and Wade Von Grawbadger (plus Nauck and McGuinness inking some of their own work), colorists Marcio Menyz and Erick Arciniega, and, of course, letterer Joe Caramagna, the steady presence keeping the Spider-Man train moving for YEARS now. The series brings the two characters who are filling in for Spider-Man and Peter Parker while Peter is out in space into conflict with each other.
Who suddenly gets airtime in Amazing Spider-Man out of nowhere?
Jim Shooter famously had a rule that every Marvel comic book had to both identify each character by name, AND demonstrate their superpower. Obviously, Shooter’s position was that every comic book could be someone’s first comic book that they ever read, and he wanted to make sure that Marvel comic books were as new-reader-friendly as possible.
I understand the idea, but I think it probably got a bit silly over the years in some of the team books, where everyone had to identify themselves AND use their powers, and it definitely got mocked by readers over the years. I generally don’t think it is necessary, but, at the same time, Hallow’s Eve has made ONE appearance in this series, and she wasn’t in her Hallow’s Eve identity, and Ben Reilly has also not appeared as Chasm in this series yet, so I think that they really should have thrown in a quick explanation for what their powers are. Don’t get me wrong, I think Todd Nauck did a pretty good job depicting Hallow’s Eve’s power in this comic, but her ability is SO unusual (she can gain different powers by wearing different magical masks) that I think it really does need to be explained (similarly, Ben as Chasm has the ability to create weapons out of, well, you know, GOO, so that’s also pretty weird).
In any event, it is nice to see Ben’s setup a bit more in this issue, especially to see him actually fighting crime, which is nice (it is good to see that Ben isn’t a total jerk, as he is willing to at least fight crime occasionally with his girlfriend). Hallow’s Eve is Ben’s old girlfriend from back in the days of the 1990s Clone Saga, and she made a comeback, and is a minor Spider-Man supporting character now. She is also a bit unhinged herself (obviously Ben is messed up, as he is stealing Peter’s life while Peter is gone), and we see that with her jealousy over Ben spending time with Peter’s girlfriend, Shay, or Black Cat, or Mary Jane, or, of course, with Ben’s boss, Maira.
A possible love interest introduced for the new Spider-Man?
Ben is having lunch with his boss, when Norman Osborn comes to confront Ben, but thing are awkward due to Ben’s boss, Maira Osmani-Milton. I was wondering if Joe Kelly was setting up stuff way back in Amazing Spider-Man #5, and it certainly appears as though he was. Maira has some family issues that I assume we’ll see more from in the future.
From Maira’s perspective, it looks like Norman Osborn is trying to poach one of her main employees (especially with Ben as Peter really trying to make the most of his time as Peter before the real Peter returns), while in reality, Norman is actually there to try to tell Ben to quit messing with Peter’s life. Of course, this means that Ben savvies to the fact that it is Norman who is filling in as Spider-Man. Ben basically tells him to kiss off.
Norman is attacked after Ben leaves, and Norman and Maira are in trouble. I think Kelly is setting Maira up as a possible love interest for Norman Osborn, which is clever. It’s always cool to see writers actually trying to develop supporting casts for a book. So many comic books nowadays have, like, NO supporting cast. Here, though, Kelly is trying to expand the cast, which is important since Peter is, you know, IN OUTER SPACE.
Norman turns into Spider-Man, and he saves Maira from the robot that is trying to kill Norman (we still don’t know who is behind it). Norman, to this point, has been operating only at night. This is the first time that he has saved someone during the day, and Norman is shocked by how much he LIKES the adoration that comes from being a superhero. Norman, of course, feels really bad about himself (he was, you know, a major supervillain before his sins were “erased”), so it is interesting to see him deal with the feelings.
Ed McGuinness and his inkers do a great job on the fight, and I think the book also worked Todd Nauck in well in the comic, who does the stuff outside of Norman’s fight.
Peter’s adventures in space are probably more compelling at the moment, but I think the Norman/Ben stuff is working, as well (although, I can’t say that I am too interested in Captain Kintsugi so far. But maybe Kelly will win me over with him!).
Source: Marvel