With a new sorcerer supreme in place, the MCU is on edge. DOOM has taken the mantle from Dr. Strange. He has given Spider-Man a mission to complete. Last readers watch, he was forced to endure the deaths of his loved ones. The challenge has pushed Peter Parker to a broken state. He has now walked away from his alter-ego. What does this mean for the fate of the Universe?
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #66 by Justina Ireland, Andrea Broccardo, Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega and Joe Caramagna contintes “the 8 Deaths of Spider-Man” saga.
Let’s see what unfolds for Peter Parker now!
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #66 by Justina Ireland, Andrea Broccardo, Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega and Joe Caramagna (MARVEL COMICS) Cover: Mark Bagley
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Ireland takes readers on the journey of understanding guilt. No one in comics carries grief quite like Parker. Seeing how the vicious cycle of loss affects him is an impactful move. A conveyance store robbery displays how Parker is shattered. The dialogue between him and the robber is cold and emotionless. This mood continues with various other characters. None more impactful than with Shay Martin.
The writing puts Parker’s depression against Shay’s reasons for nursing. It is a jarring picture of a challenged hero. Seeing Parker left in this state will impact readers. It leads him into familiar arms via Felicia Hardy. Their dialogue mirrors their conflicting past. The moments leaves them both in an awkward state. For where his path goes now is up in the air. Save for the cameo from a certain Alaska team, this issue is very grounded in coping with failure.
Broccardo and the team never shy away from displaying Parker’s guilt. A two page shot shows Peter reflecting on the deaths he’s witnessed. The image sets the pave for the remainder of the chapter. Watching the store robbery play out, Peter is shown to be numb to caring. His mannerisms show no life as he walks through the incident.
The conversation with Shay hit key points. It shows Peter grasping for anything to spark him. Shay’s eyes speak of worry for Peter’s wellbeing. It’s quickly swayed with a glimpse of him standing around dead bodies in his mind. Once Hardy and Parker have their meet-up, the scenes are very familiar. It ends with a kiss between former lovers. Both have dealt with pain before. The art locks in on that moment. The closing page is one that loops back to a solid group shot as new heroes have entered the game.
FINAL POINT: 8
The post Spider-Man life starts off with a empty Peter Parker in this latest chapter. Ireland’s writing leans into his guilt of failure. Broccardo and the team bring the pain to life sending Peter into looking for comfort. This is a changing point as the fight against the Scions continues on.
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