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19 Comments

Scarlet Spider #12 - The Man in the Presidential Suite

5

A merry group of thieves attempt to rob a hotel. Unfortunately for them, that's where Kaine is staying.

The Good

What was good? Everything. It's pretty much a short and comedic take on Die Hard, but with a superhuman dude instead of Bruce Willis. This issue had a goofy smile plastered on my first the entire time and I couldn't help but read it again immediately after I finished. From Aracely's enforcement of her swear jar to the beyond hysterical final brawl, this was a downright excellent issue that you really shouldn't miss.

While the tone here is mostly lighthearted (the Ryan Stegman Easter Egg is impossible to miss) and places a strong focus on Kaine's supporting cast, there is a solid scene surrounding Parker's clone and his dilemma over being a "bad person." It isn't a particularly touching moment, but it's handled very well and gives Kaine a necessary epiphany over who he is and what he's accomplished recently. He thinks he's a monster, but as we know, that's clearly not the case anymore. It was nice to see someone finally send that message home to him.

The art (pencils by Reilly Brown, inks by Terry Pallo, and colors by Andres Mossa) is a great fit. I'm part of the crowd that was sad to see Stegman leave, but this issue didn't even make me think about that once. It's packed with detail, excellent use of shading (that image of Kaine/Carnage was drool-inducing) and the colors fill the comic with so much life.

Also, I previously complained about what I thought was inconsistencies regarding damage to Kaine's costume. Well, this issue provides an explanation for that.

The Bad

Nada. This is clearly Christopher Yost's holiday gift to us,.

The Verdict

This is the perfect jumping on point after the events of 'Minimum Carnage' and pretty much feels like Kaine 101. We get a detailed look at the anti-hero's supporting cast, a strong emphasis on who Kaine truly is, and of course, a funtastic action sequence. Who doesn't want to see Kaine take on robbers dressed as Santa? Come on!

19 Comments

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deactivated-5d6179a9df861

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zackattack529

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Edited By zackattack529

I was going to jump on this series and drop venom after minimum carnage event.

But I didn't. Im still going to follow flash thompson trough his struggles and on to philly!

But it looks like it wouldn't have been a bad idea if i did drop it. Maybe if Venom gets really bad ill jump onto this series.

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haydenclaireheroes

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Very excited to read Scarlet Spider again now that Minimum Carnage is over

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

Really sounds like the "other" Spider titles like Flash Thompson as Agent Venom and now this Scarlet Spider are being handled very well. Cool review, has me curious.

I've also seen a few art panels of this title and they also look fantastic.

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HollowPrince665

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Edited By HollowPrince665

I love this series! I'm following Venom as well and I cannot wait to see where each go after the MC event.

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HushoftheWind

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Edited By HushoftheWind

im digging that movie style poster cover.

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Mucklefluga

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Edited By Mucklefluga

Hmm may have to pick this up. It sounds Fantablasellent.

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator

@HushoftheWind said:

im digging that movie style poster cover.

Me too. Love the coloring.

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Trevel8182

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Edited By Trevel8182

Loving this series!

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Mrgreenlantern

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Edited By Mrgreenlantern

this series alone is the reason i jumped back into comics head first. I've loved the series since issue 1 and plan on supporting it into the near future. This issue I'd have to say is one of my favorites so far , we get a real look into what Kaine has on his mind and not to mention why his suit always looks perfect =p. The real selling point of this comic didnt come until the final 2 panels which have me dying for the next issue of this and not to mention another "Parker" book ,anyway this series has me dying each month for the next issue

Good job Scarlet Spider team keep it !

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Deranged Midget

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Edited By Deranged Midget

My god, this was an absolutely fantastic issue and this series constantly restates the reason why I adore the Spider-family so much.

Excellent review Gregg!

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Omegus

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Edited By Omegus

I love this series!. This is number 2 on my pull list. Yost has done wonders with Kaine. Great review.

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sparty-dbq

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Edited By sparty-dbq

This has been hands-down, my favorite new series of 2012. Yes, even better than Hawkeye.

And Bruce Willis is superhuman, I don't care what anyone says.

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k4tzm4n

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Edited By k4tzm4n  Moderator

@Deranged Midget: @Omegus: Thanks!

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rodiggle

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Edited By rodiggle

Absolutely love this series. It's one of the reasons I started reading comics. I remember walking into a comic shop in Dundee back in January having no clue as to what I was looking for and saw this was a Number 1 and I'm now hooked. I'm now reading FF, Venom, Batman, Saga, The Walking Dead, Thor, Earth 2 and Bedlam.

So this issue really felt like a reward to me as a fan. Favourite book of the week :)

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sweetesttoaster

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Edited By sweetesttoaster

I'm wondering if I should pick this series up. I heard good things. But I'm the kind of guy that likes to start at issue 1 so I'm not sure if I'm going to jump on with this issue. Is it worth going back and reading all the other stuff or should I just start here?

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

@k4tzm4n: Scarlet Spider hates Belgians. FACT.

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dreamfall31

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Edited By dreamfall31

Could a non-Spiderman fan get into this title? I'm not too crazy about the character of Peter Parker and his supporting cast, though oddly I do like the powers he has. Is Scarlet Spider a grittier and edgier version of Spiderman? Is it more in the vein of something like Daredevil?

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NathanCableSummers

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this has been my favorite spider family title period of late, minimum carnage was so so, but now that ruckas run of punisher is ending and spider ock is around scarlet spider will be my spiderman fix, (not touching superior with a ten foot pole unless they really surprise me somehow).