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The Amazing Spider-Man (2018) (Collected Editions)
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 11: Last Remains
Spider-Man just took the beating of his life...but we're just getting started. Prepare yourself for the horrors of Last Remains! Kindred - the mystery villain who has been plaguing Peter Parker's life from the shadows - is stepping out on stage for the first time...and Spider-Man is not ready for the havoc that will result. Now, the wallcrawler must seek out the aid of one of his oldest allies - Doctor Strange, the Sorcerer Supreme. But it's not going to be enough. In order to take the fight to Kindred, will Peter be forced to consider the unthinkable?
COLLECTING: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) #50-55
COLLECTING: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) #50-55
168 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2021
13 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Nick Spencer
997 books346 followersLibrarian Note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
March 13, 2022
Off of the back of the 'Return of the Green Goblin' Spider-Man is pushed over the edge and ensuing actions sets in place the steps that lead to the demonic possession of his Spider allies, the 'cleansing' of Norman Osborn, the fate of the Sin-Eater, the unmasking of Kindred and the return of MJ! Lots of stuff! On paper the twists, turns, shocks and reveals should be awesome... but just didn't grab me.
Nick Spencer's overall Spidey-run ideas are pretty sound, but the entire run's build up of Kindred has been unconvincing to me, and this supposed grand reveal left me unmoved. The one good, but almost a trope, good thing was that as ever, as with most writers, Green Goblin steals the show. :) I am very close to dropping this book after a life long association, just not feeling it after the highs gained by Superior Spider-Man everything else feels grey. 6 out of 12.
2022 read
Nick Spencer's overall Spidey-run ideas are pretty sound, but the entire run's build up of Kindred has been unconvincing to me, and this supposed grand reveal left me unmoved. The one good, but almost a trope, good thing was that as ever, as with most writers, Green Goblin steals the show. :) I am very close to dropping this book after a life long association, just not feeling it after the highs gained by Superior Spider-Man everything else feels grey. 6 out of 12.
2022 read
June 7, 2021
Kindred is revealed. It's exactly who I thought it was from Kindred's first appearance. He's made this same similar play multiple times in the past. Nothing is explained on how he got all these additional powers he never had before. Six issues later (or eleven if you include the half issues that are completely pointless and found in Amazing Spider-Man: Last Remains Companion), nothing has been resolved and it ends on a cliffhanger...again. Spencer is the king of drawing out stories to the point where you don't even care about them by the time they get to some kind of point. (See his Morning Glories for what I'm talking about.) At least the art by Pat Gleason and Mark Bagley is excellent.
It appears Spencer is driving at some kind of addendum to One More day. But given how long Spencer draws things out, that probably won't happen until ASM #1,000. Or we'll just never get there, again see Morning Glories for a 50 issue story that he never finished and abandoned.
It appears Spencer is driving at some kind of addendum to One More day. But given how long Spencer draws things out, that probably won't happen until ASM #1,000. Or we'll just never get there, again see Morning Glories for a 50 issue story that he never finished and abandoned.
May 16, 2025
This mammoth eleven-part story was so big they split it into two collections. This ‘core’ book collects the ‘main’ story that ran through issues 50 to 55. The other ‘companion’ book collects the five ‘half’ issues that were numbered 50LR to 54LR.
Actually, this was such a big story that it doesn’t actually end in either of these books as this volume ends in a monster of a cliffhanger that was so frustrating I almost threw my tablet across the room! ThenI remembered I can’t afford a new one this month so started writing this ‘review’ instead...
The reason the cliffhanger was so frustrating is that this was the best Spidey story I’ve read for a long time and may end up being the high point of Nick Spencer’s run on the book. It was absolutely gripping, which isn’t easy to sustain for eleven solid issues. I nearly cried at one point and almost put the book down in disgust at another. The Sin Eater’s story comes to an end. Kindred’s identity is finally revealed... and I didn’t see it coming.
Also... and I think this is going to be the big deal with this story so I’ll put it in spoilers... Please, Galactus, let me be right about that one... it was the second worst thing they ever did to Pete.
