The Amazing Spider-man #634

Marvel Comics
The Amazing Spider-man #634
By Hervé St-Louis
June 19, 2010 - 05:40

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Joe Kelly, K.M. Dematteis
Penciller(s): Michael Lark, Max Fiurama
Inker(s): Stefano Gaudiano, Max Fiurama
Colourist(s): Matt Hollingsworth, Fabio D'Auria
Letterer(s): Joe Caramagna
$3.99 US

Kraven the Hunter’s family wants to hunt spyders, and will stop at nothing before culling off every Spider-related character that is a friend of Spider-man. Can Spider-man knock out his flu and get back in action in time to save his old friend Arachne?

If, like me, you’ve fallen behind in your Spider-man reading and don’t dare pick up a new issue for fear of being lost, this issue is a perfect jumping point. In fact, it seems to have come out exactly the same as issue #633 which I did not read because I’m so far behind and because it was the conclusion of a long Spider-man storyline. This story builds on many thread woven in Amazing Spider-man for over a year and finally comes full circle here. The writer shows that he’s willing to take risks, killing some characters this issue. I’d like to see how far he goes. The interaction between Spider-man and Arachne was not great. I expected better and more fun. But I did like the crappy Peter Parker life set up with the nasty flu. Yes, that flu. I wish more time had been spent explaining who the characters were. I did not know Kraven had a son. An explanation of Arachne’s powers and history would have helped too. I remember her from old Westcoast Avengers stories but an update on the character would have helped.

Lark’s work was good although not exactly appropriate for Spider-man. He gives Spider-man a noir look instead of the super hero feel needed for the character. Still, he’s a solid artist that draws characters in motion very well. I guess I’d rather see him work on Daredevil than Spider-man.

Rating: 7.5/10