Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #51 (492) Review

Amazing Spider-Man #51
“Digger”
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Scott Hanna
PLOT: Peter and Mary Jane are back together…so now what?  Well, MJ has been away for a while, and the couple is currently going through that transition and re-getting to know you part of the relationship.  There is celebration and fancy dinners, but MJ is still staying at a hotel.  Also, even though MJ wants to “hook up”, Peter is still reluctant until the time is right.  We also flash back to 1957 Las Vegas.  Rival mafia members had been fighting for control of Vegas, but have decided to set up a meeting to settle the dispute peacefully.  One of the members, Morris Forelli has other plans, and puts a hit on all of them to gain total control.  He then disposes the bodies in a mass grave in the Nevada desert.  We come back to recent times and find that the US military is testing a new bomb in that same desert, at that same spot.  The gamma rays of the bomb has an effect on that mass grave, which causes the deceased members of the mafia to forge into one super powered bad guy looking for revenge on Forelli.  This monster finds his way to NY and causes major havoc.  Lieutenant William Lamont (from Amazing Spider-Man Vol. II #41-42) is on the case and figures he needs some help, so he contacts Spidey.  The book concludes with an imminent confrontation between Spider-Man and this creature at a local NY nightclub.
LIKES: The artwork is outstanding as usual.  Hopefully JRjr never leaves the Spider-Man books because his art adds just as much character as the script.  The new character is intriguing.  We don’t really see how much mayhem and damage he can do, but he can really tear up a room.  It’ll be fun to see how he matches up with Spider-Man. 
DISLIKES: I’m happy that MJ is back, and I know that there is an adjustment period for both of them to be together, but she is staying by herself in a hotel.  I know she’s famous, but if she is really serious about being with Peter, but does not want to live with him yet, why not room with Aunt May?  I’m pretty sure she has the room.  Also, MJ is inviting Peter up to her hotel room to mess around, and Peter says NO!  I don’t get it.  Maybe it has to do with Peter getting back at MJ for not messing around with him in the ’01 Amazing Spider-Man Annual, before MJ took off. 
RATING: 3 webheads out of five.    The artwork was great, and the new villain is promising, but hopefully we start seeing so more positive Peter and MJ chemistry in the upcoming books.
Reviewed by AC-WEB (Ariel Chaidez)