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The Amazing Spider-Man (2025) (Collected Editions)
Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2: Through The Gates Of Hell
Spider-Man is in for the battle of his life! Peter Parker's life has been worse. He's got a steady job. Black Cat is giving him the time of day again. As Spider-Man, Peter's taken some super-powered punches. But he's never caught the kind of Hell that's in store for him fighting for survival as he tries to keep Hellgate from destroying Manhattan! But what does this strange new foe want? And can Peter figure it out before his day gets a whole lot worse?! The city watches as Spider-Man takes the worst beating of his life. Battered and broken, Peter needs to level up if he's going to survive the next round - and he has resolved to get stronger by any means necessary. He is a different man following Hellgate's revelation - but Mary Jane Watson has a secret of her own to share! And the first foes to put Spidey's strength to the test are Shocker and his new allies, the Aftershocks!
Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2025) #6-10.
Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2025) #6-10.
120 pages, Paperback
Published March 3, 2026
About the author
Joe Kelly
1,043 books216 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 28, 2025
4.4 stars
Loved the ‘Spidey-vs.-Firelord’-type battle from the first half this book and as for the fallout in the second half of the book, well, colour me intrigued…
Loved the ‘Spidey-vs.-Firelord’-type battle from the first half this book and as for the fallout in the second half of the book, well, colour me intrigued…
March 18, 2026
In recent years, Amazing Spider-Man has been on shaky ground and even when a new run is off to a promising start, the weight of an ongoing narrative starts to crumble. Based on the first volume of Joe Kelly’s run, it felt like we were in good hands with a five-issue arc that can stand its own and makes me excited to see what the writer has in store with everyone’s favourite wall-crawler. And then we get to this volume!
While things seem to be looking up for Peter Parker who has so far maintain a new relationship, a new job and a new ally in the shape of his former greatest enemy Norman Osborn, his luck isn’t going to last forever, which seems like a perfect metaphor for the comic itself. During a night-out with Black Cat, Peter is confronted by a new villain named Hellgate who causes havoc and thus “Spider-Man is in the battle of his life!” Regarding that quote, that is literally used at the back of the cover, and yet I’m sure that quote has been used throughout Spidey’s history.
Although Hellgate has an interesting design – allowing Spidey to come up with many quips that reference fantasy titles like Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons – there isn’t much development other than he is a destructive force of nature. I’m hoping we are going down another Kindred situation as Kelly could be playing the long game regarding the mystery of this new villain.
With the first three issues devoted to Spidey’s battle with Hellgate, John Romita Jr. steps into art duties. As one of the two main artists that will be jumping back and forth during this run, Romita is no stranger to Spider-Man and has done good things with the character, but his blocky art-style feels like a downgrade compared to the other main artist Pepe Larraz who brought a new visual language to Spidey, especially when it came to action. Although Romita does well at drawing a battered Spider-Man, there are times when he forgets to draw the webbing on his costume, which is just frustrating.
The final two issues explore the aftermath of the Hellgate fight, with Spider-Man out of commission as his alter-ego Peter recovers from his wounds but also seems to distancing himself from those around himself. While you have other players like the new vigilante Captain Kintsugi and Shocker leading his own gang known as the Aftershocks – all of which nicely drawn by guest artist Michael Dowling – Kelly is also setting up a new status quo with Spider-Man eventually coming back and yet might not be Peter under the mask.
While there are a few moments of characterisation that touch upon Peter’s childhood upbringing and the lessons he has learnt from his aunt and uncle, like the titular character himself, Joe Kelly’s run at this stage is going through an identity crisis but hopefully won’t last long. I'm hoping for this series to succeed, even if I felt this volume overall felt lacklustre.
While things seem to be looking up for Peter Parker who has so far maintain a new relationship, a new job and a new ally in the shape of his former greatest enemy Norman Osborn, his luck isn’t going to last forever, which seems like a perfect metaphor for the comic itself. During a night-out with Black Cat, Peter is confronted by a new villain named Hellgate who causes havoc and thus “Spider-Man is in the battle of his life!” Regarding that quote, that is literally used at the back of the cover, and yet I’m sure that quote has been used throughout Spidey’s history.
