This is a comic book review I originally published on Associated Content. Please visit and check out my other articles!
Written by: Mark Waid w/Tom Peyer
Art by: Paul Azaceta
Colors by: Andres Mossa
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by: Michael Lark & Jodi Wynne
Variant cover by: Joe Quinones
Variant cover by: Joe Jusko
Editor: Stephen Wacker
The set up: Electro is on the loose after decimating the Daily Bugle building. J. Jonah Jameson is now the mayor of New York City.
This issue: Electro breaks into Ryker’s Island penitentiary to free the new Vulture. The Vulture — a mutating killer who used to be part of the organized crime circles — tracks down the ones he feels has wronged him and turned him into a monster. While this is happening, it is leaked to the media that J. Jonah Jameson had a hand in creating the Vulture, bringing about a political scandal.
The comments: I don’t mind the new Vulture, though people try to take all of Spider-Man’s classic villains out of that green color scheme. The green works because it separates villain from hero and you always know who is who when they’re fighting. Beyond that, I have no problem with his backstory and powers. After their initial encounter all those years ago, the Vulture always seemed to be at a disadvantage when fighting Spider-Man because he was sort of a one-trick pony. This Vulture is a mutating killer, so Spidey’s not so sure what he’s going up against.
Making Jameson mayor of New York seems like a developmental move for the character. It’s impossible to move him out of the role of a Spider-Man antagonist, but at least with the office of mayor behind him, Jameson can be more of a threat to Spidey than ever before.
It’s refreshing to see an issue not centered on Peter Parker’s private life. There are only so many things that can happen to Peter in a given week, and since he’s appearing in at least five other titles, it’s nice to let his supporting cast and featured villain take up the development spotlight.
In all, this is nicely-paced issue, though there aren’t many hooks. Seeds are planted for more action from Electro and the person guiding him. Things are really clicking right now on this weekly Spider-Man book.
