Amazing Spider-Man #529 ****SPOILERS****

[Sharcque]

Just got my books, and while I'm not gonna go into great deatail here, there was one page in this book that was very comical.

Remember when MJ broke her arm, and then it wasn't broken? Well, they address that here. Pete & Tony talk about it and Tony tells Pete that he injected some special bone healing/adhesive type of compound into her arm that he developed for himself many years ago that works upon contact, and that's why it wasn't broken anymore. Pete says, "Ohhh, ok then, I was just kinda wondering, you know?", to which Tony replies, "Well, yeah, who wouldn't?". Then it has a shot of them looking at the "camera" as if to say, "Well, do you guys buy that?". LOL!!!! Great stuff!

[moon knight]

not too much happens in it. It mostly is just spidey testing out the new coustume on a normal bay guy. and at the end Peter becomes Tony's protege

it wasnt too bad i would give it a 7/10

[scratchie]

The conversation about MJ's arm was great.

But this comic, unfortunately, indulged in one of the most tired old comic book cliches ever: the very first time Spidey wears his new, bullet-resistant costume, he gets shot in the back. What a coincidence! In forty years of super-heroing, Spidey has never once let a bad guy get the jump on him like that. But now, that he has a brand new bulletproof costume, he gets shot! What a remarkable coincidence!

That's an incredibly hokey plot device and it didn't ring true at all. It points out the inherent problem in adding new powers to an established character: either he keeps confronting the same old problems, in which case the new powers are meaningless, or he confronts new problems that can only be solved using the new powers, which makes the reader say "Hey, how come he never had to deal with this until now??"

The same thing happened a few pages earlier when one of the crooks said "He can never catch us now because there's nothing for him to swing from." Gosh, how incredibly fortunate, then, that on the very same day that Spidey happened to be chasing a crook in that exact part of Manhattan, he had a new costume that allowed him to fly! <ptui>

It's lazy writing and it insults the reader's intelligence.

[Max_Dillon]

i agree with the above poster, having him get shot in the back because he couldn't move fast enough to get the hostage out of the way in time(which is LAUGHABLE) just screams "forced". I wasted money on this issue, I could have been content reading the preview that was leaked on the net.

At least they seem to have already forgotten about the spider stingers. We hope.

[X23]

The issue wasn't bad and I like the continued development between Peter and Tony.


Speaking of which: Guys! I have a question for you!

I'm slowly getting through back issues of Spidey via TPB. I've just finished reading the bit with Shathra.

My question is: what has Peter been doing for a job between then and the New Avengers stuff? Has he just been teaching at the high school, or is he still working for the Bugle too? Any info would be great, thanks!

[Will.S]

The issue wasn't bad and I like the continued development between Peter and Tony.


Speaking of which: Guys! I have a question for you!

I'm slowly getting through back issues of Spidey via TPB. I've just finished reading the bit with Shathra.

My question is: what has Peter been doing for a job between then and the New Avengers stuff? Has he just been teaching at the high school, or is he still working for the Bugle too? Any info would be great, thanks!
Mostly teaching at the high school although there was probably a bit of freelance work with the Bugle at times.

[Adem]

I gave this issue a shot to see if I would come back to Amazing now that The Other story is over and I have to say this issue really didn't do anything for me. I don't think I'll be reading Amazing again anytime soon.

[scratchie]

I gave this issue a shot to see if I would come back to Amazing now that The Other story is over and I have to say this issue really didn't do anything for me. I don't think I'll be reading Amazing again anytime soon.My thoughts exactly. I might give it one more issue because I really want to like this (and Civil War) but they aren't making it easy.

[jam1]

Fantastic issue. :D

[Liquid_Swordsman]

I thought it was all right. I wasn't planning on getting this when I went to the shop today but I decided to get it when I got there. It was better than most of The Other, but it didn't really do anything new.

[melikeconan]

I picked up this issue today. Im not a Spider-Man reader but I picked it up since it had "civil War" on the cover and I wanted to check out the new costume. I personally like the new costume. Before I read it I just skimmed through it and it looked like he could fly now which i thought was lame but after reading it and finding out that he can glide for short distances it makes that not as bad. But I have a question. Why is Mary Jane and Peter so hard on Logan in this issue? Did something happen between them to make them not trust him other than Wolverine being a "bad-boy?"

[MakeshiftHero]

I picked up this issue today. Im not a Spider-Man reader but I picked it up since it had "civil War" on the cover and I wanted to check out the new costume. I personally like the new costume. Before I read it I just skimmed through it and it looked like he could fly now which i thought was lame but after reading it and finding out that he can glide for short distances it makes that not as bad. But I have a question. Why is Mary Jane and Peter so hard on Logan in this issue? Did something happen between them to make them not trust him other than Wolverine being a "bad-boy?"

They have never really gotten along much, and for some examples in MK Spider-Man vol. 4 Logan stuck him in the chest with his claws and Peter has always been paranoid that Logan is trying to move in on MJ.

As for the issue its not the best book to have picked up for the week but I thought it was a good way to introduce the new suit (even though the mech. legs weren't used and i was wanting them to talk about how those work) and to also lead into Peter and Tony's alliance and how the whole Civil War starts up.

