Review: Amazing Spiderman #512

Amazing Spider-Man #512
Marvel Comics
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Mike Deodato

This will be a hard review to write without spoilers. What I will do is try to keep the beginning rather spoiler-free then at some point, issue a SPOILER WARNING that will allow me to more specifically critique the book.

This issue continues the "Sins Past" story and I believe is the penultimate chapter. The story thus far has had a few twists and turns, including a cover with a girl who looks like Gwen Stacy on it. In the last issue, Mary Jane tells Peter that she has a secret and in this issue is supposed to tell us what that secret is.

Generally, I didn't like the issue, but that was primarily because of the way that the writers have decided to try and retro-fit continuity. I have been very wary of this story because of some of the "major" changes to the past that have been described. I like progress as much as the next person, and I like when comics, try to drift from the status quo. But I don't like it when stories disrespect the past -- especially by trying to change characters from the past.

One thing I really enjoyed about this issue was Peter and Mary Jane's dialogue. Normally, Straczynski writes these cheesy little flirtations between them. But this time, the conversation is much better -- almost more serious -- than usual.

I think it's now time for a...



SPOILER WARNING



Everything below will assume you've read the issue, or you don't care.

Ugh. Just couldn't let sleeping dogs lie. Or is that, couldn't let dead characters lie? It's not enough that the Green Goblin wanted to kill Peter Parker and get in his head by killing Gwen Stacy. Oh no! We can't have that. That's not sufficient motivation! So how about we create a scenario where Gwen Stacy (ambiguously raped) has Norman Osborn's kids. Don't like the direction this is heading in -- it seems like the character's personality has changed.

On top of all this, Gwen never mentions this traumatic incident to Peter, and then Mary Jane keeps it from him too! Can't we come up with new stories instead of dredging over the past? I hope this all isn't true.

On another note, I quite enjoyed Superman and Superman/Batman this week. While both books didn't have a lot happen in them, they still were enjoyable.