- Written by: Dan Slott
- Art by: Mark Bagley, John Dell
- Colors by: Edgar Delgado
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: Mark Bagley, Edgar Delgado
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: June 7, 2023
Spider-Man #9 finds Spidey grappling with his amplified Spider-Sense, causing him to sense every stubbed toe and paper cut in the five Burroughs. Can Norman Osborn find a cure before the overload melts Spidey’s brain?
Is It Good?
Spider-Man #9 is a mixed bag. It’s not great. It’s not as terrible as it could be. It gets the job done with some highs and some lows. If that doesn’t sound like a rousing endorsement, that’s because it’s not.
When last we left Spidey in Dan Slott’s latest run, old Web Head’s experiment to boost his Spider-Sense got an unintended supercharge after a tussle with Electro. The shocking development (ahem) left Spidey’s Spider-Sense running on overdrive, forcing him to sense danger to every person within range, no matter how slight the threat.
Now, Spidey struggles to save folks while his Spider-Sense threatens to melt Spidey’s brain. Norman Osborn, aka Gold Goblin, lends a hand to find a cure. Dinner with Aunt May and friends gets cut short. And Spider-Boy makes an awkward appearance.
What’s great about this issue? The idea of Spidey’s “tingle” going haywire is an interesting concept with gobs of storytelling potential. What other powers could be tinkered with to create interesting scenarios? Spidey’s heroics are well done, Elecrtro’s return is mildly amusing, and the cliffhanger establishes an actual threat to Spidey’s well-being.
What’s not so great? Slott’s dialog is terrible. At several points, Spidey delivers his trademark quips, but almost all of them fall flat. The hushed conversation between Norman and J. Jonah during Aunt May’s dinner doesn’t read as believable when everyone is sitting just a few feet away. And Spider-Boy’s cameo is painfully obnoxious. If Spider-Boy is a Slott creation, and he’s determined to generate buzz around the character, then Slott’s failing miserably.
How’s the art? Pretty darn good. Bagley’s art during the Shathra arc was flat and busy, but here, simpler panels appear to be giving Bagley the room to deliver higher-quality work. Dell’s inks probably help Bagley’s pencils significantly, and Delgado’s colors look great.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces
Spider-Man #9 is a serviceable issue that forces Spidey to contend with his out-of-control Spider-Sense. The premise and action are great, and the cliffhanger against Electro has potential, but Spidey’s trademark quippy-ness is awful, and Spider-Boy’s obnoxious cameo is a drag.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 