Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths Review

Written by: Derek Landy
Art by: Kev Walker, Wade von Grawbadger
Colors by: Mattia Iacono
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: Mark Bagley (cover A)
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: January 15, 2025

Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths, by Marvel Comics on 1/15/25, finds Phil Coulson, the embodiment of Death, talking with Peter to help him through his current rough patch. It doesn’t go well.

Is Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths Good?

Recap

When last we left Spidey in Amazing Spider-Man #65, Ol’ Web Head fought the next scion of Cyttorak and the Inevitability of Death, Cyra, in the next challenge. Spidey won the challenge, but he was killed at the last moment by the previous scion, Callix. The issue ended with Peter Parker accepting the meaninglessness of life and giving up on the covenant challenge.

Plot Synopsis

Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths (no, that’s not a typo) picks up immediately from the end of Amazing Spider-Man #65. Peter Parker storms off after informing the astral projection of Doctor Strange that he forfeits his role as Earth’s Champion in Cyttorak’s Covenant Challenge. Doctor Strange pleads for Peter to reconsider, but our hero leaves. Strange then implores Phil Coulson, now the Angel of Death, to help Peter see reason because if anyone can understand the unbearable weight of thousands of deaths, it’s Death.

Phil Coulson doesn’t know for sure why the Infinity Death Stone chose him to be its avatar, but he agrees to try Peter through his darkness. When Phil catches up with Peter, he begins with encouraging platitudes. Peter wants none of it, so he offers Phil the opportunity to look within the memories of Peter Parker’s mind to see the tragic events that shaped his life, from the death of his parents to the death of Gwen Stacy and beyond.

The deluge of memories sparks a desire in Phil Coulson to unlock the memories of death in his own life, including his encounter with the Reaper when Phil was a boy. The issue ends with Phil Coulson sympathizing with peter Parker’s pain.

First Impressions

I don’t know why this comic exists. Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths isn’t a Spider-Man comic so much as it’s a Phil Coulson comic. If Spider-Man readers have a deep need to learn about Phil Coulson, I suppose there’s some interest here, but for Spider-Man fans, this issue is pointless.

How’s the Art?

Kev Walker and Wade von Grawbadger do a fine job in the technical execution of the comic. The layouts, compositions, montages (of which there are many), and so on are excellent. That said, Walker made absolutely no effort to draw Phil Coulson to resemble Phil Coulson, in either the face or the “death” suit. It’s as if Walker was given the direction to “draw some guy,” and he ran with it.

What’s great about Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths?

There’s not much here to like, love, or recommend unless you have a burning desire to learn more about Phil Coulson. If Phil is your character du jour at the moment, you’ll enjoy this issue.

What’s not great about Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths?

In every practical way, this issue is pointless. The focal character is unclear (Phil or Peter?). Phil makes little effort to change Peter’s mind about the covenant, which is the supposed goal. There are no stakes or consequences of any sort. It’s just two people talking and sharing their memories without accomplishing anything.

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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Final Thoughts

Amazing Spider-Man 65.Deaths gives readers who are super interested in Phil Coulson’s new role as the Angel of Death a peek inside his head. However, if you’re interested in Spider-Man or the 8 Deaths arc, writer Derek Landy gives you nothing. In practical terms, this comic is pointless.

4.5/10

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