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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #11
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 7: The Book of Ezekiel
Peter tries to find out more about the origins of his powers when his mentor, Ezekiel, returns.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2004
14 people are currently reading
482 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Straczynski
1,371 books1,277 followersJoseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
December 26, 2021
Una culminación fantástica a una pequeña saga de 5 tomos expléndidos.
Una manera excelente de comenzar con el trepamuros y quedarte prendido entre tu deber, tu equilibrio y la responsabilidad que siempre nos rodea por ser personas especiales.
Me fascina cómo conectas con el personaje. Como te ríes de su verborrea arácnida y cómo consigues balancearte entre sus emociones.
Seguiremos disfrutando de esta maravilla.
Una manera excelente de comenzar con el trepamuros y quedarte prendido entre tu deber, tu equilibrio y la responsabilidad que siempre nos rodea por ser personas especiales.
Me fascina cómo conectas con el personaje. Como te ríes de su verborrea arácnida y cómo consigues balancearte entre sus emociones.
Seguiremos disfrutando de esta maravilla.
October 29, 2018
The Ezekiel storyline concludes. Three issues only-to coincide with Romita Jr's departure?- but enough to satisfyingly bring the strange relatipnship between Peter and Ezekiel to a close. I can't say it comes as a huge surprise but it's decently done and answers questions left hanging as to why Peter was bitten on that fateful day and stuff.
Before that 3 rather innocuous issues but-and I will repeat it time and again-above the lot because of JMS' sense of pacing, dialogues and his craft when conveying emotions.
The two issues with Loki were more fun-oriented - that scene with our 2 characters sharing a hot dog on a roof speaks for itself- while the other one is more made of emotions, with MJ trying to star in Hollywood and a bicycle thief in NY.
Before that 3 rather innocuous issues but-and I will repeat it time and again-above the lot because of JMS' sense of pacing, dialogues and his craft when conveying emotions.
The two issues with Loki were more fun-oriented - that scene with our 2 characters sharing a hot dog on a roof speaks for itself- while the other one is more made of emotions, with MJ trying to star in Hollywood and a bicycle thief in NY.
June 6, 2023
This volume had it's moments, but overall it was far from being a great one.
November 2, 2019
Morwen (#503-504). Peter has been interacting with a ridiculous number of supernatural foes under JMS, and I'm not sure it's made any better by Peter saying in the comic that he's been interacting with a ridiculous number of supernatural foes. It makes one wonder if JMS really wanted to write Dr. Strange (or Thor). This is a fine enough story about Peter interacting with Loki, but as with close to half of JMS' run to date, it doesn't feel much like a spider-story [3+/5].
Vibes (#505). Once again, JMS' best stories come about when he tells little stories, like this one about Peter and MJ's relationship and a small crime case [4/5].
The Book of Ezekiel (#506-508). JMS draws his whole Ezekiel saga (and hopefully his supernatural obsession) to an end with a capstone meant to explain everything. The reveal of Ezekiel's character and his manipulations are both quite nice. If I had any complaint it's that this is the only story which really gives full credence to the supernatural theory of Spider-Man's origin, but at least Peter is still mocking it [3+/5].
February 2, 2022
A very weak tpb. Ezekiel is incredibly uninteresting.
July 8, 2023
First two part comic was a bit weak for me. Loki is one of my least interesting characters in the Marvel universe usually so his story didn't really connect with me.
Saying that the actual book of Ezekiel was great, dark, twisted, and a wonderful ending. Shows who Ezekiel truly was and becomes. I really enjoyed this one a lot and the way better learns from it is wonderful. I also really dug the story of Peter helping a kid who almost commits a murder while MJ deals with the life of becoming a actor. Overall, it's all good stuff.
Saying that the actual book of Ezekiel was great, dark, twisted, and a wonderful ending. Shows who Ezekiel truly was and becomes. I really enjoyed this one a lot and the way better learns from it is wonderful. I also really dug the story of Peter helping a kid who almost commits a murder while MJ deals with the life of becoming a actor. Overall, it's all good stuff.
May 2, 2013
Why put so much magic in Spider-Man's history. That just seems stupid.
But there were good points and nice bits and great art.
But there were good points and nice bits and great art.
October 24, 2017
Not always a fan of weird mystical comic stories, but this one oddly worked for me. Although, to be fair, the Spidey and MJ dynamic might have been the best parts (and who doesn't love Loki?).
March 25, 2019
The end of a saga.. but I just can’t help but feel like something is still missing.
