This is a pretty beefy story, clocking in at 27 pages. And it again shows how Superman and Spider-Man would probably be easy friends. Both journalists. Both inspirational heroes. Both here in this Marvel release and in the recent DC release of the heroes, there is an easy chemistry between them.
One thing that I really like about this story (and truly throughout both books), Superman is treated with incredible respect, shown to be a leader and an inspiration. In this issue, I think he actually gives Spider-Man some perspective that the wallcrawler might have been missing. That makes me happy. It ends with a nice homey scene that also adds a touching ending.
I do have to say that there is a story turn or plot point that wasn't exactly easy for me to understand that sort of pulled me out of the take a little bit. It was only on multiple rereads and a listening to some other reviews that I finally understood the plan of the villains of the piece, Luthor and the Green Goblin.
The art is by Pepe Larraz so you know it is going to be great. In particular, there is a panel in the super-brawl that blew me away. I'll be sure to point it out.
The art is by Pepe Larraz so you know it is going to be great. In particular, there is a panel in the super-brawl that blew me away. I'll be sure to point it out.
I'd be interested in hearing what others thought. For sure, some of the other back-ups (covered later this week) stood out as superb.
On to the story.
We start in the middle of the action. Spider-Man and Superman have been whammied by magic or Kryptonite or both.
They are stuck in some weird black cave resistant to super-senses and spider-senses.
Again, I like the quippy dialogue, Superman saying Otto Octavius is just as silly a name as Lex Luthor.
But it is this 'cave' that is an issue for me.
Inside, they struggle to find a way out and fail. Superman remains optimistic, saying every place has a weakness.
But there is this running sort of theme. Spider-Man is funny. Superman is inspirational.
I like it.
A Kryptonite pumpkin bomb pops into the cave and Spider-Man sticks around to help Superman rather than leave, showing his own heroism. The bomb is ticking off some growing K-poisoning percentage which I assumed was a countdown to killing Superman.
I did chuckle at this 'you're turning green but not in a Banner way' line.
But what is this cave? It begins to collapse on the two heroes.
This felt a little like Spidey lifting off the wreckage from way back in Amazing Spider-Man #33, a sort of persevering when he could easily succumb.
So what was Luthor and Goblin's plan? To weaken their enemies and kill them? Hmmm ....
Spider-Man asks for distraction so Superman asks why Spidey does what he does. He doesn't say 'with great power comes great responsibility'. He says 'guilt' because if he has the power to stop something bad happening, he has to.
I really liked this.
Okay, and then the plot twist that seems to come out of nowhere without explanation and (at least to me) confusing.
When the K-poisoning hits 100%, the black stuff coalesces on to Superman. There is a moment of shared memories between Spidey and Superman (not sure why).
And then the reveal - Superman has been Venomized.
Hmmm ... I'll admit I was lost.
So the cave was Venom who became large and hollow to encase our heroes? Then began to contract to crush them. Then needed for Superman's poisoning become significant enough for Venom to overwhelm and take over Superman's body???
I don't think I understood that the goal was for Venom to take over Superman.
I mean, why not just let Superman die? Why not crush Spider-Man? Why not rid yourselves of your enemies.
And boy, one line like 'our plan worked, the weakened Superman succumbed' would have helped me a ton. Maybe I am just dense.
The plan requires Superman to remain weakened by the attached K-pumpkin. Spider-Man simply removes the bomb and tosses it.
So ... not a great plan.
I mean, wouldn't these super-villains just kill their enemies??
Anyways, I really loved this panel where the awakened Superman just erupts in heat vision, blasting the Venom off him. Larraz crushes it! Brutal.
Once free and Venom splattered, the fight is over.
Remember that mind-meld? It helped Superman realize that it is the anniversary of Uncle Ben's death. He meets Peter at the grave. (Earlier Superman spied Ben's wristwatch in Spidey's utility belt.)
So we needed that mind-meld to get here I guess? Although it seems like these two knew each other.
But this is a strong moment where Clark says that Peter does what he does not because of guilt but because kind people raised him to do the right thing. It is true, guilt of Ben is there. But he could have gone down a dark path if he wasn't taught how good people act.
Great moment of a wise Superman helping a younger hero.
Love that finally Superman flips the switch and tells a joke.
We end with Aunt May and Peter heading to Smallville for a nice get-together of the families.
So a solid story except for that plot point that was lost on me for a while. But I should celebrate the highs here.
Overall grade: B
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