Although Hellgate has an interesting design – allowing Spidey to come up with many quips that reference fantasy titles like Lord of the Rings and Dungeons & Dragons – there isn’t much development other than he is a destructive force of nature. I’m hoping we are going down another Kindred situation as Kelly could be playing the long game regarding the mystery of this new villain.
With the first three issues devoted to Spidey’s battle with Hellgate, John Romita Jr. steps into art duties. As one of the two main artists that will be jumping back and forth during this run, Romita is no stranger to Spider-Man and has done good things with the character, but his blocky art-style feels like a downgrade compared to the other main artist Pepe Larraz who brought a new visual language to Spidey, especially when it came to action. Although Romita does well at drawing a battered Spider-Man, there are times when he forgets to draw the webbing on his costume, which is just frustrating.
The final two issues explore the aftermath of the Hellgate fight, with Spider-Man out of commission as his alter-ego Peter recovers from his wounds but also seems to distancing himself from those around himself. While you have other players like the new vigilante Captain Kintsugi and Shocker leading his own gang known as the Aftershocks – all of which nicely drawn by guest artist Michael Dowling – Kelly is also setting up a new status quo with Spider-Man eventually coming back and yet might not be Peter under the mask.
While there are a few moments of characterisation that touch upon Peter’s childhood upbringing and the lessons he has learnt from his aunt and uncle, like the titular character himself, Joe Kelly’s run at this stage is going through an identity crisis but hopefully won’t last long. I'm hoping for this series to succeed, even if I felt this volume overall felt lacklustre.
Review of advance copy
3.75
Romita Jr. pencilled most of this trade, which was a huge turn off. Made me not want to read the issues. It's bad.
I still like this run. I think.
Romita Jr. pencilled most of this trade, which was a huge turn off. Made me not want to read the issues. It's bad.
I still like this run. I think.
May 4, 2026
Життя Пітера Паркера проходить чудово, він нарешті має стабільну роботу на якій його цінують, більш-менш налагоджені романтичні стосунки з Чорною Кішкою, навіть на супергеройському фронті у нього все добре і його хиткі стосунки з Тумбстоуном приносять плоди. Пітер Паркер нарешті щасливий... але оскільки ми читаємо комікс про Людину Павука, то все летить шкереберть коли сидячи в засідці разом з Кішкою нашого героя знаходить якийсь демонічний гладіатор, якого звуть Геллґейт.
Цей сюжет триває з 6 по 8 номер, 6 номер є як раз сетапом, а той час 7 і 8 є однією великою сутичкою з поганцем. Її подавали як найбільше побиття в історії Павука, однак на ділі воно таким не є і тільки змусило людей порівнювати її з першою сутичкою Павука з Морланом із рану Стражинськи, сам я робити цього не буду, бо тупо не пам'ятаю вже її (пишіть в коментарях чи хочете побачити відгуки на ран Стражинськи, може візьмуся за нього). Тим не менш сама по собі битва з Геллґейтом вийшла досить окейною, її малює Роміта, що звісно докинуло масла у вогонь порівнянь з Морланом, і малює він її в принципі непогано. Мені також сподобалося як Келлі вплів у бійку флешбек з тим, як дядько Бен вчив Пітера боксу, досить миленький момент, який грає на характер Пітера.
Щодо самого Геллґейта то на те хто він такий та чого хоче нам тільки дають натяки, він постійно говорить, що Павук повинен був його навчити чомусь, називає його Принцем Сталевого Шовку і згадує про передбачення Нікодимія. Ще сюжет в один момент показує нам, як вчений Гермес Креншоу, з тизера в кінці минулого сюжету прибуває до Нью-Йорку, щоб попередити про Ґейта, а також появу нового супергероя Капітана Кінтсуґі, яким є якийсь молодий хлопець. Проте їх роль тут максимально незначна, що лиш змушує мене задуматися для чого варто було тратити сторінки на них.