February 6, 2022
Este libro se divide en dos mitades, aunque el libro haga alusión a la segunda mitad. La primera parte se presenta una historia guionizada por Fiona Avery, donde se centra en un conflicto asgardiano teniendo a Loki como principal aliado, y en la segunda parte es el desenlace y resolución de la historia de Ezequiel.
Partiendo con la crítica tengo esta sensación de disconformidad con este volumen, pero no es raro, dado que siempre he pensando que un superhéroe terrenal entre mayor cantidad de componentes mágicos, menor es la conexión con el o la lectora, por lo que disminuye el interés por la historia. Desde mi perspectiva tiene que ver con las expectativas que existen por el personaje, dado que al ser más terrenal, uno tiene a buscar problemas que cercanos a lo que uno ve, donde el superhéroe hace lo que nosotros no podríamos hacer, pero no por los poderes, sino por el ícono que es. Entonces, desde mi opinión, pienso que lo mejor realizado por Straczynski es llevar las problemáticas cotidianas, pero entiendo que para un público adolescente eso no es tan vistoso, y esto es un negocio, por lo que debe vender números y no ser una obra de arte. Existen otros ejemplos sobre lo que menciono, donde la casa de las ideas hace alusión a personajes sin poderes, pero que plantean tremendas historias, y sin ir más lejos, las obras mainstream de Daredevil y Hawkeye son los primeros que se vienen a la cabeza. Es aquí donde decae bastante mi entusiasmo por la obra, porque en cierto modo, siento que tanto el primer y segundo capítulo no me aportan, a diferencia de tercero, donde no ofrece espectaculares pelea, sino una simple charla con un pequeño sobre la importancia de hacer lo correcto. Bien ahí Spidey, combatiendo la enfermedad, y no los síntomas, pero sólo queda en pequeños actos, sería interesante que el actor fuera más allá, dando a entender la justicia es un proceso de construcción colectivo, y no individual.
Por otra parte, la historia de Mary Jane se desarrolla muy poco, pero dejando una premisa interesante, debido que ya resuelto el conflicto de la relación entre los dos, es importante concretizar una evolución por parte de cada personaje. Por lo que existen varias preguntas tanto para MJ como Peter, ¿desean tener hijas/os? ¿Qué va ser MJ profesional? ¿Qué rol cumplirá Peter en la relación? ¿Es sólo una relación de matrimonio donde todo es idílico o tendrán que enfrentar problemas terrenales como desde tener un mal día hasta no tener tiempo como pareja? Muchas de esas cosas se trabajan muy superficialmente, y sería interesante que las plantearan, pero como sabemos, Marvel ha sido muy reacio en toda la historia de nuestro querido vecino a tener ese crecimiento, teniendo argumentos de peso: “Queremos que sea lo más transversal posible para que vender la mayor cantidad de historietas”, al fin de cuentas, esto es un negocio.
Cerrando la crítica con el final de la historia de Ezequiel, pienso que es una historia bastante apresurada para explicar lo que se quería desarrollar. Sin duda alguna hubiera sido mejor algunos capítulos extras para terminar la trama, pero se menciona en el making-off que debido a temas editoriales, Romita Jr. fue traspasado a otros proyectos, por lo que Straczynski decidió concluir el arco con el dibujante que la comenzó. De ser así, la pregunta es: ¿Qué termina siendo Ezequiel? Solo una versión alterna de Peter, a quién le ocurrieron situaciones similares, pero tomó decisiones diferentes, reforzando la idea que Spiderman no es quién es gracias a sus poderes, sino a los valores que tiene Peter. Si bien siento que termina apresurada, tratando de interpretar la idea completa que quería transmitir el autor, porque si bien tenía una empresa, la cual era una herramienta para que cumplir un objetivo más macro, no logré conectar, se arriesgo el autor en presentar algo diferente.
Partiendo con la crítica tengo esta sensación de disconformidad con este volumen, pero no es raro, dado que siempre he pensando que un superhéroe terrenal entre mayor cantidad de componentes mágicos, menor es la conexión con el o la lectora, por lo que disminuye el interés por la historia. Desde mi perspectiva tiene que ver con las expectativas que existen por el personaje, dado que al ser más terrenal, uno tiene a buscar problemas que cercanos a lo que uno ve, donde el superhéroe hace lo que nosotros no podríamos hacer, pero no por los poderes, sino por el ícono que es. Entonces, desde mi opinión, pienso que lo mejor realizado por Straczynski es llevar las problemáticas cotidianas, pero entiendo que para un público adolescente eso no es tan vistoso, y esto es un negocio, por lo que debe vender números y no ser una obra de arte. Existen otros ejemplos sobre lo que menciono, donde la casa de las ideas hace alusión a personajes sin poderes, pero que plantean tremendas historias, y sin ir más lejos, las obras mainstream de Daredevil y Hawkeye son los primeros que se vienen a la cabeza. Es aquí donde decae bastante mi entusiasmo por la obra, porque en cierto modo, siento que tanto el primer y segundo capítulo no me aportan, a diferencia de tercero, donde no ofrece espectaculares pelea, sino una simple charla con un pequeño sobre la importancia de hacer lo correcto. Bien ahí Spidey, combatiendo la enfermedad, y no los síntomas, pero sólo queda en pequeños actos, sería interesante que el actor fuera más allá, dando a entender la justicia es un proceso de construcción colectivo, y no individual.
