- Written by: Justina Ireland
- Art by: Andrea Bocardo
- Colors by: Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: Mark Bagley, Richard Isanove (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: January 22, 2025
Amazing Spider-Man #66, by Marvel Comics on 1/22/25, finds Cyra, the Inevitability of Death, and the astral form of Doctor Strange secretly following Peter Parker as he wrestles with crushing hopelessness.
Is Amazing Spider-Man #66 Good?
Recap
When we last left Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #65, he fought Cyra, the Inevitability of Death and the next scion of Cyttorak, in the 8 Deaths Challenge. Spider-Man eventually won the challenge, but the knowledge of the hopelessness of life in the face of uncertain death drove Peter to quit the challenge. If Peter doesn’t snap out of it, the Earth is doomed.
Plot Synopsis
In Amazing Spider-Man #66, Peter Parker’s choice to give up on the Challenge continues. The issue begins with Peter moping. He travels from one spot to the next throughout NYC, sulking over the pointless futility of fighting for a better tomorrow. His Challenge with Cyra convinced him that things will never get better.
As Peter goes on about his day, he learns Kevin, the window washer he saved at the beginning of the arc, died from a widowmaker (heart attack) while getting a snack at the local store. The scene turns ugly when an armed robber runs in to hold up the cashier. Peter warns the robber to give up on his crime because there’s no point, but the robber doesn’t stop until Spider-Boy coincidentally shows up to foil the robbery in progress. Afterward, Spider-Boy tries to cheer Peter up, but Peter tells Spider-Boy to give up on crime-fighting because there’s no point.
Later, Peter meets up with Shay, his almost girlfriend, to ask her how she deals with death as a nurse. Shay tells Peter that death is inevitable, but she enjoys helping people, so her calling helps her through. The scene acts as a potential break-up scene, but their romantic status after parting is uncertain.
Next, Peter stops by Black Cat’s apartment to tell her about his progress in the Challenge and his decision to give up. In turn, Black Cat encourages him to believe there is good in the world, and she seals the deal with some smooching.
As Peter progresses from one location to the next, he’s secretly followed by the invisible forms of Cyra and astral Doctor Strange. Cyra is curious about Peter because she assumed all humans were as stoic and detached as Doctor Strange, and Peter’s success in the Challenge has piqued her curiosity.
The issue ends with Callix traveling beyond the Crimson Casket against Cyttorak’s wishes to learn what his father fears. He finds out but doesn’t learn. Elsewhere, Cytorrak’s call finds its way to Juggernaut, prompting the X-Men to visit New York City when the next scion, Cradios, arrives.
First Impressions
Oof! Talk about a downer. When you pick up a Spider-Man comic, there’s a minimum expectation that you’re going to get some level of fun and entertainment for your dollar involving your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. Instead, you get an issue-long struggle session with no action, no fun, and no Spider-Man.
How’s the Art?
Andrea Boccardo’s art style is perfectly fine for the story that’s presented. In the grand scheme, Boccardo has to make a series of glum conversations look impactful and interesting, and for the large part, Boccardo succeeds. Boccardo’s line work is solid, the character designs are good, and the panel transitions and layouts get the job done.
What’s great about Amazing Spider-Man #66?
Not much. If we peel back the basics of a comic that constitutes a complete story, most of the basics are met. Peter is the focal character, we understand the overarching goal to win the challenge, and we (loosely) understand the consequences if Peter fails. Justina Ireland’s script gets most of those basics down, although most of the information is carried over from previous issues.
What’s not great about Amazing Spider-Man #66?
The foundation of the story is sorta solid, but this issue effectively does nothing to move the plot forward, doesn’t reveal new information that makes much of a difference beyond a minor tease, and doesn’t engage the reader with hooks and surprises. In effect, nothing in this issue is additive to the arc beyond the brief cameos involving Juggernaut and Callix.
If you skip Amazing Spider-Man #66, you miss nothing, which is the very definition of worthless.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Amazing Spider-Man #66 leans on moping and conversations, putting Cyttorak’s Challenge on the back burner. Justina Ireland’s script goes a long way to portray just how depressed Peter Parker can get, but it does nothing to move the challenge or Peter’s journey forward. Thankfully, the art team makes the most out of a series of depressing chats, but it certainly doesn’t justify the cover price.
4.5/10
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