Якщо бути відвертим, то на цьому сюжеті, а точніше на 9 номері, я дропнув слідкувати за раном Келлі онґоїнґом, мене неймовірно дратували попкультурні відсилки та те, як він прописує діалоги Пітера. Але перечитуючи поарково вони в принципі терпимі, особливо за рахунок перерв між арками, плюс моментами підмічаю для себе більше плюсів ніж коли читав онґоїнґом.
Останні ж два номери в арці йдуть як епілог до сутички в яких нам показують, що Пітер вирішив дистанціюватись від усіх близьких людей, як от Мей, Норман, Ренді, Шей, він навіть посилає куди подалі Тумбстоуна, а пізніше і ЕмДжей, яка прийшла перевірити як він та розповісти, що вона є новим Веномом. В той же час він продовжує працювати в Ренд Індастріз над спільним проектом зі своїм другом, та говорить йому що має дівчину, і нам навіть показують, як він з нею говорить, але по ходу сюжету ми розуміємо, що це не Шей, не Кішка й навіть не Мері Джейн. Хмм, що бице могло означати?
Щодо Павучої сторони, то нам розказують, що він зник після сутички з Геллґейтом, і в цей час Шокер розгулявся не на жарт, нам навіть показали як він погоджує травмованому Пітеру, однак коли Павук таки повертається то він починає діяти більш брутально по відношенню до поганців і навіть дуже сильно дає почуханки Шокеру, який за наказом Тумбстоуна напав на Паркера. Схоже, що після сутички з Геллґейтом дехто вирішив посерйознішати та прокачати власні ґаджети і трохи змінити костюм.
Все це приводить нас до кліфгенґерного завершення арки в якому Пітер Паркер зустрічає Людину Павука та заявляє, що знає, що він не є справжнім Людиною Павуком...лиш для того, щоб Павук відповів, що знає про те, що Пітер за яким ми спостерігали ці два номери не є справжнім Пітером Паркером.
Ці два номери вийшли класними, як на мене Келлі дуже добре вдалося провернути цей твіст та ввести в оману читача, читалося все дуже цікаво.
Якщо говорити про всю арку загалом то вона вийшла непоганою, читалося все досить цікаво і швидко, бійка з Геллґейтом вийшла нормальною, нехай і те як її подавали скоріше зашкодило їй, два епілогові номери теж хороші. Бажання дізнатися, що буде далі є, так що станом на зараз я би сказав, що ран Келлі тримається досить добре.
Цей сюжет триває з 6 по 8 номер, 6 номер є як раз сетапом, а той час 7 і 8 є однією великою сутичкою з поганцем. Її подавали як найбільше побиття в історії Павука, однак на ділі воно таким не є і тільки змусило людей порівнювати її з першою сутичкою Павука з Морланом із рану Стражинськи, сам я робити цього не буду, бо тупо не пам'ятаю вже її (пишіть в коментарях чи хочете побачити відгуки на ран Стражинськи, може візьмуся за нього). Тим не менш сама по собі битва з Геллґейтом вийшла досить окейною, її малює Роміта, що звісно докинуло масла у вогонь порівнянь з Морланом, і малює він її в принципі непогано. Мені також сподобалося як Келлі вплів у бійку флешбек з тим, як дядько Бен вчив Пітера боксу, досить миленький момент, який грає на характер Пітера.
Щодо самого Геллґейта то на те хто він такий та чого хоче нам тільки дають натяки, він постійно говорить, що Павук повинен був його навчити чомусь, називає його Принцем Сталевого Шовку і згадує про передбачення Нікодимія. Ще сюжет в один момент показує нам, як вчений Гермес Креншоу, з тизера в кінці минулого сюжету прибуває до Нью-Йорку, щоб попередити про Ґейта, а також появу нового супергероя Капітана Кінтсуґі, яким є якийсь молодий хлопець. Проте їх роль тут максимально незначна, що лиш змушує мене задуматися для чого варто було тратити сторінки на них.
Якщо бути відвертим, то на цьому сюжеті, а точніше на 9 номері, я дропнув слідкувати за раном Келлі онґоїнґом, мене неймовірно дратували попкультурні відсилки та те, як він прописує діалоги Пітера. Але перечитуючи поарково вони в принципі терпимі, особливо за рахунок перерв між арками, плюс моментами підмічаю для себе більше плюсів ніж коли читав онґоїнґом.