I am seriously hoping the next volume is the volume I’m praying it is, because it would seriously suck if they screwed the dismount after a great book like this one. I’m counting on you, Nick...
Actually, this was such a big story that it doesn’t actually end in either of these books as this volume ends in a monster of a cliffhanger that was so frustrating I almost threw my tablet across the room! ThenI remembered I can’t afford a new one this month so started writing this ‘review’ instead...
The reason the cliffhanger was so frustrating is that this was the best Spidey story I’ve read for a long time and may end up being the high point of Nick Spencer’s run on the book. It was absolutely gripping, which isn’t easy to sustain for eleven solid issues. I nearly cried at one point and almost put the book down in disgust at another. The Sin Eater’s story comes to an end. Kindred’s identity is finally revealed... and I didn’t see it coming.
Also... and I think this is going to be the big deal with this story so I’ll put it in spoilers... Please, Galactus, let me be right about that one... it was the second worst thing they ever did to Pete.
I am seriously hoping the next volume is the volume I’m praying it is, because it would seriously suck if they screwed the dismount after a great book like this one. I’m counting on you, Nick...
Read
December 31, 2020Konečně přišlo na odhalení, který se táhlo 11 knížek a... meh. Místy tu probleskne zajímavý nápad, místy je to vykrádačka Smrti rodiny. Spencerův ASM mi nesedí, snad aspoň vymaže OMD.
June 12, 2021
From the moment a cowled figure with a mad-on for Peter Parker appeared in Nick Spencer’s Spider-Man run, this moment was inevitable. Well, I say moment, I mean “three collections and counting of interminable run-on story - oh, and a bonus collection of more flashbacks too”. Sure, big mystery villains have been part of the Spider-man mythology since the beginning, but it would help if they weren’t all related, eh?
And it would help if their plans made sense, and their powers weren’t made up on the spot, and the storyline didn’t keep interrupting itself to remind us of stuff that happened over FIFTY YEARS AGO*. At least the Sin-Eater has buggered off.
*for the less dedicated continuity wonk there’s also the tantalising promise of finally dealing with stuff that happened a mere 14 years ago. I know, I know, it only seems like yesterday that Spider-Man sold his marriage to the devil!
And it would help if their plans made sense, and their powers weren’t made up on the spot, and the storyline didn’t keep interrupting itself to remind us of stuff that happened over FIFTY YEARS AGO*. At least the Sin-Eater has buggered off.
*for the less dedicated continuity wonk there’s also the tantalising promise of finally dealing with stuff that happened a mere 14 years ago. I know, I know, it only seems like yesterday that Spider-Man sold his marriage to the devil!
February 26, 2021
4.5, rounded up
Kindred is done with sticking to the shadows, and now he's out for blood. With the Sin Eater still loose and Norman Osborn as unpredictable as ever, Spider-Man will have his hands full when the villain that has stalked his dreams for months finally makes a move!
Last Remains feels like it should be the culmination of Nick Spencer's run on Spider-Man thus far, and to a certain extent it is. It builds to a crescendo, bringing Peter face to face with the man behind the Kindred mask, but when you think the symphony is over, it starts anew. I'm not sure if this was entirely successful though; while we get a few answers, we definitely don't get enough closure on Kindred at this point to feel entirely satisfied.
There are lots of little hints and developments in this story that will no doubt ripple through Amazing Spider-Man for a while to come, and some of the issues will definitely elicit some kind of reaction from fans, whether for the actual events themselves or for what they imply (hello One More Day, nice (?) to see you again).
The artwork's solid all the way through though - series artist Patrick Gleason handles 4 of the 6 issues with his best work on the title thus far, while the ever reliable Mark Bagley picks up the slack in the remaining two issues.
There's a reason Amazing Spider-Man is consistently one of Marvel's best sellers; Spencer has a long term plan, and he's in no rush to roll it all out just yet. While this can mean that Last Remains can come across a tad anticlimactic, I think if you temper your expectations before starting this, and consider it as the end of an act rather than the end of the story like Marvel initially billed it, you'll get more out of it.
