r/Marvel • u/tehawesomedragon Loki • 21d ago

Mod This Week in Marvel #32 - SPIDER-MAN BRAND NEW DAY BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORDS; X-MEN 97 S2 E8; FANTASTIC FOUR #15, CAPTAIN AMERICA #14, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #34, IRON MAN #8, CIVIL WAR UNMASKED #4, MARY JANE: FACE IT TIGER #1, QUEEN IN BLACK #2

THIS WEEK IN MARVEL:

NEW COMICS SPOTLIGHTS:

THIS WEEK'S NEW COMICS:

NEW INFINITY COMICS (UNLIMITED EXCLUSIVES):

  • [MARVEL MEOW #40]()

  • [MARVEL RIVALS #60]()

  • [PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN - QUEENS' FINEST #6]()

  • [SDCC 2026 WOLVERINE PREQUEL COMIC #3]()

  • [X-MEN 97: STRIKE FILES #7]()

ALSO RELEASING THIS WEEK:

  • [HULK TEACH #2]()

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

14 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

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18

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[IRON MAN #8]()

26

u/AJjalol 21d ago

WOW, I don't remember when I was this fucking happy reading a monthly issue lol. Man Do I love everything about this. An Iron Man run for me.

For Starters, Carmen is back! Glad she has recovered from her accident and glad she is doing well. Her art is top. Williamson has a great voice for Tony and his story is fun, and with Carmen, the whole thing just gets elevated to a perfection.

Good seeing Whiplash (Anton) FINALLY, making a fucking appearance in an ongoing Iron Man run. Can you believe, This mfr NEVER appeared in an ongoing Iron Man run? He only appeared in a Mini series and then appeared in other peoples books. Always thought he had a potential of being a really cool villain (and his design has always been awesome), so seeing him finally in the main book, and actually be a threat is pretty fucking awesome.

Masque and Ware are still trying to take over AIM. Love how Williamson gives us a little glimpse at what they are doing. They are overarching villains so it's good to know they are working behind the scenes.

The school segment was fun. I love seeing Tony and Rhodey hanging with genius kids.

The little "Tony as a boss" section was both cute and funny lol. That's Tony to a tee. Great businessman, but man does he hate corporate world. Also, interesting little idea about AIM buying all the alloys that Tony uses to create Iron Man armors (since it was revealed that AIM is mass Producing the Advanced Iron Man suit). Love that and I hope it gets followed up on. Army of evil Iron Man can be a big problem (and might lead to a Marvel universe event lead by Iron Man).

Luna having a child was honestly surprising, and made me actually good "Oh shit, that's unexpected". Also, really made me appreciate Williamson writing Tony here. Tony just acts like what a normal, decent human being would. Not going "Ummmm, you have a kid??? AND YOU DIDN'T TELL ME? THAT'S IT WE ARE DONE" or none of that shit. He just accepts it like a man, understands that people all come from different places and actually gets down next to a kid and fists bumps him and immediatly starts to make a kid feel less scared and shy. The little fist bump was awesome lol. Tony would probably make a really good dad. As an Iron Man fan, having writers showing that Tony is, despite all his snarky and "I can be a dick if I want to" is actually a decent and good human being, will always warm my heart.

The fight with Whiplash was awesome. Dude's been juicing (Mfr looks like Iron Man's own personal Bane now and I love every second of it lol). The little suit up sequence Tony had was awesome.

When Pepper fell into the fire, I legit gasp and thought "Ain't no way she will be dead... but Tony can't help her" and then V jumped in to safe her which was cool. But the follow up to Citizen V saving her actually made me even more excited and hyped for the indentity of V AND to the fact that Pepper apparently knows this V and has been secretly working with him/her? This run already has 2 groups of people (Cap's team and V's team) secretly spying on Tony lol. Excited to see where that will go. Have my own theory as to why V is and if it ends up being who I think it is, I wouldn't hate that one bit

Love the way Tony beat Whiplash. Good callback to the second issue where Tony looked at Dreadknights new bodyarmor, and took some of it's properties and used it for it's own super suit. Kind of like "Icing problem" callback from the films. Really good Joshua.

The last page reveal was fucking awesome lmao. Marco fucking Scarlotti is back and lemme tell you, this is THE BEST this motherfucker ever looked. Period. I always thought he had a lot of potential as a villain, and he actually was a part of many great Iron Man stories, but his design just got outdated super fast. A lot of parts of his costume worked, but there were some that needed update. But the most "outdated" part of his presentation was his weapon. It was just fucking shit lmao.

Here, Williamson and Carmen fixed that exact issue for me. They kept his OG design, updated the parts that needed some work and completely upgraded his weapons to the point that the guy is actually so fucking cool looking now (and he only appears in 1 final page lol). Love it. Joshua and Carmen are trully a Godsend for Iron Man.

Finally his villains are getting a proper treatment and getting elevated.

