Facing the Void
Credits:
Tom DeFalco (writer), Joe Bennett (penciler), Tim Dzon (inks), Ian
Loughlin w/Digital Chameleon (colors), Jack Morelli (letters)
The Plot:
A seemingly cosmic entity called Raptar kidnaps Puma’s uncle in New
Mexico and targets Spider-Man in New York. His presence also draws the
attention of Dr. Strange. Puma and Spider-Man meet in Central Park, and
are unexpectedly teleported to another dimension. There, they meet a
tribe that worships pumas. Dr. Strange, meanwhile, frees Puma’s uncle
from Raptar’s ship. After Puma decisively defeats Raptar, the heroes
return home.
The Subplots:
The story is set during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Although unseen, we’re told that MJ and Aunt Anna are visiting their
family in Pittsburg.
I Love the ‘90s: Puma’s uncle tells him he’s taping Babylon 5 and X-Files for him while he meditates, but he doesn’t know if Puma wants to see Xena. Later, Raptar tells Spider-Man that mindless raging went out with Texas line-dancing. Finally, Spider-Man claims that he’s playing Bill Nye, the Science Guy as he tries to figure out the ship’s teleporter.
"Huh?" Moment:
Puma declares that he’s now the other-dimensional tribe’s new
defender, although he never elaborates on how he’s going to see them
again.
Review:
I believe this issue marks Joe Bennett’s Spider-Man debut, even though
he’s still a fill-in artist working on a few of the tittles at this time. After Steve Skroce
disappears from Amazing Spider-Man,
Bennett will become the regular artist as the title kills time awaiting
the John Byrne revamp. I never cared for Bennett’s rendition of
Spider-Man, although his work in this issue is more tolerable than what I
remember from Amazing Spider-Man. His Spider-Man at this point is heavily influenced by Erik Larsen, with a bit of Ron Lim’s look from the early Unlimited
issues thrown in. It’s not great, but it doesn’t distract from the
story. His Puma is surprisingly effective, making him seem truly feral
for the first time in ages. Not that we’re seeing too much of the
Puma’s mystic form in this issue. Tom DeFalco has decided to have
Thomas Fireheart abstain from his other identity, trying to build
tension for the inevitable moment when he gives in and becomes a beast.
Like most of the ideas in this issue, the execution is just flat.
There’s also talk of the opposing forces that created the universe,
letting go of the past, new beginnings, and personal responsibility.
And the idea’s tossed in that Raptar might just be Puma’s uncle in
disguise, making the entire story an elaborate hoax. Honestly, none
of this is fleshed out properly. The deeper themes feel tacked on, and
teasing the reader with the prospect that everyone (even Dr. Strange)
was fooled by Puma’s uncle just makes the entire affair feel like a
cheat.
2 comments:
I really enjoyed Bennett's Spider-Man work at the time. I recall liking him a lot better than Steve Skroce on Amazing. I also liked him more than Luke Ross on Spectacular, an artist of a similar style (I believe they're both actually Brazilians from the Mike Deodato artistic mold).
I haven't looked at any of these issues in years, though. My opinion may have changed.
Joe Bennett penciled several previous issues of Spidey Unlimited.
Kabe
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