The Amazing Spider-Man #635

That's right.

 is back! But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's take it from the top.  
The writing and art by Kelly and Lark continue to amaze, as per usual. We see Madame Web continuing to narrate, and it really is approprate, considering her power to see the future and other extensive knowledge of the "Spider" characters. Kaine shaves and looks like a scarred Peter Parker when he comes to rescure Spider-Man and Arana. He tells Peter when Arachne and Arana get captured that he should run and escape since it's only a trap to lure Spider-Man to them. Spidey gets pissed. He tells Kaine he isn't doing this out of guilt like he guessed, but for respinsibility. He says he knows how bad Kaine has had it but to suck it up. He never used his bad luck like a crutch and neither should Kaine. Spidey's speech to Kaine about responsibilty didn't seem forced or cheesey, as it so ofter comes off after hearing it for the umpteenth time. It was very appropriate and written perfectly. "Ezekial" and Spider-Man set out to find more "Spiders" to help fend off the Kravinoffs, while the Kravenoffs go out to hunt more "Spiders", ironically. "Ezekial" is revealed to be the Chameleon and leads him directly to the Kravenoffs and Mysterio. Spidey is given a head start and gives them the best fight he possibly can. He doesn't hold back. And then he is shot by Sasha Kravenoff with the rifle Kraven used to kill himself (Nice touch). Then he stabbed and battered by the human/animal Vladmir and then stabbed some more until he is laid upon the altered and

Wow. Just wow. Now, Spidey can't obviously be... you know. I mean, he is the title character after all and is going to be in OMIT and Origin of the Species. I have my own theory. I believe that Kaine somehow switched places with Spidey when he falls in the crypt. There was just something about his dialogue and actions that made me think that this is Kaine and not Spider-Man. I think that Spidey's speech to him inspired him to try and make up for his lack of responsibility. Perhaps Spidey touched a nerve deep down in Kaine, and if so, that makes his speech to him all the more satisfying. If this is the case and he did die, I will, while sad that Kaine is gone, be satisfied with his death until some writer comes along and brings him back, which I will also be ok with.  It was, all in all, a fitting way for Kaine to go out. Who knows, I could be wrong, which is why I eagerly await the next issue (Two weeks until the next issue?! How can they expect me to wait that long?).

Now, I know I went into more detail with this review about what happened specifically, but there is a reason for that. I had a few problems and questiosn that didn't sit right with me, and to fully understand what my problems and questions were, you have to be given more info. One, how did the Kravenoffs and Chameleon know of Ezekial, what he was, how he died, and his connection to Spider-Man? This was left unexplained and I hope it gets resolved. Also, doesn't Sasha need Diablo's potion and Electro's powers to perform the sacrifice, as shown with Mattie? Again, I hope this little issue is also resolved. It was little things like this that prevented me from giving this a perfect 5/5. 
 
Again, we are also treated to 2 back-ups. I still think the Stan Lee/Marcos Martin is too short, but hey, my tone may change when I read all the parts together in succession.  
 
As for the JM DeMatteis back-up, it was, again, my favorite of the two back-ups. I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into Kaine's psyche that only DeMatteis can provide us with, which may explain why I liked this back-up more than last issue's. Not sure exactly what it was for sure, but I think that is the best I can figure. And Kaine and Kraven's first meeting was so good. It really upped the ante and I can't wait to see how this gets resolved, too.  
 
Amazing Spider-Man #636 cannot get here soon enough.