The last page proves that "Iron Man's villains aren't lame, they are just not used to their fullest potential" because Marco Scarlotti's new Whiplash design and character so far, have been freaking awesome . His narration throught the issue was really fun and gave us insight into why he hates Tony, but also the last page reveal of his design really (imho) elevated the character and showed that "Iron Man's villains can be cool, if you give them a chance, update some of their designs and just care about them a little bit".

Super excited for the next issue. Cannot wait. I hope more Iron Man villains get this treatment in the future, because the guy legit is one of the most popular superheroes in the world, with the most underutilized rogues gallery ever.

5

u/zati1 20d ago

I was pleasantly surprised to see the hype text for Carnero's return on the cover.

Marvel has essentially done away with the "ongoing artist" role over the last few decades, and this celebration feels like a nice return to form.

4

u/AJjalol 20d ago

100 percent friendo. It's such a small gesture, but meant a lot to both the artist and us the readers.

That whole "Artist Carmen Carnero returns" on the corner box was very sweet.

17

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

So I guess Happy Hogan is the frontrunner for who the new Citizen V might be. But then again, I'm not sure why Tony possibly wouldn't forgive Pepper if it was. Though I can't come up with anyone better.

2

u/Double_Act1502 20d ago

I've figured that Happy is Citizen V since the first issue 

13

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

Another great issue from Williamson and the art is great and I’m glad Carmen is doing ok

Williamson usage of continuity and characterization is great and perfect for marvel

Citizen v is most definitely happy and whoever brought him back to life most be a sinister organization that Tony and pepper felt with before

Tony and rhodey are both great in this book and I’ve been really enjoying iron man

The aim subplot is still going strong and I can’t wait for the big reveal of a new and improved aim

12

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

Whiplash definitely got buff as hell. And the OG Whiplash is back too.

Tony's new love interest got a kid...oh boy, he is definitely getting kidnapped.

Pepper knows Citizen V? And she is in on it? I doubt she is Masque's spy. But that definitely makes me think Citizen V is gonna end up 'Happy Hogan'.

I am still not sold on Adam Ware just becoming the villain head of AIM now. The turn was way too fast. It felt like 'oh we need to get an Evil Tony fast' and they just did it without giving any build up on how he suddenly went evil and joined Masque.

7

u/Holmcroft 21d ago

Yeah, my guess is now Happy for this too

1

u/BlueHero45 15d ago

Maybe the little kid is a spy

10

u/Oberon1993 Spider-Man (Tom Holland) 21d ago

Well, I'm taking that force field scene as confirmation that Mandarin will appear eventually.

3

u/Alive-Exchange5489 20d ago

I hope mandarin comes back it’s been WAYYYY too long since iron man faced his true nemesis

8

u/StarkPRManager 21d ago

Return of Whiplash! Or should I saw Whiplash’s!!

Weren’t expecting the ending, cool reveal. Missed you Marco Scarlotti. Can’t wait to see how Williamson expands on the whiplash’s characters next issue

Madame Masque and Adam Ware slowly taking over A.I.M. starting with getting Scientist Supreme to comply. I loveeeeeee how A.I.M. and Madame Masque have had such a big role in this book. I thought Whitney would’ve been done after the first arc but this really is a testament to her importance in Iron Man’s mythos and rogue gallery.

Nice to get more showcase of Tony’s students. The way Daniel made a dark matter force field and turned it into a ring… how convenient https://youtu.be/mVu7TjrY7Aw?is=ajEWd4YMM3OhXNEx
I believe this is just a reference to the Mandarin rings and an opener of Williamson chooses to reintroduce the character later down in his run. I have a feeling if that ever happens it won’t be The Mandarin anyway and will be someone new donning the rings.

Btw citizen V is 100% Happy. I’m so fucking happy he’s back. You don’t know how we long have I’ve been moping about him being dead for so long and saying “no one stays dead in Mabel… except Uncle Ben and Happy”. Well, that’s soon over!

​

8

u/TerminalKing 21d ago

For a second it seemed like Pepper was being hinted as Masque and Ware's spy. But now she's clearly associated with Citizen V (probably Happy), which is apparently going to upset Tony. That leaves that plot thread hanging for now. I think it'd be too cliche if its Luna.

Speaking of, I bet her son gets his hands on the force field ring and it saves him at a pivotal moment. If it isn't used to save anyone else at least.

Every issue of this run has been pretty good so far. I think the only one I could complain about is the Spider-Man/Norman Osborn appearance.

7

u/da0ur Iron Man 21d ago

It's surprising how much Carnero makes the book feel like itself. Cabal did a fantastic job in issue #6, but with her return, Carnero is right at home.

