Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #48 (489) Review

Amazing Spider-Man #48
“A Spider’s Tale”
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Scott Hanna
PLOT: Spider-Man was in bad shape at the end of last issue, but instinct led him to the spider exhibit in the museum.  Many spiders covered Peter and hid his scent from Shathra.  Ezekiel locates Peter and brings him to Ghana, Africa to heal-up. There, Ezekiel tell the story of the first “spider-man” named Anansi, and how he eventually found himself in the heavens to become the mother and father of all spiders.  The whole totemistic issue is brought up again and Ezekiel tells Peter that, even though science enabled it, his powers were deliberately given to him.  Ezekiel then leads Peters to some spider ruins, and explains their significance to him.  He lets Peter know that Shathra is coming, but Peter can beat her if he fights her within the ruins.  The reason for this is because when Peter is in the ruins, he is more purely a spider, and stronger if he lets his spider side take over.  Shathra shows up, and tussles with Spider-Man for a third time.  While fighting, another large group of spider swarm all over Shathra, and they apparently kill her.  In another part of the world, MJ is making plans to travel to NY to see Peter.
LIKES: Finally, some of JMS’s stories are coming together.  We find out that the big spider thing that Peter saw in the astral plan while fighting The Shade is most likely the mythical Anansi.  We thought the totemistic angle had ended with Morlun, but we find out that there is more to it than that.  Ezekiel’s origin seems to be getting a little clearer.  We know it involves different spider ruins that are located throughout the world.  After all that, the best thing is that the MJ Peter situation is on it’s way to being resolved.
DISLIKES: I have expressed that it is great that JMS is creating new villains and experiences, BUT most of the new villains created are killed.  Morlun. Dead. The Shade. Dead.  And now Shathra. Dead.  JMS has upped sales in the Spidey books, but his addition to the pantheon of Spider-Man’s rogue gallery seems forgettable.  And as in the case of Morlun, Spider-Man got a way out of killing Shathra. 
RATING: 3 ½ webheads out of 5: Overall, the story was good, and the plot twist was unexpected.  For so much build up, the final fight between Shathra and Peter was a bit lacking.  We are getting some answers with the Ezekiel story angle, but we still don’t get a view of the big picture.  Also, I hear that JMS plans to resolve the MJ issue in #50, so it will be interesting how all that is set up in the next issue.

Reviewed by AC-WEB (Ariel Chaidez)