I, Spider
Recommended!
I have to admit, I have not read Spider Island yet, so I had to work a bit harder to wrap my brain around this issue. I am happy to say, it wasn't too much of a stretch, as this did not stray very far from the types of stories we have seen in the first five issues. In fact, it gave the story a much needed direction, as I felt it started to flail a bit, with so many semi-jointed stories each feeling like a bit of a filler.
During this tie-in we do see that the troubles with Jack O'Lantern and Crime-Master have taken a back seat. There is no real overt explanation for this, other than the whole of NYC is being overrun by something much more sinister. I guess it is convenient that our hero only has to deal with one major issue at a time... but that is where the suspension of disbelief has to kick in. Heck, even some of the more important aspects of Flash's personal life gets put on the back burner - at the very least, it wasn't distracting from the story like it has in the past.
Taken at face value though, this is a great story. We get to see Venom play a major role in the direction and plot of this Marvel event. Along the way we get a pretty cheesy cameo from Gravity, a couple great "sci-fi horror moments" the likes of Mimic, The Thing and Alien Ressurerection, as well as a shocking reveal of this Spider King's true identity.
This was a great start to the three issues Venom will have tied-in with Spider Island - it certainly made me add the HC for Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Island to my "want list". :)
