- Written by: Joe Kelly
- Art by: Michael Dowling
- Colors by: Marte Gracia, Erick Arciniega
- Letters by: VC’s Joe Caramagna
- Cover art by: John Romita Jr., Scott Hanna, Marcio Menyz
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: August 20, 2025
Amazing Spider-Man #10, by Marvel on 8/20/25, finds Spidey returning after a weeks-long disappearance following a brutal defeat by Hellgate, but his interactions with criminals are now sending them to the I.C.U.
First Impressions
This issue hits the ground running with a great sense of foreboding. The new, darker Spider-Man is a jarring shift that feels both exciting and a little scary. The story sets a great tone right away with the Daily Bugle article.
Recap
In Amazing Spider-Man #9, a mysterious villain named Hellgate appeared in New York and brutally defeated Spider-Man. Peter Parker spent weeks in recovery, focusing only on work and avoiding calls from friends and family. During his absence, Shocker and his crew, the Aftershocks, took advantage of the situation. A new hero, Captain Kintsugi, tried to stop the Aftershocks but was nearly killed before Spider-Man appeared and brutally beat the criminals. The issue ended with Spider-Man’s state of mind and future left in question.
Plot Analysis
The comic begins with a front-page article from the Daily Bugle, detailing Spider-Man’s return and his new, more violent tactics against criminals, which has led to some of them being hospitalized. The newspaper mentions that he disappeared for weeks after a fight with a “strange gray monster” named Hellgate, who punched Spider-Man with “glowing fists”.
The main story begins with a flashback to Peter Parker’s childhood. Young Peter describes a game he used to play in a closet, where he would sit in the dark and see how long he could stay before he started to think he wasn’t himself. This is followed by a scene where an adult Peter is fighting the Aftershocks again, showing him brutally beating them while a new hero, Captain Kintsugi, watches on in shock.
Spider-Man’s brutal behavior is also discussed on J. Jonah Jameson’s podcast, where Jameson struggles to report on a hero he once championed. Jameson mentions that Peter is using a new web formula that is stronger than steel, takes hours to dissolve, and can impale people.
Later, Tombstone attempts to put Spider-Man in his place. First, by using Peter Parker as a messenger, a move that doesn’t go well. Then, Tombstone enlists Shocker to put this newly-brutal Spider-Man down, but the fight goes poorly for Shocker.
The issue ends with a climactic cliffhanger. The mysterious “Peter” that Captain Kintsugi talks to is not the one we know. The comic states, “If he’s not Spider-Man and HE’s not Peter, who’s ANYBODY?! Am I Spider-Man?”. This question is left unanswered as the comic ends, leaving the fate of both Peter Parker and Spider-Man in question.
Detailed Review
Writing
Joe Kelly’s writing in this issue is concise and to the point. The dialogue feels natural and the narrative transitions are smooth. The story effectively sets up the mystery of who is under the mask and creates a compelling reason to read the next issue. The inclusion of the Peter Parker childhood flashback is a nice touch, giving a sense of his inner turmoil and personal issues.
Art
The art is dynamic and raw, with a lot of movement in the action scenes. The colors are bold and vibrant, making the panels pop. The character designs are also well-executed, with the new look for Spider-Man feeling both familiar and unsettling.
Characters
The characters are well-developed, with the new, more brutal Spider-Man being the most compelling part of the story. The supporting cast of J. Jonah Jameson and Captain Kintsugi are also used effectively to show how Spider-Man’s new behavior is affecting the world around him. The cliffhanger about Peter’s identity is the highlight of the issue and is what makes this story stand out.
Positives
The cliffhanger is a major highlight, as it leaves the reader with a shocking and thought-provoking question about the protagonist’s identity. The inclusion of the Daily Bugle article and J. Jonah Jameson’s podcast at the beginning of the comic is a brilliant narrative choice, as it brings the reader up to speed and establishes a new, darker tone. This comic also shows the human element of being a hero.
Negatives
The action scenes can feel a bit rushed at times. Also, the brief flashback to young Peter’s childhood, while interesting on its own, feels a bit disjointed from the rest of the issue and could have been integrated more smoothly.
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 #10 is a sharp, engaging comic that makes you question everything you thought you knew about the web-slinger. It’s a shocking and compelling story that sets up a huge mystery. The writing is on point, the art is dynamic, and the cliffhanger will leave you desperate for the next issue. This comic is a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery and a shocking ending.
8/10
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