Kindred is done with sticking to the shadows, and now he's out for blood. With the Sin Eater still loose and Norman Osborn as unpredictable as ever, Spider-Man will have his hands full when the villain that has stalked his dreams for months finally makes a move!
Last Remains feels like it should be the culmination of Nick Spencer's run on Spider-Man thus far, and to a certain extent it is. It builds to a crescendo, bringing Peter face to face with the man behind the Kindred mask, but when you think the symphony is over, it starts anew. I'm not sure if this was entirely successful though; while we get a few answers, we definitely don't get enough closure on Kindred at this point to feel entirely satisfied.
There are lots of little hints and developments in this story that will no doubt ripple through Amazing Spider-Man for a while to come, and some of the issues will definitely elicit some kind of reaction from fans, whether for the actual events themselves or for what they imply (hello One More Day, nice (?) to see you again).
The artwork's solid all the way through though - series artist Patrick Gleason handles 4 of the 6 issues with his best work on the title thus far, while the ever reliable Mark Bagley picks up the slack in the remaining two issues.
There's a reason Amazing Spider-Man is consistently one of Marvel's best sellers; Spencer has a long term plan, and he's in no rush to roll it all out just yet. While this can mean that Last Remains can come across a tad anticlimactic, I think if you temper your expectations before starting this, and consider it as the end of an act rather than the end of the story like Marvel initially billed it, you'll get more out of it.
August 2, 2021
The big reveal is here and Kindred is...someone we already guessed.
There's things I liked about this volume a lot. There's a scene Spider-man fights back after being beat up that just reeks badass. This is also a full on attack on One More Day and Sins Past storyline. Which is great, since both storylines are shit. I also loved the fact Peter is on the edge this whole volume yet he won't give in.
What didn't work for me is it feels like there's something happening at the same time and missing key plot points if don't read the companion book. Also, not a huge fan on the ending as it only leaves more "questions" and not enough answers, which is typical Nick spencer style.
So while not the greatest volume it was still entertaining throughout.
There's things I liked about this volume a lot. There's a scene Spider-man fights back after being beat up that just reeks badass. This is also a full on attack on One More Day and Sins Past storyline. Which is great, since both storylines are shit. I also loved the fact Peter is on the edge this whole volume yet he won't give in.
What didn't work for me is it feels like there's something happening at the same time and missing key plot points if don't read the companion book. Also, not a huge fan on the ending as it only leaves more "questions" and not enough answers, which is typical Nick spencer style.
So while not the greatest volume it was still entertaining throughout.
June 14, 2023
SPIDER-FAMILY CROSSOVER! Yes, Spider-Man is often depicted as a loner but he has a pretty extensive cast and it's awesome to see them get together for once to try to help Peter. Also, the fact that most of them generally agree Norman Osborn is a monster who needs to die but Peter shouldn't be the one to kill him. Except Miles because Miles is a good egg. This arc is finally ramping up to its end and the twists and turns, especially as Norman is "redeemed" through the power of magic are well done. Highly recommended.
December 31, 2020
This was a good story, focusing on Kindred finally making his move, he starts controlling the members of the spider-family thus it falls on Peter to rescue them meanwhile he also calls upon the help of Dr Strange and Black cat and when he finally confronts Kindred, revelations start happening like who he is aka Harry and what led him to be this and why he hates Peter, what changed, how does everything factor into this meanwhile on the sides we have LR issues focusing on different stuff. Also there are some interesting tidbits with MJ and how Norman convinces her to help harry and when she goes inside, and that ending and what Green Goblin and Kingpin do and the one above Kindred..maybe Mephisto? Its a great story and sets up future plot points also whatever happens with Pete and MJ, and the brutal scenes here are worth it like the times Harry killed Pete and whatever goes on with others..just wow and the art is terrific! Loved this volume so much!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2021
"Last Remains" is a very chaotic Spider-Man story, though it does wrap up a lot of loose ends from the previous 10 Volumes of this run, including answering the question "Who is Kindred?"