[Web_Spinner]

yeah,

wolvie hit on MJ (sorta) in MK Spider-Man during 'Wild blue yonder' arc and Wolvie is often giving Pete a hard time about how he got a girl like MJ!

It's all comedic, it's not like they really hate him. Peter even threw Wolvie through a window for getting in his face. It was hillarious.

And finally, during the Other, Wolvie hit on MJ once pete died, but only in an attempt to give her an outlet for her anger, not cuz he really wanted to hook up!

[Chiasm]

The conversation about MJ's arm was great.

But this comic, unfortunately, indulged in one of the most tired old comic book cliches ever: the very first time Spidey wears his new, bullet-resistant costume, he gets shot in the back. What a coincidence! In forty years of super-heroing, Spidey has never once let a bad guy get the jump on him like that. But now, that he has a brand new bulletproof costume, he gets shot! What a remarkable coincidence!

That's an incredibly hokey plot device and it didn't ring true at all. It points out the inherent problem in adding new powers to an established character: either he keeps confronting the same old problems, in which case the new powers are meaningless, or he confronts new problems that can only be solved using the new powers, which makes the reader say "Hey, how come he never had to deal with this until now??"

The same thing happened a few pages earlier when one of the crooks said "He can never catch us now because there's nothing for him to swing from." Gosh, how incredibly fortunate, then, that on the very same day that Spidey happened to be chasing a crook in that exact part of Manhattan, he had a new costume that allowed him to fly! <ptui>

It's lazy writing and it insults the reader's intelligence.

Agree 100% with you on all points.

[Billy Parker]

I thought this issue was great! Great joke about MJs broken arm! I love the new suit! And the end lead into Civil War was sweet!

[chicainery]

Fun issue, overall.

The bullet to the back doesn't bother me. I just thought of it as Peter knew that his new costume was bullet resistant so he took one in the back to see how it felt. It sure put a scare into the shooter, that's for sure.

For a short-term costume change this one seems to have quite a bit of potential. I'm really looking forward to Peter David's use of the costume.

[stillanerd]

i agree with the above poster, having him get shot in the back because he couldn't move fast enough to get the hostage out of the way in time(which is LAUGHABLE) just screams "forced". I wasted money on this issue, I could have been content reading the preview that was leaked on the net.

At least they seem to have already forgotten about the spider stingers. We hope.

JMS: "Well, the costume is reinforced body armor, which, while it's able to act like an exoskeleton, just like real spiders, it unfortunately resticts his movements and speed. It would've been fine if he was wearing his old costume, but then his actions would probably result in his death...again. So you see, he had no choice but to take the bullet. After all, he's a hero, what did you expect him do to, stand there?
SPIDER-MAN FAN: Yeah, but, Spidey can lift over ten tons, so why should a couple of pounds of body armor slow him down? Besides, didn't the first part of the Other just show that his spider sense and enhanced reflexes made him fast enough to catch a bullet?
JMS: Well, you see, um...psst, Hey Quesada, help me out here.
JOE Q: Isn't Spidey's new costume cool? I designed it myself.
JMS: Exactly. I'm the writer here, so why don't you except reality and deal with it. Heck, it's not like I'm turning him into Wolverine or anything...well, I mean, psst, Hey Quesada, I think I'm losing them.
JOE Q: Buy Civil War! It's gonna be awesome!
STAN LEE: Jeez, and leaving Spidey to work on Stripperella seemed like such a good idea at the time.

:D

[Keith_Martineau]

Seems like everyone here is assuming the bullet took him by surprise and his dumb reaction was to stand in front of it as a plot device.

S'not the way I read the scene.

He sensed the bullet, and knowing (because Tony told him) that his armor can stop bullets, he simply put himself inbetween the bullet and the girl.
Whats easier, jumping out of the way in a big flashy scene...or turning around?

Has nothing to do with him being slower or weighed down by the armor or taken by surprise or anything...he just did what was easiest.

Next?

[drinkblatzbeer]

i am going to have to say...

as much as i've been disappointed, greatly, over the last 10 years or so by spidey's books...

i liked this one...
i liked the story...
i liked the costume, but happily know it won't be forever...
i liked the gross use of it being a civil war lead in (nice way to cop DC)
i liked garney's art...
i liked the interaction, although hokey, between peter and tony...
i liked it...
yes, i'm amazed too...

[Lanowar]

I did'nt like this issue it's just plain awful espically the bit when they stare at the screen. So cheesy when writers try and get there own back on fans only works in comedy titles. Then again I thought this was, because it was a joke...right?

[Core]

I thought this issue was pretty cool. Tony and Peter's discussion of MJ's broken arm was classic, a retcon for the ages, and I loved Garney's pencils--Garney is kind of hit or miss with me, depending on the inker he is paired with, but Reinhold and he seem like a great combo, so I'm glad to have them both on the title.

The admittedly somewhat stultifying test drive of the new suit didn't bother me as much as it seems to have some people. I mean, of course they're going to write in some new situations in which a hero has to test out his new powers. I agree the situation in which Peter tests his new powers could have been more organically introduced (both in this issue and the last issue), but I really just look at these arbitrary plot situations as setting up a baseline for the new powers, the new suit. Hopefully, once that baseline is established, the writers will be able to simply write the stories they want to tell without all the expository explanations of the suit/powers.