Останні ж два номери в арці йдуть як епілог до сутички в яких нам показують, що Пітер вирішив дистанціюватись від усіх близьких людей, як от Мей, Норман, Ренді, Шей, він навіть посилає куди подалі Тумбстоуна, а пізніше і ЕмДжей, яка прийшла перевірити як він та розповісти, що вона є новим Веномом. В той же час він продовжує працювати в Ренд Індастріз над спільним проектом зі своїм другом, та говорить йому що має дівчину, і нам навіть показують, як він з нею говорить, але по ходу сюжету ми розуміємо, що це не Шей, не Кішка й навіть не Мері Джейн. Хмм, що бице могло означати?
Щодо Павучої сторони, то нам розказують, що він зник після сутички з Геллґейтом, і в цей час Шокер розгулявся не на жарт, нам навіть показали як він погоджує травмованому Пітеру, однак коли Павук таки повертається то він починає діяти більш брутально по відношенню до поганців і навіть дуже сильно дає почуханки Шокеру, який за наказом Тумбстоуна напав на Паркера. Схоже, що після сутички з Геллґейтом дехто вирішив посерйознішати та прокачати власні ґаджети і трохи змінити костюм.
Все це приводить нас до кліфгенґерного завершення арки в якому Пітер Паркер зустрічає Людину Павука та заявляє, що знає, що він не є справжнім Людиною Павуком...лиш для того, щоб Павук відповів, що знає про те, що Пітер за яким ми спостерігали ці два номери не є справжнім Пітером Паркером.
Ці два номери вийшли класними, як на мене Келлі дуже добре вдалося провернути цей твіст та ввести в оману читача, читалося все дуже цікаво.
Якщо говорити про всю арку загалом то вона вийшла непоганою, читалося все досить цікаво і швидко, бійка з Геллґейтом вийшла нормальною, нехай і те як її подавали скоріше зашкодило їй, два епілогові номери теж хороші. Бажання дізнатися, що буде далі є, так що станом на зараз я би сказав, що ран Келлі тримається досить добре.
October 6, 2025
Normally something with ROmita Jr art woudl get at least 2 stars but here I just can't...
Random notes on a truly terrible comic book:
Fuck you, Joe Kelly, you suck on so (so) many levels...
-"a quick prayer that it looks worse than it is".
Spider-Man does not pray. Leave your religious shit out of comics
-"Hope you enjoyed that refreshing taste of Sucker Punch"
a) If you are shit-talking someone and standing face to face, what you receive is not a "sucker punch".
b) throwing a punch does not "taste" like anything, more than likely the receiver is the one "tasting" something.
-(Mi)using "literally" is a jack-ass move. Eliminate this word from your vocabulary.
"On my god".
No. There is zero reason for personal gods in the Marvel Universe.
-"pumping out heat like the Human Torch on a hot date"
No, You're not nearly as clever as you think you are.
If the editor wasn't a total cunt, he'd call you on this shit.
-Calling Hellsgate "Smellsgate"
See above. There is no previous mention of odors. And this is just kindergarten shit.
-J Jonah Jameson can be a right asshole, but even he would not be an "oxford comma" user, especially in a newspaper.
-"Bob-omb"
No. Just fucking no
"fart barbarian"
fuck you
"God, please don't let anyone get caught in this..."
Really.
After THREE issues of Uncle Ben flashback we get the line, "I think of Uncle Ben. His words come to me at times like these..." um, yeah. We know. We saw. For 3 issues.
Also, Hellgate is not in any way acting cowardly, yet Spidey calls him this 3 times. And even Hellsgate points out his misuse of the word (Spidey is being far more a Whiny Bitch)
Spidey, ever so ironically, also says, "Words are hard sometimes, I know".
Captain Kintsugi
Fuck you. Stop trying to "create" new characters. You're not good at it.
"For the love of god, run".
No.
Good fucking grief, a "guest artist" interruption. Do. Not. Interrupt. A. Romita. Arc: it's the ONLY good thing about this! Mr Guest Artist also seems to have never seen Norman Osborn or Tombstone before. Or Aunt May orrrrr any other character...