Highlights:
- Kindred is able to kill Sin-Eater, taking all the sins upon himself and turning it back around on the Order of the Web, who then attack Spidey. He tries to hold back, but they are attacking brutally, so he instead escapes.
- Spidey goes to see Doctor Strange to borrow the Hand of Vishanti, a relic that will allow him to go to the Astral Plane to confront the full evil of Kindred. Originally, the Hand doesn't work (as Spidey had made a deal with another evil entity - Mephisto - way back years ago. ABOUT TIME THIS CAME BACK UP!) However, Black Cat steals the relic and helps Spidey get to the Astral Plane.
- Norman Osborn, having been cleaned of all his sins by Sin-Eater in the last Volume, meets with a psychologist to discuss his time as Green Goblin. Not only does he wish to make amends for all of his crimes, but he reveals that he knows that Kindred is his son Harry.
- Kindred confronts Spidey with the dug up bodies of people "he got killed" (including Uncle Ben, his parents, Gwen Stacy, etc). They fight and Kindred shows Peter his friends (The Order of the Web) causing mass chaos and destruction. He begs for their lives to be spared in exchange for his. Kindred releases his hold on them and snaps Spidey's neck.
- Norman Osborn takes Mary Jane when she lands in the airport. Taking her back to Ravencroft, he explains his new vision and tells her Harry is Kindred. She offers to help.
- Kindred invades a dream Spidey is having, brings him back to life, and removes the bandages on his face, revealing he is in fact, Harry Osborn.
- Harry beats Peter over and over, killing him and reviving him, only to do it again and again. Harry explains that Peter's fatal flaw is that he always thinks he knows what is best for everyone, and that his hubris causes his loved ones to either get hurt or die. But instead of Peter accepting his mistakes, he chooses to bury them or ignore them.
- The Order and Mary Jane both come to the cemetery to help Peter, but Kindred is able to capture all of them. Harry wants a conversation with Pete and MJ about how Peter needs to apologize for never telling Harry about the Green Goblin. As Spidey takes another beating, Green Goblin appears and takes down Kindred. He reveals that he was not cured of his sins and has been working with Kingpin to orchestrate this whole takedown of his son.
- The Volume ends with Goblin vs Kindred, Kingpin's trap starting to be sprung, and MJ seemingly hurt.
WOW... all of that and it's STILL NOT OVER? How will this affect Pete going forward? Will he atone? and... Will we finally see the reveal of his deal with Mephisto?
Nick Spencer... I applaud you. You absolutely should be reading this title.
Strong recommend.
Highlights:
- Kindred is able to kill Sin-Eater, taking all the sins upon himself and turning it back around on the Order of the Web, who then attack Spidey. He tries to hold back, but they are attacking brutally, so he instead escapes.
- Spidey goes to see Doctor Strange to borrow the Hand of Vishanti, a relic that will allow him to go to the Astral Plane to confront the full evil of Kindred. Originally, the Hand doesn't work (as Spidey had made a deal with another evil entity - Mephisto - way back years ago. ABOUT TIME THIS CAME BACK UP!) However, Black Cat steals the relic and helps Spidey get to the Astral Plane.
- Norman Osborn, having been cleaned of all his sins by Sin-Eater in the last Volume, meets with a psychologist to discuss his time as Green Goblin. Not only does he wish to make amends for all of his crimes, but he reveals that he knows that Kindred is his son Harry.
- Kindred confronts Spidey with the dug up bodies of people "he got killed" (including Uncle Ben, his parents, Gwen Stacy, etc). They fight and Kindred shows Peter his friends (The Order of the Web) causing mass chaos and destruction. He begs for their lives to be spared in exchange for his. Kindred releases his hold on them and snaps Spidey's neck.
- Norman Osborn takes Mary Jane when she lands in the airport. Taking her back to Ravencroft, he explains his new vision and tells her Harry is Kindred. She offers to help.
- Kindred invades a dream Spidey is having, brings him back to life, and removes the bandages on his face, revealing he is in fact, Harry Osborn.