In short, I hope that the past couple of issues of ASM have set up the status quo for the new stuff, and we can get on with some new, exciting stories.

So is anyone else as worried as me about this "blood oath" Peter has taken with Tony? It seems rather rash to swear that kind of fealty without first knowing the reason for it, and it seems more than a bit manipulative on Tony's part. More and more, it seems like Peter is going to be on the side of this Civil War that I really don't want him to be on...

On a side note, all this talk of the new suit and the body armor included in it has googled us up a banner ad for "USA body armor: Armor for civilians and professionals" at the bottom of the screen. "An investment in your safety." Creepy...

[Ravenheart]

I really enjoyed this issue and I have to agree with Keith_Martineau about the bullet scene.I thought the exact same thing.He knew the suit was bullet proof so why jump out the way,plus he was just testing the suit to get comfortable with it.I just wish Deodato had stayed on the book.I really liked his work for ASM.At least I'll get to see it on NA.

[Web_Spinner]

I agree, Pete was bracing himself for the bullet! He knows the suit is able to withstand small caliber bullets, and trusts Tony enough to know it will work.

I am liking Garney's work more than Deodoto already, and thats saying something because I really liked Deodoto's work.

[Silvermane]

The conversation about MJ's arm was great.

But this comic, unfortunately, indulged in one of the most tired old comic book cliches ever: the very first time Spidey wears his new, bullet-resistant costume, he gets shot in the back. What a coincidence! In forty years of super-heroing, Spidey has never once let a bad guy get the jump on him like that. But now, that he has a brand new bulletproof costume, he gets shot! What a remarkable coincidence!

I haven't read the book and I am no Spider-sense expert so I may be off on this. But it seems to me that the reason he hasn't let anyone get the drop on him like that before is because his spider-sense warns him of the danger. If he is wearing a bulletproof suit now and cannot be harmed by a bullet, isn't it likely that his spider-sense would not go off? Is that how spider-sense works - no danger, no tingle? If so, that could explain what you believe to be a hokey plot device. Am I way off here? :confused:

P.S.

Sorry if someone else has made this point already.

[Maleficentogre]

no, spidey sense still goes off because bullets are bullets. maybe it's armor piercing. one of those fancy adamantium bullets. spidey sense is going to go off because no matter what you're wearing getting shot at is a bad thing.

[Kevinroc]

I'll agree that the "getting shot in the back" scene was a little cheap to showcase how durable the new armor is was a little on the cheap side.

I'm not wild about the new costume.

But I actually liked this issue. Damn, I'm conflicted.

[Iron Syndicate]

I really liked this issue.

I'm a fan of JMS. Supreme Power is wonderful, and his Spidey work is terrific. I liked the Other, and the post-Other, pre-Civil-War spidey is good in my book.
The MJ's Arm scene was great, and I just felt a vibe that was "Yeah, we screwed up, we know, but it wasn't that big-a-deal, and it was not that important to the story, so give it a rest, will ya?" A great way to handle the fanboy problem.
About the so-called "forcing" of the new powers: The point of Spidey's little outing in the book was, as was stated at least 3 times in the book, to test-drive the new suit and its capabilities. So while he probably could have web swung to the car, or slingshoted himself to it, he preferred to fly, to test the suit's gliding capablities.
And on the subject of the bullet - In no way did spidey "Jump infront of a bullet". If you look at his pose after the bullet hit, he was bracing himself for full-on impact. He deliberatly took a stand in between the bullet and the girl. And to the guy who said that it's been shown that Spidey had used Spider-Sense and instinct to catch a bullet, I remind you that he caught one bullet, while he was shot by the other one in the shoulder, so.... yeah.
I like Pete's and Tony's budding relationship, and it has great potential, though I sense a falling-out by the end of Civil War. There was something very ominous about Tony's speech...

And in regards to art, I was very sad when it was announced that Deodato was leaving Spidey. I really liked his art, but Garney is doing a good job, so far.
And I can still see Deodato draw Spidey in New Avengers. So all is good.

Overall, 8/10

[Slumber Hulk]

It doesn't matter what Spidey knows about the armor stopping bullets (besided Tony said "small calibur" bullets only). The point is an innocent woman was the target and he jumped in front of the bullet. I think he would have done this without the armor. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save someone else. There is no need to rationalize what he knew about the armor strength or his knowledge of scumbag-gun-ballistics. He was just acting heroicly.

I like the idea that the cops think Spiderman is dead. The Un-Dead Spidey Myth may be the best PR he's gotten in a long time.

I liked it, but I I don't like it when the cover makes unfullfilled promissed. Such as the introductions of the 3 mechanical arms. They were on the cover and not inside! That is shananigans and very annoying. Also, I don't like it when the New Avengers cover features characters who don't appear in that issue. I'm an old school cover lover.

[FlameOn4]

**edit** looks like this has already been adressed. never mind.

[stillanerd]

And on the subject of the bullet - In no way did spidey "Jump infront of a bullet". If you look at his pose after the bullet hit, he was bracing himself for full-on impact. He deliberatly took a stand in between the bullet and the girl. And to the guy who said that it's been shown that Spidey had used Spider-Sense and instinct to catch a bullet, I remind you that he caught one bullet, while he was shot by the other one in the shoulder, so.... yeah.

