The Amazing Spider-Man #652

       BigGER Time! Okay, well maybe it's just as big as before but still, Amazing Spider-Man continues the Big Time story line and moves forward with part 2, the Revenge of the Spider-Slayer! What sounds like an amazing (hehe) B-Movie title is in actuality Mac Gargan and Alistair Smythe out for vengeance against J. Jonah Jameson, the man who has wronged them so many times before! It's up to Spidey to save the day. So with that on your mind, let's see what Dan Slott and new story artist Stefano Caselli have brought us today! 
 
       The issue opens with Pete & Pals watching Carlie Cooper play some good ol' roller derby. As Mary Jane feels jealous, she sees that Peter seems truly happy with Carlie by his side. Meanwhile, Scorpion, Alistair Smythe, and Smythe's other goons watch as J. Jonah Jameson arrives at the Andru Air Force Base in preparation for John Jameson's rocket. Triple J doesn't feel safe with the rocket though, so Max Modell, who is helping with the launch, calls Peter Parker in for tomorrows launch. Cutting back to Pete, we see him maintain that ol' Parker charm and act like a goof to hide his identity, but as Peter soon realizes, the Parker luck always finds a way to get back at him. The next morning, Pete helps with the launch, but when his Spidey sense goes off, he quickly finds out that this launch may just be his doom! 
 
       Dan Slott has been my Spider-writer of choice for some time now. I know others will disagree on who they preferred from One More Day, but I always felt that he was moving towards something. The evolution of Peter Parker, Smythe, and Scorpion prove this. However, this time it doesn't feel right. Granted, Smythe and Scorpion are perfectly used here. Seen little at first and then completely controlling the chaotic situation they have caused. Really, everything with Spider-Man, Smythe, Scorpion, and even Peter and Carlie works fine, even great. My problem with this issue lies in Mary Jane. I'm sorry, but I just don't like her. They reintroduced her a year ago to be  

  a part of Peters life, but ever since, she hasn't been able to make up her mind. In this issue, right after she just spent the last few stories trying to tell Peter they're done, she thinks about how she feels jealous of Carlie and is shocked that of all people, she's the one. That's my other problem with this story. They're not in love yet but everybody acts like it. They've been dating like what, a month? Two? And everybody is trying to act like they're crazy for each other and Mary Jane suggests that he tell Carlier who he is. I like Carlie and Peter, I really do. She's very likable and they go well together. But still, let this play out a bit more naturally. If this is what their relationship is going to be, then I don't want it. Slott, you have to stop pointing out that Peter is happy and leave it to the reader, it just feels weird the way you're doing it now. 
       Stefano Caselli steps in for art and well, I'm not gonna lie, I wasn't looking forward to this. I love Caselli's work, don't get me wrong. I've read work on Avengers: The Initiative, Young Avengers & Runaways, and Secret Warriors. But when I saw his covers for this book, and even his little back-up last issue, I wasn't excited. I thought he'd make this book look too similar to his Hydra designs. That being said, I clearly forgot how insanely awesome he is because this is one gorgeous issue. Caselli never misses a beat and every panel of every page is perfection. Ironically enough, I loved the way Caselli drew Mary Jane, because it stood out as being more fashionable than the rest of the group Peter hangs out with and it was very true to her character. If I had a single complaint it's that nobody can seem to make up their mind on what Carlie's hair is supposed to look like. A few months ago it was short, now Carlie can put it in a bun on the back of her head and it sticks out when she has a helmet on. I really hope the team makes up their mind on her hair, because I don't want this to be another issue like Vin Gonzalez's skin tone.  
 
       And in a surprise of all surprises, we get a nice little bonus story starring Power Man and Spider-Man by Fred Van Lente with pencils by Reilly Brown. I have to say, this was a great surprise, because it's a great plug for the upcoming Iron Fist and Power Man book and a nice showcase of Power Man taking the fight to Spidey. In a simple story that's just the two of them fighting, we get a nice little taste of what we can expect from Power Man and a story that will continue in the next issue. How's that for a little bang for your buck? 
 
       Overall, I think this was a strong first effort by Caselli and a good continuance of Slott's ongoing Spider-Man epic. I only hope that things build up from here and that this arc proves to be as strong as the last. 4 out of 5, great jumping on point! (Although you can always jump on with Spidey).