- Harry beats Peter over and over, killing him and reviving him, only to do it again and again. Harry explains that Peter's fatal flaw is that he always thinks he knows what is best for everyone, and that his hubris causes his loved ones to either get hurt or die. But instead of Peter accepting his mistakes, he chooses to bury them or ignore them.
- The Order and Mary Jane both come to the cemetery to help Peter, but Kindred is able to capture all of them. Harry wants a conversation with Pete and MJ about how Peter needs to apologize for never telling Harry about the Green Goblin. As Spidey takes another beating, Green Goblin appears and takes down Kindred. He reveals that he was not cured of his sins and has been working with Kingpin to orchestrate this whole takedown of his son.
- The Volume ends with Goblin vs Kindred, Kingpin's trap starting to be sprung, and MJ seemingly hurt.
WOW... all of that and it's STILL NOT OVER? How will this affect Pete going forward? Will he atone? and... Will we finally see the reveal of his deal with Mephisto?
Nick Spencer... I applaud you. You absolutely should be reading this title.
Strong recommend.
December 1, 2021
В сентябре 2021 года закончился трёхлетний ран Ника Спенсера на «Человеке-Пауке». 74 выпуска, 15 трейдов. Просто для сравнения, великий Стражински выпустил за шесть лет 80 синглов. Но это были совершенно иные времена и другие скорости. Чтобы еще больше пожурить бородатого классика можно также засчитать Спенсеру 17 номеров «The Superior Foes of Spider Man», которые и стали для него гринкартой во франшизу.
Итак, три года назад я прочитал первые несколько выпусков нового спенсеровского онгоинга, был абсолютно не впечатлен (плюс дурная репутация сохранилась за автором с эпохи «Тайной империи» и её последствий), поэтому забыл про линейку на долгое-долгое время. Начинать опять с самого начала не решился, из-за чего дерзко (и очень рандомно) ворвался в историю с 11-го трейда.
И попал в самое пекло. В самое психоделическое крещендо, где главный антагонист всего рана впервые снимает маску и мы узнаем, что это…нет, спойлера не будет. Антагонист с Паркером сидят за обеденным столом вместе со скелетами Гвен, её отца, дяди Бена, родителей Питера, которых человек под маской выкопал из могил. Антагонист унижает Питера, ломает ему психику, потом просто убивает, затем - воскрешает, снова - убивает, опять - воскрешает, снова - убивает… но тут прибегает ЭмДжей.
Параллельно с этим в городе происходит много сюжетного движа, объемного и крутого. Стрэндж и Фелисити собирают Орден, чтобы явиться на помощь Паркеру. Карли Купер загадочного исчезает, Гоблин и Фиск вступают в преступный сговор, а фанатики, возглавляемые Пожирателем Грехов, решают устроить тотальную индульгенцию для Морлана. Происходящее сопровождается отличными референсами для опытных юзеров - к Стражински и Слотту. Некоторые сноски кричат прямо в лицо - цитирую - «щёнки, идите читать Стражинского».
Мне очень и очень понравилось, но я начал читать с 50-го выпуска. Постоянные же читатели онгоинга наоборот соревнуются на Goodreads в шутках на тему: meh, тайна-хуяйна, а разговоров-разговоров то было.
Итак, три года назад я прочитал первые несколько выпусков нового спенсеровского онгоинга, был абсолютно не впечатлен (плюс дурная репутация сохранилась за автором с эпохи «Тайной империи» и её последствий), поэтому забыл про линейку на долгое-долгое время. Начинать опять с самого начала не решился, из-за чего дерзко (и очень рандомно) ворвался в историю с 11-го трейда.
И попал в самое пекло. В самое психоделическое крещендо, где главный антагонист всего рана впервые снимает маску и мы узнаем, что это…нет, спойлера не будет. Антагонист с Паркером сидят за обеденным столом вместе со скелетами Гвен, её отца, дяди Бена, родителей Питера, которых человек под маской выкопал из могил. Антагонист унижает Питера, ломает ему психику, потом просто убивает, затем - воскрешает, снова - убивает, опять - воскрешает, снова - убивает… но тут прибегает ЭмДжей.