Por otra parte, la historia de Mary Jane se desarrolla muy poco, pero dejando una premisa interesante, debido que ya resuelto el conflicto de la relación entre los dos, es importante concretizar una evolución por parte de cada personaje. Por lo que existen varias preguntas tanto para MJ como Peter, ¿desean tener hijas/os? ¿Qué va ser MJ profesional? ¿Qué rol cumplirá Peter en la relación? ¿Es sólo una relación de matrimonio donde todo es idílico o tendrán que enfrentar problemas terrenales como desde tener un mal día hasta no tener tiempo como pareja? Muchas de esas cosas se trabajan muy superficialmente, y sería interesante que las plantearan, pero como sabemos, Marvel ha sido muy reacio en toda la historia de nuestro querido vecino a tener ese crecimiento, teniendo argumentos de peso: “Queremos que sea lo más transversal posible para que vender la mayor cantidad de historietas”, al fin de cuentas, esto es un negocio.
Cerrando la crítica con el final de la historia de Ezequiel, pienso que es una historia bastante apresurada para explicar lo que se quería desarrollar. Sin duda alguna hubiera sido mejor algunos capítulos extras para terminar la trama, pero se menciona en el making-off que debido a temas editoriales, Romita Jr. fue traspasado a otros proyectos, por lo que Straczynski decidió concluir el arco con el dibujante que la comenzó. De ser así, la pregunta es: ¿Qué termina siendo Ezequiel? Solo una versión alterna de Peter, a quién le ocurrieron situaciones similares, pero tomó decisiones diferentes, reforzando la idea que Spiderman no es quién es gracias a sus poderes, sino a los valores que tiene Peter. Si bien siento que termina apresurada, tratando de interpretar la idea completa que quería transmitir el autor, porque si bien tenía una empresa, la cual era una herramienta para que cumplir un objetivo más macro, no logré conectar, se arriesgo el autor en presentar algo diferente.
July 18, 2022
Finally, we get to the end of this Ezekiel storyline but not before some horrible filler that could’ve easily brought this down to a 2 star if I wasn’t so favourable with the culmination of the arc at the end of it.
I think I’m going to save a bigger review for the second read through that I’ll inevitably have of this run. I’ll mostly talk about Ezekiel and if he deserved to have a redemption at all?
Two things I’ll mention really quickly on the trade that I found to be a downer: one is downer for the whole Romita/JMS run and one is a sloppy plot inconsistency that I wasn’t expecting to see on a run that’s been so tight in its plotting up until this point.
First of all, what’s with the filler, man?
I feel like this is a perfect time to highlight this problem im having since this trade contained some of the worst filler yet. I don’t know if the Spidey/Thor—I MEAN Loki issues are supposed to be crucial to the plot but it certainly didn’t need another mystical ‘beat ‘em up’ story since we have been overloaded with them in the last 6 trades before this. It didn’t add anything and was almost tedious to read Loki acting exactly like Thor and trying to draw humour out of it.
The double edge of this critique is that the Vibe issue after this Loki story was nice even though it was technically a ‘filler’ issue too. The difference was that in this issue characters were progressed and I was engaged with what was happening. I think I’ll touch more on this issue in another review.
My other quick issue is why hasn’t JMS cleared up the reason for kids in another issue joining some weird mischievous thing that Ezekiel was running? It seemed like a few issues ago he had a cult happening but now there’s no mention of it and Ezekiel’s storyline is supposed to be wrapped up now? So it feels like JMS has forgotten about it.
2022 reread:
So most of what I’ve said in my prior review still stands. But another thing that I’ll touch on here is how wasted Ezekiel was as a character throughout this run. It felt like there was a big confrontation coming when the character was first introduced... and it happened but it was sort of jammed in there with not much thought behind it. I wanted to see more progression and developing of Ezekiel and his inner struggles. I think the biggest mistake of the run over the last 7 trades was how underdeveloped Ezekiel actually was. Looking back at it, he was most certainly the best villain Spider-Man faced in this run and yet it seemed like he had the smallest time to shine. It’s a big wasted opportunity. I’ll just retouch on what I said before in my older review; what’s with the filler? Why so many stupid stories when there’s a very interesting character to build upon. He should’ve been involved more instead of having romp after romp with annoying mythic villains. Truly wasted opportunity.