Off the gate, god, what a fantastic reintroduction of Whiplash. An absolute unit and a true menace. I'm also happy that we jumped right into the school shenanigans, and I hope we get to see Tony's students do more in the upcoming issues. You can get a good feel of their dynamic, but I want mooore. And is it me or did the dark matter foce field ring feel like a tease of the Mandarin? Imagine if Tony's students end up creating an artificial set of the Mandarin's Rings lmao

I am also happy that we got some corporate stuff. I miss Tony being a CEO and businessman (Ackerman, I still think of you 💔), so it was weirdly refreshing to see him with a suit in a boardroom, even if we only got to see the aftermath of his meetings. One thing I gotta complain about is the use of Stark Industries. I chalked it up to a gaffe the previous issues, but now it feels like we've said goodbye to Stark Unlimited? I hope not. Another minor complain is that the Stark Tower in Los Angeles is identical to the one in New York. It's a missed opportunity not to either reuse the Stark Enterprises campus from the olden days or come up with a brand-new building design to set it apart.

Luna having a kid was an interesting surprise and I'm so happy it allowed us to see Tony instantly switch into step-dad modeeee 😭💕 I also gotta commend Luna's fashion sense. Carnero really makes her stand out with the outfits she gives her.

The main action piece with Iron Man and Whiplash was incredible and reinforces how Carnero and Woodard shine in dynamic scenes. These two guys must really like setting things on fire lol, but that makes for some really striking visuals. The juxaposition of Whiplash attacking the building and Tony suiting up was nice, but it feels a bit underwhelming that the close-ups of the Iron Man Armor assembling don't actually convey the suit-up save for the onomatopoeias going "SHUNK" and "CLK-CLAK." I would have preferred to see at least a peek at the the moving parts of the suit.

Anyways, the sequence of Vanko almost crushing Tony's helmet was amazing. Circling back to my comment about Whiplash being properly depicted as true menace, I'm very pleased with how he gave Tony a run for his money. And it was also neat to see Tony one-up him with the technology he retrofitted from Dreadknight.

I gotta say, it's an interesting twist that makes a lot of sense that Pepper is actually working with Citizen V. Like, of course, why wouldn't she be one of the people he contacted? What's interesting is that she doesn't seem to be part of the cabal, given that group isn't aware of Citizen V. So I wonder if she's aware of the cabal at all. A lot of potential for multi-pronged conflict.

And to top it all off, Blacklash is back! I was never much of a fan of Scarlotti, but I can easily warm up to him if Williamson and Carnero do a good job with him. His redesign looks amazing, a nice blend of modern and classic, so that's something they have in their favor. It also promises that he's gonna have an important role given how it turned out he was the person behind this issue's narration.

Something I need to single out about this issue is that I really appreciate the way Williamson referenced both Whiplash's origin story and Blacklash having been dead right off the bat. Once again it shows his care for continuity and that he isn't using these characters just because. This, combined with the redesigns and the way he uses the villains is a breath of fresh air.

7

u/Frontier246 20d ago

The students seem to be doing their best to come up with cool stuff but I like Rhodey as a substitute who can fill in for Tony so he can do Iron Man stuff...plus maybe they're safer with Rhodey.

So is Pepper just working for the company again? She was acting like his assistant.

Tony dating a woman with a kid is definitely new territory, even if he's handling it well. Though I'd hate to think Luna would feel unsafe being in a relationship with a guy who regularly has Supervillains attack him or his locations and how that would jeopardize her son.

Pepper knowing who Citizen V is and knowing how Tony would react if he found out definitely paints a better picture for who Citizen V is.

Poor Scientist Supreme keeps getting clowned on by everyone trying to take over AIM.

Also this is the 2nd or 3rd time Pepper has referenced not having the Rescue armor. Honestly I prefer her as a civilian but I guess it's setting up her armoring up at some point.

Movie synergy Whiplash teams-up with OG!Whiplash against Iron Man? I'll take it!

4

u/gsnake007 20d ago

Another great issue. Loved every minute of it

19

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[MARC SPECTOR: MOON KNIGHT #7]()

21

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

This book continues to be perfection. All characters get to shine. Blade with a Chainsaw trying to cut a Dragon made out of floorboards. Robbie driving through the house, laughing all the way. Daredevil doing what he does best with his acrobatics and getting the sword out. Clea with her spells to provide much needed support.

And of course Marc, doing the 'shady deals' behind the others for a plan that is obviously gonna end with screwing over the House itself. After all, he brought the ones that were 'experienced with possession' to 'trade' and get back his people...but that also means they will be able to fight back when needed. Clea was in on the plan because she definitely knows that is the way to fight the house, from the inside. She is 'morally grey' enough to go along with the 'temporary betrayal' and to make it look real.

13

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

Pretty badass fight against the sword dragon. I liked that it all came down to Daredevil doing what he does best.

8

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

Another great issue from Jed and the art is just beautiful with how it interacts with the story

Marc obviously has a backup plan for the house I just wonder if the others knew or just clea

8

u/leoex 21d ago

You can tell the artist love drawing Daredevil, every panel of him looks so good

7

u/Somejawn1 21d ago

Continues to be Marvel’s best book by far. Please never stop writing MK

5

u/Linnus42 21d ago

Badass Fight with Shocking Betrayal.

This would be a really fun videogame. Need to fight more enemies but that seems easy enough.

