Non-Stop Spider-Man #2 is written by Joe Kelly, penciled by Chris Bachalo, inked by Tim Townsend, colored by Marcio Menyz, and lettered by VC’s Travis Lanham. It is published by Marvel Comics. Part two of “Big Brain Play” finds Peter Parker tracking down the hi-tech thieves who have been dealing out drugs at Empire State University. In the process he gains an unwanted partner in the form of Threats and Menaces editor Nora Winters and a new pair of foes in the form of the Zapata Brothers.
This issue picks up immediately after the first one, and much like its predecessor it more than lives up to its name. Throughout all 24 pages, Spidey is shown engaging in combat with the new gang and the Zapata Brothers. Bachalo and Townsend often draw action sequences in horizontal form, with panels moving in the same direction and featuring intense action sequences. Readers will feel every kick and punch that Spidey throws. And I love that Lanham continues to visualize Spider-Man’s Spider-Sense as actual words warning him of danger.
The duo also get to design a new pair of villains in the form of the Zapata Brothers. They are wearing the garb of luchadores, complete with masks and even the fancy capes that luchadores often wear before entering the ring. Menyz gives the duo a bold color scheme as well, with one wearing dark green and the other wearing blood red. They also give Spidey a run for their money, with super-strong body slams and suplexes. I hope to see more of them in the future.
However, Kelly really makes the artwork come to life with his script. He writes Spidey as an immensely furious force of nature, and rightfully so: students at his school are suffering from this new drug. His quips feel more razor edged, as well: a bit about “Uber-beats” feels rather cruel as he describes the violence he’s about to inflict on his enemies. Kelly perfectly understands that an angry Spidey is a scary Spidey.
Kelly also places a coda on the end, hinting at Baron Zemo’s connection to Spidey’s current woes. Given Zemo’s elevated profile due to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier being a thing, and his status as one of my favorite Marvel villains, I’m curious to see how he plays off of Spidey. I’m also glad that Kelly is picking up on that plot thread and weaving it into the main story.
Non-Stop Spider-Man #2 continues to throw new challenges and obstacles at the web-slinger, while maintaining the adrenaline rush of the previous issue. Whether this is a limited or ongoing series, one thing’s for sure: there’s never a dull moment.
Non-Stop Spider-Man #2 is available wherever comics are sold.
Non-Stop Spider-Man #2
TL;DR
Non-Stop Spider-Man #2 continues to throw new challenges and obstacles at the web-slinger, while maintaining the adrenaline rush of the previous issue. Whether this is a limited or ongoing series, one thing’s for sure: there’s never a dull moment.