First of all, I understand that he stepped in fornt of an oncoming bullet to protect the girl; after all, he's a hero, that's what Spidey does. However, some of you seem to be missing a crucial point. If Spidey is fast enough to not only dodge and now catch on oncoming bullet, something that no normal human is capable of doing (and before you say anything about those folks who claim they can catch bullets with their teeth, that's nothing more than a magic trick) then why wasn't he fast enough in this case? After all, he certainly was fast enough to get into the path of the bullet, so why couldn't he catch it? Oh, and while I acknowledge that when he did catch one of Tracer's bullets and still got wounded in the shoulder, remember those were bullets Tracer was telepathically controling, which means one of them was bound to hit Spidey. This, on the other hand, was a regular buller fired from a regular gun which Spidey has shown multiple times in the past that he can avoid. Nitpicking, I know, but it seemed like JMS purposefully ignored just how quick Spidey's reflexes are just to show us that he was wearing buller proof body armor.


I like Pete's and Tony's budding relationship, and it has great potential, though I sense a falling-out by the end of Civil War. There was something very ominous about Tony's speech...

Of course there is. Peter is initially going to side with Tony, get arrested by S.H.E.I.L.D. for refusing to register, and then when Spidey escapes, he'll realize that Tony and members of the Illuminati have been manipulating him ever since he signed up with the Avengers for the expressed purpose of trying to recruit him, which would be great because here you have Peter being betrayed and duped by people he thought were his allies. I think this is part of a larger plan to try and once again make Spidey have the "outlaw" status and public mistrust, even amongst other heroes, like he used to in the past, which would be great.

[stillanerd]

Oh, and BTW, this issue sold out it's first printing. Here's the full story from Newsarama:

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=60550


AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #529/CIVIL WAR TIE-IN SELLS OUT

Press Release

Despite a huge overprint, Amazing Spider-Man #529 sold out Tuesday afternoon from Diamond. Fans should note that retailers should be fully stocked on the first print, but Marvel is rushing the same Bryan Hitch cover, noted as a second printing, back to press.

This issue not only starts the road to Civil War, but also is the first appearance of Spider-Man’s new “Iron Spider” costume.

“If this is any indication of sales for the Civil War event, we are off to a tremendous start,” says Marvel’s Vice President of Sales David Gabriel. “Retailers should check their orders on New Avengers: Illuminati Special and Fantastic Four #536, the next chapters on the road to Civil War.

“Thanks to retailers and fans for making Amazing Spider-Man #529 an instant success.”

[Neolucifer]

Of course there is. Peter is initially going to side with Tony, get arrested by S.H.E.I.L.D. for refusing to register, and then when Spidey escapes, he'll realize that Tony and members of the Illuminati have been manipulating him ever since he signed up with the Avengers for the expressed purpose of trying to recruit him, which would be great because here you have Peter being betrayed and duped by people he thought were his allies. I think this is part of a larger plan to try and once again make Spidey have the "outlaw" status and public mistrust, even amongst other heroes, like he used to in the past, which would be great.

I agree here about the manipulation angle , its a theory we've advanced a few times anyway.. but i'm not so sure it would result in Spidey being alone again .
I still think ,or maybe rather hope , he'll probably remain in an avenger team , by Cap's side and along a few others like Cage .


Oh and it was imo a quite great issue , i'm liking more and more the costume . I'm even getting on the fence , about weither its features should totally disappear or not . i think i'd dig Peter keeping a few of the tech improvements ideas for his classical costume , once he decides to ditch the iron spider suit .

[stillanerd]

I agree here about the manipulation angle , its a theory we've advanced a few times anyway.. but i'm not so sure it would result in Spidey being alone again .
I still think ,or maybe rather hope , he'll probably remain in an avenger team , by Cap's side and along a few others like Cage .

I'm not sure if after Civil War Peter would be willing to stay on as an Avenger. If anything, it reaffirm his belief that he's just not a team player and he might end up saying "A pox on both your houses" or what not. However, New Avengers might suffer in terms of sales if Spidey was off that book, so he could stay on. He just might on live in Stark Tower anymore (we can only hope.)


Oh and it was imo a quite great issue , i'm liking more and more the costume . I'm even getting on the fence , about weither its features should totally disappear or not . i think i'd dig Peter keeping a few of the tech improvements ideas for his classical costume , once he decides to ditch the iron spider suit .

I wouldn't mind having some parts of the costume incorporated into his classic duds either. I'd keep things like the gas filter, police scanner, and telescopic lenses--maybe even have the material be of a sturdier fabric, although not necessarily be bullet proof. The rest of it can go though.

[mr sinister]

It's lazy writing and it insults the reader's intelligence.
what also bothered me was...

1: the fact that these d-list thugs recognized this hero in a red & yellow armored costume as spider-man when he looks nothing like the spider-man everyone is familiar with. maybe the thugs were on the "official new avengers website" earlier and saw tony stark's press release & photos of the new spidey suit.

2: if my boss or friend or whoever came up to me and said the sh!t that tony said to peter i would be very suspicious. i though it sounded like something magneto or dr.doom would say to someone.