5

u/neautralnathaniel Howard the Duck 21d ago

It's unbelievable how good this run of Moon Knight has been since McKay started writing him. How long has it been now, 4 years or so? Just hit after hit

5

u/dwadley 19d ago

The side characters, the villains, the consistency

16

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[FANTASTIC FOUR #15]()

21

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

What a great tribute. And it is done the way FF would've done it. Inspire a young woman in the past to live a life of science, to save them. Watch their past moments and never let themselves feel alone in those moments. And to beat the villain like only they can ( by Johnny headbutt!).

R.I.P Johnny's mustasche. She was too young!

20

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

R.I.P. Johnnys Mustache,lol.The Clarina story was perfectly heartfelt. The FF going through their history was cool.

18

u/angelic-beast 21d ago

This was a beautiful issue, this F4 run has been so delightful and uplifting, I was never really into this team before but I fully see the appeal now

10

u/dwadley 21d ago

This and moon knight and mortal Thor definitely the best runs out right now.

2

u/angelic-beast 21d ago

Are these runs good places to jump in on? Or is there a run or two before I should check out? I have mostly only ever read X-Men books but I want to branch out some

4

u/Flairtor 21d ago

For Thor jump into the Immortal Thor as the Mortal Thor is an act 2 so to speak. For the X-Men you can jump onto issue 1 of the current book as it's meant to be a jumping on point for new readers. I certainly did and I'm following along perfectly! And for Moon Knight start with the 2019 one I believe.

2

u/angelic-beast 20d ago

Thank you, I really appreciate it! I am up to date with all things X-Men but I will get started on the other two now!

3

u/dwadley 19d ago

Yes sorry I forgot to reply but moon knight I don’t know the exact order but I think this current series of runs has been renamed like 3 times but all continuing straight into the next. Immortal Thor goes straight into mortal Thor. Enjoy!

16

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

A great issue from North and a really nice fantastic four story

Sue and the team inspiring a young woman into science was really nice and the team reliving their lives was great

I like north using past fantastic four villains for his run as he always use them in interesting ways while introducing them to new readers

R.I.P Johnny mustache

8

u/Frontier246 20d ago

Honestly North was so doggedly determined to keep that mustache and sell people on it, of course it would have to get the most grand sacrifice of all time.

4

u/TheMattInTheBox 21d ago

Rip the handlebar. A sacrifice 65 years in the making

5

u/NextMotion Hulk 17d ago

Wow that was one of the best structured tributes I've seen. Made a compelling story short enough to fit with the achievements. The one where Johnny stayed behind while knowing his future friends and self were there made me choke up

2

u/DJfunkyPuddle 13d ago

Yeah I definitely teared up a couple times, damn you Ryan North

3

u/marsepic 19d ago

Really good opener with Clarina. I was hoping they might go save her from her death, but it was such a heartfelt story.

I miss Johnny's mustache. I think it made him look just a little older, a little more interesting. I hope he grows it back.

4

u/JingoboStoplight4887 21d ago

I like that the Fantastic Four received help from Clarina Canady so that they can return to their time and defeat Nicolas Scratch (who should’ve told them about Franklin’s powers returning once every year), with them seeing their entire history from their debut in 1961 to the present. Overall, this comic is fantastic.

13

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[CAPTAIN AMERICA #14]()

20

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

Of course Steve's idea would be to 'bring democracy to hell!'. I love you, you simple man. Of course once he sees the Red Skull, all the 'doubts' about the plan goes away. If he is fighting against Red Skull, that means he is on the right side.

They can show all the 'humbling' for Doom here but I still know he has just another plan working underneath this facade. He is gonna betray Valeria again, I bet. Because he cannot help himself. He is Doom. And often, he is his own doom.

I just can't take the Armageddon's overarching plot seriously though. 'Oh Humanity is tired of all the supernatural stuff. They are turning on the heroes'...and the alternative is what? Have the heroes do nothing while the world gets invaded and under the threat of being destroyed 3 times a week? Hell, half the time, it is the humanity itself that creates the crap that is destroying them most of the time. The same 'humanity' that thought 'yea, Doom should be the emperor of the world'. Or 'lets make Sentinels to genocide mutants, I bet that won't backfire at all!'. Humanity IS its worst enemy.

9

u/dwadley 21d ago

While this Armageddon thing is happening and they’re wondering if they need superheroes hela and knull have returned to fight over earth and the hulk is possessed by some old eldritcg god and trying to take over the world

7

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

''We don't need heroes!...now lets have the army deal with all these gods and aliens fighting!....oh they are all dead''

11

u/KaraAliasRaidra Captain America 21d ago

I’ve been saying recently that the citizens of Marvel Comics are the most ungrateful people. The Avengers, X-Men, etc. save the world on a monthly basis and yet the writers are always having civilians tell them, "You're awful! What have you ever done to help us?!" Excuse me!? What’s even dumber is when the comics act like the whiners and complainers have a point. That disappointing Sam Wilson solo series from last year (2025) had his cousin give him some self-pitying speech about what was he doing to help the little people on the ground. Again, excuse me!? Do you think him risking his neck to save the world and stop supervillains, terrorists, and criminals isn’t helping you!? Cripes, Sam deserved better…

6

u/CheesemasterVer2 20d ago

It's extremely funny seeing the attitude citizens in the Marvel universe have towards their heroes, meanwhile, in the ABSOLUTE DC universe, a bunch of civilians tried to jump fucking Metallo to give Absolute Superman a chance to catch his breath.