And oh good, new issue: new "god" mention. Sorry, mentionS. Three!
Annnnnnd Mary Jane. Is now Venom (or some symbiote shit). Pathetic. Mary Jane is Parker's ex. Nothing more. Not a super hero. Not a super model. Not a venom. Stop trying to make her relevant.
Lazy lazy and simply pathetic, fucking writing.
next issue, shitty artist still.
god count x1
miusing literally x1
"the bag that holds your guts in" really.
Then we just turn into a science fiction story, which has no place in a Spidey tale.
What are the two plot points one relies on when one quite clearly has no actual ideas?
-Clone Nonsense
-New Costume
Bingo Kelly,
you
blow
dog.
Random notes on a truly terrible comic book:
Fuck you, Joe Kelly, you suck on so (so) many levels...
-"a quick prayer that it looks worse than it is".
Spider-Man does not pray. Leave your religious shit out of comics
-"Hope you enjoyed that refreshing taste of Sucker Punch"
a) If you are shit-talking someone and standing face to face, what you receive is not a "sucker punch".
b) throwing a punch does not "taste" like anything, more than likely the receiver is the one "tasting" something.
-(Mi)using "literally" is a jack-ass move. Eliminate this word from your vocabulary.
"On my god".
No. There is zero reason for personal gods in the Marvel Universe.
-"pumping out heat like the Human Torch on a hot date"
No, You're not nearly as clever as you think you are.
If the editor wasn't a total cunt, he'd call you on this shit.
-Calling Hellsgate "Smellsgate"
See above. There is no previous mention of odors. And this is just kindergarten shit.
-J Jonah Jameson can be a right asshole, but even he would not be an "oxford comma" user, especially in a newspaper.
-"Bob-omb"
No. Just fucking no
"fart barbarian"
fuck you
"God, please don't let anyone get caught in this..."
Really.
After THREE issues of Uncle Ben flashback we get the line, "I think of Uncle Ben. His words come to me at times like these..." um, yeah. We know. We saw. For 3 issues.
Also, Hellgate is not in any way acting cowardly, yet Spidey calls him this 3 times. And even Hellsgate points out his misuse of the word (Spidey is being far more a Whiny Bitch)
Spidey, ever so ironically, also says, "Words are hard sometimes, I know".
Captain Kintsugi
Fuck you. Stop trying to "create" new characters. You're not good at it.
"For the love of god, run".
No.
Good fucking grief, a "guest artist" interruption. Do. Not. Interrupt. A. Romita. Arc: it's the ONLY good thing about this! Mr Guest Artist also seems to have never seen Norman Osborn or Tombstone before. Or Aunt May orrrrr any other character...
And oh good, new issue: new "god" mention. Sorry, mentionS. Three!
Annnnnnd Mary Jane. Is now Venom (or some symbiote shit). Pathetic. Mary Jane is Parker's ex. Nothing more. Not a super hero. Not a super model. Not a venom. Stop trying to make her relevant.
Lazy lazy and simply pathetic, fucking writing.
next issue, shitty artist still.
god count x1
miusing literally x1
"the bag that holds your guts in" really.
Then we just turn into a science fiction story, which has no place in a Spidey tale.
What are the two plot points one relies on when one quite clearly has no actual ideas?
-Clone Nonsense
-New Costume
Bingo Kelly,
you
blow
dog.
April 7, 2026
Ugh this is still pretty mid and the art is just not improving.
March 9, 2026
reviewed issue by issue
Issue 6
I really enjoyed how ''day in a life of'' this issue was. it's good to give us a chance to just check in with Peter, especially since following on from his new job last arc, things seem to be going quite well for once. We get another sweet scene with Aunt May; May and Peter really looks to be one of the things Kelly is best at writing so I'm very glad he's making use to pepper her into Pete's life frequently. We also get some romance stuff with both Shay and Black Cat in what I personally think is a great display of what modern dating is like, even if I feel editorial needs to have a big sit down meeting to figure out what Felicia actually want out of life. I enjoyed the action, as deliberately standard fare as it was and especially enjoyed the moment where Tombstone tracked Peter down to get a message to Spidey, a genuinely quite tense scene in my opinion!(even if I'm clearly missing some context from Well's run)
I also think JRJR did a pretty good job on art, with the cover being weaker than anything actually inside, though I am missing Pepe Larraz for both the quality of his work in issues 1-5 but more so for the sense of continuity having just one or two artists brings.
