Avenging Spider-Man #18 Review


Can Doctor Octopus, now in the guise of the Superior Spider-Man, successfully take down a former member of his nefarious Sinister Six?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

• The Superior Spider-Man faces off with THOR, GOD OF THUNDER!

• The return of ELECTRO!

• Can the Superior Spider-Man and Thor set aside their differences — and EGOS — to save the world? SPOILER: No! They can’t!

Originally this comic book series was billed as a team-up book where our hero would unite with another icon and take on some random threat that had little to no baring on current continuity.  For the most part since its inception the rotating creative teams have stuck to that vision, but since Amazing Spider-Man #700 the series has become a must read companion book to Superior Spider-Man.

Christopher Yost once again steps into the writer’s chair as he pens another script for this rip-roaring saga.  I have to say, the author has a firm grasp on not only the mechanics that make for an intrinsically engaging romp but he also understands how to properly portray the core elements that are inherently Peter Parker.  He knows when to let the mad scientist out and also the key scenes that require his inflated ego to be tempered just enough to keep things level.  The end result is a near perfect odyssey that continues to grow and question in a way that will surely have fans eagerly awaiting the next release.

The art by Marco Checchetto is second to none as he renders beautiful landscapes and breathtaking action sequences that will certainly keep readers intrigued.  From his depictions of the superheroes themselves, his pencil strokes easily evoke an in depth retrospective of sorts as we journey through the current state of continuity.  I absolutely enjoyed the more comedic moments as the talent wasted no time allowing himself the room to properly sell the authenticity of this tale.

Avenging Spider-Man #18 is a brilliantly realized journey that continues to ask some tough but nonetheless deep questions regarding the latest iteration of everyone’s favorite wall-crawling menace.  Highly recommended.

4.5/5

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