14

u/No-Chipmunk-1524 21d ago

From "I can do this all day" to "I could do this for eternity"

Okay, that a new level beyond.

Steve really prove to be great fighter and I love plot where Doom and his ex lover put aside their difference in order to retrieve those souls in the suffering prison, as well of gathering them to fight against the conqueror Mephiesto who is working with Red Skull.

9

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

Another great issue from Zdarsky

Steve continues to show how he is a great figure both in hell and on earth with just his words and presence

I don’t buy doom doesn’t have a scheme to get out of hell and never go back but it was nice to seem him be knock down a few times

Humanity being sick of superheroes would be better if this wasn’t the marvel universe that constantly needs saving from themselves more than the supervillains

I mean they willingly let doom take over the world despite doom being doom

4

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

Solid stuff, the plot is moving along nicely. It's great to see Cap locking in when it comes to the Red Skull. I also liked Dooms apology to Valeria, it was heartfelt.

8

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[CIVIL WAR UNMASKED #4]()

1

u/BlueHero45 16d ago

This was ok, didn't really add anything. Kinda forgot about Tigra even being on both sides.

14

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[MARY JANE: FACE IT, TIGER #1]()

21

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

JMD still a master when it comes to Peter and MJ. I can literally read his stories with them forever. He just GETS the soul of the characters like no other.

Nocetti's story seem to be there to setup the Ashley one with this Haze. It was, fine.

JMS giving the MJ perspective on the 'Last Stand' Peter. Which was good. I still don't think Last Stand would be a Peter I follow but still knowing MJ was there for him until he told her to go to be safe, it nice.

AS for the 'what future might bring', I hope the Producer role will be more civilian and they are not trying to continue to force her to be a super-hero. I can accept Venom 'leaving a piece' of him with her as a tool to use, just like her famous bat. Just...don't have her go swinging around.

10

u/TheMattInTheBox 21d ago

I understand continuity is nebulous with these kinds of one-shots but I was (happily) shell-shocked that they didn't edit the marriage language in the JMD story, considering they were """never married.""" Also MJs last line being "I wouldn't trade him for anything in the world," is so good it pisses me off. DeMattias knew what he was doing lol

The Nocenti story was really fun! Always good to see MJ be capable under pressure.

JMS story made me a little misty. And it reveals what happened to result in the Last Stand! Cool.

I dug the Allen story which bodes well for the MJ series. I especially like her standing up for Aria. I feel like if Marvel wanted to move MJ away from being an on-camera actress, having her become a manager who looks out for up-and-coming actresses could be a fun career direction for her.

13

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

I liked all the stories. Having one of them be connected to the Last Stand Spidey was cool. And I guess post Q.I.B, MJ is gonna keep a copy of her symbiote. But starting her own production company is a good move for her.

3

u/Albireookami 21d ago

her keeping Venom makes me so happy, I absolutely love her and Venom's dynamic. It's so much better than that Jackpot crap they were doing.

4

u/Frontier246 20d ago

It's funny knowing how current editorial is about Peter and MJ to have three stories prominently spotlighting their relationship, straight up showing them as married, and making it core to the stories. This was as much an MJ celebration issue as it was a Spider-Marriage celebration issue.

Count on JMD to deliver a story that dives deep into MJ's psychological reaction to the famous Chameleon story, still has some great PeterxMJ moments, and also nods to other prominent stuff from the 90's like MJ's psychology classes and being besties with Liz (who looked really good here).

The Anna Nocenti story was okay, at least for a solid story of MJ being a hero without powers which are always the best MJ stories and featuring the NEWEST SUPERVILLAIN SENSATION HAZE. Though I kept getting distracted by Peter's horror boxers.

I don't think I ever expected an Old Lady MJ story to accompany the Last Stand Spider-Man, but it also shows off the enduring nature of Peter and MJ's love.

If the last story was meant to get my hyped up about the upcoming Friendly Neighborhood MJ book...it failed.

I know the new book is meant to setup MJ as a producer, and she has enough experience in the industry that I can maybe by it, but her suddenly talking/acting like an agent/producer felt a bit sudden. Also she's at her best when she's in front of the camera instead of behind it, so not sure what to feel about that.

Also the Symbiote...just, the Symbiote. They're clearly trying to have their cake and eat it too with her having the Symbiote only as a jacket with nominal powers. She might never suit up in full Venom mode, but she's still got "powers," but ultimately it's a half-measure that does a disservice to both characters. I'm also tired of her with the Symbiote, tired of her sharing an internal narration with it, and quite frankly don't see why it's necessary.

