By Joshua Westbrook
Tag: Mary Jane
My Thoughts on Amazing Spider-Man #25
So the last time I paid $8.00 for a comic book, it was December of 2012, and Spider-Man died! Trepidatious is probably an understatement on my state of mind when picking up Amazing Spider-Man #25, the first milestone comic in Spencer’s run, and slapped with a $8.00 price tag. “60 pages of Spider-Mania!!!” the front cover touts (and yes, with three exclamation points). I picked it up, I read it cover to cover, and here are my thoughts.
This was very unexpected. Usually with these milestone issues, Marvel goes big. So I was thinking there was going to be an all out battle with Kindred, he makes some big move, some grand entrance, establish why he’s a threat, who he is, and how he’s going to give Spidey a hard time. None of that. In fact, Kindred had a rather small role in this issue, which is actually a tad frustrating because I want to know more about him. But I did read an interview with Nick Lowe in a recent Previews issue, and he suggested that while #24 and #25 are important, Kindred is going to be a whole thing, so I guess we’ll have wait longer.
Mysterio was still alive, which was nice, but come on. Did we really think they were off Beck with Far From Home out this year? The more interesting part is the script Kindred gave him, that Beck himself apparently wrote. And the fact that it stars May Jane. I’m actually quite excited for that story.
On the topic of MJ, we know she’s got a comic coming, The Amazing Mary Jane. The Previews also suggested that this would be a set up issue, so I think MJ’s story here was more to that end. But if the Mary Jane comic is anything like this little adventure, then sign me all the way up. MJ and Carlie Cooper vs. the female Electro, saving an old acting rival of hers? It was so much fun, and I loved every second of it. This Syndicate story seems intriguing as well. I’m a classic Sinister Six guy myself, but we’ll see where this goes.
Next is Spider-Man. Why am I 5 paragraphs in and just now getting to Spider-Man? Maybe because his story was more of an action-packed pep talk to get Curt Connors back on his feet. I don’t know why, but I always get the feeling Lizard is going to die whenever he shows up, which I really don’t want to happen. But even in the Slott era, they always made it seem like Curt Connors’s next transformation will be his last. They keep putting the poor guy through the wringer, and I really hope he can just find some peace with his family, because I do love the Lizard, and I do love a happy ending!
So, paragraph 5 ended up being more about the Lizard. Paragraph 6: Spider-Man! Gee, nothing really happened with Pete! I mean, he decided to go back to school, and he fought those weird color-alien-robot things with Jameson, but… Wow. This Amazing Spider-Man comic had very little Spider-Man in it. I don’t know how I feel about that.
I will say, however, that my absolute favorite part was the tease of Miguel O’Hara falling from the sky and smashing into our time! And back in his blue suit no less! I read Spider-Man 2099 when it relaunched off Superior Spider-Man, and it was my favorite comic of the time. I unfortunately didn’t finish the run (I stopped around the Civil War II tie-in), but that’s a Marvel Unlimited binge for another day. Especially now that O’Hara is back!
Other than that, there was a little funny story about having a bot write a Spider-Man comic. The issue was pretty good, though if I had to complain about something, I’d say that it was a lot of setup and very little payoff. I guess I’m used to the milestone issues being the payoff issues, but if anything #24 had more plot reveals and master planning than this one (including the Chameleon!) But hey, at least Spider-Man didn’t die this time! Amazing Spider-Man #25 put a lot of pieces into place, and I for one can’t wait to see how they play out!
Marvel Problems #007
This being my favorite Spider-Man show, ever, of all time, I think that this problem hits me twice as hard as the others. I heard somewhere that he was going to find MJ in London, modeling, with her memories erased. Also, if Spider-Man Unlimited was a loose continuation of this series, as it is often said to be, then one could assume that he did eventually find her. But the thing is we’ll never know for sure. As far as I’m concerned, Peter and Madame Web are still lost in a void of reality, searching for, but never finding, Mary Jane Watson.
