The Amazing Spider-Man #1000

Marvel Comics

Written by Joe Kelly, Noah Hawley, J.M. DeMatteis, Frank Miller, Triple H, Brian Michael Bendis, Larry Lieber and Dan Slott

Art by Pepe Larraz, Patrick Gleason, Humberto Ramos, Victor Olazaba, Peach Momoko, Ed McGuinness and Mark Farmer, Stuart Immonen

Colors by Federico Blee, Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniega, Edgar Delgado, Matthew Wilson, Marte Gracia

Letters by Joe Caramagna

The Rundown: A series of stories celebrate the wall-crawler.

Ravaged

Peter races to the hospital after discovering that May has had a stroke. He is met by Cormac who reveals that he lured Peter there to steal his memories of May and end their relationship. The two battle through the streets as the villain learns more about Peter and May’s relationship.

One of the reasons I have been reluctant to return to this series is the cavalcade of poorly conceived villains with ridiculous motivations and zero personality. This story solidifies that fact with Peter facing off against a villain who apparently didn’t get to hug “mommy” enough and is taking it out on Peter, the city and people trying to keep May alive. It’s a weak story with a weak villain and held thinly together by great art by Larraz.

Still Standing

An older Peter Parker lives in a retirement facility and finds himself being plagued by the return of an older Gwen Stacy who seems to keep disappearing. He teams with his grandson, the current active Spider-Man, to get answers and discovers an old foe manipulating him from the shadows.

It’s an okay story that I wished spent more time with the family dynamic because the villain plot and reveal were almost immediately obvious. Also, the fact that Peter can live an entire life, grow and raise a family and still not get past or resolve the death of Gwen Stacy is a tiresome trope that is more cringe-inducing than compelling.

Requiem for a Goblin

In the wake of Harry Osborn’s death, Peter is finding it hard not to have nightmares about his friend. He decides to swing to the Goblin’s last known hideout and have a spectral heart to heart with Harry but it is interrupted by the ghost of Norman Osborn who has some harsh words for both his son and his friend.

DeMatteis does tread any new ground in this short, but it is well written and gives some great insight into the dynamic between Peter and Harry that new readers might not have. Ramos and Olazaba deliver some great art in the story.

Tears of the Spider-Queen

A young girl is kidnapped off the streets by the Hand and dragged into the sewers beneath the city. A young Spider-Man, still learning about his powers, senses something is wrong and races to the sewers being followed by the Hand as well. What he discovers beneath the city is both horrible and dangerous, but Spider-Man is not its target.

An interesting short story that seemingly sets up something more intense and connected to Spider-Man. Momoko’s art is visually sublime.

The Big Night

Young Peter Parker is excited to spend time with his Uncle Ben after learning that the man got them tickets to see a wrestling match. The pair head out and Peter hears how proud his uncle is of him. Words that encourage him as he continues to don the mask and take some time to enjoy a match as an adult.

A short story that encompasses the human side of the character and is done well with great art.

The Gesture

Spider-Man is invited to a meeting at Avengers Mansion, but it is interrupted by a trio of villains who want revenge. In the wake of the battle, Peter arrives too late but learns that Tony Stark left him something that who will remember.

A good short story, but I wish the moment between Peter and Captain America was longer. Great art throughout.

Of Webs and Six-Guns

Peter is sitting on a bench in the park with Mary Jane when he wakes up to find himself in the old west teaming with the Rawhide Kid to take on a group of criminals waiting in town.

A standard team-up story that has its moments of fun while explaining absolutely nothing. The art was really good.

I Can Never Rest

A police officer hunts a criminal through the streets after almost losing a partner. He catches up to him in the wake of a robbery, but the guy in the Spider suit lets him get away. He tries to console a young man who just lost his uncle because that criminal got away and he promises to not rest until he brings the criminal in.

An entertaining and engaging story that positions Spider-man perfectly as it gives the perspective of a side character connected to the events that made him. Martin does a great job of bringing a classic comic style to the visuals.

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