I think I’m going to save a bigger review for the second read through that I’ll inevitably have of this run. I’ll mostly talk about Ezekiel and if he deserved to have a redemption at all?
Two things I’ll mention really quickly on the trade that I found to be a downer: one is downer for the whole Romita/JMS run and one is a sloppy plot inconsistency that I wasn’t expecting to see on a run that’s been so tight in its plotting up until this point.
First of all, what’s with the filler, man?
I feel like this is a perfect time to highlight this problem im having since this trade contained some of the worst filler yet. I don’t know if the Spidey/Thor—I MEAN Loki issues are supposed to be crucial to the plot but it certainly didn’t need another mystical ‘beat ‘em up’ story since we have been overloaded with them in the last 6 trades before this. It didn’t add anything and was almost tedious to read Loki acting exactly like Thor and trying to draw humour out of it.
The double edge of this critique is that the Vibe issue after this Loki story was nice even though it was technically a ‘filler’ issue too. The difference was that in this issue characters were progressed and I was engaged with what was happening. I think I’ll touch more on this issue in another review.
My other quick issue is why hasn’t JMS cleared up the reason for kids in another issue joining some weird mischievous thing that Ezekiel was running? It seemed like a few issues ago he had a cult happening but now there’s no mention of it and Ezekiel’s storyline is supposed to be wrapped up now? So it feels like JMS has forgotten about it.
2022 reread:
So most of what I’ve said in my prior review still stands. But another thing that I’ll touch on here is how wasted Ezekiel was as a character throughout this run. It felt like there was a big confrontation coming when the character was first introduced... and it happened but it was sort of jammed in there with not much thought behind it. I wanted to see more progression and developing of Ezekiel and his inner struggles. I think the biggest mistake of the run over the last 7 trades was how underdeveloped Ezekiel actually was. Looking back at it, he was most certainly the best villain Spider-Man faced in this run and yet it seemed like he had the smallest time to shine. It’s a big wasted opportunity. I’ll just retouch on what I said before in my older review; what’s with the filler? Why so many stupid stories when there’s a very interesting character to build upon. He should’ve been involved more instead of having romp after romp with annoying mythic villains. Truly wasted opportunity.
May 14, 2024
I’m enjoying J. Michael Straczynski & John Romita Jr.s run on ‘The Amazing Spider-Man.’
I’ve been in JMS’s corner since ‘Babylon 5,’ the science fiction show he created in the ‘90s. I like the way he develops characters, and I appreciate how his plots grow from his character’s choices. I’m not the biggest fan of John Romita Jr.’s artwork, but man can he draw a splash page.
In this volume, we get to know Ezekiel, an older man and something of a mentor for Peter (who’s in his mid-twenties here). Ezekiel has spider-powers, as well. However, he’s chosen to use them to help him amass wealth. And he has regrets.
This makes for a good story, really underlining how it’s Peter’s character that makes him a hero - the powers are just a bonus. It’s well-told, with plenty of surprises and a satisfying ending.
This may be the beginning of a deep-dive of J. Michael Straczynski’s career at Marvel Comics. I’m ready.
I’ve been in JMS’s corner since ‘Babylon 5,’ the science fiction show he created in the ‘90s. I like the way he develops characters, and I appreciate how his plots grow from his character’s choices. I’m not the biggest fan of John Romita Jr.’s artwork, but man can he draw a splash page.
In this volume, we get to know Ezekiel, an older man and something of a mentor for Peter (who’s in his mid-twenties here). Ezekiel has spider-powers, as well. However, he’s chosen to use them to help him amass wealth. And he has regrets.
This makes for a good story, really underlining how it’s Peter’s character that makes him a hero - the powers are just a bonus. It’s well-told, with plenty of surprises and a satisfying ending.
This may be the beginning of a deep-dive of J. Michael Straczynski’s career at Marvel Comics. I’m ready.
October 29, 2020
The first story is about some sorceress named Morwen who has possessed one of Loki's daughters body and its upto Spidey and Loki to rescue her and this happened due to the previous arc and its fun and the next one is Pete rescuing a kid from straying down the wrong path and this is one of those stories where it just shows why Spidey is the best and the next one is Spidey coming face to face with the 3rd big threat and understands why so many supernatural forces are after him and what it means to be a totemic power and his ultimate encounter with Ezekiel and its alright, the ending was quick but makes sense. Some things are just meant to be.
