REVIEW: ‘Giant-Size Spider-Man,’ Issue #1

Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Cody Ziglar, with art by Iban Coello, colors by Guru-eFX, and letters by Joe Caramagna. There is a backup story that is a reprint of Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #22, written by Brian Michael Bendis, art by Sara Pichelli, and colors by Justin Ponsor and Cory Petit. In separate universes, Miles Morales faces off against an enraged Venom in both stories.

This one-shot focuses on the conflict between Spider-Man and Venom, specifically Miles and Venom. The plot of the main story is fantastic, but it should be noted that it’s spinning out of the ongoing series of both characters. It would be beneficial to have some knowledge of those stories, but it isn’t crucial. The most important aspects are explained in the early stages of the book, and the mystery of who Venom is actually makes the book more enticing. The setup is routine but paves the way for a huge deviation from what could be expected. A bunch of criminals with weapons in a warehouse is as classic a trope as any within comics as it provides both heroes with the perfect chance to meet.

As soon as Venom enters the picture, the issue is filled to the brim with adrenaline. The action is intoxicating, and the intensity is fantastic. What looks like a team-up loses all control rapidly and divulges into a scrap across all involved parties. There’s a brutality to the book and an urgency to everything Miles has to try and do. Trying to slow down and breathe is an important part of Miles’ storyline within the ongoing, which is the opposite of what Venom is doing. The book ends much quicker than how it starts, and the speed of the story can leave you feeling dizzy. It also seems to loop straight back into the main series and the Gang War crossover.

What is great about this book is how different Spider-Man and Venom are from their original namesakes. Miles has his own unique powers that really elevate him from just being another mask, and it changes his entire approach to dealing with the criminals and the Symbiote. He is less experienced than Peter, but he is extremely grown up within Giant-Size Spider-Man #1.

The therapy and teachings from Misty Knight certainly help him approach situations. His quips are always funny, and that tendency to panic gives the book its energy. As for Venom, the character has taken steps back and is more typical of the character. He is brimming with rage and violence, seeking vengeance. Where Eddie Brock developed a sweet relationship with the Symbiote, this host is much less cohesive. That fury is terrifying, serving as a reminder of the Venom of old and how he used to instill fear.

The art is fantastic, brilliantly approaching the fight scene and enthusing it with personality and passion. The speed illustrated so immaculately in Miles’ ongoing series is also reflected here, but from a new artist. Coelle has Venom burst through a wall and start unleashing his fury with blurry images and devastating attacks. Miles looks tiny compared to the hulking figure, and that size difference represented in panels is terrific.

The various powers he has look tremendous in this art style, embracing parts of what could be considered a level of a video game. Venom is absolutely massive, with tendrils rippling off one hand and chains rattling from the other. The chains give him a quality seen often in Spawn, with extensions beyond the silhouette of his body and increasing the space he takes up in a panel even further. Each crunching blow is given a worthy impact.

The colors are phenomenal. Miles’ costume makes him resemble Venom much more than the other Spider characters, although this version of Venom is given a blue shade across the skin of the Symbiote. Spider-Man’s red then contrasts with that blue and the two look amazing together. The color of the weapons that appear early in the issue is important as it ties them to a villain in Miles Morales: Spider-Man. The lettering is superb at denoting the variations in noise, especially with how extreme Venom can be.

For, the backup story, it was great seeing the creative team again as a story set in the old Ultimate Universe resurfaces. It is that version of Miles facing the terrifying Venom. Bendis and Pichelli were a stunning partnership that not only created Miles, but built the foundations of which a huge franchise has been built. And special mention has to be given to the absolute master, Justin Ponsor. One of the best colorers in the world, he died far too young and is sorely missed.

That swirling, undulating mass for the Ultimate Venom, with the pitch-black coloring, is absolutely horrifying. However, there is not much context given for previous issues. It’s an amazing presentation of Miles has journey, from facing that version of Venom to the one in the mainstream Marvel Universe. However, something doesn’t sit right about having half the comic be a new comic whilst the other is dedicated to an old comic, with no notice of that on the cover.

Giant-Size Spider-Man #1 is conflicting. The first in a set of 50th-anniversary one-shots, the idea is magnificent whilst the execution is strange. The main story is exciting and features spectacular art. It’s a side story that is involved in all of the ongoing canon whilst also serving as a battleground between two heroes. But half of the book not being fresh feels strange. The quality of the issue itself is not in question. Every single creator attached to it was at the top of their field when they were working on it. But the space it filled could have featured something current and relevant. The main story is the length of a normal comic, but the price is almost double. It’s something of a deflating read.

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