Параллельно с этим в городе происходит много сюжетного движа, объемного и крутого. Стрэндж и Фелисити собирают Орден, чтобы явиться на помощь Паркеру. Карли Купер загадочного исчезает, Гоблин и Фиск вступают в преступный сговор, а фанатики, возглавляемые Пожирателем Грехов, решают устроить тотальную индульгенцию для Морлана. Происходящее сопровождается отличными референсами для опытных юзеров - к Стражински и Слотту. Некоторые сноски кричат прямо в лицо - цитирую - «щёнки, идите читать Стражинского».
Мне очень и очень понравилось, но я начал читать с 50-го выпуска. Постоянные же читатели онгоинга наоборот соревнуются на Goodreads в шутках на тему: meh, тайна-хуяйна, а разговоров-разговоров то было.
May 17, 2021
After ten volumes of Nick Spencer’s Amazing Spider-Man, Kindred finally steps into the spotlight and takes action, even if the constant teasing of this new villain did diminish the mystery, because Spencer was showcasing the likes of Sin-Eater and Green Goblin as seen in the previous volume. As Sin-Eater’s story comes to an end, which took the story down a darker path, Spider-Man's confrontation with Kindred makes it more so, especially when it’s finally revealed who this new baddie is.
SPOILERS if you don’t want to go any further, but Kindred is actually Peter’s former best friend, Harry Osborn. Like I said before, the long wait to who Kindred is did lessen the impact and though his power set continues to be unclear, the story takes a more personal turn for our hero, who had been beaten to a bloody pulp in the last story arc.
However, before we get to the two former friends having their squabble, there are the other things to worry about, such as Peter making a visit to the Sanctum Sanctorum, whilst the other Spider-people turn demonically possessed. As a dark supernatural story, it is very ambitious with the many cogs that are driving the narrative, with a heavy dose of magic, including a step back in time where Peter visits the ending that made the controversial transition from One More Day to Brand New Day.
Considering that Spencer seems to be undoing the effects of One More Day by Peter romancing again with Mary Jane, this storyline feels like the culmination of that approach, but the comic gets trampled by its own ambition and if Spencer just streamlined the story without having to juggle too many characters, it would’ve served as a better climax. Instead, we get a dinner-based confrontation that is not far off from the Death of the Family storyline from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman run.
Whilst there are two issues that are drawn by Mark Bagley’s classical style, most of this volume is drawn by Patrick Gleason. Nearly every page by Gleason looks very busy, from the varying panel layouts and the amount of bloody content, in which Spidey gets physically and emotionally tortured. That said, as great as Gleason’s art is, it can look rough around the edges, especially the few panels where we don’t see any webbing on Spidey’s suit, and I do wonder if doing a bi-monthly series isn’t giving the artists to do one last polish.
By this point, my ongoing problem with this run is Spencer’s storytelling is that it's just fine, but it could be way better and if Amazing Spider-Man returned as a monthly series, it would be a benefit. What we got instead is okay and just enough interest to read the next volume.
SPOILERS if you don’t want to go any further, but Kindred is actually Peter’s former best friend, Harry Osborn. Like I said before, the long wait to who Kindred is did lessen the impact and though his power set continues to be unclear, the story takes a more personal turn for our hero, who had been beaten to a bloody pulp in the last story arc.
However, before we get to the two former friends having their squabble, there are the other things to worry about, such as Peter making a visit to the Sanctum Sanctorum, whilst the other Spider-people turn demonically possessed. As a dark supernatural story, it is very ambitious with the many cogs that are driving the narrative, with a heavy dose of magic, including a step back in time where Peter visits the ending that made the controversial transition from One More Day to Brand New Day.
Considering that Spencer seems to be undoing the effects of One More Day by Peter romancing again with Mary Jane, this storyline feels like the culmination of that approach, but the comic gets trampled by its own ambition and if Spencer just streamlined the story without having to juggle too many characters, it would’ve served as a better climax. Instead, we get a dinner-based confrontation that is not far off from the Death of the Family storyline from Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman run.
