Some cynics see the renumbering of a classic comic book series as a shameless attempt to cater to speculators. Sadly, the new volume of Amazing Spider-Man #1 does much to justify this attitude, but it does deliver a solid, if predictable, reintroduction to the life and times of Peter Parker.
As the issue opens, our Amazing Spider-Man isn’t doing so amazing. Peter is out of work and the job hunt is not going well. Indeed, former investors in the failed Parker Industries are making appointments just to tell him off in person.
Things seem to be changing for the better when an old friend helps him get a foot in the door at Rand Enterprises. Naturally, the “Famous Parker Luck” kicks in and Peter misses the interview due to a rampaging Rhino. This sets up a mystery, as our Amazing Spider-Man realizes that Rhino is acting strangely right before he has a heart attack mid-rumble.
New Amazing Spider-Man isn’t that new
The best thing that can be said about Amazing Spider-Man #1 is that it is a solid introduction to the series’ status quo. Joe Kelly takes care in walking readers through the supporting cast, including Peter’s current love interest, Shay Marken. He also injects some much-needed humor into the story, which had been largely absent during the previous run.
Unfortunately, while Kelly does a masterful job of setting the stage, there’s little sense that new ground is being broken. The much ballyhooed new villain, Hellgate, is introduced in a back-up feature following the main story. A similar back-up tale continues the redemption of Norman Osborn storyline started in Zeb Wells‘ run. These stories feel tacked-on, despite being scripted by Kelly.
It also doesn’t help matters that the back-up stories are illustrated by outgoing Amazing Spider-Man artist John Romita Jr. This does a disservice to the new artist, Pepe Larraz. His work on the main story is impressive and well backed by the colors of Marte Garcia. However, he gets little chance to make the book his own with one third of the issue being handled by Romita.
While technically proficient, there is little in the new volume of Amazing Spider-Man to grip the new readers this renumbering is meant to attract. It is a fine jumping on issue for those seeking to catch up on the adventures of Peter Parker. Unfortunately, there’s little about this Spider-Man title so far to merit the adjective “amazing.”
Grade: 6/10
Amazing Spider-Man #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on April 9, 2025.
