MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Planet of the Symbiotes #2 Review

This is another epic double-header that gives you bang for your buck. The first tale focuses on the American Kaiju going on a rampage against the symbiote space-dragons. Surprisingly, it is not just brainless, mindless violence and combat, as there are deep layers and undertones to the character as he fights off the evil aliens. In the second special feature, we see the Prowler, reformed and transformed into a full-blown superhero. He dons the Prowler costume one last time as he takes down the symbiote army with the power of sound and the sound of music… and then becomes something else entirely: the HORNET! Now, he is an official force of good and a blazing ally to Spider-Man!

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

King in Black: Planet of the Symbiotes #2

STORY BY: Marc Bernardin, Geoffrey Thorne

ART BY: Jan Bazaldua, Kyle Hotza

COVER BY: Tony Moore, Kyle Hotz

IN THIS CORNER: A DRAGON MADE OF PARASITIC SLIME, SENT FROM OUTER SPACE TO CONSUME ANY AND ALL LIFE ON EARTH WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE!

IN THAT CORNER: A BOMBASTIC BEHEMOTH PACKING A HUNDRED THOUSAND TONS OF ALL-AMERICAN MUSCLE — YOU KNOW HIM, YOU LOVE HIM… AMERICAN KAIJU! YUUU! EESSS! AAAAAYY!

LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!!!

PROS:

• There is just something so attractive about a giant monster rampaging around town, ripping other small monsters to shreds. Godzilla has nothing on this space-dragon massacre. American Kaiju, in all his glory, works as a monster of destruction, but for a good cause. He’s a product of another melting pot of a Super Soldier program, and his love for his country is obvious. He is bleeding U.S.A. Even his chants are in red, white and blue. His chest is marked with the flag. And his sole purpose is truly to protect his country. But the inner turmoil lies in the cost that it will take. This is what makes this first half such a good and captivating read. American Kaiju knows he is doing what he can, and what is best for America, but he also acknowledges the collateral damage. In his war against Knull’s army, he knows there are casualties, and thousands of lives will be ruined, and damage to the city will be insurmountable. This leads him to question if he is a monster because of what he was transformed into, or because he wanted to become one in the first place. He did admit to his desire for power. So maybe that dark thought lurks in his mind, bothering him day in and day out.
• The second feature was excellent in portraying another kind of transformation. And this time around, it was a more subtle one… a full promotion from former villain to a full-fledged superhero. Words cannot describe just how happy I am to see Prowler take on a normal job, try to live a normal life, but admit to himself that he cannot leave his calling to wear tights. And while his promise and commitment were to avoid being Prowler, he did have to give it one more go in order to save the world from symbiotes. But now we know that he is ready for the next super-heroic chapter in his life.

CONS:

• It was nice to see Prowler in action, and I do understand the purpose of saving the Hornet reveal for the last page, as it will encourage more readers to stick around and follow Hornet in his next adventures, rather than just see him right away in action and make a decision from there. But a part of me wanted to see the full potential of Hornet in action against the symbiotes. Nevertheless, it was pretty smart how Prowler used the sound of music against the aliens. He learned well from Spider-Man.

FINAL SCORE: A+

This series of two-part issues spotlighting various characters in the Spider-Man universe provide loads of value for money, and jam-packed storytelling, all while providing entertaining context for the grander event at hand. For readers who are not so familiar with the protagonists, this is a perfect way to endear this new generation of heroes to the fans. Looking at the landscape of comics right now… These are now the brave and almighty heroes of our Brand New Normal.