Whilst there are two issues that are drawn by Mark Bagley’s classical style, most of this volume is drawn by Patrick Gleason. Nearly every page by Gleason looks very busy, from the varying panel layouts and the amount of bloody content, in which Spidey gets physically and emotionally tortured. That said, as great as Gleason’s art is, it can look rough around the edges, especially the few panels where we don’t see any webbing on Spidey’s suit, and I do wonder if doing a bi-monthly series isn’t giving the artists to do one last polish.
By this point, my ongoing problem with this run is Spencer’s storytelling is that it's just fine, but it could be way better and if Amazing Spider-Man returned as a monthly series, it would be a benefit. What we got instead is okay and just enough interest to read the next volume.
April 16, 2021
Finally, the secret of Kindred is finally revealed. While eager to see who it was, I had a feeling I would be disappointed, and I was. The setup to get to this point was long and torturous for Pete, but just who is behind this feels forced. Maybe I'd say it's executed well, but I've grown so bored of Spencer's run I want it to be over.
I was surprised to see Gleason doing the art, but for some reason it didn't appeal to me the way his Batman and Superman runs did. A couple issues had Bagley's art which is still something I don't care for.
So, all in all, I'm pretty disappointed. And apparently, there are a couple issues that are part of this story that are in a separate TPB, which I don't have. Not sure how important they are.
I was surprised to see Gleason doing the art, but for some reason it didn't appeal to me the way his Batman and Superman runs did. A couple issues had Bagley's art which is still something I don't care for.
So, all in all, I'm pretty disappointed. And apparently, there are a couple issues that are part of this story that are in a separate TPB, which I don't have. Not sure how important they are.
July 4, 2021
COLLECTS AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) ISSUES #50-55
Nick Spencer's run has been getting better and better, and this volume finally reveals the true identity of Kindred. I had my suspicions earlier in the run, but it was good to finally get the answer.
Final rating = 4.5 stars
SPOILERS:
There is a feeling that the events of "Brand New Day" are going to be undone, and I believe this is the first time that we were shown that Mary Jane may remember the sacrifice she made. It was explicit, but there were definitely some hints in this direction. I'm wondering if the Harry Osborn we are seeing here is the the pre-"Brand New Day" Harry Osborn, and a separate entity from the Harry Osborn that has been running around the Spider-books for the last decade.
Nick Spencer's run has been getting better and better, and this volume finally reveals the true identity of Kindred. I had my suspicions earlier in the run, but it was good to finally get the answer.
Final rating = 4.5 stars
SPOILERS:
There is a feeling that the events of "Brand New Day" are going to be undone, and I believe this is the first time that we were shown that Mary Jane may remember the sacrifice she made. It was explicit, but there were definitely some hints in this direction. I'm wondering if the Harry Osborn we are seeing here is the the pre-"Brand New Day" Harry Osborn, and a separate entity from the Harry Osborn that has been running around the Spider-books for the last decade.
August 27, 2021
I'm not gonna lie--I was excited to see this title finally pop up in my library hold list. After months and months of seeing the shadowy Kindred lurking in the background of so many previous issues, would we finally find out who he is? Well, yes, but I can't help but think that the reveal was supposed to be something a bit more momentous than what we get here. What an anticlimax...
December 12, 2021
Hot garbage.
Plseas sod off Kindred.
Plseas sod off Kindred.
March 28, 2021
Read (and re-read) as single issues.
The five issues of Amazing Spider-Man in this collection were accompanied by issues featuring a concurrent numbering followed by .LR (for "Last Remains"), so Amazing Spider-Man #50 gets followed by ASM #50.LR, then #51, #51.LR, etc., before ending with #55.
I have to admit that I don't know if you'll feel like you are missing a chunk of the story (or can even follow it!) if you don't read the .LR tie-ins (they are not in this collection) but with them the whole affair felt incredibly drawn out, even with re-reading all this in one sitting.