July 8, 2011
Se ve que cuando lo marqué como "read" hace año y pico le pifié por la tapa. Ahora que lo tengo a mano de la edición española me doy cuenta de que no lo había leído un soto, así que switcheo shelve y edición.
Actualización: ya lo leí y no está mal. Tiene sentido cómo confluyen todos los quilombos mágicos en los que se veía envuelto Spidey y la vuelta de tuerca de Ezekiel. Aunque la pelea final deja bastante que desear y la moralina sobreinterpretada sigue siendo moneda corriente. Lindos los dibujos de despedida de JR Jr.
Actualización: ya lo leí y no está mal. Tiene sentido cómo confluyen todos los quilombos mágicos en los que se veía envuelto Spidey y la vuelta de tuerca de Ezekiel. Aunque la pelea final deja bastante que desear y la moralina sobreinterpretada sigue siendo moneda corriente. Lindos los dibujos de despedida de JR Jr.
Read
August 10, 2019Exceptional work. Romita and Straczynski nail it as always. Perfect introduction of a new hero and villain that builds the existing Spider-Man universe as opposed to branching away from it.
Beautiful. One of my favorites.
Beautiful. One of my favorites.
November 7, 2016
Conclusión un poco apresurada de la saga de Ezequiel y el totem araña, que sirve para cerrar etapa, ya que al acabar esta saga se despide John Romita Jr de la colección.
March 11, 2020
Probably the best arc of the JMS run so far. I liked the bits with Loki and Spidey enjoying a street meat, and was glad to see the end of the Ezekiel arc.
September 3, 2022
Jakiś czas temu komiksy wymęczyły mnie na tyle, że sobie je nieco odstawiłem, czasami tylko sięgając po jakiś klasyk. Siódmy tom przygód Pajączka spod pióra Straczynskiego miałem już przeczytać dawno temu i nadziwić się nie mogę, jak nadal aktualny jest ten komiks. Jak bawi, śmieszy i stanowi esencję tego, czym jest Spider-man.
W Nowym Jorku nigdy nie jest spokojnie, a tym razem pewna kobieta zostaje opętana przez nieznaną siłę magiczną, która została uwolniona podczas ostatnich zabaw Pajączka z Dr. Strange'm. Teraz ten byt przybywa do Petera i chce mu dać jakiś dar. Szkopuł w tym, że Pająk musi się zastanowić, a za rogiem napotyka samego Lokiego...
Ten chce pomóc Pajaczkowi zażegnać zagrożenie, ale jak na Króla Psot przystało, ma we wszystkim własny interes. I trzeba przyznać, że motywacja jaką ma dawny wróg Avengers, jest solidna i zrozumiała. Ba, nawet się im kibicuje w tej walce.
Przed rozpoczęciem finalnego kaśka tego tomu, autor znajduje jeszcze chwilę, aby nieco zwolnić tempa i pokazać dzień z życia Pajączka i Mary Jane, która w pogoni za karierą wyjechała na moment na Zachód Ameryki. Pajaczek zaś szuka zajęcia, tak aby zabić czas do odbycia rozmowy telefonicznej z ukochaną. Przy okazji wpływa bardzo na życie pewnego dziecka. Smutna historia, ale dającą nadzieję na przyszłość.
Końcówka to powrót znanego nam Ezekiela, który ostrzega Petera przed kolejnym zagrożeniem. Standard, jak to było przy Morlunie. Tutaj jednak wypadki toczą się zgoła inaczej i historia zatacza koło, dając szansę staruszkowi na pewnego rodzaju odkupienie. Dosyć standardowa fabuła, ze smutnym zakończeniem ( chyba najsłabsza część komiksu. Mimo to nadal świetna.).
Na temat pana Romity Jr. wypowiadałem się już nie raz i uważam, że rysownik albo dobrze robi swoją pracę, albo partoli i praktycznie nie ma stanów średnich. Tu jest nadal dobrze, ale to też "stary" Romita Jr., który z biegiem lat obniża pułap swoich prac. Tu jest świetnie.
Kolejny Pająk, który nie przynosi zawodu. Porządne czytadło, aczkolwiek chyba nie zapisze się w annałach serii, jako coś co trzeba zapamiętać. Ale ze względu na humor warto.
W Nowym Jorku nigdy nie jest spokojnie, a tym razem pewna kobieta zostaje opętana przez nieznaną siłę magiczną, która została uwolniona podczas ostatnich zabaw Pajączka z Dr. Strange'm. Teraz ten byt przybywa do Petera i chce mu dać jakiś dar. Szkopuł w tym, że Pająk musi się zastanowić, a za rogiem napotyka samego Lokiego...
