Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Art by Angel Medina; Scott Hanna; Avalon’s Dan Kemp; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Clayton Crain
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for November 2006, Peter Parker’s decision to go public continues to haunt him in Spider-Man Unmasked. This issue is entitled “The Deadly Foes of Peter Parker, Part Two of Three.” At New York City’s Whitney Museum of Art, Spider-Man re-ignites his old feud with Electro, as they taunt each other by their real names.
During the Soho Playhouse’s rehearsals of Macbeth, Mary Jane Watson-Parker and her theatre colleagues must defend themselves from Swarm. While Spider-Man asks Black Cat for under-the-radar help, the Chameleon’s vengeance now targets a vulnerable Aunt May.
Elsewhere, Liz Allan and her young son are held hostage to help Scarecrow, Molten Man, and Will O’-the-Wisp entice Spidey into a suburban ambush.
REVIEW:
Solid entertainment! Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa delivers a satisfying read in bringing out Spidey’s long-time enemies for revenge against Peter and his loved ones. Utilizing Black Cat and the Iron Man drones are nice touches, too. It’s all reminiscent of classic Spider-Man issues where Spidey tangles with the Sinister Six — one or more at a time. In particular, without a last-minute Spider-Man save, the Mary Jane vs. Swarm sequence is this issue’s unexpected gem. It’s a welcome departure from her familiar role as Peter’s damsel-in-distress.
Including a high-caliber cover image, the art team’s stylish visuals are another creative asset. The artists only stray too far by conveying Black Cat’s voluptuous hairdo as a ridiculously over-the-top white bouffant. As compensation, early on is a glimpse of an undercover Peter in glasses that make him resemble an adult version of the teenage geek Stan Lee & Steve Ditko originally presented him as in the early 1960’s.
Overall, The Sensational Spider-Man # 30 offer plenty to earn its way into any Spidey fan’s collection.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The last page is a letters-and-answers column. Included is a thumbnail cover preview for Issue # 31.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
