The Amazing Spider-Man # 613 - Power To The People, Part 2

  The recession has hit every one in America, even the super villains as Waid’s second part of the Gauntlet is equal parts clever and comical. Electro’s powers seem to be problematic so he goes to the Mad Thinker to give him an upgrade. Problem is, the Mad Thinker does business like Con Edison. Unless the Mad scientist gets his payment, Electro can kiss his power goodbye. So a desperate man like Electro takes his problem to the streets where he bands together his fellow overtaxed and underpaid   working class New Yorkers in a march to the DB (Daily Bugle but Robert Murdoch-ized) where he plans to blackmail Dexter Bennett the money to pay for his electrical upgrade.

Waid cooks up a pretty clever story where a super villain doesn’t rob a bank or even use his powers to rob someone in order to quickly expedite his ulterior plan. Electro needed a make over and I liked the idea that a common crook with super powers, for once used practicality to get what he wants. Nicolas Tesla would be so proud.

One a side note, Pete’s Brand New Day of single hood is starting to resemble his first divorce (remember he and MJ separated but never went through with it) without even getting married. His roommate/one night stand Michele is starting to resemble an almost insulting characterization of a pissy Latina who can never talk below a screaming decibel. In one un-necessary scene, Michelle rudely slams the door on Aunt May and her new husband Jay after ushering a callous comment. You almost wished Electro would overcharge her batteries so Pete can resume his fling with Catwoman and the other 3 characters who are courting him.

Rating: Buy it. The Gauntlet shockingly (no pun intended) has more creative writing and intelligence than the senseless New Ways to Die. To be fair, New Ways to Die was Marvel’s way of waving the white flag that hitting the reset button on Pete’s life was a big fail. This is making Spidey’s foes more resourceful and not just more powerful.

the gauntlet continues. electro has turned new york city against dexter bennett and spider-man. its kinda crazy that new yorkers will take sides with a known villian. but they have. in this issue electro black mails dexter bennett and gets a power charge. he looks pretty powerful now. better look out spidey. i also like electros new look. he has lightning bolt scars now instead of that lame mask he used to wear. thats def a plus. the art on this arc is so so, but i think it could grow on me. so overall this issue was decent. great writing and decent art. i recommend you pick up this issue.