REVIEW: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ Issue 3

The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Joe Kelly, with art by Pepe Larraz, colors by Marte Gracia, and letters by Joe Caramagna.

Spider-Man faces the psychotic, six-armed assassin, Itsy Bitsy, all while still feeling the effects of the poison in his body.

The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3 introduces the next level of villain within this story arc. Itsy Bitsy is a surprising reveal, last appearing in a Deadpool/Spider-Man crossover series. The place is instantly rapid, with a quick fight inside Ravencroft Asylum. There are vulnerable people inside that room as the fight erupts, including Shay Marken, Peter’s girlfriend, and the Rhino. There are also dead bodies, reminders of what happened just before Spider-Man burst in. The tone can vary between comical and energetic, dark and disturbing.

Flashbacks to Peter’s past, memories that may be true, false, or altered to tell a different ending, run throughout The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3. This structure is fascinating, as it toys with the world and laces the flashbacks within the present instead of separating them. The plot is always moving forward, and quickly. By the end of the issue, Spidey is closer to getting answers before another villain barrels in to end the chapter.

Spider-Man is still being toyed with and messed with in The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3. The poison that he was drugged with is still moving through his veins, and lots of it. This makes him an unreliable narrator, not knowing what’s happening around him. Nothing feels real. He doesn’t make quips; he’s too out of it and barely holding it together to joke around.

The new addition in this issue is Itsy Bitsy, co-created by Kelly. The assassin has a complicated connection to the wall-crawler. She is attracted to him and needs to fight him simultaneously for her mission. It turns The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3 into a rollercoaster, where Spider-Man is entirely at her mercy. She is beautifully chaotic, with some terrific dialogue coming from her.

The art is phenomenal yet again in The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3. Larraz unleashes a just as quick and athletic character as Spider-Man, but much less groggy. Itsy Bitsy has a fantastic design. Part woman, part insect, she really is a mixture of the two. She has multiple arms, three sets of eyes, and a spindly appearance. The fight between Spider-Man and his returning enemy is terrific. The sense of speed is breathtaking, moving around the small space like a blur. And during the scuffle, there are memories and flashbacks. Figures appear next to the real people like ghosts.

The colors are amazing in The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3. The comic is mainly bright and vibrant. The red and blue on Spidey’s costume are resplendent. But the villains can make the pages darker, sticking to the shadows and lowering the tone. These darker areas are thick, often hiding secrets and bodies within. Any time a flashback appears, the color fades, becoming a mixture of blue and grey. This happens even when they are visible alongside the present day, making the time difference evident. The lettering is mostly clear, but the font and word balloons color used for Itsy Bitsy could be challenging to read for some readers.

The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3 pushes the hero’s mind to the brink of breaking. The presence of the unlikely villain gives the series a fresh feel, putting Spider-Man against someone new. With the web-slinger so out of it and struggling to maintain his sanity, it falls to Itsy Bitsy to bring the energy. And that she does. She’s a fun villain who always has surprises up her many sleeves. Although there are so many new elements to Kelly’s run, the spirit of Spider-Man is trying to cling on.

The Amazing Spider-Man Issue 3 is available where comics are sold.