Issue 7
I'm not the only person to have noticed this but this fight feels like a complete 1 to 1 remake of the Morlun fight from the start of the JMS run. New powerful villain who shows up specifically to fight Spider-Man, Spidey doing his biggest hardest punch and not even making the bad guy flinch, resorting to running away and trying to mitigate civilian casualties, it's all very similar right down to having the same artist drawing it.
This issue is pretty good, Kelly continues to write Peter well, Black Cat was kinda a badass here and I liked the brief cutaway to Jamerson. Heck the fight is very good, some of JRJR's best recent work even, but it's so clearly a re-hash of a very iconic fight from over twenty years ago and I can't for the life of me think why either the writer or the artist would want to draw comparisons with such an iconic and storied chapter of Spider-Mans past.
I can see Hellgate shaping up to be a really good villain, I'm certainly intrigued by him right now and perceive him as a threat; but I do worry he's going to end up feeling like a discount Inheritor due to how similar this first appearance is to Morlun's.
Issue 8
Okay still quite a few moments her that feel like a retread of the Morlun fight (especially the stuff about what parts of Peters body gets buried or broken with each punch) but I don't want to retread my own review of last issue so lets jump into what's good.
The use of flashback to Peters childhood was really strong. It gives a good sense of consistency with the previous arc in this run and it clear that Peter still has his past on his mind ever since running into Brian again. It also ties into the fight well, with Peter both drawing strength from memories of uncle Ben, but also using the specific teachings in the moment to moment combat. It's sharp and smart storytelling from Kelly. The fight itself continued to be very well choreographed and if nothing else i read Hellgate as a serious threat. The idea that he's leaving specifically cause he wants to fight Spidey when he's stronger than this is really cool and adds a timer to upcoming events.
We also got a small cutaway to MJ's morning routine which felt consistent with Jonah's last issue and provides the same contrast that did with how Peter's early mornings usually go. As a fan of All New Venom it was nice seeing her with Dillan in ASM and I hope we see more of her soon.
Issue 9
Having a down and out Peter unable to be Spidey for a bit is great. I love how rather spend the new free time on his relationships and hobbies he pushes them away and dive head first into work. I've never seen Peter ghosting everyone before ; he's late and misses appointments and work and commitments, but he always does so apologetically and normally because eye had to do some super-heroing. Kelly writes this wounded Peter well and I enjoyed the range of reactions his loved ones had to him being radio silent. I still love May here, still Kelly's best written character in my opinion. I also loved the scene with MJ, the way he rejects her is wrong but its coming from a place of anger, some earned but mostly misplaced and it make for good and believable drama. ''you too deserve each other.'' is a low blow but I think it works for where Peter's head is at right now.
Issue 10
So the only thing I knew about this run is that Peter goes to space at some point so the twist was one I was predisposed to see coming but my got what a twist!
I'm continuing to really like this jaded and disenfranchised Peter, or 'Peter' I suppose now and the darker no-jokes Spider-Man impersonator was great too, with some shades of Superior without feeling like copying. Really excited to see where this goes.
Issue 6
I really enjoyed how ''day in a life of'' this issue was. it's good to give us a chance to just check in with Peter, especially since following on from his new job last arc, things seem to be going quite well for once. We get another sweet scene with Aunt May; May and Peter really looks to be one of the things Kelly is best at writing so I'm very glad he's making use to pepper her into Pete's life frequently. We also get some romance stuff with both Shay and Black Cat in what I personally think is a great display of what modern dating is like, even if I feel editorial needs to have a big sit down meeting to figure out what Felicia actually want out of life. I enjoyed the action, as deliberately standard fare as it was and especially enjoyed the moment where Tombstone tracked Peter down to get a message to Spidey, a genuinely quite tense scene in my opinion!(even if I'm clearly missing some context from Well's run)
I also think JRJR did a pretty good job on art, with the cover being weaker than anything actually inside, though I am missing Pepe Larraz for both the quality of his work in issues 1-5 but more so for the sense of continuity having just one or two artists brings.
