Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #34 (475) Review

Amazing Spider-Man 34
PLOT: Spidey turns to Ezekiel for help and asylum. He’s turned down on both parts. Helping Spidey would only put Morlun on Ezekiels’s trail and we’re told once Morlun touches someone he can always find him. This is why Ezekiel can’t even hide Spidey anymore. Rejected, Spidey leaves but Morlun doesn’t give him a chance to rest. By endangering innocents he keeps drawing Spidey to him. During two breaks in the action Peter calls off work at school and tries to call MJ. He only gets her machine. He then calls Aunt May to let her know how he feels about her. Morlun catches up with him and the fight starts again. Spidey is saved by Ezekiel and together they fight Morlun. Ezekiel is overcome and apparently killed. Morlun fed off him enough to leave Spidey alone for now. Morlun was bloodied in the fight and Peter thinks analyzing that blood will hold the secret to defeating Morlun. At the end Spidey has triggered a false alarm at a nuclear power plant and in the now deserted facility awaits the final show down with Morlun.
LIKES: Peter’s attempt to call MJ and his “farewell” call to Aunt May have to be among the best moments in comics this year. JMS nicely foreshadowed Ezekiel’s change of heart in previous issues where he had him comparing what he’d used his powers for (to get rich) to how selflessly Peter has used his. Romita, Jr.’s art continues to shine and he’s used these two battle royale issues to showcase his terrific action work. At last, Peter’s ability as a scientist aids him as Spider-Man. This has only been missing for at least the last 3 plus years. Finally, Peter’s grit and determination are on full display in the face of overwhelming odds. However, this is bordering on overkill as too many issues of Amazing and PPSM have focused on this aspect of his character in the last year or so to the detriment of his other characteristics.
DISLIKES: Wasn’t Morlun’s hair a lot longer last issue? It’s good JMS recognizes the inherent problems of being Spider-Man and a full time high school teacher. But how’s he gonna keep getting around it?
RATING: . out of 5 webheads – JMS really put it together this time: he achieves high drama in the finest Spidey tradition.