The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #18 Review

“She’s not one of the bad guys. She needs friends, not masks.”

Caught in a tangled web, how will Annie help her friends from hurting each other without revealing that she’s Spiderling? Will Normie pay the price when Lacey comes for her revenge?

WRITER: Jody Houser

ARTIST: Nathan Stockman

COLORIST: Ruth Redmond

LETTERER: VC’s Joe Caramagna

COVER ARTISTS: Ryan Stegman & Brian Reber

EDITORS: Heather Antos & Kathleen Wisneski

SUPERVISING EDITORS: Jordan D. White & Nick Lowe

SPIDER-MAN created by STAN LEE & STEVE DITKO

STORY: A quick flashback to Annie and Normie’s relationship growing up takes us to the present day with Lacey vowing revenge against the entire Osborn line. Reece tries to talk her down, but gets blasted for his efforts, with Annie saving him as Lacey gets away. At Oscorp, a Dr. Vardia is trying to convince Normie that they are ready to begin human trials on his new gene therapy, but Normie wants to take a conservative approach to make sure they are doing things right and safely. Annie and Reece are still searching for Lacey, but Annie feigns an injury so Reece can go ahead and Annie can face the music when she realizes her parents are following them in costume. After Peter and MJ read Annie the riot act, they agree that her plan to talk Lacey down is the best course of action, but will keep a safe distance watching events in case they are needed. Lacey ambushes Normie as he leaves work, but the intervention and words of Reece stay her hand as Annie gets Normie out of the way. In the days ahead, Normie is satisfied with Dr. Vardia’s results and gives him the green light, not realizing that he is really dealing with Mr. Sinister. Back at Midtown, the kids have lost their powers and Reece and Lacey have begun dating. Annie plays along, keeping her secret safe and joins them on tech for the drama club, with Peter reminding her to come straight home after her school stuff as she is still grounded for her deception.

THOUGHTS: Now this is a Ryan Stegman cover! (last issue’s was incorrectly attributed to him in the comic’s credits) It’s a bit generic and not indicative of what’s behind it, but man, is it good to see his pencils continue to be a part of this title in some form! My only wish would be that Spinneret was on it, too.

Something I have mentioned in past reviews was regret at not seeing events from the past eight years when this title did the time skip. Here Houser teases the reader with just a glimpse of how Annie and Normie’s relationship evolved during that period. I really appreciated the quick glimpse, even though it left me curious if Annie and Normie had a personal “civilain” relationship, or if they were only in each other’s lives when she was suited up as Spiderling. Maybe after the whole Venom thing the Parkers and Allen-Osborns stopped hanging out as much. Stockman’s transition from the past to the present was great, paralleling how he closed last issue. I also really enjoy how he depicts the older Normie; he’s like an optimistic version of a young Harry.

Issue by issue, Houser is winning me over with her writing. She perfectly captures a teen arguing semantics and technicalities with her parents and I got a kick out of seeing the parenting Spiders bust Annie in the field and their frustration with the situation and yet feeling like they did do well parenting her. The characterization of an older-than-we’ve last-seen-him but still young Normie hit the mark for me, as he tries to be more responsible and atone for his family’s sins, corporate or otherwise.

Stockman’s work is consistent with his past efforts. I still haven’t made up my mind if I like his style or not. His storytelling of Normie leaving the office and getting ambushed by Lacey was a high point for me, though. It could easily serve as storyboards for a movie. 

The main plot gets wrapped up in a neat bow by the end, with Lacey and Reece’s powers fading away, letting Annie carry on the the charade that hers have, too. It’s pretty pat, but Houser at least builds on the mystery of Lacey’s father and who the mysterious benefactor might be. As she continues to lay groundwork elsewhere for Mr. Sinister, it’s a safe bet he was behind the transformations of Annie’s two new friends. It was nice to see that Annie had to pay repercussions at home for her dishonesty and that she did get to branch out as a character, possibly expanding on continuing supporting cast. Houser provided some great characterization across the board this issue and I can’t wait till next to see them on family vacation!

MY GRADE: B-

JAVI’S HUH?: Why can’t Annie admit to Lacey that her dad was friends with Harry? Her personal insight into the Osborns could’ve carried some weight in talking Lacey down.

Peter and MJ set off Annie’s Spider-Sense? What danger were they going to bestow upon her?