[stillanerd]

if my boss or friend or whoever came up to me and said the sh!t that tony said to peter i would be very suspicious. i though it sounded like something magneto or dr.doom would say to someone.

Here's something else that somebody pointed out on another message board: the intesity of Peter's spider-sense depends upon how serious a threat is, and if Spidey is in mortal danger, his spider-sense makes him react instinctively, right? Well, if Peter is wearing a bullet proof costume, then he wouldn't feel as threatened of being in mortal danger, and therefore his spider-sense wouldn't react as strongly. It made me think that what if this was part of Tony Stark had in mind. Remember, Spidey had told Mary Jane that the other heroes were always sizing each other up just in case there was the possibility of having to take Spidey down. Perhaps while the costume protects Peter from physical harm, its added protection weakens his spider-sense because Peter now longer feels he's in danger. Not only would his reaction time slow down, but perhaps there's something in the suit that Tony can trigger in case Spidey should go rogue that the spider-sense wouldn't be able to pick up.

[Michael P]

Seems like everyone here is assuming the bullet took him by surprise and his dumb reaction was to stand in front of it as a plot device.

S'not the way I read the scene.

He sensed the bullet, and knowing (because Tony told him) that his armor can stop bullets, he simply put himself inbetween the bullet and the girl.
Whats easier, jumping out of the way in a big flashy scene...or turning around?

Has nothing to do with him being slower or weighed down by the armor or taken by surprise or anything...he just did what was easiest.

Next?
That's how I read it. Hell, he may not have even known the bullet would bounce off.

[Michael P]

what also bothered me was...

1: the fact that these d-list thugs recognized this hero in a red & yellow armored costume as spider-man when he looks nothing like the spider-man everyone is familiar with. maybe the thugs were on the "official new avengers website" earlier and saw tony stark's press release & photos of the new spidey suit.
Or hey, maybe the big flippin' spider on his chest tipped them off.

[CyberCoyote]

I gave this issue a shot to see if I would come back to Amazing now that The Other story is over and I have to say this issue really didn't do anything for me. I don't think I'll be reading Amazing again anytime soon.

Yeah, same here. I really WANT to like Spidey again, but this did very little for me.

[onizuka]

i really enjoyed this issue. there isn't a thing about it i didn't like.

garney's penciling was great. how long is he gonna hang around?


The bullet to the back doesn't bother me. I just thought of it as Peter knew that his new costume was bullet resistant so he took one in the back to see how it felt. It sure put a scare into the shooter, that's for sure.
i thought the same

[Venom]

Perfect start to an astounding issue.

[The Shadow]

Who did the cover?

Is that Deodato?

Thanks

[Web_Spinner]

It was Hitch from Ultimate Avengers

[The Shadow]

It was Hitch from Ultimate Avengers
Brian Hitch?

DAMN it's a sweeeeet cover!

Thanks

[Joe Acro]

Bulletproof?! BULLETPROOF?! I can't stand it. In addition to all the other "nifty" things they gave to Spider-Man in The Other, they have to add even worse things. Has Marvel lost its mind? Part of what made Spider-Man so wonderful was that he could be hurt like the rest of us...like Batman, without the kevlar.

[Michael P]

Settle down, Beavis.

Actually, I think it was just the little golden spider backpack (the one the legs extend out of and all) that's bulletproof.

[The Shadow]

Settle down, Beavis.
LMAO

:D

[Jack]

Settle down, Beavis.

Actually, I think it was just the little golden spider backpack (the one the legs extend out of and all) that's bulletproof.
Well, the whole costume is bullet resistant, but I imagine the titanium chest (and back) emblem is somewhat more so. Though it probably hurts.

[The Wayner]

I couldn't dig the issue. Spose Spidey just isn't doing it for me, right now...

On a sidenote: I got 30 issues of this book in Wednesday, and had one feller come right in and buy them all. He was blathering about keeping them in storage and not hitting eBay with'em; cuddling them in his arms like they were top secret plans that he had stolen on his latest 007 outing.

Takes all kinds to make the world go round, huh?

[Core]

On a sidenote: I got 30 issues of this book in Wednesday, and had one feller come right in and buy them all. He was blathering about keeping them in storage and not hitting eBay with'em; cuddling them in his arms like they were top secret plans that he had stolen on his latest 007 outing.

Takes all kinds to make the world go round, huh?

Ahh...the speculator mentality.

Your description of the situation is too funny, Wayner. Thanks for telling us about that.

[Aufbach]

The conversation about MJ's arm was great.

But this comic, unfortunately, indulged in one of the most tired old comic book cliches ever: the very first time Spidey wears his new, bullet-resistant costume, he gets shot in the back. What a coincidence! In forty years of super-heroing, Spidey has never once let a bad guy get the jump on him like that. But now, that he has a brand new bulletproof costume, he gets shot! What a remarkable coincidence!

That's an incredibly hokey plot device and it didn't ring true at all. It points out the inherent problem in adding new powers to an established character: either he keeps confronting the same old problems, in which case the new powers are meaningless, or he confronts new problems that can only be solved using the new powers, which makes the reader say "Hey, how come he never had to deal with this until now??"