Issue 7
I'm not the only person to have noticed this but this fight feels like a complete 1 to 1 remake of the Morlun fight from the start of the JMS run. New powerful villain who shows up specifically to fight Spider-Man, Spidey doing his biggest hardest punch and not even making the bad guy flinch, resorting to running away and trying to mitigate civilian casualties, it's all very similar right down to having the same artist drawing it.
This issue is pretty good, Kelly continues to write Peter well, Black Cat was kinda a badass here and I liked the brief cutaway to Jamerson. Heck the fight is very good, some of JRJR's best recent work even, but it's so clearly a re-hash of a very iconic fight from over twenty years ago and I can't for the life of me think why either the writer or the artist would want to draw comparisons with such an iconic and storied chapter of Spider-Mans past.
I can see Hellgate shaping up to be a really good villain, I'm certainly intrigued by him right now and perceive him as a threat; but I do worry he's going to end up feeling like a discount Inheritor due to how similar this first appearance is to Morlun's.
Issue 8
Okay still quite a few moments her that feel like a retread of the Morlun fight (especially the stuff about what parts of Peters body gets buried or broken with each punch) but I don't want to retread my own review of last issue so lets jump into what's good.
The use of flashback to Peters childhood was really strong. It gives a good sense of consistency with the previous arc in this run and it clear that Peter still has his past on his mind ever since running into Brian again. It also ties into the fight well, with Peter both drawing strength from memories of uncle Ben, but also using the specific teachings in the moment to moment combat. It's sharp and smart storytelling from Kelly. The fight itself continued to be very well choreographed and if nothing else i read Hellgate as a serious threat. The idea that he's leaving specifically cause he wants to fight Spidey when he's stronger than this is really cool and adds a timer to upcoming events.
We also got a small cutaway to MJ's morning routine which felt consistent with Jonah's last issue and provides the same contrast that did with how Peter's early mornings usually go. As a fan of All New Venom it was nice seeing her with Dillan in ASM and I hope we see more of her soon.
Issue 9
Having a down and out Peter unable to be Spidey for a bit is great. I love how rather spend the new free time on his relationships and hobbies he pushes them away and dive head first into work. I've never seen Peter ghosting everyone before ; he's late and misses appointments and work and commitments, but he always does so apologetically and normally because eye had to do some super-heroing. Kelly writes this wounded Peter well and I enjoyed the range of reactions his loved ones had to him being radio silent. I still love May here, still Kelly's best written character in my opinion. I also loved the scene with MJ, the way he rejects her is wrong but its coming from a place of anger, some earned but mostly misplaced and it make for good and believable drama. ''you too deserve each other.'' is a low blow but I think it works for where Peter's head is at right now.
Issue 10
So the only thing I knew about this run is that Peter goes to space at some point so the twist was one I was predisposed to see coming but my got what a twist!
I'm continuing to really like this jaded and disenfranchised Peter, or 'Peter' I suppose now and the darker no-jokes Spider-Man impersonator was great too, with some shades of Superior without feeling like copying. Really excited to see where this goes.
Review of advance copy
Shifting gears ...and tone?
I can't say that I've ever had a chance to say, 'Never Have I Ever' with Spider-Man. It's always been a lot of the same things rearranged and given back to the fans as NEW. This chapter seems much more adult than I was expecting..
Life has been good for Peter Parker. Great new job doing science. Adulting. He even has a girlfriend he's establishing relationship boundaries with. Then, in wanders a DnD'eese' talking character named, 'Hellgate' that says he's here to learn from Spider-Man (and kick the absolute $h!+ out of Peter).
Given the ultimatum by Hellgate, 'Get stronger!', Peter is left battered and broken
...and (time jump) more violent(?).
As Peter, he seems indifferent to his family and friends. As Spider-Man he seems much more in the league of Frank Castle/Punisher. End of this volume has them meeting face-to-face and saying that the other isn't who he claims to be.