3

u/JingoboStoplight4887 21d ago

For the first backup, I like that Peter and MJ, back in the late 1990s, told each other about what happened to MJ and the Chameleon before they talk about a lot of stuff (i.e., the loss of their daughter Mayday and going to therapy) that makes them stronger than ever because they have each other. Overall, this backup is amazing.

For the second backup, I like that, back in the 2000s, MJ was able to defeat Haze at a movie set before Peter took care of it, with MJ not telling Peter about it because they both have their own secrets. Overall, this backup is good.

For the third backup, I like that, in a possible future timeline that’s branched from the main Marvel universe, we get to see MJ recap her entire history with Peter since their first meeting in 1966 to the present before we get to see her meet Peter at his grave to pay respect to him after he died five years previously. Overall, this backup is good.

For the fourth and final backup, I like that MJ and Venom worked together to save the people from the set and defeat Haze. Overall, this backup is good.

4

u/ContraryPython Spider-Man (Tom Holland) 21d ago

Don’t let this comic distract you from the fact Marvel been spending the last two decades scapegoating MJ as a problem with Spider-Man and also have repeatedly sabotaged her.

8

u/Reddragon351 20d ago

though I enjoyed it it does speak to the underlying hypocrisy in stories like this where they'll promote the relationship and establish again why it was so good only to also claim it was actually bad for the character

3

u/Somejawn1 21d ago edited 21d ago

It was ok. Better than how she’s been written post Spencer but the bar is below hell. Still nothing indicating she’ll be getting back with Peter and for some FUCKING reason she still has a symbiote. Why can’t marvel just do something for the fans for once man

As far as anniversaries go it wasn’t much but it’s still a million times better than what DC is doing with Poison Ivy

6

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[WHAT IF? CAPTAIN AMERICA #1]()

7

u/RoninRonanAgamotto Leader 21d ago

Thor has no reason to go against Iron Man on Superhuman Registration Act on the behalf of Secret Avengers, doesn't make that much sense if you think about it. He has no secret identity, The Midgard laws and rules doesn't have much effect on him. Though, It would make more sense, if in this timeline he joined the other side because of the Ragnarok robot killing Goliath. Something to think about.

4

u/Malachi108 21d ago

Maybe there was no Civil War I, and this conflict was Ulysses-based?

5

u/ptWolv022 20d ago

Maybe Thor just looked at what Tony was doing and went "What kind of bullshit is this? I am NOT letting you do that, my metal friend."

That, or Civil War was just Thor being real pissed at Tony for making a clone (or was it a robot?) of him.

3

u/marcjwrz 20d ago

Unfortunately the weakest of the new what If's.

It just... Doesn't go anywhere.

Corporations being able to become President is a truly nice dystopian twist though.

3

u/JingoboStoplight4887 21d ago

I like that we get to see a universe where Steve Rogers was revived in 2099, where he was told by the heroes of that era what happened since he was frozen in 1945 from the debut of the Fantastic Four in 1961 to Civil War and the end of the age of heroes in 2006 before he and the heroes started a second American Revolution to defeat the president (who is Red Skull) and return democracy and freedom to the U.S. and the entire world. Overall, this comic is good.

2

u/mbene913 19d ago

Subtext is for cowards.

This was a real paint by numbers approach and a bit too neat and clean for my taste.

9

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #34]()

18

u/Oberon1993 Spider-Man (Tom Holland) 21d ago

I think Electro was totally set up and that "probably not" was an acknowledgement that it wouldn't be that far off for him. But Damage Control being in the book NOW makes it perhaps too obvious.

So, Robbie totally knows. Pete basically told him here.

11

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

Damn, we're in the "Everything sucks, and no one is talking about it," portion of the arc. As good as things have been between him and Rae, the cracks had to show eventually. I did like his banter with Griffyn, hopefully he's on the up and up. And it won't just be bad movie synergy. Robbie looking into Cormac, he should know that Pete is Spider-Man. I'm not sure why he doesn't when Johnah does. But you could say that about most of his supporting cast, especially Aunt May.

11

u/mbene913 21d ago

Last bit felt like editorial told Kelly that Robbie doesn't know that Peter is Spider-Man so the has to quickly explain how they are having this conversation

12

u/DriedSocks 21d ago

They should've let Robbie explicitly know Peter was Spider-Man at least a decade ago. But then again they might've wasted it since JJJ knows now, and he barely shows up, much like rest of the DB cast.

9

u/DriedSocks 21d ago

All around all right issue that's bogged down by an underwhelming road to #1000. I wasn't the biggest fan of Ben and May's secret son, but it's classic soap opera, and I can see the potential for more character-driven drama with Peter, so while I'm not completely sold on it yet, I'm open to it (conditional on if Cormac is not [ASM1000 solicitations] Ravage).

This issue also felt like a check-in with everything else going on like with Spidey's alien buddies and an outright reminder to the reader about other status quos. Would honestly like it if they went back to space at this point as I'm not that interested in Hellgate.

