Amazing Spider-Man #84 is written by Cody Ziglar, illustrated by Paco Medina, colored by Espen Grudentjean, and lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It is published by Marvel Comics. Since donning the mantle of Spider-Man under the Beyond Corporation’s guidance, Ben Reilly has faced many of Peter Parker’s foes, including Morbius and Kraven the Hunter. However, he may face his biggest challenge yet when Doctor Octopus resurfaces! Octopus has learned that Beyond has information pertaining to projects he’s worked on, and the not-so-good doctor is determined to get that information back by any means necessary. But Beyond is just as determined to keep the info in its grasp.
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This issue picks up after the events of Amazing Spider-Man #80.BEY, which saw Ock helping May Parker find a cure for Peter’s radiation poisoning. This led them to a facility owned by Beyond, the first of (many) hints that there was something shady going on with Reilly’s new benefactors. Ziglar picks up on that thread, and from the opening sequence, it’s clear that he’s having a blast writing Ock. Ock delivers his usual long-winded speeches, whether he’s terrorizing Beyond employees or battling Ben. However, other characters use slang that feels hugely out of place. A key example has Ben referring to himself and his girlfriend Janine as “total babes,” and I couldn’t help but think, “this sounds immensely white.”
On the other hand, Medina delivers a far smoother result with his artwork. He previously illustrated a sequence in Amazing Spider-Man #80.BEY and returns for the full length of this issue, delivering some great action sequences. A key example comes in the middle of the issue, where Ben first confronts Ock—the web-slinger is shown delivering a kick to the mad scientist’s face, sending him flying and causing his robotic arms to flail. Medina also places Ock back into his 90’s era black and white suit, which is one of my favorite Ock looks, if I’m being honest. Ock’s cybernetic arms also move as if they have a life of their own; their movements are fluid and never the same on any one page or even any one panel.
Joining Medina for art duties is Grudentjean, who brings the same vibrant palette to Spidey’s adventures that he did to The Trials of Ultraman. Spidey’s red and blue uniform provides a nice contrast to Ock’s black and white suit, and their battle takes place inside a gunmetal gray vault that happens to be lined with all matter of defensive traps, leaving both Ben and Ock struggling to stay one step ahead of imminent death. Grudentjean also gives Caramagna’s sound effects a nice pop; whenever Spidey fires his webshooters, the trademark “Thwip” sound is colored bright blue, and a lime green “fzzshaawww” accompanies a laser beam that comes out of one of Ock’s tentacles.
Amazing Spider-Man #84 pits Ben Reilly against Doctor Octopus, as the mad scientist has an axe to grind with the Beyond Corporation. With the Beyond Saga now hitting its halfway point, the question remains: Will Ben be successful in his next battle against Ock? And what exactly is Beyond hiding that is so important to Ock? Hopefully, the next issue will start to peel back the lids on these mystery boxes.
Amazing Spider-Man #84 is available wherever comics are sold.
Amazing Spider-Man #84
TL;DR
Amazing Spider-Man #84 pits Ben Reilly against Doctor Octopus, as the mad scientist has an axe to grind with the Beyond Corporation. With the Beyond Saga now hitting its halfway point, the question remains: Will Ben be successful in his next battle against Ock? And what exactly is Beyond hiding that is so important to Ock?
