Sensational Spider-Man #39 Spoilers; Discussion

[_Jayme_]

Summary
Issue starts out with Eddie Brock on the roof with Venom talking about how they owned the night. Venom reminds Eddie that a nurse will be making the rounds soon so the two go inside. Venom calls this "practice". The nurse comes in to give Eddie his meds but finds that he isn't there. In the shadows Eddie (in the store-bought black Spider-Man suit) tells the nurse that Eddie isn;t there anymore. Eddie takes a scalpel and seemingly kills the nurse. Brock seems to feel some guilt until Venom talks him out of feeling guilty, saying she deserved it. Eddie doesn't want to kill May but Venom says she is guilty for raising the man (Peter) that was responsible for destroying what was good in Eddie's life. Meanwhile Peter is alone in May's room talking to her when he leaves for a seance. Black Cat keeps eye in the lounge as Peter leaves for the seance, which involves himself, Mary Jane, Madame Web and MJ's aunt. As the seance happens, Peter finds himself talking to May's conscience. May states that she doesn't want to come back saying she has been down this road too many times. She says her body wouldn't let her even if she wanted. Eddie walks into May's room as this is happening. May tells Peter that she wants him to grow old with M.J. and wants him to have many children before he says goodbye. As the group leaves the hospital, Peter's spider-sense goes off and he goes to May's room to see Eddie sitting on the window saying that Venom wanted him to hurt her but he couldn't. He says he cut him out. He cut him out of HIM. And he raises his arms revealing cuts and scars on his arms. Eddie jumps out the window but Peter saves him with his spider-webs and Eddie wakes up in the hospital to Venom saying he isn't; going anywhere, to which Eddie replies with "Fine. Fine with me. now that we know who's in charge."

End Summary

Okay, so I think it was really bold of Sacasa to have Eddie stand up and say he cut him out of his self and then have the scars and cuts on his arms. It's not necessarily saying that he cut himself or whatever, but it assumes it to the fullest. I'm glad Black Cat had a cameo too..I can't wait for the next issue.

[CMBMOOL]

Well if May doesn't want to come back to life, then what is the deal with ONE MORE DAY ? :(

[Sean Whitmore]

Well if May doesn't want to come back to life, then what is the deal with ONE MORE DAY ? :(

I imagine we'll find out when it comes out.


SEAN

[Sean Whitmore]

While reading this issue, it dawned on me that there's another good reason for combining the titles into a weekly Amazing.

There was no suspense as far as Brock killing May. And it's not the fault of the writer in the least...it's just that we as consumers have come to realize that something THAT big just ISN'T going to happen in the pages of a satellite book. Maybe once upon a time, but not these days.

May is never gonna die in Sensational. Mary Jane and Peter are never gonna split up in Friendly Neighborhood. And it's a hell of a stone the writers have to wear around their necks, knowing that no matter how well they set up such a story, it isn't theirs to tell.

Now imagine if this issue had been an arc in the one-and-only Spider-Man comic. Jesus, I'd have been afraid for May's life every time I turned a page.


SEAN

[CMBMOOL]

While reading this issue, it dawned on me that there's another good reason for combining the titles into a weekly Amazing.

There was no suspense as far as Brock killing May. And it's not the fault of the writer in the least...it's just that we as consumers have come to realize that something THAT big just ISN'T going to happen in the pages of a satellite book. Maybe once upon a time, but not these days.

May is never gonna die in Sensational. Mary Jane and Peter are never gonna split up in Friendly Neighborhood. And it's a hell of a stone the writers have to wear around their necks, knowing that no matter how well they set up such a story, it isn't theirs to tell.

Now imagine if this issue had been an arc in the one-and-only Spider-Man comic. Jesus, I'd have been afraid for May's life every time I turned a page.


SEAN

That is something to think about. :D

[Pyro]

This book is really living up to it's name, this issue was sensational! I swear, I thought last issue was great and this was just as great making it a perfect whole.

This is definitely a defining Venom story. It follows logically from the elements of his history that worked, and has some really strong character moments. It works really well that he's crazy and has a split personality, that after bonding with the Venom suit, took his form. I really didn't expect him to survive by the end of it, but when Peter saved him, I felt not only surprise but a little fearful. We all know Brock is going to blame Peter for saving his life, now that he's giving in (again) to his Venom personality.