The same thing happened a few pages earlier when one of the crooks said "He can never catch us now because there's nothing for him to swing from." Gosh, how incredibly fortunate, then, that on the very same day that Spidey happened to be chasing a crook in that exact part of Manhattan, he had a new costume that allowed him to fly! <ptui>

It's lazy writing and it insults the reader's intelligence.

I pretty much completely agree with this analysis.

While I appreciate many of the poster's attempts to explain why Spider-Man was shot in the middle of the back for the first time I can ever remember (been collecting since the late 80s) -- right after wearing a bullet-resistant costume for the first time ever -- a well-written comic shouldn't require intelligent message board posters to explain this away.

Also agree with those who've criticized Peter's immediate acceptance of Stark's proposal, without knowing anything about it first. Totally seems like a Dr. Doom approach to me.

I've really liked about 90% of JMS' stories so far, but it's beginning to feel like Marvel Editorial's fingers are creeping into ASM more and more . . .

Note to Marvel: You don't have to create a cross-over "crisis" every seven months to maintain your audience. Just write good stories.

[Purple Kitty]

It was a nice issue, I didn't realise that JMS was actually a good writer. Kind of reminds me how Peter David handled Spidey's new powers, the idea in concept was silly, but Peter David made sure Spidey handled them in the way Spidey should.

[Will.S]

Loved it.

Always great to see Spidey test out new suits and this one was very cool although I'm still left wanting to see the effectiveness of the triple arms. Spider-Man taking the bullet to the back was a cool move and didn't bother me at all. I suppose with the suit there's a bit of a tradeoff ragarding his mobility but the suit did it's job nonetheless and it was a heroic act on Peter's part.

Peter and Tony's relationship still remains as a great one but with an ominous feeling coming up with Tony not looking too favorable but we'll see come Civil War. I'm glad to see Ron Garney get the art duties on the title, he's simply awesome and I loved his rendition of the Iron Spider costume as well as the characters in general and the funny scenes in the beginning.

Great start so far with the new artist, new costume and the road towards Civil War.

[sdwr]

after reading this issue i am back into spiderman, pluse the new suit looks cool. and now i want to read civil war.

[Crash-Man]

The conversation about MJ's arm was great.

But this comic, unfortunately, indulged in one of the most tired old comic book cliches ever: the very first time Spidey wears his new, bullet-resistant costume, he gets shot in the back. What a coincidence! In forty years of super-heroing, Spidey has never once let a bad guy get the jump on him like that. But now, that he has a brand new bulletproof costume, he gets shot! What a remarkable coincidence!

That's an incredibly hokey plot device and it didn't ring true at all. It points out the inherent problem in adding new powers to an established character: either he keeps confronting the same old problems, in which case the new powers are meaningless, or he confronts new problems that can only be solved using the new powers, which makes the reader say "Hey, how come he never had to deal with this until now??"

The same thing happened a few pages earlier when one of the crooks said "He can never catch us now because there's nothing for him to swing from." Gosh, how incredibly fortunate, then, that on the very same day that Spidey happened to be chasing a crook in that exact part of Manhattan, he had a new costume that allowed him to fly! <ptui>

It's lazy writing and it insults the reader's intelligence.


I agree with everything here. It was generally weak.

[Crash-Man]

Also agree with those who've criticized Peter's immediate acceptance of Stark's proposal, without knowing anything about it first. Totally seems like a Dr. Doom approach to me.


This bothered me a lot too. Especially since Tony approached Peter on the basis of being level-headed and logical, and then asked him to join a pact sight unseen.







I've really liked about 90% of JMS' stories so far, but it's beginning to feel like Marvel Editorial's fingers are creeping into ASM more and more . . .



I think this gets down to the meat of the matter. It's not that these story developments couldn't have been good...it's the fact that they seem rushed and forced to the point of being uncharacteristic.

[onizuka]

This bothered me a lot too. Especially since Tony approached Peter on the basis of being level-headed and logical, and then asked him to join a pact sight unseen.
good point that is. i totally didn't see it that way but now that you mention it it definately does seem a little contradictory.

[Will.S]

This bothered me a lot too. Especially since Tony approached Peter on the basis of being level-headed and logical, and then asked him to join a pact sight unseen.
But you also have to take into account what Tony has done for him so far such as with the new suit, new pad, and to an extent the NA membership.

Most of which can be given back.

[Crash-Man]

Which is exactly why Peter should have thought a lot deeper before joining him.

It's essentially a bribe. Peter should know better, having dealt with Norman Osborn extensively.

Either way, I'm sure we'll see his attitude retconned in the near future in some story that explains that his will was weakened by the recent Other situation.

[Will.S]

Which is exactly why Peter should have thought a lot deeper before joining him.

It's essentially a bribe. Peter should know better, having dealt with Norman Osborn extensively.
Eh, it's Tony though. He's a fellow superhero and they've bonded for a while now so even though Tony was rather cryptic about it I think it's fair to say that Tony has earned Peter's trust.

I wouldn't really say it's a bribe either since it Peter would just feel like he had an obligation to Tony after all he's done to help him out as a fellow superhero. Although you can clearly see ulterior motives on Iron Man's part with regards to Civil War, they aren't evil in any sense and are more of a stance on a particular issue.


