Written by Paul Jenkins
Art by Paco Medina; Juan Vlasco; Studio F; & Virtual Calligraphy’s Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art by Humberto Ramos; Wayne Faucher; & Studio F
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for December 2004, this Disassembled crossover is entitled “Changes, Part 4.” New York City faces imminent destruction from a bomb held underground by spider-obsessed terrorist, Ana Soria, aka “The Queen.” She intends to use its detonation to eradicate local humans in favor of her ‘kingdom’ of insect-human hybrids. Among her mind-controlled pawns is Spider-Man, who has been horrifically mutated into a human-sized spider. One of Soria’s captives reveals to Spider-Man another nasty biological surprise that their abductor has injected him with.
SHIELD, with help from Captain America & the X-Men’s Storm, Cyclops, & Nightcrawler, desperately seeks Ana Soria’s hideout to save the city. Mary Jane, meanwhile, ponders the fate of her missing husband. As time runs out, if the city has any chance for survival, it’s up to the man lurking within the spider.
Note: New upgrades to Spider-Man’s powers, include organic webbing (presumably, it’s to make him closer to Tobey Maguire’s cinematic version).
REVIEW:
Despite enormous plot holes (i.e. how Spider-Man escapes/sheds his mutated form, let alone survives intact is left unexplained) and several gross inferences, this issue is somehow an entertaining read. Writer Paul Jenkins’ free-wheeling approach keeps the sci-fi schlock plot rolling – even so, having Cyclops (patrolling the sewers) make reference to a ‘rat’s rectum’ shouldn’t have been necessary.
Partially making up for Jenkins’ plot deficiencies are the art squad’s effective cartoony visuals. This team also smartly conveys the plot’s icky imagery without having to parade it in front of readers. While The Spectacular Spider-Man # 20 is hardly a must-have, committed Spider-fans (ages 15+) will likely get their money’s worth.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The first page summarizes “Changes” up through Issue # 19.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