Ten chce pomóc Pajaczkowi zażegnać zagrożenie, ale jak na Króla Psot przystało, ma we wszystkim własny interes. I trzeba przyznać, że motywacja jaką ma dawny wróg Avengers, jest solidna i zrozumiała. Ba, nawet się im kibicuje w tej walce.
Przed rozpoczęciem finalnego kaśka tego tomu, autor znajduje jeszcze chwilę, aby nieco zwolnić tempa i pokazać dzień z życia Pajączka i Mary Jane, która w pogoni za karierą wyjechała na moment na Zachód Ameryki. Pajaczek zaś szuka zajęcia, tak aby zabić czas do odbycia rozmowy telefonicznej z ukochaną. Przy okazji wpływa bardzo na życie pewnego dziecka. Smutna historia, ale dającą nadzieję na przyszłość.
Końcówka to powrót znanego nam Ezekiela, który ostrzega Petera przed kolejnym zagrożeniem. Standard, jak to było przy Morlunie. Tutaj jednak wypadki toczą się zgoła inaczej i historia zatacza koło, dając szansę staruszkowi na pewnego rodzaju odkupienie. Dosyć standardowa fabuła, ze smutnym zakończeniem ( chyba najsłabsza część komiksu. Mimo to nadal świetna.).
Na temat pana Romity Jr. wypowiadałem się już nie raz i uważam, że rysownik albo dobrze robi swoją pracę, albo partoli i praktycznie nie ma stanów średnich. Tu jest nadal dobrze, ale to też "stary" Romita Jr., który z biegiem lat obniża pułap swoich prac. Tu jest świetnie.
Kolejny Pająk, który nie przynosi zawodu. Porządne czytadło, aczkolwiek chyba nie zapisze się w annałach serii, jako coś co trzeba zapamiętać. Ale ze względu na humor warto.
August 3, 2017
La historia se divide en tres partes y todas me han encantado.
Comenzamos por la primera, que básicamente, trata de Spiderman incluyéndose en este universo que Marvel estaba creando después de haber estado bastantes años por su parte, que no estaba mal. A mí no me disgusta, la verdad, sobre todo, porque la magia y Spiderman formarían unas magníficas tramas a partir de esto.
La segunda parte se centra en MJ, y no en la relación de MJ con Peter, como he leído por aquí. Son unos números livianos, que tratan sobre el futuro de la actriz. ¿Qué sería de una saga de cómics sin personajes que no son el héroe que se desarrollaran? Por eso, no entiendo las quejas hacia estos números.
¿Qué viene al final? El plato fuerte: Ezequiel. Definitivamente, me encantaría verlo en alguna adaptación cinematográfica en algún momento de mi vida, porque la trama lo merece. Y no entro en spoilers, pero me ha parecido magnífica.
Solo me queda dar las gracias a Joe Michael Straczynski por todo lo que le ha dado a Spiderman (¡es el origen de los tótem!) y a John Romita Jr. por el dibujo que acompaña esta magnífica historia. Porque Peter no merece menos.
Comenzamos por la primera, que básicamente, trata de Spiderman incluyéndose en este universo que Marvel estaba creando después de haber estado bastantes años por su parte, que no estaba mal. A mí no me disgusta, la verdad, sobre todo, porque la magia y Spiderman formarían unas magníficas tramas a partir de esto.
La segunda parte se centra en MJ, y no en la relación de MJ con Peter, como he leído por aquí. Son unos números livianos, que tratan sobre el futuro de la actriz. ¿Qué sería de una saga de cómics sin personajes que no son el héroe que se desarrollaran? Por eso, no entiendo las quejas hacia estos números.
¿Qué viene al final? El plato fuerte: Ezequiel. Definitivamente, me encantaría verlo en alguna adaptación cinematográfica en algún momento de mi vida, porque la trama lo merece. Y no entro en spoilers, pero me ha parecido magnífica.
Solo me queda dar las gracias a Joe Michael Straczynski por todo lo que le ha dado a Spiderman (¡es el origen de los tótem!) y a John Romita Jr. por el dibujo que acompaña esta magnífica historia. Porque Peter no merece menos.
October 26, 2018
4,5/5
The only reason this isn't getting a full 5 star rating is because of the 3rd comic in there. I just wasn't a fan of the MJ focus. I haven't met her yet, I haven't even finished the first Spidey run, so to me it was just 'can we go back to Peter now please'. Other than that, I adored the Loki and his daughter storyline, and I hope it will be revisited, as it was left quite open ended, with plenty of room for a follow up.
