Written by Michael Avon Oeming
Art by Mel Rubi; Brian Buccellato; & Simon Bowland
Cover Art by Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald
SUMMARY:
Released by Marvel Comics for February 2008, their untitled 48-page collaboration with Dynamite Entertainment concludes the five-part mini-series. Separated from Venom, a disguised Eddie Brock witnesses that Spider-Man faces imminent doom as the captive of Kulan Venom (the Venom-possessed Kulan Gath). The same applies to a wounded Red Sonja (possessing Mary Jane’s mortal body), as she & Spidey are positioned ominously reminiscent of a scene in from 1979’s Marvel Team-Up # 79.
Could Brock, along with J. Jonah Jameson and Robbie Robertson’s resistance force, be their last hope? With Venom loose again, Red Sonja & Spider-Man make a final stand against Kulan Gath to save Manhattan from his diabolical wrath.
Note: There’s a textless variant cover available.
REVIEW:
Despite a predictably mundane finish, Spider-Man/Red Sonja # 5 delivers some good writing and solid visuals. Notably, Michael Turner & Peter Stiegerwald’s cover image represents the best of their five efforts for this project.
Writer Michael Avon Oeming adds poignant texture to Spidey & Red Sonja’s relationship, which is his most vital contribution revisiting a classic Marvel team-up. Otherwise, Chris Claremont & John Byrne’s 1979 tale becomes even more impressive now. Their originality goes a long way, so to speak, vs reading Oeming’s competent yet still-derivative homage. If anything, this sequel storyline offers a relatively satisfactory wrap-up for Spider-fans, as well as Red Sonja’s fanbase.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The credits page summarizes Issues # 1-4. The single-page Fury’s Files reveals obscure tidbits about The Fantastic Four. A two-page ‘portfolio review’ by editor Bill Rosemann examines character designs for his Annihilation: Conquest project. Marvel writer Jeph Loeb has a single-page interview. Marvel personnel respond to the question: “What do you do with your comic books?” in a single-page entry.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
