This review contains spoilers.
The Good
Whoa there, this issue was absolutely vicious. Sure, there's key plot points with Aracely, but after last issue's conclusion, the only thing I cared about was seeing an upgraded Kaine get a rematch with those two werewolves. Not only do we get this, but writer Christopher Yost goes above and beyond with this one. It's relentless, bloody and downright harsh. It is without question a clear choice for our weekly 'Best Battles' segment. There's at least two jaw-dropping moments tossed into this brawl.
This book is crowded with more than a few people on art duties, but this brutal fight looks great and really delivers on the truly horrific attacks. The attention to detail fluctuates a lot, but one scene managed to leave a strong impression. Witnessing people essentially bake in a container left in the desert was a disturbing sight due to the focus on such powerful facial expressions.
The Bad
The coming plot feels is a bit too out there for my taste (I'm fully aware of how silly that sounds based on the current story), but I'm sure Yost will change that opinion in time. As noted above, there's a lot of hands contributing to the visuals here and unfortunately that's transparent. There's a slightly jarring change and honestly, Khoi Pham's work feels very rushed in quite a few panels.
The Verdict
My personal feelings about the upcoming elements aside, SCARLET SPIDER continues to consistently be one of Marvel's most entertaining books. Always packed with exciting action, an interesting supporting cast and a firm focus on Kaine's development, it's truly a surprise this book is only $2.99 in a world of $3.99 titles. The only thing really holding this issue down was some seemingly hurried artwork. Aside from that, it's yet another must read for any Kaine fan.