The Ezekiel story itself was incredibly interesting. I loved reading about why Peter was chosen to be bitten by that spider, though I have to admit the ending did leave me confused. I try to just go with it, that it's both science and magic, but honestly, it's one big confusing mess to me. It'll probably make sense in a couple days when I'm not trying so hard to understand.
Quick question though: if MJ is so concerned with not being the model, not being the 'beautiful woman' in movies, why can't the artists at least draw her like that as well? Is it such a crime to wear a shirt that covers your stomach??
The only reason this isn't getting a full 5 star rating is because of the 3rd comic in there. I just wasn't a fan of the MJ focus. I haven't met her yet, I haven't even finished the first Spidey run, so to me it was just 'can we go back to Peter now please'. Other than that, I adored the Loki and his daughter storyline, and I hope it will be revisited, as it was left quite open ended, with plenty of room for a follow up.
The Ezekiel story itself was incredibly interesting. I loved reading about why Peter was chosen to be bitten by that spider, though I have to admit the ending did leave me confused. I try to just go with it, that it's both science and magic, but honestly, it's one big confusing mess to me. It'll probably make sense in a couple days when I'm not trying so hard to understand.
Quick question though: if MJ is so concerned with not being the model, not being the 'beautiful woman' in movies, why can't the artists at least draw her like that as well? Is it such a crime to wear a shirt that covers your stomach??
July 25, 2020
There's still more JMS Spidey but this is the end of his collaboration with John Romita Jr. 36 issues spanning the small character moments and big villain fights and splash pages. A conversation with Aunt May about his secret identity and reconciling with Mary Jane, this was a fantastic run. As this run introduced Morlun, a driving force of the Spider-verse comic event, this run is indirectly responsible for the best Spidey movie.
But this was a great run for other reasons. There was some casual racism but this series also had Parker see the consequences of sending people to jail and he later re-thinks some of his methods when he has a confrontation with a bike thief. A complicated legacy but be critical of the things you love.
The best part though was that JMS posits a new theory of the spider bite. Maybe it wasn't the fact that it was radioactive that caused Peter's powers. Maybe the spider was dying and wanted to transfer powers before it did. JMS is clearly sympathetic to the latter but keeps it ambiguous for future writers to play with.
But this was a great run for other reasons. There was some casual racism but this series also had Parker see the consequences of sending people to jail and he later re-thinks some of his methods when he has a confrontation with a bike thief. A complicated legacy but be critical of the things you love.
The best part though was that JMS posits a new theory of the spider bite. Maybe it wasn't the fact that it was radioactive that caused Peter's powers. Maybe the spider was dying and wanted to transfer powers before it did. JMS is clearly sympathetic to the latter but keeps it ambiguous for future writers to play with.
September 15, 2024
Straczynski's Amazing Spider-Man run is most noted for dipping into supernatural themes and philosophical musings about Spidey's role as a superhero, and a lot comes to fruition here in "The Book of Ezekiel". The titular arc occurs at the back-end of this volume, where Ezekiel's purpose is elaborated on further and serves as a capstone to the story beats introduced in the earliest issues of JMS' run. Adding to this volume is the two-issue "Morwen" arc featuring Loki, and serves as another stretch of more fantastical storytelling. The highlight for me though is whenever JMS serves to deliver more naturalistic and human stories which we do get with the "Vibes" story featuring Peter's and MJ's relationship along with a short little Spidey mission that serves as a great single issue story.
This is the final volume featuring Romita Jr.'s artwork, and his style did feel like a staple to this series. It'll be missed in the following volume.
This is the final volume featuring Romita Jr.'s artwork, and his style did feel like a staple to this series. It'll be missed in the following volume.
March 20, 2025
After an encounter with the sorceress Morwen and the Asgardian god Loki, Ezekiel convinces Peter that his increasing confrontations with magical enemies is linked to his own metaphysical role as the embodiment of the spider totem. However, Peter soon learns that Ezekiel has an agenda of his own.
Although I don't hate it, I can't say I'm overly invested in the whole 'spider totem' storyline, so seeing it and Ezekiel's relationship to the totem brought to a head didn't feel like the cathartic climax that perhaps it was intended.
That said, I did appreciate that Ezekiel's role in the finale of this book was more nuanced than it could have been.
I did also enjoy seeing Spidey have an unlikely team-up with Loki in the first half of the book and I enjoyed the dynamic between them.
Other than that, this book wasn't bad but was also pretty unremarkable.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
Although I don't hate it, I can't say I'm overly invested in the whole 'spider totem' storyline, so seeing it and Ezekiel's relationship to the totem brought to a head didn't feel like the cathartic climax that perhaps it was intended.