Either way, I'm sure we'll see his attitude retconned in the near future in some story that explains that his will was weakened by the recent Other situation.
Quite frankly that would be kind of lame.

[Effect]

When Peter calls Tony "boss" is he refering to him as head of the Avengers or that Peter actually works for Tony in his company and is actually payed? In that Peter is a teacher along with working for Tony's company?

Tony asking him to be his protege makes me think he wants Peter on staff, his right hand man in a way. So to help with the company, at least that's how I took it. Does this mean he worked for him before or is this an actual job offer?

I've only read Spider-man: The Other, working my way through the New Avengers as I can get copies, and this latest issue. So I haven't gotten to comics where he was invited to live in the tower or anything related to that. What issues would those be?

Thanks.

[Will.S]

When Peter calls Tony "boss" is he refering to him as head of the Avengers or that Peter actually works for Tony in his company and is actually payed? In that Peter is a teacher along with working for Tony's company?

Tony asking him to be his protege makes me think he wants Peter on staff, his right hand man in a way. So to help with the company, at least that's how I took it. Does this mean he worked for him before or is this an actual job offer?
Nah Peter just calls him boss out of friendly gesture. Tony tells him to quit it since he isn't employed by Tony to call him that.


I've only read Spider-man: The Other, working my way through the New Avengers as I can get copies, and this latest issue. So I haven't gotten to comics where he was invited to live in the tower or anything related to that. What issues would those be?

Thanks.
The issues run from #515-#524 which are the "Skin Deep" and "New Avengers" arcs. Both should be out in TPB form and are really enjoyable reading, especially from Spidey's perspective as a Avenger.

[Effect]

Thanks. Is it in that arc that Aunt May finds out Peter is Spider-man or has happen way before?

[Will.S]

Thanks. Is it in that arc that Aunt May finds out Peter is Spider-man or has happen way before?
No problem.

The issues where Aunt May finds out Peter is Spider-Man are way before, right after Spider-Man's fight with Morlun and after the 9-11 issue. You can find those issues in TPB or in Hardcover as well.

[Crash-Man]

Either way, I'm sure we'll see his attitude retconned in the near future in some story that explains that his will was weakened by the recent Other situation.

Quite frankly that would be kind of lame.


Of course it will be. Retcons to forced/weak story elements usually are.

[nuclearman]

I gave this issue a shot to see if I would come back to Amazing now that The Other story is over and I have to say this issue really didn't do anything for me. I don't think I'll be reading Amazing again anytime soon.

I was the same during the Other arc and dropped ASM ...

I really enjoyed 529... loved the artwork and the story for me was interesting, action good.. not a depressing read like the first few issues of the other.

I am back on the AMaZing SpiDer-MaN!! Looking forward to what Tony has in store for Peter and I am with others on this thread that suggest maybe he was a little hasty in his decision to jump on board with Tony.

[Will.S]

I was the same during the Other arc and dropped ASM ...

I really enjoyed 529... loved the artwork and the story for me was interesting, action good.. not a depressing read like the first few issues of the other.

I am back on the AMaZing SpiDer-MaN!! Looking forward to what Tony has in store for Peter and I am with others on this thread that suggest maybe he was a little hasty in his decision to jump on board with Tony.
Good to have you aboard again.

[Hellfan]

529 was the best issue I've read in a very long time - Had a real old school feel to it...For the first time in a year I'm actually anticipating the next issue!

[jackolover]

So, we were always wondering if Tony deliberately kept Steve Rogers out of discussions about the SHRA, and now we have proof. Peter asks Tony did he even not want to tell Steve about their new arrangement (with Peter being Tony's protege'), and Tony says, 'Even Steve'. That to me points to Tony not consulting with Steve when he had the chance, and running with the SHRA whether Steve wanted too, or not. And MJ should be a blond. She gave Peter no direction about which way to go, and he asked for her input. Tony had already shown he was spying on them in their bedroom, and she was still trusting Stark. Where was MJ's Spidey sense?

And the other thing this issue tells us, is that Tony needed someone he could trust implicitly, to back him up. Tony still needs this person, and he hasn't found him since Peter left.

Who, then, could be this second; this protege, that could back up Tony, and who Tony could trust implicitly? Happy's dead, so he can't have him. Rhody was anti-reg in the What If? CW book and would have been killed by Maria Hill , so I don't think Tony would go with him. He needs someone who can follow Tony around all the time, and that means flight of some kind. I can think of Sentry, but Tony despises him now that Tony can turn Sentry into a blubbering schoolgirl whenever he wishes, by manipulating Cloc to overload Sentrys time-management skills. Carol Danvers should be obvious, because she has stood by Tony through thick and thin, so they would be a natural team up, and I don't know why Marvel haven't gone that way yet.

Then in ASM #530, The government intervues it's dog, Tony Stark, and asks him if he is still their lap dog, and he says yes. Then Peter Parker says, costumes need a secret identity, and the government says they don't need one, at which Stark comments, 'Peter, you've stated truth in the face of power'. The real power in the MU.

