Written by Mark Millar
Art by Terry Dodson; Rachel Dodson; Avalon’s Ian Hannin; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for May 2005, it’s “Last Stand, Part IV of IV.” With Black Cat now hospitalized, an exhausted Spider-Man is on his own against the last of a gauntlet of old foes. High atop a rain-soaked bridge, Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin threatens to repeat tragic history by now tossing Mary Jane Watson-Parker to her death.
Not only must Spider-Man rescue his unconscious wife, he must contend with a brain-numbed Doctor Octopus interfering in this fateful showdown. Worse yet, after being abducted by Osborn months before, the fate of the missing Aunt May is revealed. A surprising source of inspiration later eases a troubled Peter Parker’s mind. In the aftermath, an unwelcome letter is mailed to Peter.
REVIEW:
Considering the Spider-Man/Goblin feud dated back four decades at the time, writer Mark Millar somewhat succeeds injecting fresh juice into this classic match-up. As Spider-Man wearily reminds Osborn, he is now in his mid-fifties – as they’ve done this dance so many times, why doesn’t the Goblin realize he is too old to playing these deadly games anymore?
Suffice to say, writer Mark Millar delivers a finale bordering between lukewarm re-run and solid-enough originality. Case in point: an intriguing sequence depicting Mary Jane in jeopardy of suffering Gwen Stacy’s same tragic fate (and her retaliation afterwards) is well-played.
While the Dodsons’ artwork isn’t pretty, there are a few terrific panels (i.e. a Felicia Hardy close-up at the hospital). For faithful Spider-fans, this issue’s conclusion may be satisfying enough to consider finding the complete “Last Stand” storyline in trade paperback form.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a plot summary-to-date. The last page is a letter from Mark Millar to fans, as he passes the creative baton to Reginald Hudlin & Billy Tan. Also included is a thumbnail cover reveal of the next issue — a New Avengers tie-in.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