My only disappointment was that Lee Weeks didn't draw this issue. I loved his art so much from the last issue, I had been anticipating his work here for weeks. I was so upset when I saw he was already gone. Is he unable to do a monthly, did he have other obligations, or was he just pulled elsewhere? Luckily, this Rick Hoberg fellow did a great job as well and has a very similar style to Weeks, which probably had a lot to do with Gaudiano's finishes. The art was beautiful again, with strong layouts and suitably creepy scenes. Clayton Crain's scene on the mental plane worked in a surreal way. Very strong artistic work here. Including the writing, which was absolutely superb.

I was also glad to see Anna Watson again. It had been so long since we had last seen her, and I had been wondering what her reaction was to Peter's unmasking and May's injury. We still don't get her reaction to the unmasking, but we can assume she's on good terms with Peter I suppose and is concerned for Aunt May.

[Pyro]

I just realized, Eddie's last words in the story can be interpreted in two ways. He said it's fine with him that he's still alive and with the Venom personality, now that they knew which personality was in charge. It could be either. At first, I thought he was saying that was Venom was in charge and that Brock admitted defeat because he couldn't get away from him and he has that habit of giving in. But now, I think Brock is saying that he, himself, is in charge, because he proved doesn't have to do what Venom tells him to do. That's actually a more positive ending, showing that Brock isn't irredeemable and as weak as he may appear to be. I wonder where it's going to go from there. I'm don't think RAS made it perfectly clear which ending he intended so I wouldn't be surprised if the next person to write Eddie follows upon the defeated interpretation, but I think I prefer the positive ending. There's already the real Venom symbiote running around out there; we don't need two characters under the influence at the same time. And it would be nice to know that Eddie has finally conquered his demons. I suppose that is what is meant by "The Last Temptation of Eddie Brock." Wow, this story is even better now that I see how deep it is!

[SpideyZERO]

Another solid issue. Despite being a two parter, this arc is really well done. I like the imagined Venom. He has a dark sense of humor. Luckily Eddie manages to fight off his temptation and tries to end his own life (again^^), and fail (again. LOL). I think it will be a better ending if Eddie actually manages to kill himself, but then it will be too dark. Now that Eddie is no longer influenced (I'm in charge now...) by his dark side, what will happen to him in the future? Definately looking forward to more Eddie Brock.

The art is quite a highlight in this issue. I barely notice that this issue is not pencilled by the last issue's penciller. Their style is quite similiar and gives the story a darker feel. I also like Crain's seance art too.

Overall, a 4.5/5

[Chris S.]

While reading this issue, it dawned on me that there's another good reason for combining the titles into a weekly Amazing.

There was no suspense as far as Brock killing May. And it's not the fault of the writer in the least...it's just that we as consumers have come to realize that something THAT big just ISN'T going to happen in the pages of a satellite book. Maybe once upon a time, but not these days.

SEAN
Some great points. I still think the tri-weekly is going to be a horrible idea though. Major things can happen in side books though. I would have thought that JJJ and Peter's first encounter would definitely be in Amazing.

Also there going to do a tri- monthly book, but why not have the three books come out on different weeks. I hate how it came out the same week as ASM.

Also as someone else said loved seeing Anna Watson come back from the "dead". The seance was a little corny, and I was surprised to see Madame Web out of her room/chair. Loved what Anna said to the black cat though, made me feel like this was a hole new world. Would have loved to see her reaction and confrontation with Peter. Didn't she think he was having an affair?

Much better then the last issue. Nothing really resolved though. Eddie should have died to conclude this arc.

[1WEBHEAD]

This issue was great just like like last issue.

I have to say that this was the best Back in Black tie-in story Marvel put out.

I'm sad to see the title go now that the book reached it's fullest potential.:(

Very creative.

5/5

[rZi]

it's just that we as consumers have come to realize that something THAT big just ISN'T going to happen in the pages of a satellite book. Maybe once upon a time, but not these days.

SEAN

yeah i felt this too, i already knew May wasn't going to die when i saw her on the cover of OMD so when you know the future it completely takes the buzz out of it. This really could of been a big deal for eddies characters instead i felt 2 issues for such a subject was far too short.

