Amazing Spider-Man #600 Discussion and Spoilers

[ZeoVGM]

Well, it took me an hour, but I'm done reading it. That, ladies and gentleman, is how an anniversary issue should be done.

No shocking game changing events, no huge gimmicky plot twist. Just a fantastic story which brought Doc Ock back into Spidey's life.

And I absolutely loved all the interaction with the supporting cast. Norah's quips, finally giving Michele some time in the book (hoping to see more from her), having Flash at the wedding, and Spidey's interaction with his fellow heroes was just great. Loved that Johnny ended up at the wedding. And now that MJ is back, I'm very excited to see what they do with her.

As for Doc Ock? Very interesting new take on the character. Slott made him more dangerous, while at the same time keeping his slighty dopey personality.

Nice fake out on who was in the cab, by the way. Here I was thinking it would be Harry.

As far as the backups go, I loved that Stan Lee's story acknowledged the pregnancy, and "My Brother's Son" and May at Ben's grave were both heartwarming reads.

I laughed out loud at the Spider-Mobile story with Norah and the Spider-Man/Batman teamup cover.

So to Slott and the rest of the crew: thanks for the effort. It paid off hugely. I absolutely stand by my thoughts: this is what Amazing Spider-Man should be.

[Jim Thompson]

Details later but I thought this issue was -- good. It's enjoyable. In some ways, it seems more like a celebration of the MU as a whole, through the vehicle of their best known character, than a celebration of Spider-Man alone.

P.S. I agree with Zeo in the sense it's a good anniversary issue -- but not so good as to replace my favorite one, ASM #200.

[ZeoVGM]

Originally Posted by Jim Thompson

Details later but I thought this issue was -- good. It's enjoyable. In some ways, it seems more like a celebration of the MU as a whole, through the vehicle of their best known character, than a celebration of Spider-Man alone.

Yeah I agree with that. I think it works well, as Spidey embodies waht the Marvel Universe is.

[alf_to_the_rescue]

It's the first spiderman issue I have picked up since Ben died really, and I wasn't really impressed by it. I was expecting something more. Though I liked the take on Doc Ock and it was a decent enough story, but not enough to keep me wanting to pick it up.

The last story was actually my favourite though, mainly cause I like spoilers:

Madame Web and it seems to set up the next year of stories and I think one of the images showed the "mark of kaine"

end of spoilers

[ZeoVGM]

Oh, and that Madam Web "teaser" story. Spidey was kissing Black Cat, right? Not Ms. Marvel?

And I'm wondering what's up with Spider-Woman in that one panel.

[alf_to_the_rescue]

Originally Posted by ZeoVGM

Oh, and that Madam Web "teaser" story. Spidey was kissing Black Cat, right? Not Ms. Marvel?

And I'm wondering what's up with Spider-Woman in that one panel.

Looks more like Ms. Marvel, but I'm not sure. And the "They're hunting spiders" thing could be cool enough to maybe have a glance at.

[Jim Thompson]

Originally Posted by ZeoVGM

Yeah I agree with that. I think it works well, as Spidey embodies what the Marvel Universe is.

Spider-Man is certainly one of the lynch pins for the MU, I think. If Captain America (Steve Rogers) represents Marvel's moral compass, Spider-Man certainly represents its' heart. And this issue does capture that.

[Chris S.]

OK guess we aren't using the Dan Slott thread to discuss the issue then?

First, I enjoyed the story. It was a good fun Spider-Man read.....

However, it was just that. That was atleast on par with the rest of the BND stories. I just didn't feel like it was the strong of a story. We didn't get a ton of development with Peter beyond the whole starting to ask Carlie out. I liked that he ended up taking Gonzalez but it felt a little odd since she has not liked Peter up to this point. When did they start getting along? Norah seemed like an entirely different character for some reason. That is just on par with the BND switching writers. I liked that she is dating Robbie and I hope we start seeing him again. I just didn't get why she never seemed scared after the American Son arc. Wouldn't that rattle a person a bit?

I couldn't stand what Slott did with Dr. Ock. He just seemed completily different. It just felt off. Not like the Ock I was hoping for. It did offer more stories in the future though which is exciting. I just didn't like the idea of him taking over the whole city.

JRJR's art felt rushed. I was just not that pleased with it. We discussed how he tells better stories at night and this issue is a perfect example of why that is.

I felt like the cameos really cheapened the issue.

The back stories weren't anything to write home about. They were good but the art in some of them just put me off. I don't know why the rest of the Braintrust artists didn't pencil them. Honestly I don't know who is in the braintrust as far as art goes these days beyond JRJR and Martin. I just hate how a lot of the time the back up stories feel like a chore to read.

Overall the issue was just underwhelming and I feel like I am saying that a lot about ASM these days.

I was really hoping Aunt May wouldn't end up getting married.

[ZeoVGM]

Holy crap, I think you're right about that being the mark of Kaine. Let's go down the panels

- Spider-Man running through the jungle. I assume that's for the Gauntlet in general.

