REVIEW: ‘Spider-Man Annual 2023,’ Issue #1

Spider-Man Annual 2023 #1 is published by Marvel, written by Stephanie Phillips, art by Alberto Foche, colors by Raul Angulo, and letters by Joe Caramagna. This is the start of The Contest of Chaos crossover. Spider-Man and Wolverine are transported by Agatha Harkness to a lost city but quickly turn on each other.

This is a comic that appears to be simply pure fun. It plucks two characters out of thin air and moves them to a city before being forced to fight. It’s an exciting concept to start, with a wider direction in mind for Phillips and other creators involved. However, it does take a while for the pace to pick up. The comic spends a lot of time not just setting the stage but just getting to the point where it can be. The pieces with Harkness are important to a wider story, but too much time is spent in New York. Even when the comic is moved to an exciting location, the pacing is still clunky and awkward.

There is a great red herring that makes it seem like the conflict between Spider-Man and Wolverine is resolved, but that is merely the introductory offer. The real fight happens suddenly and there is a lot to like about it. It is energetic and chaotic. But it must be said that it seemed too penned in considering the space of the city they are in and the capabilities of the characters themselves. But the close quarters do benefit one of the fighters. The ending of the issue has a lot of features that I wasn’t expecting as the next parts spin off into the other characters’ annuals.

Spider-Man Annual 2023 #1 has a surprisingly large amount of character moments and dialogue. Phillips uses versions of Spider-Man and Wolverine that aren’t weighed down with baggage and current events, closely sticking to the baseline forms that the characters can be. The narration switches between the two, although Spider-Man does have more captions due to being in the comic for longer. What can be tapped into within these pages is the long-standing relationship these two have. They have been on multiple teams together, fighting against and alongside one another. There’s mutual respect, although they can be grumpy about their team-ups. Spider-Man’s levity and Wolverine’s gruff demeanor make for a wonderful connection. Their discussion after meeting is full of golden quips and examples of what makes the partnership amazing.

The art is terrific, perhaps the best part of the comic overall. The sense of place is fantastic, whether it be New York, a South American city, or Agatha Harkness’ ship. Each one feels like it has dimensions and room to maneuver in for when the fighting kicks off. Both Spider-Man and Wolverine look classic and amazing. The city the majority of the comic takes place in, El Dorado, looks glorious, which is why it was disappointing to have so little of it be utilised in the battle. But the fight should be celebrated for its overall brilliance. It moves so quickly with an enormous variety of angles and moves from both fighters. Wolverine doesn’t hold back, and at many points, neither does Spider-Man. The lack of space does have some benefits, as it leads to more brutal and violent moves. 

The colors are fascinating. There’s a natural look to the shades for most of the book until anything regarding Agatha and her magic gets involved, which then bathes everything in purple. El Dorado is stunningly rendered, the intensity of the colors increasing as they get closer to the foreground, allowing for the big shots of the cityscape to have a remarkable distance and depth. The lettering is effortlessly easy to read.

Spider-Man Annual 2023 #1 needed more. It’s a book that establishes a larger concept for a crossover. Heroes fighting heroes. A fun, energetic idea that draws in the crowds. But this issue takes too long to find and utilise that energy, with a pace that is staggered. The second half of the book is very exciting, with characters that usually like each other losing control entirely and going for the jugular, but it’s late in its execution. But it is exceedingly beautiful and brutal at points, and it has started a sequence of events across the annuals, but it needs ramping up.

Spider-Man Annual 2023 #1 is available where comics are sold.