Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Mike Deodato, Jr.; Joe Pimentel; Matt Milla; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Tony Harris
SUMMARY:
Entitled “All Fall Down,” Marvel Comics released this issue for November 2005; it’s a transition between a New Avengers vs. HYDRA storyline and the onset of “The Other” saga. Falling to certain death at sea, Spider-Man gets a last-second save from his teammate/boss, Iron Man, after surviving Hydra’s detonated bomb. A few days later, Tony Stark catches up a recuperated Peter Parker (after regaining consciousness) on still-unresolved details in the New Avengers vs. HYDRA showdown.
Despite Tony’s justifiable suspicions, Peter denies any recently odd symptoms in his health after secret medical testing at Avengers Tower indicates otherwise. While Tony deftly ends a photographer’s tabloid sex scandal scheme harassing the Parkers, Peter spends quiet time with his wife, Mary Jane. Inexplicably passing out in their bathroom, a worried Peter tries to coax himself that nothing is wrong with him.
REVIEW:
Nicely played! Aside from perhaps one too many sexual innuendoes, J. Michael Straczynski delivers a consistently entertaining issue. Case in point: the scene of Tony Stark briefly chastising Peter about how his incessantly sarcastic babbling is annoying is just as good as one where Tony deploys rich-guy intimidation tactics vs. a sleazy tabloid photographer. The same applies to well-written scenes of Mary Jane & Peter’s marriage in the privacy of their Avengers Tower suite. To Straczynski’s credit, he certainly doesn’t bore readers.
Equally on their game is the art squad, with some high-caliber visuals. Notably, facial features of some familiar actors show up as visual inspirations (i.e. Jason Priestley for Peter; Liv Tyler for Mary Jane; and, most obviously, Timothy Dalton for Tony Stark). Overall, The Amazing Spider-Man # 524 is a fun read for Marvel fans – teens and up.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a four-page teaser for the first issue of Nick Fury’s Howling Commandos reboot (reminiscent of DC’s Creature Commandos) is included. The teaser is entitled “Creatures on the Loose!”
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
