Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Ron Garney; Bill Reinhold; Matt Milla; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Ron Garney
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Back in Black, Part 3 of 5,” Marvel Comics released this issue for June 2007. Under mounting emotional and financial strain, a fugitive Peter Parker and his wife, Mary Jane, cope with a comatose Aunt May’s hospitalization. Peter even resorts to an emergency blood transfusion to help keep May alive.
Channeling his inner Batman, Peter/Spider-Man shakes down two of the Kingpin’s henchmen, including a dark interrogation in the New York City sewers. Not yet recuperated from the considerable transfusion, Spider-Man foolishly rushes off to face an incarcerated Wilson “The Kingpin” Fisk to avenge May’s near-assassination.
Meanwhile, the Kingpin methodically prepares for an inevitable Spider-showdown. Not caring that he’s surrounded by dozens of prisoners (likely into triple digits) in Fisk’s cellblock, an infuriated Spider-Man intends to settle personal scores right now.
REVIEW:
Estranged from the New Avengers, Spider-Man’s post-Civil War storyline takes some interesting turns. Both the storytelling and artwork for Issue # 541 are solid enough.
Writer J. Michael Straczynski can be forgiven for Spider-Man’s failure of sound judgment late in the story. Pitching a running-on-fumes Spidey’s vendetta as reckless overconfidence works, as the underlying subplot makes up enough of the difference. The hospital sequences, for instance, between Peter & Mary Jane are well-played, as guilt, rage, and self-pressure push him to a breaking point. With Mary Jane as his only lifeline, Peter’s increasing desperation shifting back and forth from the dire situation at the hospital to blaming Fisk makes for an intriguing read.
Like the cover image, this issue’s visuals aren’t flashy, but they are effective enough. The Amazing Spider-Man # 541 isn’t a must-have for casual readers, but it’s still an invitation to consider exploring Straczynski’s Back in Black saga in trade paperback form.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page is a storyline-to-date synopsis. There’s a full-page cover reveal for Issue # 542.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
