Amazing Spider-Man #55 is written by Nick Spencer, illustrated by Patrick Gleason, colored by Edgar Delgado, and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It is published by Marvel Comics. The conclusion to the “Last Remains” story arc finally puts Spidey, Kindred, and Mary Jane Watson in the same room as Kindred begins an unholy communion. Meanwhile, Norman Osborn plans to take down Kindred with the help of Mayor Wilson Fisk.
This issue sees the return of Gleason to artistic duties and he goes all out. From the design of Kindred’s lair, which features a dinner table and chairs composed entirely of bones, to Osborn looking outright terrifying in his Green Goblin gear, Gleason pours detail into every page. His splash pages are amazing as well; a two-page sequence features Spidey slamming his fist through Kindred’s face and in the same move, fire a webline and swing his decomposing enemy through the tomb everyone has taken residence in. This also leads to the most disturbing visual of the issue when Kindred retaliates, and the gaping hole in his face can clearly be seen.
Adding to the mood is Delgado’s colors. The entire issue takes place in a graveyard, with thick green smoke circling the cast—a nod to Kindred’s true identity. Outside the cemetery, the sky has turned hazy and purple. And as always, Kindred’s green coat and gray decaying flesh serve as a contrast to Peter Parker’s signature red and blues. Color helps set the mood and the mood is immensely grim.
However, good comics are a mix of writing and art and Spencer decides to conclude this storyline in a surprising manner. Most big superhero storylines end with massive fist fights and while this issue isn’t short on action, the bulk of it features Peter, Kindred, and MJ talking things out. Kindred’s anger toward Peter is fully explored, while Peter is more than willing to lay down his life to save his fellow spider-people. The real MVP of the issue is MJ, as she manages to focus Kindred’s rage on her and even invokes Peter’s lifelong creed of great power and great responsibility. I’ve always considered Mary Jane Watson to be the better half of Peter Parker, and that is a sentiment Spencer shares.
If there’s one fault with the issue, it’s how it ends. I was expecting a solid ending to tie things up and instead, the ending is a direct setup for the next issue. While comics are a serial medium and will often end on cliffhangers, this felt like a story that needed to have a definitive end. Hopefully, next issue will rectify that.
Amazing Spider-Man #55 takes an unexpected turn as the “Last Remains” storyline reaches its conclusion. Spencer built up this storyline for two years and in my humble opinion, it was more than worth the wait. I only hope that the next two years of Spidey stories live up to this example.
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Amazing Spider-Man #55
TL;DR
Amazing Spider-Man #55 takes an unexpected turn as the “Last Remains” storyline reaches its conclusion. Spencer built up this storyline for two years and in my humble opinion, it was more than worth the wait. I only hope that the next two years of Spidey stories live up to this example.
