Backlash
Credits:
J. M. DeMatteis (writer), Luke Ross (penciler), John Stanisci (inks),
John Kalisz (colors), Richard Starkings and Comicraft (letters)
The Plot:
Spider-Man returns home to inform MJ that the Chameleon now knows his
secret identity. She prods him into going out again to find the
Chameleon. Chameleon, meanwhile, is discussing his past with Kraven,
who he believes to be a hallucination. Eventually, they end up at the
townhouse where Kraven committed suicide years earlier. Spider-Man
enters shortly after Kraven apparently disappears. Chameleon reveals
his hostages, Dr. Kafka and John Jameson, to Spider-Man.
The Subplots:
Spider-Man defeats Kangaroo in his new cybernetic armor while on the
way home. Grizzly approaches Kangaroo after he’s webbed up for the
police. Later, Betty angrily rejects Flash after he propositions her.
And, finally, Mad Jack (still calling himself “Jack O’Lantern”)
continues to stalk John Jameson.
Web of Continuity:
-
Chameleon’s conversation with Kraven reveals that they’re actually half-brothers, as Chameleon is the son of Kraven’s father and his “servant-girl.”
-
MJ reveals, while musing to herself, that she’s returning to college to study psychology.
-
We also learn that MJ has a cousin named Celia, and that Aunt Anna is away visiting her now. I think Anna has been mentioned more times than she’s actually appeared since she allegedly moved in with the Parkers. I don’t recall Anna showing up at all in any of the issues I’ve reviewed so far.
*See _________ For Details: We’re reminded again that the original Kangaroo died in Amazing Spider-Man
#126. The current one is an admirer of the original, Frank Oliver.
“Lifetheft” is referenced again, as MJ remarks that it was inevitable
that the Chameleon would figure out Peter’s secret ID. Finally,
according to a footnote, Ravencroft was briefly shut down by the feds
following the events of a Carnage one-shot.
Review:
Following the “Spidey’s actually a middle-aged fantasy novelist”
misfire from the previous issue, J. M. DeMatteis focuses on what really
matters, Spider-Man’s reaction to having his secret identity exposed
again. The twist this issue is that MJ isn’t overly concerned; she
reasons that if they can survive someone as unstable as Eddie Brock
knowing Peter’s ID, then they can survive anything. Later, an inner
monologue will confirm that MJ was mostly putting on a brave face, the
same face she practiced for years as a depressed teenager, all to
support Peter and help him get through their latest crisis. It’s the
best characterization MJ’s received in a long time, and it’s probably
the highlight of the issue. The Chameleon, however, is reverting back
to his low self-esteem/whiny little baby mode, which just annoys me.
Chameleon, for whatever reason, is a villain I just can’t muster a lot
of sympathy for, and seeing him fall back into his “fragile” persona
while in the middle of a villainous scheme doesn’t do a lot to heighten
the stakes.
Ignoring
Chameleon’s characterization, there is a lot to enjoy here. DeMatteis
is making an effort to balance drama and comedy, which helps to make the
book feel well-rounded in a way most of the line doesn’t. He also
seems to be able to sneak in references to the Clone Saga that can
placate both lovers and haters of the event. This is the second issue
in a row with a joking reference to Peter being another clone (not
counting another joke about Peter possibly dyeing his hair blonde), but
DeMatteis also acknowledges that Peter and MJ have gone through absolute
hell in recent continuity. It’s a hard balance to strike, but I think
he pulls it off.
No comments:
Post a Comment