Written by Reginald Hudlin
Art by Billy Tan; Jon Sibal; Avalon’s Ian Hannin; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Steve McNiven; Mark Morales; & Molly Hollowell
SUMMARY:
Marvel Comics released this issue for November 2005, as it’s the concluding Part VI of “Wild Blue Yonder.” In a homage of Superman, Peter Parker/Spider-Man knows his mild-mannered Daily Bugle colleague (and secretly a caped super-hero), Ethan Edwards, is an unsuspecting Skrull refugee, who is now grasping, in horror, his alien origins.
Already tangled up in a personal feud between the Owl and the Absorbing Man, Spidey has his hands full staying alive and bringing down two notorious super-villains. Yet, it comes down to a vastly powerful (and emotionally distraught) Ethan attacking the Baxter Building in search of answers. Guest stars include SHIELD’S Maria Hill, The New Avengers (Jessica-Drew’s Spider-Woman, Wolverine, Luke Cage, Iron Man, & Captain America), & The Fantastic Four.
REVIEW:
Well-played! Though the Absorbing Man street drug-related sub-plot is nasty (thankfully, it’s only mentioned in the first-page summary), writer Reginald Hudlin delivers a fun all-star Spider-thriller. His Spider-Man is very much on his game as both a veteran action hero and a team player come the finale. Hudlin’s script also doles out some welcome bits of humor in the right places. His twist finish is certainly one for the books, in terms of a familiar supporting cast member.
Readily keeping up with Hudlin is a terrific art squad, as their visuals prove ideal for this storyline. For teens and up, Marvel Knights Spider-Man # 18 is a solid advertisement to track down the complete “Wild Blue Yonder” in trade paperback form.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Along with creative credits, the first page is a synopsis of “Wild Blue Yonder,” Parts I-V. There’s a single-page Spider-Man: The Other checklist for upcoming issues. Also, 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
