AAHH!
SPOILER FREE
This issue is great. That's all there is to say about it. It answers big questions from previous issues, and it sets the stage for issue 700. Although some might consider it a filler issue, it doesn't feel like it.
The Good
The focus of this issue is the big explanation. Lots of people have come close to predicting how the reveal in issue 698 happened, but I don't think anyone figured it out exactly. And even though I somewhat saw it coming, the Dan Slott's explanation is satisfying. It's not a ridiculous fantasy of science or a mystical intervention. It's been built up through Slott's run, and it fits together nicely.
As important as the answers to our questions are, what makes this issue interesting is everything else. The plot is exciting, and I can't wait to see what happens next. If I wasn't excited for ASM 700 before, I am now!
As controversial as Humberto Ramos' art is, I don't think anyone can dispute the art in this issue. It's great! Spider-man doesn't do the weird squinty thing with his eyes, and Peter Parker looks his best. Seriously, Ramos really captures Slott's ideas when he draws Peter.
The Bad
There's nothing wrong with this issue's content. Usually I would complain that Spider-man says "like" or "totally" too often for a genius, but he doesn't in this issue!
Final Thoughts
If you're a Spider-man fan, buy this issue. If you're like me, and you're just getting into Spider-man, buy this issue. If you don't know anything about Spider-man, try to start at Big Time and work up to this issue. Dan Slott is making this one of the Spider-man stories of all time.