The Good
So Spider-Man has to babysit the Future Foundation kids while the adults are away. The Time Variance Authority busts into the Future Foundation to stop the world from unraveling itself. Cue Spider-Man to stop them from killing everyone.
Writer Christopher Yost is brilliant with writing comedic stories where the focus isn't just on the comedy. He takes you along for the ride through a fantastic story, putting Spider-Man in a very awkward position, and sprinkles some great and very funny dialogue throughout this issue. This is how comedy should be done in comic books. The dialogue and actions between Spidey and the Time Variance Authority is great because the TVA is all knowing, and Spidey doesn't want his big secret revealed to the world. Again, we're treated to some very comedic moments here.
This issue was chalk full of new and old elements I love. I had never heard of the Time Variance Authority before, but I love these guys. They remind me of a much more bureaucratic version of the Exiles, except within only one universe. Also, Death's Head?! I loved the fight between Spider-Man and Death's Head here. It's pretty brutal, and Spidey doesn't hold back, for obvious reasons... because he's Doc Ock... remember? We get some fantastic fight scenes that all come to a halt with a conversation between Spidey and Bentley, which is incredibly comical. This leads us to an awesome final moment in this issue where.... Just kidding... I'm not spoiling this one! Epic ending.
If you like your art to be really awesome, then this issue is for you. The art team of Pace Medina (pencils), Juan Vlasco (inks), and Dave Curiel (colors) are fantastic. While the pencils and inks are great, I find myself really falling in love with Curiel's color work. The variation in shading, from light sources, is perfect, and his color choices really make this book pop. I especially love the last page here, which I won't tell you what happens, but I can tell you it's drawn awesomely.
The Bad
This issue was so much fun. I have no complaints.
The Verdict
While I'm a big Dan Slott fan, and I love what he's doing with SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN, I enjoy AVENGING SPIDER-MAN a whole lot more. It's a pretty silly book, but I mean that in the best way possible. It's just a fun read, and it looks like we're being set up for some awesome future stories.
Everything about this issue is brilliant and awesome. It's like wearing a Snuggie in public without the embarrassment of letting people know you own a Snuggie. If you're not digging on SSM, pick this one up instead since the focus is more on Superior Spider-Man adapting to the Marvel universe and less on just SSM adapting to the job of Spider-Man.
Overall, I highly recommend this issue and series.