That said, I did appreciate that Ezekiel's role in the finale of this book was more nuanced than it could have been.
I did also enjoy seeing Spidey have an unlikely team-up with Loki in the first half of the book and I enjoyed the dynamic between them.
Other than that, this book wasn't bad but was also pretty unremarkable.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
September 28, 2021
You know, it wrapped up the Ezekiel stuff just fine, but it's hard to say that I loved it, which is really saying something for Spidey. I do think this storyline marked the end of the JMS honeymoon period. It wraps up his big idea storyline with a resounding, "Huh, yeah ok sure." It's not bad, but with all the buildup it would have been nice to see the Ezekiel thread wrapped up with some real business. I don't event really hate bringing in the supernatural stuff, either.
That being said, a lot of the things that are good about the JMS run are here, just in the background. MJ/Peter and May/Peter dynamics are quite good, Peter's internal monologue is just the right balance of whiny/funny/intelligent, and all of the stuff that should be easy to get right (yet so many have gotten wrong) JMS nails.
That being said, a lot of the things that are good about the JMS run are here, just in the background. MJ/Peter and May/Peter dynamics are quite good, Peter's internal monologue is just the right balance of whiny/funny/intelligent, and all of the stuff that should be easy to get right (yet so many have gotten wrong) JMS nails.
February 17, 2021
El viaje místico del Hombre Araña termina aquí, y debo decir que estoy satisfecho con todo lo sucedido. Siempre he pensado que para personajes tan viejos como este, no hay más historias que contar, pero JMS comprobó lo equivocado que estaba. Solo hay que mirar las cosas desde una óptica diferente (y hasta opuesta) y las historias vendrán. Es importante destacar lo personal que fue JMS con el hombre araña y que sus historias rozaron lo clásico y lo moderno, con problemas cortos que se resolvían en un capítulo, pero también con una larga narración que abarca muchos fascículos. Hasta aquí dejaré de leer al hombre araña por la confiable recomendación y me pondré a leer a otro superhéroe de Marvel, es mejor saber cuando retirarse con un buen sabor de boca.
September 19, 2023
A great conclusion to the Ezekiel storyline. I personally still don’t love all the supernatural and magic stuff that has gone on through these books and storyline in particular, but objectively this was a nice change of pace for the character and it was written and drawn well.
The first 2 issues with Loki were quite random and I didn’t care for them much. The other one off issue was a great spider-man story as well as a turning point for MJ.
Overall a solid book that offered a little bit of everything, including the conclusion to a decent storyline.
The first 2 issues with Loki were quite random and I didn’t care for them much. The other one off issue was a great spider-man story as well as a turning point for MJ.
Overall a solid book that offered a little bit of everything, including the conclusion to a decent storyline.
January 28, 2024
Un final d'arc argumental que no arriba a les espectatives creades al voltant de la figura d'Ezequiel. Una llastima que Romita Jr deixe de ser el dibuixant a partir d'este punt en la cronologia d'spiderman. Des del meu punt de vista, el seu estil encaixa perfectament amb el que el personatge necessita. Per cert, que continue gaudint molt més de les histories amb una escala menor, en les que Peter fa de professor, o en les que s'aprofundeix en la seua relació amb MJ, que amb les histories més epiques de la saga totemica que ha caracteritzat estos cinc toms.
October 17, 2024
JMS really seemed to think he was cooking with the whole mystical side of Spider-Man’s backstory, but yet he never had the backbone to commit to it. And it was all in service of what, to give some redemption for a character that he only just introduced himself in this run? I don’t hate Ezekiel as a concept, in fact, I like giving Peter a character a to relate to when it comes to being a Spider-Person, I just don’t like that his character never got any flexibility outside of just dealing with stupid Spider-God shenanigans.
January 3, 2019
I loved getting to see Loki in this one, and Spider-Man's interactions with other supernatural beings are always fun. We also get to see the end of the Ezekiel storyline here, which included a satisfying ending. Lots of supernatural things at work here, but by the end we're reminded: Spider-Man always gets back up.
August 28, 2019
Termina el arco de Ezequiel, punto de inflexión para Spiderman e historia a través de la cual el personaje vive una auténtica búsqueda de su verdadera naturaleza.
Peter Parker vuelve a deleitarnos con una profundidad de carácter que casa perfectamente con viñetas de acción trepidante, un dibujo soberbio y una trama adictiva.
Peter Parker vuelve a deleitarnos con una profundidad de carácter que casa perfectamente con viñetas de acción trepidante, un dibujo soberbio y una trama adictiva.
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