‘The Amazing Spider-Man #1’ Review

Writer: Zeb Wells / Artist: John Romita Jr. / MARVEL It’s really cute when you give a new comic or old character a shot despite your better judgement. The homie Spider-Man and his books have been stuck in mediocrity for a long while, but Peter Parker remains arguably the most popular Marvel hero, so any book with his name on it immediately sparks vehement hate or makes fans pick apart every weak aspect of the book. Worst part is, they’re usually right. I’ve tried to read a dozen Spider-Man books in the last 5-10 years and few were dope. Of course, there are standouts like Spider-Verse, Superior and those Ends of the Earth x Dying Wish runs in TASM but it’s unconscionable how Marvel has fumbled the Spidey bag so much in the last decade. But let’s jump into the The Amazing Spider-Man #1 and see why it’s looking like this book won’t wind up wowing anyone, anytime soon. John Romita Jr. = Instant Success?

I was really hoping to have my mind blown a little with Romita on the track, but there are some serious peaks and valleys in his artwork. I gotta say…I expected more. Sure, Spider-Man looks great thwipin around the city, and the villains are decently drawn and menacing but that’s about it. There’s no pop or pizazz. I don’t marvel at the buildings of NYC or spend an extra 30 seconds lingering on the page to take in everything behind the characters. It’s unfortunate but not a dealbreaker for me, because there are a handful of redeemable qualities in this book.  Slow Start…