The Amazing Spider-Man # 612 - Power To The People, Part 1

Originally posted on November 23, 2009.
 

     After seeing the disastrous portrayal of Doc Ock in Amazing Spiderman #600 and hearing the news that Sandman would once again embrace the dark side, I was quite worried that after Brand New Day the new team of writers and artists would just waste the older villains as cheap marketing ploys and count on the newer villains like Mister Negative and Menace to provide the interesting stories.  However, after reading Fred van Lente's short on Electro in Web of Spiderman #2 I began to hope that Gauntlet might not be too awful.  Now having finally read its beggining I have to say I was pleasently surprised with the results.   
     Mark Waid (Irredemable, Captain America) does starts out by portraying an amazing setting and situation: a burning hot summer with Max Dillon/Electro loosing control of his powers, which sometimes incinerate everything around him, sometimes sear his own skin, and sometimes totally abandon him (hence is uncharacteristically simple defeat by Wolverine in New Avengers #48).  The emotions are boiling in the unbearable temperature, not just literally but also figuratively as the recession launches tons of people into poverty as Dexter Bennet and DB get ridiculous tax incentives.  Electro had barely any money to begin with (being a convicted felon who resorts to crime only to get beaten around by Daredevil and Spiderman).  Instead of trying a new job or joining a new team, he decides to try something new and creates a video ranting about the corruption and poverty of the nation and calling on people to act upon their anger.  People respond, not caring that he is a (former??) supervillain and just wanting to get something done.  Soon Electro is leading a riot outside the DB.  Spiderman tries to stop him because, well, he is a wanted criminal disturbing the peace.  All hell breaks loose. 
     Paul Azaceta does an excellent job on the art: the mood of hopelessness and claustrophobia in the unbearable heat is quite powerful.  Waid finally shows a believable and well-written tale with a unique motive behind a supervillain with newfound success--and the devastating consequences for a by-the-books, tough-on-crime, much-despised super-hero.   My biggest complaint is I miss Electro's mask; but perhaps it will come back and it doesn't make that much sense given the situation.    
     As an added bonus this issue features a short story on Black Cat and Spiderman (written by Joe Kelly of JLA who is helming all the Cat/Spider excitement).  The story has beautiful and excellent yet a little too simple art by someone who's name I don't know; the story is too convoluted and confusing.  It should have been a feature-length issue if its worth telling at all--I hope there is a good conclusion too all of the irresponsible behavior Peter is doing instead of settling down with MJ. 
     All in all, this issue is good--mostly for the Mark Waid part.  I just hope the rest of "The Gauntlet" (and especially the Electro part in "Power to the People" is as good.   
      
               

Paul Azaceta art reminds me of Steve Ditko's. It was some of my favorite art of ASM since issue 600. Dave Stewart colors help alot also. I have never felt so bad and agreed more with a villain since a long time but Electro is right about most of the things he said. A wonderful script by Mark Waid. One of my favorite web heads next to slott and kelly. One of the better issue since 600. Sadly the same could not be said for the black Cat Backup. The art on the backup was bad. I bet the story would have been better if the art was better. It looked as if i drew it. It a shame because i liked Joe Kelly Black Cat story. I can't wait to see where her new job does to Peter life. All in all, I can't wait for the next issue of Power to the People.    

First off i loved the cover, so kudos to the Dave Stewart, and it sums up the story pretty well. The art inside is pretty nice, from the simple clean character designs with harsh shadows, to the beautiful backdrops. My only beef is the awkward facial expressions that pop up, but nothing that would annoy you too much (i hope).  
 Alot of this is Electro, so if you like Electro you'll enjoy this. What Waid tries to get you to do here is feel Sorry for the classic Villain, some might, some won't. I for one did mange to feel a bit sorry for the guy. It switches back from Electro to Spidey through points of the story, depending who's on panel. The writing itself was decent, i would describe it as you're classic "Everyone hates spidey" without any of the cliche's. I couldn't help but feel a bit of contrast between the webslinger's dialog and thoughts and Electro's. Not too much action just yet except towards the end, and the points being set up are are pretty vague.The way i see it readers will either like it or think it's alright; it's nothing amazing (yet) but it isn't bad: It's a solid read, and i'm looking forward to the next issue for things to pick up.   
 
The Black Cat story at the end is also a nice tack on, making the price tag on this issue not so bad. I Enjoyed the short, art by Jm Ken Nimura (I kill Giants), isn't for everyone but it's a nice breath of fresh air from the usual. I found myself enjoying the little moments of the art from the facial expressions to the paneling. The coloring was also well done, the night scenes were a bit too dark, but i guess that's the point. I'm a fan of simple art, and i found myself enjoying it. The writing was good as well, forgettable sadly but good. If you're a fan of Black Cat (besides the obvious reasons) you'll probably enjoy this as it shows a caring side of the cat burglar. I liked Peter's characterization here, making him out to be the lovable goof in us all. Either way it's a fun read, and you might find that yourself smiling at the end.  
  
My overall review is, if you're currently reading Amazing Spiderman then theirs no real reason you can't pick this issue up. The issue earns its price tag, and both stories are fun and solid.