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Amazing Spider-Man #548
Blood Ties
Credits
Writer: Dan Slott
Penciler: Steve McNiven
Inker: Dexter Vines
Colors: Dave Stewart
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Spidey’s Braintrust: Gale, Guggenheim, Slott, Wells
Assistant Editor: Tom Brennan
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Executive Editor: Tom Brevoort
Editor In Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley
Synopsis
Spidey regains consciousness and realises that only those with Maggia blood have been killed and the poison must only target them. Carmine Karnelli, who was adopted into the family, tells Spidey that the children and wives are in danger across town!
Outside the hotel, Harry, Lily and Carlie are on their way home as the emergency crews arrive. Carlie leaves the car to investigate but is told to go home because of her inexperience.
Behind The Blind Spot, the Spider-Mugger (who we now know is Sean Boyle) asks Dooley for his stuff back. Dooley cottons on that there must be something of value in Boyle’s stash and the two fight!
Spidey webshooter gives out and he grabs a lift on a cab and heads to the circus to save the remaining members of the Maggia…! He tears past Mt Sinai Hospital where, inside, JJJ wakes from his operation to see his wife. The first thing he asks is whether The Bugle is alright…
At The Bugle, Dexter Bennett charges in as the new owner and already starts making changes!
Meanwhile, Spidey arrives at the circus. As he tries to evacuate the tent, Mr. Negative’s Inner Demons attack him! Spidey dispatches them with a little help from some acrobat ropes and spots another bomb filled with poison! He grabs it and fires it across the tent, away from the people sitting nearby it (who he assumes is the Maggia relatives), just as it explodes! He rushes the family outside…
… to find Negative holding one of the children hostage. In exchange for her release, Negative asks for Spider-Man’s blood to add to the last dose of Devil’s Breath. Spidey agrees and siphons off some blood into a canister and throws it back to Negative. Negative throws the girl into the harbour and when Spidey returns from saving her, he is gone. The Maggia is now in Spider-Man’s debt.
At The Medical Examiner’s Office, Carlie works on a body pulled from the river some time ago. In his mouth, she finds a spider-tracer…
Negative returns to his lair and transforms back into his real persona… Martin Li, the man and money behind FEAST!
Returning home, Spidey picks up his spider-tracer signal and soon finds the Spider-Mugger dead! He retrieves his webshooter and tracer and gets spotted by a patrol car! Officers Alan O’Neil and Vin Gonzalez see him but as they argue over what to do, Spidey swings off…
Highlight
The mystery!
Comments
A lot, a lot, happens this issue; nearly too much.
The simple plot premise of Negative’s power play is resolved enough, providing added opportunity for more interaction between Spidey and what is left of The Maggia. That Negative’s alter ego is announced so boldly and quickly is refreshing and typical of Slott, who only beats around the bush when he really means it.
The art takes a different turn with Dave Stewart stepping on board as colourist. His bolder take on the story is a little glaring compared with the blended and lighter tones of Morry Hollowell and, what with the issues coming so close together, the variation is off-putting and distracts from the intricacy of McNiven’s pencils. Spidey’s action scenes are handled nicely but McNiven’s grasp on emotion of the dozens of civilians scattered throughout the book is what sets him apart. The only glitch in his work is when the female head of The Maggia appears and looks facially disproportioned. This is a little picky as the rest of the book is near perfect.
Oh, but the cover sucks. Yes it’s bold and uses good perspective, but Spidey is too static and there is absolutely no need for the repetition of the 001 behind him which makes it all a little too showy.
Back to Slott’s handling of this new status and it is easy to see the seeds of overarching plots begin. These little scenes are so crucial in bringing the reader in for the long haul and, so far, the spider-tracer, spider-mugger, Carlie Cooper, Daily Bugle and mayor election have been added like subtle ingredients to a really great dish that I can’t wait to taste further down the line. (Metaphor taken too far…?)
There are a couple of things that make this issue really good. The transition between scenes is flawless, the interaction between Spidey and the cabbie is classic banter, Peter’s thoughts are clear (but strangely waver between bubbles and the new larger boxes) and everything that needs to be explained is.
Ultimately though, there is a lot to take in here. There is a fine balance between too much information and happenings and too little. Slott keeps the issue balanced but we are definitely leaning over to the “too much” side. Whether this is detrimental thus making the main plot simple or whether it works well because the main story is simple, I’m not sure. What I do know is that this is not a bad issue and, as a whole, Slott has done a remarkable job if squeezing in, establishing and moving things along within such a tight number of pages.
A strong start to a new direction. Let’s now see if the Braintrust can keep up the pace whilst cramming less on the status quo in.
Rating
Cover –  
Overall –
Arc –
Reviewed by Adam Rivett
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Ultimate Spider-Man