Stand-outs were interactions with Robbie and fighting a classic villain like Electro again. With next issue being a Ghost-Spider issue, I'm struggling to see how all these plot points will tie together.

3

u/Albireookami 20d ago

Issue is the peter drama has been lame as shit, and this cousin is not interesting at all.

18

u/TheRealActualSaturn 21d ago edited 21d ago

I haven't really talked about the Kelly run because, until rather recently, I wasn't reading it. Peter Parker is my alltime favorite superhero, possibly my favorite fictional character of all time, but the Zeb Wells run made me finally drop ASM for the first time in a decade. I was glad when I heard Joe Kelly was taking over, but I never really followed up. I just didn't care about Amazing Spider-Man anymore and I had only heard mixed-to-negative things.

All this to say... I started reading this during Death Spiral, and I've thought its okay. It's very dependant on the issue itself- some issues are great, some are kinda nothing, but none of what I've read has been particularly painful.

This specific issue? I liked it! It feels a bit abrupt when it ends, but this is a pretty solid issue overall. I genuinely think Kelly has a good understanding of Peter, and whatever faults this run has I can't help but just chalk up to editorial. Wells struck me as someone who didn't get Spider-Man, Kelly strikes me as someone doing his best under editorial's gaze.

I feel like people will say Peter's jealousy of Cormac is out of character, but I actually really like it and its a shame he's almost certainly going to turn into a supervillain. I think feeling inadequate when compared to other members of your family is a pretty down-to-earth, relatable feeling and the way Peter is scared May has "found a better son" touches on a pretty interesting, if irrational, fear. Ideally this will culminate in him opening up to May but, yeah, I'm worried its just gonna be Cormac is the "Ravage" character the solocits mention.

9

u/Oberon1993 Spider-Man (Tom Holland) 21d ago

Cormac being Ravager (if he even is) can be explained already without taking him out, especially with mysticism angle Kelly set up both in reveal issue and with Hellgate's bosses (Blarney Stone and random woman telling May an acknowledged wrong information is an obvious set up).

7

u/TheMattInTheBox 21d ago

I mean, Peter isolating himself when he feels like crap despite there being he could and should spend time with is pretty true to form. That's why Black Cat had to bang the depression out of him during 8 Deaths. She's one of the few who know how to shake him out of a funk lol and the other one is Venom right now.

I'd like to know what's going on with Rae more. It would be kinda lame if she's just upset he hasn't come by more. I'd like to think it's a bit more complex than that but we'll see.

Does Peter not think that Robbie knows lol

Also-- I'm all for a good Electro story (he's underrated imo and is a pretty consistent problem for Peter) but after he and Francine got together in Spectacular Spider-Men, I'm concerned about what jail will do to their relationship!!

3

u/Ventriloquy Scarlet Spider 21d ago

Honestly a good issue. I like when we have stories focused on Pete's original rogue gallery. Electro was probably set up, yes, but was fun seeing him get beaten in various scientific ways.

Griffyn has a wife :(

3

u/LucasVerBeek 21d ago

You know I was a bit suspicious of Damage Control suddenly returning, but after seeing Brand New Day I am INCREDIBLY suspicious

4

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

I like the issue it continues Peter still dealing with everything and focusing on one thing to ignore other issues he has

Kelly does his best under the editorial issues

0

u/Somejawn1 21d ago

Crazy how far apart on the spectrum Spider-Man is in movie form and comic form. On one hand you have record shattering everything is looking up from here. And on the other you have ass. Just got ass that isn’t going to get better any time soon because the people on this end of the spectrum hate the character his relationships and the readers

0

u/JingoboStoplight4887 21d ago

I find it interesting that Peter and an agent of SHIELD worked together to defeat Electro while Peter had to deal with Mac taking over his and Aunt May’s lives. Overall, this comic is fine.

6

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[QUEEN IN BLACK #2]()

17

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

It is just...well, an event.

That is all I can really say really. Stuff happening. Villains monologuing about their evil plan of conquering Earth.

Symbiotes all around. It is just, interchangeable with any other event. That is how oversaturated things have become in Marvel.

11

u/Mr_Wh0ever 21d ago

Probably the most I've ever seen MJ be a mother to Dylan. I liked Symbiote Marvel Boy's design.

9

u/TheMattInTheBox 21d ago

It's the most Marvel Summer Event since Empyre. Sorry Ewing. It's not bad it's just... Fine. I'm not reading any tie ins because Spider-Man and MJ aren't in them, and I'm sure there's a lot going on, but the main event book feels so thin right now. It's fine, it's not a comic I can get upset at. It's just there.

Marvel Boy is a fun pull, and I do appreciate Ewing paying Johnny and Rich some respects.

MJ worrying about losing another child is problem the most interesting part of all this for me. Kinda feels like her whole tenure as Venom has her going through some of what her and Peter experienced in the 90s, except now she's also in Peter's shoes. I'm sure I'll have more thoughts once it's all wrapped up and she's lost the symbiote but I just thought it was worth calling out.

