Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    EA Sports Madden NFL 26 Head Coach But Why Tho 5

    Dear EA Sports, Why Can’t I Make A Hot Coach?

    08/14/2025
    Blade in Marvel Rivals Season 3.5

    Blade Can Shut Down The Other Team In Marvel Rivals Season 3.5 If You Know How

    08/08/2025
    John Cena and Cody Rhodes during Summerslam 2025

    The SummerSlam 2025 Main Event Was A Fever Dream We All Needed

    08/08/2025
    Street Fighter 6 Sagat

    Sagat Brings Depth And Approachability To ‘Street Fighter 6’

    08/07/2025
    Battlefield 6 Classes - Support trailer image

    Battlefield 6 Really Wants You To Play Support (But Knows You Won’t)

    07/31/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Marvel Comics » REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Issue #43

REVIEW: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ Issue #43

William TuckerBy William Tucker02/14/20245 Mins ReadUpdated:03/15/2024
Amazing Spider-Man #43
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Amazing Spider-Man #43 is published by Marvel, written by Zeb Wells, pencils by John Romita Jr, inks by Scott Hanna, colors by Marcio Menyz, and letters by Joe Caramagna. This issue is part of the Gang War event. Central Park turns into a battlefield as the two largest armies collide.

This issue is within the endgame of the event. All of the smaller players and factions have been whittled down, and the two new matriarchs are in control. Madame Masque and Beetle have crafted new armies to spite their fathers and are now at loggerheads in the biggest battle yet. The fight is three-pronged, with the heroes involved. Those that have had their tie-ins, such as Miles Morales and Daredevil, are back. The action is intense and enjoyable, and the spectacle is incredible. But the key plot threads of the series remain intact and integral. They aren’t waylaid or drowned out by the action. Instead, they fuel it. The book’s final moments derail the presumed path entirely, changing the Gang War yet again.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

All of the major characters of the crossover reemerge, but there are some notable exclusions. The core group that started the event stood on the same rooftop they were on at the start of the event. There are references to moments and connections made within the individual tie-ins as clusters of conflicts pop up on the battlefield. But Luke Cage’s group of vigilantes and Shang-Chi have been left out of this final clash. The tie-in stories have not yet finished, so there could be narrative reasons for their absence. And there is another issue yet to go, so they have time to make an entrance.

The villains have driven this story, and that trend continues into this penultimate chapter. Madame Masque and Beetle have used manipulation and connections to take themselves to the top, combining armies of minor and major characters. The great part about Spider-Man comics is that a whole universe of villains and supporting characters has been created over decades. The city is full of life, which is displayed in Amazing Spider-Man #43.

Beetle’s ascendancy is perhaps the most prominent character arc of the crossover. She has become a terrifying figure. Her father’s decision to try to protect her during the whole saga has led him to ignore how dangerous and evil she has been. Flaws in her personality become much clearer. She might have the costume, but that doesn’t represent true bravery or respect.

The art is fantastic. Romita Jr has set the two armies out in Central Park like a classic movie, with two big bodies of people set out in lines against each other. The ridiculous and zany designs on display are representative of not just artistic creativity but the generations of villains. On Madame Masque’s side are the old guard. Old men and gang leaders have been enslaved and forced to fight—characters like Count Nefaria, Silverman, the Owl, etc. There are newcomers, such as Rabble, who was used to arm the group with extremely powerful weapons.

On Beetle’s side are legacy villains, using iconic names and costumes, for example, Electro and Lady Ocotopus. But there are also smaller criminals, lackeys, and minions that Beetle has corralled and convinced into joining her. The variety of costumes is chaotic and celebrates how ridiculous they look.

The battle is physical and close up, brilliantly capturing the individual battles within the sea of bodies. Superpowers, high-tech weapons, and monsters present a superb variety of visuals illustrated in one style. The violence can range from slapstick to bloody and brutal, depending on who is fighting whom. She-Hulk is particularly entertaining as she plows through people like a bowling ball. This is war, and even the heroes have stopped holding back. The punches look like they hurt, and the victims crumple to the floor.

The colors are pivotal for dealing with the mass of bodies and powers. The landscape of Central Park isn’t the most detailed, but having a solid green backdrop allows the artists to focus on the sprawling chaos. The heroes and most of the villains have bright costumes, and their vibrancy is more than enough to make them stand out from the throng of violence. Rabble’s technology emits a distinctive purple light that is striking among characters based on physical attributes. The lettering has been clear throughout the carnage and huge crowds of people.

Amazing Spider-Man #43 is brilliantly balanced. It’s a comic focused on action and characters, not placing more importance on either. Where lines are given to the individual tie-ins, the book stays focused on this main spine of the crossover. And so, the characters of Beetle, Tombstone, and Madame Masque have remained integral to the core of the conflict. The heroes have taken a backseat, including Spider-Man. But Wells has harnessed the strength and personality of the villains to keep the event interesting.

Amazing Spider-Man #43 is available now wherever comics are sold.

Amazing Spider-Man #43
5

TL;DR

Amazing Spider-Man #43 is brilliantly balanced. It’s a comic focused on action and characters, not placing more importance on either.

  • Read Now On ComiXology With Our Affiliate Link

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleThe Anti-Valentines Day Movie List
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Miles Morales: Spider-Man’ #16
William Tucker

William is a screenwriter with a love of comics and movies. Once referred to Wuthering Heights as "the one with the Rabbits."

Related Posts

Cover art for Fantastic Four Issue 2

REVIEW: ‘Fantastic Four’ Issue 2

08/13/2025
Cover art of Predator Kills The Marvel Universe Issue 1

REVIEW: ‘Predator Kills the Marvel Universe’ Issue 1

08/13/2025
Cover art of Ultimate Spider-Man Incursion Issue 3

REVIEW: ‘Ultimate Spider-Man: Incursion’ Issue 3

08/13/2025
cover art for Uncanny X-Men Issue 19

REVIEW: ‘Uncanny X-Men’ Issue 19

08/06/2025
Cover art for One World Under Doom Issue 6

REVIEW: ‘One World Under Doom’ Issue 6

08/06/2025
Cover art for Ultimates Issue 14

REVIEW: ‘Ultimates’ Issue 14

07/30/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Still from Shin Godzilla
8.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘Shin Godzilla’ Is More Relevant Than Ever

By Sarah Musnicky08/16/2025Updated:08/17/2025

It is understandable how Shin Godzilla succeeded at the box office nearly a decade ago. The strength of its story still stands today.

Botanical Bliss Update Palia But Why Tho 5 News

Palia’s New Botanical Bliss Update Brings New Flora, Decorations, And Quest Mechanic

By Matt Donahue08/18/2025Updated:08/18/2025

The Botanical Bliss update adds new event, more plushes, and a host of quality-of-life improvements and more to celebrate 2 years of Palia.

BOOTS Netflix First Look promotional images News

First Look at Coming-of-Age Story BOOTS, Coming to Netflix This October

By But Why Tho?08/17/2025

Netflix is reporting for duty this fall with the new eight-episode series BOOTS, a comedic drama starring Miles Heizer and Vera Farmiga

Nuestra Magia Secret Lair Art Interviews

EXCLUSIVE: How The ‘Nuestra Magia’ Secret Lair Found Its Identity And Raised Over $1M

By Kate Sánchez08/15/2025Updated:08/15/2025

We spoke with Ovidio Cartagena about Magic: The Gathering’s Nuestra Magia Secret Lair drop, its impact, and the real treasure within.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here