The City Needs Spider-Man
Paris has never really done anything for me personally… until now! The PlayStation Paris Game Week Media Showcase has unleashed a new Spider-Man PS4 trailer! Thank you Paris!
In this trailer, we get a good look at that work/life balance with Peter and Spider-Man that Insomniac’s been talking about so much. He’s taking MJ out to dinner, recruiting Miles to help Aunt May at F.E.A.S.T., getting evicted, all that fun Parker Luck stuff! And as per Parker Luck usual, just when Peter thinks he can have a life outside of Spider-Man, Mr. Negative turns up the heat!
Honestly, I think Mr. Negative is gonna be, like, 1/5 of this game, but that’s the only villain they’re showing us for now, so it only seems like he’s a game-wide threat. Yes, we’ve seen Kingpin, but we know he gets busted in the beginning (and from the looks of Willie, it seems like it was a rough fight!). We also caught the most fleeting of glimpses at the Shocker, who’s always fun to throw down with in a Spidey game. But back to what I was saying, Insomniac says that this game has a massive story, so it’s hard to believe that Mr. Negative and his Inner Demons are going to be a threat the entire way through.
We also get a lot of Mary Jane in this trailer, which is refreshing for me. For those of you who follow the blog, you know I’m a big Spider-Man/Mary Jane fan. Since One More Day they’ve been separated in the comics, then The Amazing Spider-Man franchise made Gwen a hot commodity, Zendaya may or may not be her in the movies, and even in the new Marvel’s Spider-Man cartoon we keep getting references and teases, but no MJ! I really like seeing her, not only as Peter’s emotional support, but it looks like she’s doing field work too! She’s looking into the Devil’s Breath (Mr. Negative’s drug), saving hostages, teaming up with Spider-Man. I swear, that POV at the 1:19 minute mark makes it look like you even get to play as MJ! That should be fun.
Alright, lastly I’m gonna break down some geek-out moments:
Martin Li stating that F.E.A.S.T. is the “best part of me”. You know, because he has two sides, you know?
Osborn for Mayor! Yeah, because that always ends well…
Kingpin’s dressed in black, not white. So either he they’re favoring the look from Marvel’s Daredevil, or… did he get hit by Mr. Negative!?!? It’s probably the former, but still.
Peter’s Spider Sense effect, heart eye emoji!
We saw Yuri Watanabe on Peter’s com link in the 9 minute demo, but now we see her in person! Is Wraith far behind?
Oscorp merchendise in Grand Central terminal. What’s that about?
Crusher Hogan vs. The Spider poster in Peter’s apartment, nice!
Speaking of Peter’s apartment, October 15, 2018 is circled on his calendar. Release date confirmed!? Maybe!
Well, that’s all I’ve got! I can’t wait for this game! How about you guys? Comment below! Spider-Man PS4 drops 2018 (maybe October 15)!
Spider-Man Homecoming Easter Eggs
Alright, Spider-Man: Homecoming is out, and you’d better bring an Easter basket because the Easter Bunny was hopping all up through this movie! So, strap up, and let’s jump in! Oh yeah, and SPOILER ALERT!!!
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man
Wealth and fame, he’s ignored, action is his reward. Look out! Here comes the Spider-Man! Not only did we get an awesome Michael Giacchino orchestreal version of the classic theme in the beginning, but Spider-Man left notes on the criminals he caught just like a good Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man would!
The Scorpion
Mac Gargan, aka the Scorpion, played a small role in this movie, but I think he’s more there as a token for what’s to come. I like the fact that for those who didn’t catch the name Mac Gargan, they basically telegraphed it by giving him a scorpion tattoo on his neck (and the scarring on his face more reminiscent of Ultimate Scorpion). Even with his small amount of screen time, Gargan came across as menacing and a bit scary (talking about slitting poor Spider-Man’s throat!) I’m excited to finally see Scorpion on the big screen, and I’m ready to meet his ‘friends on the outside’. *Cough, Sinister Six, cough*.
