Amazing Spider-Man #687
Writer: Dan Slott
Art: Stefano Caselli, Frank Martin Jr. [Color Art]
HEY! WAIT A MINUTE!
If you haven’t read the rest of this story arc, this review will spoil a few plot developments, and we wouldn’t want that, would we? The end of this issue isn’t spoiled, though, so you’re safe there.
Victory is once again within Doctor Octopus’ grasp and the only people who can stop him are Spider-Man, Black Widow, Silver Sable, and Mysterio–who switched sides last issue, natch! Unfortunately, they’ll have to go through the (mind-controlled) Avengers first.
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The ensuing battle is among the best-written team battles to take place in Spider-Man (or a lot of other books) in recent memory. Dan Slott takes advantage of the various characters involved, as well as plot points from previous issues in the last few years, to showcase everyone (with the exception of Black Widow and Hawkeye, but they were knocked out early on). The Spider-Man/Spider-Woman fight and the bit with Thor’s Mjolnir were nice touches, but the turncoat Mysterio was the true standout in these pages as he showcased his mastery of illusion and quipped about leaving the super villain business for television.
This being the final part of the story arc, Spider-Man does finally confront the still-dying Doc Ock in his underwater base (where do these guys get the funds for this stuff?). Octavius’ intentions are, indeed, to purge the Earth using his Octavian Lens, and with the doctor so close to death and the Rhino still on Ock’s side, Spider-Man’s pact of “no one dies” may finally be forced to end. The people who (seemingly) die here just aren’t the ones you’d expect.
Overall, Slott gives what is thus far his best Spider-Man “event” story a fitting end. The action stays on point, the dialogue stays fresh while referencing previous issues, the (seeming) deaths don’t feel meaningless, and several threads are left open for later. In particular, it will be interesting to see whether or not Horizon Labs was ever able to figure out that a lot of Ock’s tech was developed by them–and Peter Parker, in particular–and what repercussions that may have. Stefano Caselli and Frank Martin, Jr. continue to deliver the goods as well, especially with what might be the most menacing-looking incarnation of Doc Ock.
As with every other issue of this arc, if you haven’t read it, GO BUY IT NOW!
RATING: EXCELSIOR!
