Now For Something Completely Different
Whoa! Where did this come from? After two solid issues of bad jokes, over-sexualization, and pop culture references, we finally get an issue that's pretty darn good. The comic takes a step away from making jokes all the time and focuses on the story, which, as I mentioned in my review of the first issue, is pretty interesting. The problem was that we hardly got to spend any time with it. There's still jokes here, as should be the case with a Spider-Man comic, but Smith shows some restraint here and puts out some good stuff.
I'm quite impressed with the villain, Mister Brownstone. He has a interesting backstory and a cool, yet humble power that makes him pretty frightening. Unexpectedly so, too. The motives behind his actions are pretty standard, but the execution is unique. I have no problem retreading familiar territory so long as I can do it in different ways.
We also get a nice character moment from Spider-Man and Black Cat, where Cat accuses Spidey of doubting her ability to play "superhero" as well as he does. It's all a part of an entertaining and interesting dialogue between the two characters. I suppose you could say that they've had moments like that throughout this series so far, but all they seemed to be to me were childish flirting sessions. That in and of itself isn't necessarily bad, people do flirt after all, but it was nice to see Cat portrayed as more than just an object of sexual tension.
It appears that my previous conclusion about Smith may be wrong. He can be a serious writer. I guess he just didn't want to be at the start. This issue was an encouraging sign that, by the time I finish reading the series, the more than rocky start may have been worth it.