Amazing Spider-Man, The # 540 - Back in Black (part 2)
is an issue published by Marvel that was released on 5 / 9 / 2007Plot Summary
opinoin
it was good it lets spidy be more vicious in this comic. personally i say get it
(Spoilers)
Aunt May's condition is getting worse. Machines are the only thing keeping her alive now. Since there's nothing he can do to help May, Peter continues to track down those responsible for her condition. He first finds the gun dealer and, with violence and threats, gets him to give up the name of the sniper. Spider-Man tries to catch the sniper at his house but he's no longer there. His landlord tells Spider-Man that the man went to the train station and that there were two other men looking for him. Spider-Man heads to the train station not knowing what the man looks like or if he's even still there, but he has a plan. Suspecting that the man who tried to kill him would set off his spider-sense, Spider-Man drops in the middle of Grand Central Station and waits for his spider-sense to lead him. Using this method, Spider-Man finds the shooter quickly and chases him down. To get the name of the man who hired him, Spider-Man abuses the shooter and threatens to kill him, fully planning on following through whether or not the man gives up the information. Before the sniper can spill his guts, he's shot by another man who was hired to make sure Spider-Man never found out who was behind the shooting of Aunt May. Spider-Man sticks a tracer on the second shooter but stays with the first as he's taken to the hospital.
The sniper is taken to the same hospital where May is and Peter finds out from MJ that May is going to die. She isn't the only one though, the sniper dies on the operating table. All is not lost however because just at that moment, Peter senses his spider tracer close by. He goes outside and finds the man who he'd put the tracer on talking on the phone. Peter webs him up and takes the phone to hear who is on the other end. He recognizes the voice instantly. It's Wilson Fisk.
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Back in Black (part 2)
Spidey's got some charm. A big part of that is the everyman underdog who can't seem to catch a break, despite his gifts. Part of it has to do with his glib nature.
I was getting tired of the glib nature.
I mean, I like it, but it was becoming a schtick. Let's face it, Peter's life sucks. And people he loves keep dying. That's gotta get old.
Then, a big-time, old-time baddie arranges a hit on the Wallcrawler, and Aunt May takes the bullet. And doesn't look like she's going to make it.
Which brings us to "Amazing Spider-Man, The #540: Back in Black (part 2)".
Peter is done. He's back in the black costume. He's done with the kid gloves. He wants revenge, he's ready to kill, and he's OK with that.
This issue is about that.
Not since the Mike Zeck "Kraven's Last Hunt" arc have I cared about reading the Spider-Man titles this much. It feels more "real" (yeah, it's all relative).
Granted, it's a story on the way to something else, so it's a little loose on that front, but the last page sets up something that could be pretty interesting, in a "new direction for a specific relationship in the Marvel U." kind of way (maybe kind of like Daredevil's "Born Again" arc). We'll see.
Back in Black (part 2)
Ok, so would Peter Parker be wearing the black costume again if it wasn't for Spider-Man 3 in the theaters right now? Probably not. Would this story still work if Parker was in the old red and blues? It probably would. Does any of that really matter? No. We all know that bringing back the black costume was a gimmick for the movie, but JMS still makes it work.
Peter Parker really is in a darker place then before, and it actually makes sense how he got there. He isn't acting like the usual Spider-Man, but at least they have gone threw the motions that his behavior actually makes sense. The only problem with this story has nothing to do with the writing or the artwork. It has more to do with my fanboy skepticism that is continually telling me that everything is going to go back to status quo at the end of all this. They've killed Aunt May before just to bring her back, and we all know that Spider-Man will be wearing his old costume again in the near future.
Now if you can get past that skepticism, and just enjoy the story for what it is... it really is good. If there is any character in Marvel Comics that would be totally justified in acting out like this, it's Spider-Man. His life has just sucked from the very beginning, and people still try to ruin it even more for him. After everything that's happened in Civil War, and then the Kingpin having a hitman almost kill his dear old Aunt May... if all that wasn't going to make Parker just loose it, nothing would. Even though it's hard to say if this storyline is going to be memorable or not, I think it's safe to say that it's JMS' best work since John Romita Jr left the title. I'd also have to add that Garney has really claimed this title as his own. Replacing JR on Amazing Spider-Man is no small task. I still wouldn't put Garvey in the same league as Romita, but he is still doing an excellent job right now on this title.
So if you can check your skepticism at the door, you'll be able to enjoy one of the better Spider-Man stories that have been told for a while.
Back in Black (part 2)
This just picks up right where #539 left off. But its been taking so long for it to be released, so its kinda frustrating.
Although this issue keeps the momentum going, its an going manhunt and we definitely see Peter's anger come forth. And was a bit surprised what the last panel incurs of Peter's emotions and intentions. Its definitely clear, the Kingpin is gonna pay. (but who is the real killer?!)
The art is fantastic, and definitely expresses Peter and MJ's torn feelings about the situation. Plus it takes chances with the fact of them hiding out, yet there are a few people they can trust that are willing to help them in this time of need. Hopefully #541 arrives on time. C'mon Marvel!
