We’re going on another journey into Spider-Man‘s supposedly secret past, but is this issue worth your time?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Marvel:

Celebrating 50 Amazing years! Celebrating 50 Years of the Great Responsibility of his Great powers, The Spider-Man 50th Anniversary Series collects the Webbed Wonder’s greatest heretofore secret history! Spanning from his earliest days as a hero to the heyday of the heralded Big Time era and everything in between, a collection of Marvel Legends, venerated comic creators and awe-inspiring artists shine the spotlight on everything that makes Spider-Man the World’s Greatest Superhero!

Like the previous release in this special anniversary set of comics, this story has little to nothing to do with original Sensational Spider-Man series.  But unlike what was done with Peter Parker: Spider-Man last week, this creative team at least tries to deliver a fairly competent little romp.

Tom DeFalco handles the script this time out, and he does a good job setting up a story from the webslinger’s recent past.  The dialogue itself flows fine, but there are moments where the need to explain the narrative bogs down the pace and changes the comic from a fun romp to an overly preachy lecture.  Unlike last week’s outing this release is told through the eyes of Carlie Cooper, which offers a rather fresh take on the world but fails to give readers anything new on either that specific character or Spider-Man.

Carlo Barberi handles the art, and to his credit he delivers some deliciously stylized characters in some rather dynamic action sequences.  Even though his panel work complements the script as best it can, the writer ultimately fails to give him scenes that flow well with his unique vision.  Instead the audience is left with a meager offering of a few small moments where the artist gets to shine.

Sensational Spider-Man #33.1 is an improvement over Peter Parker: Spider-Man #156.1, but it’s still a release that just doesn’t need to exist.  Not recommended.

2.5/5