Shot and hurting Peter Parker has to go back into action to stop Menace from disturbing the New York City elections. But he is too hurt overcome his opponent which leads to his defeat and arrest. What else can go wrong? Elsewhere, Peter Parker’s roommate, Vin Gonzales is suspected of being the Spider Tracer Killer. Is he the Spider Tracer killer? How will he clear his name?

Sometimes, there is suspension of disbelief and then, suspension of disbelief. I skipped over that detail last issue, but all the blood spewing out of Spider-man’s shoulder, should have been used to identify his alter ego, Peter Parker. But now, as he is arrested in this issue, none of the cops attempt to unmask him. Removing a mask should be the first reaction any cop has. The revelation of Menace’s secret identity was interesting. I didn’t see that one coming. However, it mildly reminds me of a plotline I’ve read recently in Batman. Is it a case of great minds thinking alike?

What saves this issue from being a bad one is the art by Romita Jr. He’s just fantastic. He adds grace and escapism to the pages, elevating them to a greater story than the usual Spider-man story. It feels like great art even if the story is poor. That’s saying a lot of the master artist.