Review: SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #23
Writers: Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Pencils: Humberto Ramos
Inks: Victor Olazaba
Color: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
When we last left Superior Spider-Man, Doc Ock had Venom on the ropes. Venom was reeling from sonic and fiery attacks, and it looked like the kill shot was forthcoming. “Darkest Hours” continues indeed.
What I Liked
As with most issues of Superior Spider-Man, there is a lot to take in. Dan Slott keeps up a frenetic pace yet the story never suffers because of this. We go from Spider-Man and Venom fighting, to a dinner date between Peter Parker, his girlfriend Anna Maria Marconi, and Aunt May, to Aunt May having surgery, to the shocking ending. All with the Green Goblin threat looming in the background.
With the confrontation between Spider-Man and Venom, Slott makes sure to give us Peter Parker/Flash Thompson moments as well.
Humberto Ramos is very familiar with the Spider-Man cast. From outward appearances, nothing has changed with Peter Parker. Yet the additions of a patented villains science lab coat to changes in body stance convey a totally new attitude for Peter. It is also nice to see Ramos illustrate the Venom symbiote.
What I Didn’t Like
There wasn’t too much to dislike with this comic. I enjoyed this more than issue 22. It’s odd to say, but #22 had a slower pace than #23. With Venom properly setup, Slott could get with advancing plot lines.
Summary
I can’t remember if “Darkest Hours” was a three-part story or not. With the ending to Superior Spider-Man #23, one could look forward to seeing the outcome play out in issue 24. As Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus has been one step ahead of his enemies. Could he have picked up another weapon in his quest to be the “Superior” Spider-Man?
This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network. They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
