A peak into Spider-Man's future!
Are you interested in seeing what might happen in the not too distant future? Well, you've come to the right place! This is one of Marvel's many, 100th Anniversary issues, that gives us readers a look into the lives of our favorite characters [in the future]; this time we see what might happen in Spider-Man's crazy world!
The Good
So in this possible issue's story, Spider-Man faces off against a cybernetic-ally enhanced Venom symbiote that has just attached itself to, The Kingpin! Living in a world that is all connected through technology, this enhanced Venom symbiote, in Kingpin's hands, could do some serious damage; and Spider-Man knows it! Are you excited for this possible story, or not?
Writer Sean Ryan did an amazing job with this possible Spider-Man story! Whenever Marvel does a possible story, they always get the writers, and artist, that you rarely hear about or don't do regular work for Marvel. (i.e. have a monthly series.) And to me, that's always great! Getting the new guy, or the guy you rarely hear about, gives us readers an opportunity to see more of their work and also open us up to, THEIR, version of the character. Also, it gives a fresh set of eyes, ears, hands, etc. on a character; and I believe that is what Sean Ryan has accomplished with this issue's story!
He made it enjoyable for the limited time he had, and raised some interesting questions that might never be answered. (i.e. Why does Spider-Man still look like a 23 year old? Is Mary Jane dead? Why is Eddie Brock Venom?) All questions that I asked while reading this book, and that's great! Ryan kept the action well paced; while throwing even more questions at me, but, even though he kept throwing a million questions at readers like me, he still kept the focus on the story at hand. Which was Spider-Man defeating Kingpin and becoming the hero he once was, again. It was a well written story, and I would enjoy reading more from Sean Ryan; especially for Spider-Man in the year 2061.
Lets talk about the artwork! In-Hyuk Lee does a flawless job with the artwork! I mean, just look at it! From the the design of the characters, to the bright colors and inks, that create and capture the characters almost realistically. If this series ever happens, I want In-Hyuk Lee as artist. Words do not fully capture how amazing of an artist he is!
The Bad
An excellent story, well written by Sean Ryan and drawn by In-Hyuk Lee; however, we as readers, can't take this story seriously. "What does the wallcrawler look like in the far-flung future of 2061?", is part of the synopsis for this issue that Marvel pushed to spark the readers interests. "2061", really? Sure, comic books don't necessarily follow the basic laws of time, but I don't see this story happening anytime soon. And if it does happen, it'll be actually in 2061, as all of Marvel comics, or Marvel Now!, focuses on, well, the now! (2014!) So this story, to me personally, is a what if? story and should be treated as such. I've never liked how Marvel, or any comic book publishing companies, push this, "in the not too distant future..." (blah, blah, blah); it would be easier to say, "This is a What if? story..." (blah, blah, blah). I don't like false advertisement as much as the next person, and also false hope for what is clearly, an awesome story that is excellently written and drawn.
The Verdict
4 out of 5, you really don't have anything to lose by picking up this issue!
