REVIEW: ‘Spider-Man,’ Issue #1

Spider-Man #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Dan Slott, pencils by Mark Bagley, inks by John Dell, colours by Edgar Delgado and letters by Joe Caramagna. This is part of the End of Spider-Verse crossover.

This is a comic that is brilliantly deceptive if a reader was not aware of the huge upcoming story. It begins as many Spider-Man tales do; describing the status quo. Spider-Man is working for Oscorp and goes out to fight crime. This is standard, refreshing, and always heartwarming. But then comes the multiversal, cosmic element of Spider-Verse that seeks to disrupt everything. There is a brief period where Spider-Man #1 slows down before it erupts into a frantic fight as an old villain rears his head. It becomes a mad scramble to try and stop the threat as more Spiders gather. There is always a powerful opening punch in events such as this, but I was absolutely not prepared for what happens by the end of the issue. It’s a huge, devastating moment that could spell even more disaster going forward. This issue intentionally mimics the first Spider-Verse issue, but it is clear by the last page that there is a huge separation in this upcoming blockbuster.

As the Spiders gather, those adored characters are brought back together again. Peter Parker is the lead as always and his exuberance is part of the issue’s red herring. The familiar opening is complete with a flashback of his origin and hunting down bad guys with guns. That relationship between him and New Yorkers is adorable and affectionate. And who best to explore Parker than the man who has written more Spider-Man comics than anyone? The banter and quips almost seem like second nature after all this time. It is that panic that sets in within him when things really start going awry that is engrossing. It is a fear that comes from being afraid for the safety of others. His love for people and his friends is gorgeous but oh so easy to twist and turn to pain. It is great to see the Spiders return, but their appearance puts them in danger.

Like with Slott, bringing in an artist who has drawn more Spider-Man comics than anyone is pretty poignant. Bagley and Dell capture the lighthearted aspect of the comic gloriously, instilling the pages with energy. That design of Spider-Man never gets old, depicting him as small and lean but muscular and powerful. When punches are swung the impact is felt. Bagley can also draw the monstrous and horrific. There are designs in the final moments of this issue that are subtle yet terrifying. Sadness and fear are accentuated to a heartbreaking degree. The villains in this event are going to be very freaky.

The colours are stunning. The tones are rich and vibrant for the important things on the page. The truck that Spider-Man chases at the start is a bright green and it helps denote a carefree, positive atmosphere at the start of the comic (which changes quickly). The shades on all of the spider costumes have slight differences that highlight the superb attention to detail Delgado has. The lettering is very easy to read and the SFX is incredibly dramatic.

Spider-Man #1 is an epic start by legendary creators. The scale of this comic happens to be both large and intimate at the same time. The multiverse is at stake but these are some of the most personable and relatable characters in comics. Each Spider is so loved that anything bad happening to them is brutal and difficult to take. That blend leads to excitement and heartbreak. It does feel really good having both Slott and Bagley return to finish a story Slott felt hadn’t been completed.

Spider-Man #1 is available where comics are sold.