[Cody H]

As much as I knew Auny May wasn't biting the dust, Aguirre-Sacasa half convinced me there was a chance they'd off Eddie, good work. Overall, I enjoyed this arc quite a bit. It's a shame Aguirre-Sacasa isn't sticking around, I'm gonna miss his writing.

[Johnny_Luck]

Yeah I am very sad that Sensational is going away as I picked it because it had the best writing of all three books and when I started picking it up the best art. Definitely don't think JMS is as good as he thinks he is on amazing.

I definately won't be able to aford to pick up one spidey title three times a month either so I might have to go another few years without my favorite character again.

[Venom]

Wow! Just "Sensational". This truly was a defining Eddie Brock story. I'm so happy that he still lives. From the interviews with RAS about this story I was sure he was going to kill Brock off.

I fully agree with Pyro how it's a shame that Lee Weeks couldn't pencil this part, but the guest artist did make up for it as it's almost similar to Lee's style. I think the story ended really well and I'm convinced that Eddie's the one in charge now as he proved that Venom can't influence him anymore. It's only a matter of time until the one, true Venom returns.

[cable guy]

Wow! Just "Sensational". This truly was a defining Eddie Brock story. I'm so happy that he still lives. From the interviews with RAS about this story I was sure he was going to kill Brock off.

I fully agree with Pyro how it's a shame that Lee Weeks couldn't pencil this part, but the guest artist did make up for it as it's almost similar to Lee's style. I think the story ended really well and I'm convinced that Eddie's the one in charge now as he proved that Venom can't influence him anymore. It's only a matter of time until the one, true Venom returns.


I can not wait. Hopefully it does happen.

I usually don't read spoiler discussions, but I couldn't resist in this case.

[Chris Johnson]

The Last Temptation of Eddie Brock has been the best Spider-Man story I've read this year.

[StoneGold]

While reading this issue, it dawned on me that there's another good reason for combining the titles into a weekly Amazing.

There was no suspense as far as Brock killing May. And it's not the fault of the writer in the least...it's just that we as consumers have come to realize that something THAT big just ISN'T going to happen in the pages of a satellite book. Maybe once upon a time, but not these days.

May is never gonna die in Sensational. Mary Jane and Peter are never gonna split up in Friendly Neighborhood. And it's a hell of a stone the writers have to wear around their necks, knowing that no matter how well they set up such a story, it isn't theirs to tell.

Now imagine if this issue had been an arc in the one-and-only Spider-Man comic. Jesus, I'd have been afraid for May's life every time I turned a page.


SEAN

PLANT! You're doing PR for the new Amazing format, aren't you?

[The Confessor]

Great issue! The Last Tempation Of Eddie Brock has been the best story arc to have appeared in this title since it changed it's name from Marvel Knights: Spider-Man IMO. I thought that last issue actually had the edge over this part but nonetheless, it was a very satisfying conclusion to the story.

It rammed home just how pitiful and derranged Eddie Brock has become...from the imaginary Venom talking to him, through the murder of the nurse and finally to the scene where Eddie explained to Peter that he'd cut Venom out of himself. I actually thought for a moment there that this was gonna be the end of Eddie when he threw himself out of the window. It wasn't to be but still, this story arc was a defining moment in the history of Eddie Brock I think.

It was also nice to see Anna Watson making an appearance...her first since Peter unmasked as far as I'm aware. It's a pity we didn't see more of her reaction to the news that Peter was Spidey but I guess it's safe to assume that she's cool with it. I especially liked the way she was asking Felicia why she called herself the Black Cat. It showed that this is a whole new world for Aunt Anna and that she has a lot to catch up on.

[Venom]

The Last Tempation Of Eddie Brock has been the best story arc to have appeared in this title since it changed it's name from Marvel Knights: Spider-Man IMO.

I couldn't agree more. Sensational has been the worst title out of all three current Spidey titles. It's not a bad comic, but I just don't think it's quality has been up there with Amazing and Friendly Neighbourhood. Up to "The Last Temptation Of Eddie Brock" Sensational has been a really overrated title. Another reason why it's a letdown is because they never managed to get a permanent artist.

[Chris Johnson]

Huh, I've always enjoyed Sensational and Friendly Neighborhood more than Amazing.

[We R. Venom]

Definitely a great story. Loved it. Way to go, for Eddie!:cool:

[jackolover]

It was also nice to see Anna Watson making an appearance...her first since Peter unmasked as far as I'm aware. It's a pity we didn't see more of her reaction to the news that Peter was Spidey but I guess it's safe to assume that she's cool with it.

Just another relative, like Aunt May, for any underworld shooters. Why don't they parade out MJ's sister, while they're at it, and really put everyone in danger, that was ever associated with Peter Parker.

There's MJ's parents. What do they think of their daughter being married to a renegade superhuman? Or Flash, or Liz Osborn and Harry junior for that matter. The circle of people associated with the Parkers could get very large.

[Chris S.]

Another reason why it's a letdown is because they never managed to get a permanent artist.
I think thats what really hurt this book. When Medina was on it seemed really good. Now every month there is a new artist and it destroys the consistency of it. I think the writing has been superb though.

[rZi]

The Last Temptation of Eddie Brock has been the best Spider-Man story I've read this year.

I think it was really good....and definatley my faviroute sensational spider-man story of the run (mark millarks MK's was imense but under a different name)

This was only the real story i enjoyed in all honesty. Every other issue has been a buy just cos it's spider related for me.

[Dr. Chaos]

Like I've said in the preview thread, Eddie has his demons but he's not evil. It's nice to see the comic back me up on that one. :p

Of course, the ending leaves room for Eddie's dark side to resurface once again with his at times twisted sense of justice but it seems generally up to interpretation right now with abit of an ominous glow to it.

In any case, as great an ending as this would be for Brock, even with all he has working against him, I just don't see him being saved only to die on or off page a couple of months from now. I can certainly see Eddie going the "Peter saved me just so I can continue to die a slow and painful death? Bastard.." route from here. He has a very selective memory.

That whole comic just got extremely surreal from the point where Peter walked in on Eddie in May's room, coupled with the fact that he's been my favorite comic book character since childhood and I was 98% sure Eddie was gone, it was one of the most suspenseful stories I've read in a long time.

[houstonz]

That whole comic just got extremely surreal from the point where Peter walked in on Eddie in May's room, coupled with the fact that he's been my favorite comic book character since childhood and I was 98% sure Eddie was gone, it was one of the most suspenseful stories I've read in a long time.


Word.

I really hope Eddie returns as Venom.

[bulbasteve]

Yikes even if it is the Eddie personality in charge now I am not sure that it is all that much better, I mean he stopped at his "last temptation" of killing an old woman in a hospital bed, but didn't seem all that upset about killing the nurse.... guess more lethal protector Eddie....

[Dr. Chaos]

You know, with Eddie being more mentally unbalanced than ever, and with the whole self mutilation thing, I'm really starting to wonder how he would turn out as the next Carnage.

Don't get me wrong, It's not that its actually something necessarily I want to see happen (I'm not a Carnage fan) but with what lil time he has left, what choice is there really for Eddie other than another symbiote? Not to make a tasteless comment here but he's kind of got the build now to replace Cassidy without many people realizing that the identity has changed.

Who knows, what becomes of Eddie may not be explained for months or years but I'm not getting the sense of finality I thought I would from this story.

[Johnny_Luck]

I couldn't agree more. Sensational has been the worst title out of all three current Spidey titles.

I strongly disagree. When a guy can take Vermin, Steggy and lizard and make a big story arc with them as the villains interesting that writer has talent, we haven't gotten a story as good as that on amazing in years.

Not to mention the Issue with the BC and Rhino showdown was just awesome.

Sensational IMHO is the best of all three spider-man titles and has been for a long time. Amazing on the other hand has been disappointing for years and I guess when Sensational is gone I will have to wait until either we get another spidey book or amazing goes back to once a month with a worthwhile team.


I haven't read friendly even but still Sensational>Amazing any day of the week.

[Venom]

I strongly disagree. When a guy can take Vermin, Steggy and lizard and make a big story arc with them as the villains interesting that writer has talent, we haven't gotten a story as good as that on amazing in years.

Not to mention the Issue with the BC and Rhino showdown was just awesome.

Sensational IMHO is the best of all three spider-man titles and has been for a long time. Amazing on the other hand has been disappointing for years and I guess when Sensational is gone I will have to wait until either we get another spidey book or amazing goes back to once a month with a worthwhile team.


I haven't read friendly even but still Sensational>Amazing any day of the week.

You clearly didn't pay full attention to my post. Sensational is a good comic, but it's not the best out of all three in my opinion. It did fresh and new stories, but apart from "The Last Temptation Of Eddie Brock" they haven't captivated me enough.

Amazing has had the best stories this year. "The War At Home", "Back In Back". They both definitely go into my Top 10 greatest Spider-Man stories of all time. And the overall sales every month prove that people prefer Amazing to both Friendly Neighbourhood and Sensational. Why do you think it's the only title that will remain? Because Marvel also know that Amazing is their best Spidey title. Amazing> Sensational

[Johnny_Luck]

You clearly didn't pay full attention to my post. Sensational is a good comic, but it's not the best out of all three in my opinion. It did fresh and new stories, but apart from "The Last Temptation Of Eddie Brock" they haven't captivated me enough.

Amazing has had the best stories this year. "The War At Home", "Back In Back". They both definitely go into my Top 10 greatest Spider-Man stories of all time. And the overall sales every month prove that people prefer Amazing to both Friendly Neighborhood and Sensational. Why do you think it's the only title that will remain? Because Marvel also know that Amazing is their best Spidey title. Amazing> Sensational

Best and Most Marketable are two completely different things. Amazing is doing very well because its the main spider-man book and has been forever, thus gets all the big villains to play around with while Sensational gets Molten Man, Chameleon, Vermin, Lizard and Scarecrow basically not even C level spider-man villains because its not the main book and the main gets first dibs.

Yet somehow the writing and storytelling in Sensational made stories with those villains so much more interesting than anything in Amazing this year.

I mean it doesn't take more than a decent writer to do what JMS has done with who he has been given to work with.

Sensational>Amazing anyday of the week no matter what sales say.

[Venom]

Best and Most Marketable are two completely different things. Amazing is doing very well because its the main spider-man book and has been forever, thus gets all the big villains to play around with while Sensational gets Molten Man, Chameleon, Vermin, Lizard and Scarecrow basically not even C level spider-man villains because its not the main book and the main gets first dibs.

Yet somehow the writing and storytelling in Sensational made stories with those villains so much more interesting than anything in Amazing this year.

I mean it doesn't take more than a decent writer to do what JMS has done with who he has been given to work with.

Sensational>Amazing anyday of the week no matter what sales say.

Sales prove which and what title people prefer to read which means it does prove something. So please stop trying to justify it. Some of those villains you mentioned are B-List rouges. Sensational has even used two A-List villains. Amazing> Sensational and always will be. End of discussion. Good day to you sir.

[Johnny_Luck]

Sales prove which and what title people prefer to read which means it does prove something.

Kinda like how Titanic is regarded as one of the worst overrated movies of all time now, even though it broke box office records, while some of the movies in the top 20 of all time considered not only by critics but by fans were at the time of their release bombs at the box office.

Sales only prove what people buy or watch, etc not if they like it or if they thought the product was worth their money.

[Venom]

Kinda like how Titanic is regarded as one of the worst overrated movies of all time now, even though it broke box office records, while some of the movies in the top 20 of all time considered not only by critics but by fans were at the time of their release bombs at the box office.

Sales only prove what people buy or watch, etc not if they like it or if they thought the product was worth their money.

Come up with all the excuses you want. Even the majority on here prefer Amazing. We even had a poll on which Spider-Man title was the best a while back. You're just hearing what you want to hear now and it's starting to get really tedious. Joe Quesada himself even said everyone prefers Amazing to the other titles. That's why it's coming out THREE times a month at the end of the year and they're CANCELING Sensational and Friendly Neighbourhood. Now good day.

[Green Goblin]

I enjoyed it the scnes with brock were good

[Ultrawolf]

I enjoyed this arc very much, I thought Eddie Brock was the best written here than he has been in years. I was worried they were going to kill him off, but I'm glad to see he's still alive and I'm happy that he seems like he's going to start taking control of his life. Or at least, I hope so!

[Black Atom]

For what's it's worth, I thought Sensational's been consistently better than Amazing.

[Venom]

For what's it's worth, I thought Sensational's been consistently better than Amazing.

Don't you start. :D