- Written by: Joe Kelly
- Art by: John Romita Jr., Todd Nauck, Scott Hanna
- Colors by: Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: July 23, 2025
Amazing Spider-Man #8, by Marvel on 7/23/25, throws Peter Parker headlong into a grueling pre-dawn battle against the mysterious bruiser Hellgate across Central Park and Manhattan.
First Impressions
This issue lands like a haymaker to the jaw: tense, relentless, and loaded with reminders of just how much pain Peter Parker can—and will—take for the little guy. If you wanted an easy win for Spidey, look elsewhere.
Recap
Last issue, Peter Parker’s recent happiness was upended by the impossible arrival of Hellgate, who demanded a trial of strength that should have been a typical Spidey showdown. But this wasn’t just any street fight: Spider-Man and Black Cat were left scrambling to survive as Hellgate, shrouded in mystery and magical bravado, declared his apocalyptic intentions in the middle of Manhattan. The final pages set up a high-stakes, city-shaking confrontation while leaving Hellgate’s true motives hanging like an unfinished punch.
Plot Analysis
The story erupts with Spider-Man—already battered—facing off against Hellgate in Central Park, thirty-three minutes after the villain’s dramatic entrance. The opening pages mix Peter’s internal monologue with relentless physical combat, showing his attempts at negotiating while calculating forces and fighting off terror. The stakes quickly rise as Hellgate makes it clear he’s not just out for Spider-Man’s blood: bystanders are put at risk, and Spider-Man is forced to split his focus between fighting back and preventing civilian casualties.
With every blow, Peter’s mind drifts to lessons from his past, flashing back to childhood moments about fighting, running, and the moral calculus of violence—encapsulated in good old Uncle Ben’s life lessons. As the fight barrels through city landmarks, including Columbus Circle, Peter’s analytical side takes over, desperately trying to control the chaos and limit harm. It’s clear that even as his body breaks, his core responsibility—to protect—stays unbroken. Meanwhile, the city awakens in confusion and fear as Spider-Man draws Hellgate away from crowds whenever possible, enduring injury after injury to keep people safe.
Amid the carnage, a new kid named Captain Kintsugi stumbles onto the scene, attempting to help despite being far out of their league (but with heart to spare). Spider-Man, barely conscious, pleads for the child to escape—recalling, in a haze of pain, that true power lies in helping others, even if the help is quick, desperate, and fleeting. For a moment, it looks like Spidey’s self-sacrificing spirit might just buy enough time to turn the tide.
But the conclusion is icy: Hellgate triumphs. It’s a rare, bitter defeat for Spider-Man, who falls not for lack of trying, but because the deck was hopelessly stacked. Elsewhere, Mary Jane feels the cosmic ripple of Peter’s loss, even through her own personal drama.
Story
Joe Kelly’s script here is laser-focused on pain and perseverance, diving deep into Peter’s psyche as he weighs options, recalls life lessons, and struggles to walk the impossible tightrope between courage and survival. The structure tightly binds action to character: there’s tension between running and fighting, balanced by flashbacks that fill out Peter’s history without stalling the main plot. Dialogue is crisp, with Spider-Man’s trademark humor dulled but not snuffed—even as blood and bile fill his mouth.
Art
John Romita Jr.’s pencils, paired with Scott Hanna’s inks and Marcio Menyz’s colors, deliver a visceral, battle-scarred New York. The linework sells both the kinetic force of Hellgate’s attacks and the weary vulnerability in Peter’s posture. Action flows across panels—Central Park feels massive, the city disorienting, and the quieter moments land with just as much punch. However, the art sometimes dips in detail, with background faces and motion blurred in a way that undercuts drama during key scenes.
Characters
Peter Parker is central and storm-battered, but sharp as ever. The issue zeros in on his sense of duty and the consequences that come with it, while hinting at the significance of the smaller, supporting cast. Hellgate is still more mystery than person, spouting threats, but not enough motivation to break out of “generic heavy” territory. The new kid, Captain Kintsugi, brings a welcome spark of hope and vulnerability, even if their role is mostly symbolic for now.
Positives
Where this issue shines is in drilling down to the core of Spider-Man’s ethos: when and why to fight. Kelly ties every punch to a moral dilemma, and the physical consequences are real—Spider-Man’s pain is palpable, not just cartoon violence. Moments of memory and responsibility hit hard, and the hints of city life awakening in the margins give texture to the chaos. Romita Jr.’s layouts heighten both the moments of impact and the moments of desperation, emphasizing Peter’s isolation without making him feel small.
Negatives
Pacing sometimes feels claustrophobic, as the non-stop brawl leaves little room for emotional recovery or strategic buildup. Hellgate remains stubbornly empty as a villain, with lots of bravado, but little depth or established motivation, making his big moment of victory less satisfying than it should be. Background figures and crowded panels sometimes blur together in a way that lessens stakes, and the abrupt cliffhanger could land as thrilling or frustrating depending on your mood. The flashbacks, effective as they are, risk slipping into cliché territory, especially for long-time readers familiar with Peter’s mantra of great power.
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
Amazing Spider-Man #8 swings big and lands hard. Sometimes in your gut, sometimes on the page. Half trauma, half lesson, with just enough wit to keep it lively, this issue isn’t afraid to take its shots even if it leaves a bruise or two in the process. The story may be running in place by the end, but it’s never dull.
6/10
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