- Spider-Woman, beat up and bleeding. No idea what that's supposed to be for.

- Spidey kissing either Black Cat or Ms. Marvel, but the hair looks blonde.

- An arm holding the Rhino by his head. That must be the "new" Rhino that was teased a while back.

- A woman, maybe Kraven's daughter, holding a girl off a building. Is it Arana?

- A wolf-creature tearing apart the black costume.

- Lizard's eyeball.

- Knife through the chest of Spidey.

- The mark of Kaine (?) on a woman's face. Is that Sarah Ehret?

[ShaggyB]

I only read the first story.... good lord there is a lot of stuff in this book.... I cant wait to get home and go through the rest....

I agree doc ock is more dangerous now.... but i kinda miss the old doc.... Glad to see May and JJJsr did get married, i was almost certain hed bite the big one..... Mj was predictable when the flower toss missed the first set of hands.... Cant wait to see where they go with her.

DareDevil not wanting to know Spidey's identity was well written. I liked that as he was one i thought should know.....

Nice to see the new Avengers helping out... and Spidey torch banter was excellent... Nice shooting tex.... classic.

BTW more spoilers on how stan lee acknowledged the spider-baby.... I havent even skimmed the back of the book so id love to know that one...

[ZeoVGM]

Originally Posted by ShaggyB

I only read the first story.... good lord there is a lot of stuff in this book.... I cant wait to get home and go through the rest....

I agree doc ock is more dangerous now.... but i kinda miss the old doc.... Glad to see May and JJJsr did get married, i was almost certain hed bite the big one..... Mj was predictable when the flower toss missed the first set of hands.... Cant wait to see where they go with her.

DareDevil not wanting to know Spidey's identity was well written. I liked that as he was one i thought should know.....

Nice to see the new Avengers helping out... and Spidey torch banter was excellent... Nice shooting tex.... classic.

BTW more spoilers on how stan lee acknowledged the spider-baby.... I havent even skimmed the back of the book so id love to know that one...

It was mainly a look back at the more weird transformations of Spidey's life, and they mentioned how MJ was pregnant, then she wasn't pregnant, and it showed her being pregnant.

Agreed on May getting married, by the way. The predictable thing would be to have the wedding get ruined and stretch it out. But they gave her some real development and it opens up a lot of new Aunt May stories.

Oh, and Peter asking J.J.J. for $50 was hilarious. Haha.

[ZeoVGM]

JR Jr. absolutely killed it, by the way. Great job.

[BarryMikokinner]

I enjoyed the first story, I felt that the new take on Doc Ock was done perfectly, and that the foundation for many more stories was laid down perfectly.

My favorite story has to be the "Fight in the Museum." I love how they made fun of the spider-mobile, it had just the right amount of humor with a great ending.

When they showed the taxi, I thought it would be Harry. When I saw that a female hand grabbed the flowers, I knew exactly what to expect when I turned the page. It was MJ holding the flowers. It was really a great way to bring her back, I personally loved that part.

I also enjoyed the Madame Web story...but I feel that they ripped off the concept of showing us the future from the "Origins and Omens" that were in the DC Comics earlier this year.

[Jim Thompson]

Originally Posted by Sonicjuce

OK guess we aren't using the Dan Slott thread to discuss the issue then?

First, I enjoyed the story. It was a good fun Spider-Man read.....

However, it was just that. That was atleast on par with the rest of the BND stories. I just didn't feel like it was the strong of a story. We didn't get a ton of development with Peter beyond the whole starting to ask Carlie out. I liked that he ended up taking Gonzalez but it felt a little odd since she has not liked Peter up to this point. When did they start getting along? Norah seemed like an entirely different character for some reason. That is just on par with the BND switching writers. I liked that she is dating Robbie and I hope we start seeing him again. I just didn't get why she never seemed scared after the American Son arc. Wouldn't that rattle a person a bit?

I couldn't stand what Slott did with Dr. Ock. He just seemed completily different. It just felt off. Not like the Ock I was hoping for. It did offer more stories in the future though which is exciting. I just didn't like the idea of him taking over the whole city.

JRJR's art felt rushed. I was just not that pleased with it. We discussed how he tells better stories at night and this issue is a perfect example of why that is.

I felt like the cameos really cheapened the issue.

The back stories weren't anything to write home about. They were good but the art in some of them just put me off. I don't know why the rest of the Braintrust artists didn't pencil them. Honestly I don't know who is in the braintrust as far as art goes these days beyond JRJR and Martin. I just hate how a lot of the time the back up stories feel like a chore to read.

Overall the issue was just underwhelming and I feel like I am saying that a lot about ASM these days.

I was really hoping Aunt May wouldn't end up getting married.

I liked Ock in this -- though it certainly isn't your dad's Doc Ock at first glance. There is something very creepy and dangerous about him again, though.

[Jim Thompson]

Originally Posted by ZeoVGM

JR Jr. absolutely killed it, by the way. Great job.

So did Martin.