DUN DUN dunnnnn.....
I can't say that I've ever had a chance to say, 'Never Have I Ever' with Spider-Man. It's always been a lot of the same things rearranged and given back to the fans as NEW. This chapter seems much more adult than I was expecting..
Life has been good for Peter Parker. Great new job doing science. Adulting. He even has a girlfriend he's establishing relationship boundaries with. Then, in wanders a DnD'eese' talking character named, 'Hellgate' that says he's here to learn from Spider-Man (and kick the absolute $h!+ out of Peter).
Given the ultimatum by Hellgate, 'Get stronger!', Peter is left battered and broken
...and (time jump) more violent(?).
As Peter, he seems indifferent to his family and friends. As Spider-Man he seems much more in the league of Frank Castle/Punisher. End of this volume has them meeting face-to-face and saying that the other isn't who he claims to be.
DUN DUN dunnnnn.....
Review of advance copy
Hellgate, teased at the end of the last Spider-Man run, has arrived, and he's going to kick the crap out of Spider-Man whether he wants it or not.
While Hellgate's whole motivation is a little murky, I'm all for a massive fight drawn by John Romita Jr. I know he's not as good as he used to be, but there's still something insane about seeing the guy just let loose, and this is a fight that's hard to look away from. Coming off the heels of that Tombstone fight at the end of the last volume, I didn't expect to see this fight go this way quite so soon, but I'm impressed, and hooked.
Plus, the final issue that sets up the new status quo for the next 10 or so issues is neat.
Overall, I'm very engaged by Joe Kelly's Spider-Man run thus far, which is as surprising to me as I'd hoped it'd be.
While Hellgate's whole motivation is a little murky, I'm all for a massive fight drawn by John Romita Jr. I know he's not as good as he used to be, but there's still something insane about seeing the guy just let loose, and this is a fight that's hard to look away from. Coming off the heels of that Tombstone fight at the end of the last volume, I didn't expect to see this fight go this way quite so soon, but I'm impressed, and hooked.
Plus, the final issue that sets up the new status quo for the next 10 or so issues is neat.
Overall, I'm very engaged by Joe Kelly's Spider-Man run thus far, which is as surprising to me as I'd hoped it'd be.
April 29, 2026
John Romita Jr. returns for the first 3 issues of this along with a new bad guy, Hellgate, who seems to have stepped out of a Dungeons and Dragons campaign. It's like there are two separate comics going on that Joe Kelly has meshed together. Then it just gets more confusing in the last 2 issues where Spider-Man is now acting more harshly. Michael Dowling's art is getting a little rougher and I don't care for the change. Not a lot of story here in these 5 issues, pretty much just so it can end on a cliffhanger.
May 29, 2026
This was a massive improvement from Volume 1 (which I rated just 1 star a few months ago- unimaginable for an ASM book for me!). The first couple of chapters were basically one long (and awesome!) fight with Hellgate then the end was the aftermath (great to see Tombstone, Shocker and another surprise or two as well) with a massive cliffhanger at the end. Actually can’t wait to read the next volume now!
March 20, 2026
A marked improvement over Volume 1. John Romita Jr always makes me smile. Been a huge fan since I was 10 years old in 1983. It's nice to see him back on this title all these years later.
There will be more revealed about Hellgate. Looking forward to it.
There will be more revealed about Hellgate. Looking forward to it.
September 12, 2025
Entretiene, veamos como sigue la versión ruda de Spidey
Review of advance copy
Read as single issues of the spanish edition.
Review of advance copy
I’m enjoying this series for the most part.
Review of advance copy
Read as singles
March 15, 2026
3.5/5
March 18, 2026
Too much fighting against a new character we don't know nothing of at the end of this TPB, a new super-hero (same thing) BUT a hell of a cliffhanger !
April 10, 2026
Some interesting bits, overall a meh storyline. Let’s see where it’s headed...
May 10, 2026
Awful! Really awful! Marvel butchered Spider-Man. Just sad…
May 27, 2026
Quality art and story - ends on cliffhanger - so to be determined.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews