Amazing Spider-Man #16 Review

Spider-Verse is over, so it’s back to the daily grind for Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #16. Here’s my review of how things are going for the original web-slinger.

The comic opens at the zoo, with a villain known as Iguana commanding a bunch of reptiles to jump Spider-Man. Normally he wouldn’t be struggling so much against a C-lister, but he’s still aching from having his life-force drained and, on top of that, he has a big presentation today. Though it was funny the villain was offended that he was talking on the phone while fighting.

Anna Marie calls and tells him he needs to get there, but Sanjay hijacks the phone and calls him out on not being there for his project and she won’t do the presentation since she doesn’t believe in it (which was made abundantly clear when she helped Black Cat sabotage it in the first place.) To this, Peter goes on a long rant on how these people need the prison.

He goes on about how most people with powers are driven by pain and rage at not being able to control it, and even the worst that are monsters by choice would be so much less dangerous without their powers. They need compassion, understanding, and help. He says all this while kicking the crap out of Iguana, by the way, and tells her he’s on his way now the moment she lets it slip that Alchemax is in line next to get the job. Nobody wants that with how many shady figures are around there.

Liz Allen presents her brother as an example of reformed prisoner, with him cured of his power and now having a steady job, and the guys admit that Ty Stone’s project looks the most promising. Peter shows up just as they finish. He and Liz Allen are fairly friendly compared to their employees.

However, once Liz mentions Peter has a habit of snatching victory from impossible odds, Ty and her brother decided to make arrangements to prevent that. They go to Black Cat’s parlor, her being the new Kingpin and all, and arrange for some guy named Ghost to try and put the company out of business permanently as the comic ends….

Oh, and there’s also a thing with Black Cat wanting back everything she stole and her good luck powers only working when she’s a selfish bitch.

Okay, review time…

Not bad for an introduction to a new arc, but the solicitations lied to me again and that’s annoying. The cover art would have been better saved until the actual infiltration, but what can you do.

3 out of 5.