- Written by: Zeb Wells
- Art by: Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer
- Colors by: Marcio Menyz
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: Ed McGuinness, Marcio Menyz
- Cover price: $3.99
- Release date: July 12th, 2023
Amazing Spider-Man #29 finds Spider-Man and J. Jonah forming an alliance with (a piece of) an enemy. Meanwhile, Doc Ock formulates the greatest revenge possible against a reformed Norman Osborn. Oh, Rek-Rep shows up just because.
Is It Good?
Say what you will about Zeb Wells’s now-infamous turn on Amazing Spider-Man, at least Amazing Spider-Man #29 gives the impression the series is heading somewhere. Whether or not the destination is worth the trip is still very much TBD.
When last we left Spider-Man and J. Jonah, they narrowly escaped an upgraded Dock Ock with the help of Doc’s former harness-turned-sentient-pet (?). Doc Ock got away with Norman Osborn, and Spidey was left at the mercy of his new allies for refuge and help. Now, Doc Ock searches Norman’s mind and corporate records to destroy anything to make Norman suffer, while Doc’s old harness urges Spidey to “bond” with it to help find Doc Ock and rescue Norman.
Yes, Rek-Rep shows up for no reason whatsoever. According to the now-infamous Nick Lowe, Ed McGuinness just wanted to draw him, so Marvel wasted two pages on a whim. Make of that what you will.
Back to the story. Honestly, it’s not bad. Zeb Wells can’t seem to resist a jokey tone, which undercuts the dramatic tension, but the plot moves briskly, and Doc Ock’s final plan of revenge against Norman Osborn has merit – forcing Norman to become the Green Goblin again. Forcing Norman to become the Green Goblin again may not be the best direction because it’s a step backward in Spider-Man’s status quo, but it’s at least a direction that puts Spider-Man at the center of the conflict.
How’s the art? Improved. Ed McGuinness appears to have toned down his trademark “rubbery anatomy” in favor of square jaws and hard angles, which serves to offset the jokey tone of Wells’s script. Overall, the comic looks 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
Amazing Spider-Man is a step in the right direction for Spidey with a few twists, stakes (for Norman Osborn), and potential. Wells can’t help injecting an unnecessarily jokey tone that diminishes the dramatic atmosphere, but the plot is starting to take shape into something possibly worth reading.
Weird Science Marvel Comics 