The Amazing Spider-man #541

Marvel Comics
The Amazing Spider-man #541
By Hervé St-Louis
September 3, 2007 - 10:35

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): J. Michael Straczynski
Penciller(s): Ron Garney
Inker(s): Bill Reinhold

Peter Parker is on the trail of the Kingpin, who is responsible for having his aunt May shot. Parker wants to send a message to criminals the world over so that they know that his family is not to be touched but will his threats be enough, as the Kingpin is readying himself to leave his prison cell and walk free again?

As good as this story was, the threat delivered by Spider-man to the thug just did not ring true. Hanging a guy over some rats may sound scary, but then releasing him quickly removes any effects. Given that the world knows who Spider-man really is the threat feels empty. One would expect this type of tactics, from the likes of Daredevil. As much as Straczynski wants to show Spider-man’s mean streak, this doesn’t work at all. Worse, the Kingpin really doesn’t care for such threats and although he wasn’t targeted, he can always find a willing idiot to attack Peter Parker’s family.

Garney is a total pro and it shows. His storytelling is masterful and the characters’ emotion can still shine even if writer Straczynski puts them in predicaments that stretches belief. I like his Kingpin with the small face surrounded by pounds of fat and a large skull.