And again, in ASM #531, how close have we come to Titanium Mans prediction that costumes will be doing work for briefcases full of money, like the Russian costumes are? And even further, after Tony remarks how he admires Lincoln, and Peter says, 'Well you know how that ends up', meaning Lincoln is shot. So is the real hero of CW Cap or Iron Man? Makes you wonder what is the true side of the CW.

[jackolover]

This book became the most disturbing book up to this point. It held the logo of the Road to the Civil War, so it sent a shiver down the spine of all super hero fans, who wondered what this means. We didn't have to wait long, because it was in this book that we learn Tony Stark does not trust the rest of the New Avengers, when Peter makes the claim that all of them would back Tony. MJ eliminates Logan. Sentry and Spider Woman eliminate themselves. Tony naturally doesn't trust Luke Cage, so that leaves Cap and Peter. Peter asks if he should tell Cap, and Tony says don't even tell Cap.

Once Tony Stark has said this, we wonder if this is related to the SHIELD problem they uncovered in the Savage Land. But why keep all the other Avengers out of this deal?

I think Tony Stark had already turned by this time. Tony already defined the relationship between Peter and himself as scientists and people with common sense, yet that could also be described as Cap or any one of the other Avengers. And it was certainly flattering of Peter Parker, who was less involved with science than Tony makes out, and, was more inclined to go against common sense in his dealings. Tony was grooming Peter for a role as a Pre-Initiative operative. Tony made Peter into a registered combatant, without the card. Now, maybe this was on a subconscious level for Tony, because he was just beggining to address the SHRA in closed sittings of a sub-commitee, but I think Tony was positioning himself already, and taking who he can with him.

Tony did not wait until Stamford to align himself with the SHRA. When Tony made the Iron Spider, swore Peter to secrecy, (even from their own team), this spelt the death knell of everything sacred about the super hero ethos. It meant, that Tony showed his true colours in that he saw super humans as no more than chattels for the government. Not that this is strange for a man like Tony Stark, because from Tonys standpoint as a government associate (he was SECDEF), no super human can exist as an island. All super humans have to relinquish their rights before the law. Tony was victim to this credo as someone who was the recipient of government investment in his Iron Man development. Same with Ant-Man, Reed Richards and Bruce Banner. It just required that people like Cap and Spider Man come up to speed and join the club.

[Venom]

This book became the most disturbing book up to this point. It held the logo of the Road to the Civil War, so it sent a shiver down the spine of all super hero fans, who wondered what this means. We didn't have to wait long, because it was in this book that we learn Tony Stark does not trust the rest of the New Avengers, when Peter makes the claim that all of them would back Tony. MJ eliminates Logan. Sentry and Spider Woman eliminate themselves. Tony naturally doesn't trust Luke Cage, so that leaves Cap and Peter. Peter asks if he should tell Cap, and Tony says don't even tell Cap.

Once Tony Stark has said this, we wonder if this is related to the SHIELD problem they uncovered in the Savage Land. But why keep all the other Avengers out of this deal?

I think Tony Stark had already turned by this time. Tony already defined the relationship between Peter and himself as scientists and people with common sense, yet that could also be described as Cap or any one of the other Avengers. And it was certainly flattering of Peter Parker, who was less involved with science than Tony makes out, and, was more inclined to go against common sense in his dealings. Tony was grooming Peter for a role as a Pre-Initiative operative. Tony made Peter into a registered combatant, without the card. Now, maybe this was on a subconscious level for Tony, because he was just beggining to address the SHRA in closed sittings of a sub-commitee, but I think Tony was positioning himself already, and taking who he can with him.

Tony did not wait until Stamford to align himself with the SHRA. When Tony made the Iron Spider, swore Peter to secrecy, (even from their own team), this spelt the death knell of everything sacred about the super hero ethos. It meant, that Tony showed his true colours in that he saw super humans as no more than chattels for the government. Not that this is strange for a man like Tony Stark, because from Tonys standpoint as a government associate (he was SECDEF), no super human can exist as an island. All super humans have to relinquish their rights before the law. Tony was victim to this credo as someone who was the recipient of government investment in his Iron Man development. Same with Ant-Man, Reed Richards and Bruce Banner. It just required that people like Cap and Spider Man come up to speed and join the club.

Funny enough I read this issue again last night. The UK Spidey comic I collect printed this tale in it's latest issue. It really did hint at terrible things to come the minute Tony swore Peter to a blood oath and not to tell Steve about their private chat.

[jackolover]

Funny enough I read this issue again last night. The UK Spidey comic I collect printed this tale in it's latest issue. It really did hint at terrible things to come the minute Tony swore Peter to a blood oath and not to tell Steve about their private chat.

It is even worth noting the effort that JMS had put into the Spider Man franchise up until now, with his investment in the Spider Totem culminating in the Other storyline. Then almost immediately JMS had to abandon all of it for the two next events, CW and BiB, which were great written stories, but which took away from all that JMS was aiming for.

The final culmination being OMD, totally stripped all meaning from JMS's run. Although MJ hardly had any significance in JMS's stories, because it was mostly concentrating on Spider Man, it really came out of left field when OMD arrived.

It was almost like a shock to MU. JMS had constructed this elaborate Spider Totem, with a Spider Clan, with a Spider Cult in the forests of South America. It was a wonderful promise of where Spidey was going to go. Then it was all cut short, like a storm struck the MU.