Writer: Nick Spencer Artists: Cory Smith Editors: Nick Lowe  E.I.C: C.B. Cebulski   Crawlspace Staff: Chi-Town Spidey  Crawlspace E.I.C:  Brad Douglas

Recap:   So Spidey got talking to Black Ant, who was betrayed by Taskmaster and found out that Kraven has this master plan, not just to hunt the animal themed supervillians, but to also have them go after the hunters themselves.  There’s a twist for ya!  Poor Bob didn’t make it in ASM#20, but hey at least on got some last minute aggression out on when he killed Iguana because he didn’t get laid enough in high school.  Spidey goes to confront Kraven when Arcade introduces both himself and a whole lot of VERMIN to Spidey.  You can read all about it on Mark’s Review. 

Story: Starts off with a narration of who Adrian Toomes is.  How all his hard work was taken from him for someone else’s motives.  The narration continues on how Adrian rise to the top during this Hunted story line and has become the leader to all the animal themed baddies trapped in the Central Park.  That’s the big question though, how did the Vulture become the leader to all these baddies?  Quite simple actually, he was invited by Arcade to have a meal.  During a sit down, Arcade explains the who thing.  This was all Kraven’s plan which doesn’t satisfy Vulture one bit since they were buddies in the Sinister Six.  Arcade also explains that there’s a slim chance in his contract to all his death traps.  Right there in fine print.  He hands Adrian a small disk that can disrupt the robot Kraven’s.  Slight catch though, the range on this “Hunter Killer” is limited.  In order to extend the range  and the “Hunter Killer” full potential you need to kill more robot hunters.  More dead robot hunters, more power you got.  Like Arcade said, think of it as Mario and the mushroom.  Vulture approves of this because it gives him the advantage and boots his ego.  He flies away to rally the super baddies to join him in killing the robots and going after Kraven.  Unknown to Vulture, this was all part of the plan!  Kraven’s plan.  Arcade told Kraven that Vulture took the bait and there is gonna be a huge fight in the upcoming issues.  The hunted vs the hunters!  ….but wait folks, we’re not done yet…back story of Arcade injecting Vermin with a serum that creates MORE Vermin.  Vermin is no longer alone!  He’s got a bunch of (clones?) buddies with him now!

The Writer:   Nick Spencer continues to deliver the goods in his run.  Not just the particular arc, but his entire run on Amazing Spider-Man!  I have said this plenty times before on my reviews and on the podcast that there is a particular reason we have these “HU” tie ins.  Marketing.  They are saving the anniversary issues (ex: #25) for something big, but they want Spencer’s entire vision and story to be told, hence the “HU” tie ins.  It doesn’t bother me, since Spencer does one thing correctly.  He has the characters drive the story, not the story/plot that drives the characters!  Characterization is the main focus in his run and he’s nailing it.  It’s an Amazing Spider-Man book without Spider-Man in it, but it’s okay because the other characters in the story also have a part to play and Spencer wants the reader to see the grand schemes of all things.  It makes sense to have these character driven issues in the “HU” tie in, while keeping the main core story in the core title.  Some people say it lags the story on and that is true it does, but there’s a means to the end and I trust Spencer.  He’s doing an AMAZING JOB.  Although…there are times.  A very own George Berryman has put faith and trust in Spencer writing, then this panel shows up…

“Scattered and AFRAID”?  “RUNNING FOR YOU LIVES”?  The Stupendous Stegron!?  Ouch…that’s gotta hurt.

The Art: When you have a great story to read it only gets better to see it as well. I’ve said this last time and it’s still warrant.  Cory Smith’s art in the first part of this story is easy to following along with the dialogue and nice to look at.  Everything is where it needs to be.  Tyler Crook’s art in the second part of the story is the somewhat the same but it’s more cartoon-ish/anime looking.  I think Teen Titans GO! when I see some of facial expressions on Arcade and Vermin’s face. 

Characterization

The Vulture:  “Love be a Vulture tonight!”.  That’s exactly what his weakness is isn’t it?  His ego.  Adrian has always prided himself on well..himself.  He plays right into Arcade’s hands when Arcade informs him that the only one capable of leading this rally against the robot hunters is him.  Not saying he’s an easy villain to take down.  As shown in previous issues the does play and sacrifice Gibbon to the Hunters and loses no sleep over it.  His only purpose is to escape this death trap and something tells me down the line that the group he’s leading into the great fight, he’ll sacrifice a few to get to what he needs.  Again, his ego is his downfall and like Kraven said, he’s predictable.

Who would of thought an X-Men villain would actually work so well in a Spider-Man comic.  As much as this tie it deals with Vulture, fiffty percent of this character driven tie in goes to Arcade.  He lives up to his name.  In order to extend the “Hunter Killer” device and reach it’s full potential you need to knock off more robot hunters.  It’s like playing a video game on your smartphone or gaming device.  Reach this certain point to and achieve the power up.  Brilliant characterization on Spencer’s part.  He’s not a “throw away” villain and actually drives this story pretty well.

Final Grade: A