Jim Morita
Midtown High’s principal is Mr. Morita (I heard it in a voicemail from Michelle in the Spider-Man Homecoming app… I have no life). We know that Captain America had an old war buddy named Jim Morita, a member of the Howling Commandos! Jim Morita and Principal Morita are both played by the same actor. Which probably explains the black and white photo and war medals for old Jimmy posted up in Principal Morita’s office. It’s quick, so make sure you catch it!
Women of Spider-Man
We had Betty Brant reporting the news Daily Bugle style, although she looked a lot like Gwen Stacy. We had Liz Allen, with a surprising twist, although she married Harry Osborn at one point in the comics, so having a villain as a father isn’t a far stretch. And we also had Michelle come out as MJ. Not Mary Jane, but MJ. I don’t know, we’ll see what they do with her, but I really do want the classic Spider-Man and Mary Jane relationship. So maybe, now that she has friends, MJ will come out of her shell a bit more and grow into the party girl we all know and love! Oh, and the Asian girl on the Decathlon team is listed as ‘Cindy’. Hm… *Cough, Silk, cough!*
Ned Leeds
Another one of Peter’s friends that had the unfortunate disposition of becoming a Goblin, and paying the price. Well, let’s hope that never happens, because Ned is a great guy in the chair!
Forehead of Security
This isn’t really an Easter egg more so than a callback, but in the car when Tony and Happy are dropping Peter off at home, Tony states that Happy used to be the Forehead of Security, which was the joke he made in Iron Man 3 when Happy, not knowing how to work an iPad, was holding the camera up to his forehead.
Homemade Suit
This suit just screams Ben Reilly. We’re all thinking it! Might as well just say it!
Iron Spider
It looked a lot different, but the suit Tony presents Peter with in the end of the movie, along with an offer to become an Avenger, is indeed the Iron Spider. I have a feeling Peter will be donning that suit when Infinity War rolls around, but until then, he’s gonna just go ahead and be a Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Uncle Aaron/ The Prowler
I’m going to write an entire article on Donald Glover and his relation to Miles Morales, but it’s good to see that they cast him as Mile’s Uncle Aaron Davis, who is also the villain known as the Prowler in the Ultimate comics. I’m also glad he mentioned his nephew, more or less confirming Miles’s existance in the MCU!
Spidey Tracers
When Shocker comes to Midtown looking for the Chitauri power source Spidey swiped, Peter narrowly avoids them, and tags Shultz with a tiny little mechanic spider that allows him to track them to Maryland. These are classic Spidey Tracers, used often in the comics and 90’s series but never in the movies… until now!
Damage Control
Dwayne McDuffie, a minority comic creator and huge inspiration to me, created Damage Control, the guys who clean up the messes superheroes tend to make. It’s good to see it get some love in an MCU movie since the TV show is apparently MIA. There was a passing mention of it in Iron Man 1, but here it is in full force! All they’re missing is the bulldog logo!
MCU Here and There
Just a bunch of little sprinkled MCU bits cementing Spider-Man into the Universe, here’s a few of them:
- Avengers Tower (duh)
- Road sign in DC warning about ‘Triskelion cleanup’
- Pictures of Howard Stark and Bruce Banner at Midtown, and hey, I even hear ‘ol Dr. Erskine is up there!
- History lesson on the Sokovia Accords
- A gun assembled from ‘Sub-Ultron’ parts
- Cap being a war criminal (sad face emoji)
- Speaking of Cap, notice he’s in his Avengers (2012) uniform, so I guess these were filmed right after he was thawed out
- The first 15 minutes of the film, right after the Battle of New York and during Civil War
Now, there’s a big one, right at the end where where Spider-Man is trapped under the rubble, but I can’t tell you yhat because it would spoil the trivia question for my Spider-Man Homecoming Podcast, so… I guess we’ll end here! Were there any I missed? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned for more from Spider-Man Homecoming!