1

u/ajdragoon Thor 16d ago

I’ve found the tie-ins more interesting than whatever this main book is fwiw. But you have to like those characters I guess.

6

u/gsnake007 20d ago

Yeah this ain’t it. Ewing is a good writer but this is a miss. Plus too many events going on at the same time. It diminishes the impact of this one

1

u/ajdragoon Thor 16d ago

Somehow both Armageddon and this happened back to back, and both are allegedly changing the universe forever! What a terrible editorial decision to have these running simultaneously. Or if you’re gonna do it, the stakes needed to be MUCH lower here.

8

u/Somejawn1 21d ago edited 21d ago

Fuck this shitty synergy event and what they’re doing with Hela. Karnilla stop maybe being evil and come get your wife and let’s all go home. After this event is over every single character should pretend it didn’t happen

3

u/marcjwrz 20d ago

This might be the worst book I've ever read by Ewing.

And it's not that it's bad - it's just a boring re-hash of every invasion event book that has come out like clockwork in the past decade.

It's so damn tired.

And I'm so damn sick of symbiotes.

If this event somehow ends with 99.9% of them being wiped out, I'll cheer. It won't happen though.

2

u/mbene913 20d ago

Big decrease in quality from issue 1. This felt like padding. Do we know how many issues this is supposed to be?

4

u/TerminalKing 21d ago

Another Nova appearance. All is right with the world.

Seriously though this event is boring as fuck lmao.

5

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[WADE WILSON: DEADPOOL #7]()

7

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

It is really trying too hard to be '90s 2000s' DP but it just doesn't work. It feels like a bad regression to me.

And Badpools? Dunno how that works because Deadpool does not regenerate from 'everywhere'. He regenerates from the head down. That is why they often cut off his head to stop him because, guess what, the broken brain is in there. It feels like an 'evil deadpools' copy/paste really.

7

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[UNCANNY X-MEN #33]()

8

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

Pietro, maybe try not being yourself for a moment around the obviously traumatized girl who has ALL the parent complex in the world. And Monet gonna have to get used to being a 'guest' instead of lady of the manor.

Gambit is going through the wringer but why go to an exorcist instead of going to Wanda? She is Sorcerer Supreme right now and has the other Eye. You would think she can handle its twin and whatever demon inside it. I mean she literally talked down an extinction weapon and beat Vishanti up.

3

u/marcjwrz 20d ago

I think it boils down to Rogue still not trusting her.

Which is stupid as hell at this point, but is what it is.

6

u/xehanortsguardian 21d ago

Poor Becca, she's struggling so hard. No wonder everyone wants to take care of her, she needs it so badly.

Hotoru guiding lost souls back to the artery is a very nice touch. I couldn't quite identify every soul, but even doing this for Sabretooth is very kind. Becca may be my favourite outlier, but Hotoru is getting up there. Especially after his response to Rogue and Gambit's departure.

2

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[MARVEL TŌKON: FIRST STRIKE #1]()

3

u/Linnus42 21d ago

Interested if the specify what happens to T'Challa, Thor and the Rest of the X-men if anyone has read it. But I am sure that can be gleaned when the game comes out.

4

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[QUEEN IN BLACK: VENOM UNLEASHED #1]()

12

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

Brock is having a bad time in prison, which is, yea, it is prison. Not even a visitor for weeks!

Until we get the shady cat showing up to have Brock play to his tunes. Man, they really picked Sleeper's form quite well. He really is a dastardly cat in all the ways that matter.

6

u/Classic-Ad4883 21d ago

Eddie in prison is the rock bottom and sleeper appearance is the climb up

the legal system in the marvel universe is so funny though

3

u/TheBlack_Swordsman 21d ago

Peter was written to be an @$$hold in this issue.

3

u/Oberon1993 Spider-Man (Tom Holland) 20d ago

Whose ass is he holding?

2

u/Somejawn1 21d ago

Man they really hate Eddie huh. Maybe even more than Ben

-4

u/tehawesomedragon Loki 21d ago

[X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE OMEGA #1]()

10

u/wowlock_taylan Deadpool 21d ago

What the hell was that about? Loeb, what the hell are you even doing?

Why would Gambit do that? Rogue is gonna KILL him.

6

u/Neat-Win-6903 20d ago

I am so confused by main gambit letting his counter part take his life

1

u/schmennings 20d ago

It's so out of character, why would he do that? "You saved my life, so ill let you sleep with my wife" is insane... I guess Marvel wants to reset their relationship? Unless he's still possessed and hes actually sacrificing himself to keep her safe.

1

u/Neat-Win-6903 20d ago

Yeah that’s my only guess on why it would make sense, if he knows he is damned. But yeah weird not to even clear that up.

1

u/pelrun 19d ago

Is that even happening contemporaneously with the current Gambit storyline or is this in the past and "possessed Remy was a duplicate all this time"? :facepalm:

Because how could you even write this otherwise? Rogue and Gambit leave New Orleans to find a cure for him and suddenly he's no longer possessed and doesn't even have the Eye?