AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #45
PLOT: With Spider-Man trapped under the rubble of a hotel, Carlyle goes to the movie studio looking for hostages to expedite his escape. He’s followed there by Doctor Octopus still itching for revenge. Spider-Man eventually frees himself from the debris and heads to the studio for a showdown. After he prevails, with a little help from Doc Ock, Peter and Mary Jane sit for a heart to heart wherein he promises to give her time to sort out her feelings.
LIKES: The art is fantastic as usual. The scenes of Spider-Man freeing himself from the destroyed hotel and the battle are particualrly effective. The dialogue is as sharp as ever down to the last line about chocolate cake. Once again JMS has Spider-Man, along with Doc Ock, triumph through brains as much as brawn.
DISLIKES: I have no idea why Straczynski would mimic perhaps the greatest most character defining moment in Spider-Man history, his freeing himself from beneath crumpled steel girders in order to get to the medicine needed by a dying Aunt May in Amazing vol. 1 number 33, I think. While effective this can in no way measure up to that classic moment and it only is minimized by the comparision.
RATING: 3½ webheads out of 5: A strong conclusion to the arc though not on a par with what came from Straczynski before.
You might be interested in …
Amazing Spider-Man #2-4 Review
After several delays (and many tech problems). I return to review Amazing Spider-man #2-4. Enjoying the story line of the split Peter Parkers. I do mark some cons with the mysterious villain in the background, […]
Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #547 Review
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #547 TITLE: “Crimes of the Heart” WRITER: Dan Slott PENCILER: Steve McNiven INKER: Dexter Vines COLORIST: Morry Hollowell PLOT: The issue opens with a full-page splash of Peter sucking J. Jonah Jameson’s […]
Panel of the Day #443 (Splash Page Sunday!)
What a story, Peter! Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #44 Published: c. August, 2002? Cover Date: October, 2002 “Arms and the Men” Writer: J. Michael Straczynski Artist: John Romita Jr. Inker: Scott Hanna Letterer: Richard Starkings […]
Support the Crawlspace on Patreon
Crawlspace Discord
Recent Comments
on Panel(s) of the Day #1746: “So he’s wearing a mask with another mask over that one? Also, when is the last time we’ve had a…” Oct 17, 06:30- on Spider-Tracer: Boomerang’s 10 Best Costumes: “He also had a different costume in the Spider-Man Lifeline mini series designed by Steve Rude.” Oct 16, 08:54
- on Craig’s Critique: Amazing Spider-Man #1000 (Non-Legacy #36): “Ravaged” or “Well, At Least We Have These Backups”: “@Paul Penna: I just can’t imagine Cormac/Ravage being left around after this whole thing is resolved, to return periodically to…” Oct 11, 09:35
- on Craig’s Critique: Amazing Spider-Man #1000 (Non-Legacy #36): “Ravaged” or “Well, At Least We Have These Backups”: “Wow! Poochie came from another planet? “If all he does is use his powers to erase people’s memories to make…” Oct 10, 15:11
- on Marco Speaks Spidey: Midnight Spider-Man #1 Review: “What happened to Aunt May? Is that who Ben was calling?” Oct 10, 00:55
- on Marco Speaks Spidey: Midnight Spider-Man #1 Review: “Don’t forget Uncle Ben’s ongoing lawsuit against Oscorp for the wrongful death of Peter’s parents, and Oscorp’s potential ulterior motive…” Oct 8, 14:53
- on Craig’s Critique: Amazing Spider-Man #1000 (Non-Legacy #36): “Ravaged” or “Well, At Least We Have These Backups”: “@Paul Penna: “My guess, is that Cormac accidentally used his powers on his mother, accidentally erasing her memories when his…” Oct 7, 11:04
- on Spider-Variants of the Week 10/7/26: “This thing may have more variants than ASM #1000.” Oct 6, 18:48
- on Craig’s Critique: Amazing Spider-Man #1000 (Non-Legacy #36): “Ravaged” or “Well, At Least We Have These Backups”: “My guess, is that Cormac accidentally used his powers on his mother, accidentally erasing her memories when his powers first…” Oct 6, 11:27
- on Craig’s Critique: Amazing Spider-Man #1000 (Non-Legacy #36): “Ravaged” or “Well, At Least We Have These Backups”: “@Paul Penna: I wouldn’t say I was liking Cormac before the Ravage reveal but his character was … “ok”. I…” Oct 4, 08:59
