Amazing Spider-Man #9 Review

Written by: Joe Kelly
Art by: Michael Dowling
Colors by: Marte Gracia
Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover art by: John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: August 6, 2025

Amazing Spider-Man #9, by Marvel on 8/6/25, sees Peter Parker with a broken leg and a broken spirit after a brutal battle, while the city’s heroes and villains are left to wonder what happened to their web-slinging protector.

First Impressions

This issue hits you right in the gut. The feeling of defeat is so real you can almost feel Peter’s pain and sadness. It’s a heavy start for the web-slinger.

Recap

Last issue, the mysterious Hellgate arrived in New York and challenged Spider-Man to a battle of strength, which quickly turned into a fight for survival for both Spidey and Black Cat. The fight tore through Manhattan, with Spider-Man struggling to keep civilians safe while enduring a relentless barrage of attacks from the powerful new foe. Hellgate ultimately defeated Spider-Man, leaving him broken and unconscious as Mary Jane felt the cosmic ripple of his defeat. For a more detailed look, check out the review here: Amazing Spider-Man #8 Review.

Plot Synopsis

Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, finds himself recovering from a brutal defeat at the hands of a mysterious villain called Hellgate. In a flashback, Peter remembers simpler times as a kid before being tossed back into the harsh realities of current day New York. The city is in chaos. The Shocker and his crew called the Aftershocks have returned to terrorize the streets, and law enforcement is struggling to keep up. Spider-Man is alive, but he’s a shadow of his former self, visibly injured and deeply isolated. His friends and family, including Aunt May, Norman Osborn, and J. Jonah Jameson, all notice his absence and growing distance.

As Peter avoids contact with those who care about him, the story shifts to his work life at a science lab. He’s surrounded by colleagues like Brian Nehring and Astrid, who are busy discussing a new invention called “mycoteria” to create affordable housing. Even at work, Peter is unable to connect, missing social cues and refusing to let anyone in on his struggles, despite encouragement to rejoin the land of the living. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, who isn’t his old flame Shay, tries to reach him but gets pushed away. Aunt May is also kept at arm’s length, growing more and more worried.

Elsewhere in Harlem, the Shocker is forced into working for Tombstone after surviving a terrifying “audition,” while violence in the city rises. A new kid hero, Captain Kintsugi, tries and fails to take on the Aftershocks, only to end up almost getting killed before Spider-Man suddenly reappears. Spider-Man, beaten down and desperate, intervenes to save Captain Kintsugi but does so with an edge, lashing out and teetering on the edge of control. The panels are raw, full of pain and fury—Peter’s world is unraveling, and it’s showing.

The issue closes with a grim reality check. Peter’s relationships are fraying—Mary Jane has become Venom, his friends are growing concerned, and the city’s criminal element is thriving. Even readers are left hanging. Will Spider-Man step up and bounce back? Or will he spiral further out of reach? The fate of Spider-Man is left in question as the issue concludes, promising more chaos and uncertain futures in the next installment.

Story

The story is mostly about Peter’s emotional state after his last brutal fight. It takes time to explore his grief and guilt, which is a nice change of pace from constant action. It shows the human cost of being a hero. The focus on Peter’s psyche is good, but the story moves a bit slow. It feels like a moment to catch your breath, which is important for the narrative, but also leaves you wanting more to happen. The final fight scene is abrupt and doesn’t feel earned after all the time spent on his sadness.

Art

The art by Michael Dowling is decent but inconsistent. Some panels are clear and detailed. However, others are less defined and can be a bit messy. The character expressions, especially Peter’s, are good at showing his emotional pain, but backgrounds are sometimes too simple and lack detail. The action is dynamic and full of energy. The colors by Marte Gracia help set the moody tone of the story and bring the emotions to the forefront.

Characters

Peter Parker’s character is the focus here. His pain and isolation feel very real. The comic shows how much he is suffering and it makes him a more relatable hero. Aunt May’s brief appearance highlights her concern and love for Peter, which is always a core part of the Spider-Man story. The villains, even the “Aftershocks,” don’t get much time to shine. They are just there to push Peter back into the role of Spider-Man. Norman Osborn’s small role is intriguing, as he also seems worried about Peter.

Positives

The best part of this comic is its willingness to pause and deal with the emotional fallout of being a superhero. Peter is not just a hero who bounces back instantly; he has to deal with his feelings. The focus on the character’s mind over a big fight scene is a welcome change. It’s a nice character study that shows what makes Peter a great hero and also what makes him so human. The coloring is also a strong point, as it creates a very specific mood for the different parts of the story.

Negatives

The biggest problem with this issue is the pacing. The story drags a little bit as it focuses on Peter’s sadness. It’s good to have emotional depth, but it could have been a little more engaging. The final fight scene is too short and feels out of place with the rest of the issue. The art could have been better, as some of the lines feel rushed. It’s hard to get a real sense of what’s happening in some panels.

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 #9 is a decent issue with some good character moments, but it is not a perfect comic. It succeeds in showing the emotional weight of being a hero, but struggles with pacing and has some inconsistent art. The writing is solid and the creativity is there, but it feels like a setup issue for something bigger to come.

6.2/10

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