Kindred, the mysterious demonic character who has haunted the dreams of Peter and Mary Jane, as well as making the lives of the Kingpin or Mysterio difficult, for months now makes his move at last. If he even is a "he" - I am still not convinced Kindred is not Gwen Stacy after all!
He (let's stay with the pronoun befitting his identity as revealed) wants to punish Peter for all the misery he has brought to all those around him, painting Spider-Man as someone whose every decision is caused by hubris and who is to blame for all the bad things that happen around him because of his being Spider-Man. This smacks a lot of meta-commentary on genre-conventions.
And yes, Kindred does come across as a spoiled, whiny brat who blames everything bad on others. Unless (s)he is actually Gwen after all, because she'd have actual reasons to feel like an underappreciated victim in most of the events in her life.
The artwork is very good, though!
The five issues of Amazing Spider-Man in this collection were accompanied by issues featuring a concurrent numbering followed by .LR (for "Last Remains"), so Amazing Spider-Man #50 gets followed by ASM #50.LR, then #51, #51.LR, etc., before ending with #55.
I have to admit that I don't know if you'll feel like you are missing a chunk of the story (or can even follow it!) if you don't read the .LR tie-ins (they are not in this collection) but with them the whole affair felt incredibly drawn out, even with re-reading all this in one sitting.
Kindred, the mysterious demonic character who has haunted the dreams of Peter and Mary Jane, as well as making the lives of the Kingpin or Mysterio difficult, for months now makes his move at last. If he even is a "he" - I am still not convinced Kindred is not Gwen Stacy after all!
He (let's stay with the pronoun befitting his identity as revealed) wants to punish Peter for all the misery he has brought to all those around him, painting Spider-Man as someone whose every decision is caused by hubris and who is to blame for all the bad things that happen around him because of his being Spider-Man. This smacks a lot of meta-commentary on genre-conventions.
And yes, Kindred does come across as a spoiled, whiny brat who blames everything bad on others. Unless (s)he is actually Gwen after all, because she'd have actual reasons to feel like an underappreciated victim in most of the events in her life.
The artwork is very good, though!
April 5, 2021
Spencer finally gives us answers to who Kindred is and the pay off to what was set up in the first issue finally pays off. The reveal is a bit predictable but it fits the story and I’m glad Spencer stuck to it rather than doing something that doesn’t make sense. I also like how Spencer writes Peter, no matter what he never gives up when someone is in danger. I can’t wait for the next volume because that cliffhanger was insane. I need to know what happens. My only issue (which is big enough for me to knock one star off) is that that this doesn’t collect the .LR issues which are ESSENTIAL to the story so make sure you pick up that otherwise you might be lost on some things.
April 8, 2021
This needed about 15 more pages to reach an actual conclusion than what we actually got. I'm sure some of this will be resolved in further issues but Spencer has been building to this for 55 issues and the ending here felt extremely abrupt. It didn't even really feel like a cliffhanger as much as it did the last 6 pages where the story gets semi-wrapped in a rushed manner got lost on their way to the printer.
June 20, 2021
I'm so ready for this series to end... Kindred's big reveal was a total bust, and once again this started with major plot points having occurred since the last volume (probably in some tangentially related tie-in somewhere). Plus the art in several of these issues was just appalling.
April 10, 2021
Well we have Kindred reveal....Dr Strange ( not the cool Waid Surgeon supreme version )..and the Osborn..Parker..MJ frienship/relationship.
August 26, 2021
So the villain Kindred is revealed and, well, I’ll let Spider-Man tell you in his own words, right from this comic:
“Don’t you ever get tired of this? Being the cliché? The first name anyone guesses when things start going wrong?”
Yep. Seems like Nick Spencer knew he was doing something that’s been done many times so he had Spidey just call it out in the middle of the big reveal/fight. Points for that.
I don’t dislike this run as much as some reviewers, but I don’t love it either. It doesn’t help that you also have to read a separate book, Last Remains Companion, to really get the whole picture of this somewhat disjointed story.
I hope to learn more about why and how *mild spoiler name* powered up and became Kindred in volume 12.
“Don’t you ever get tired of this? Being the cliché? The first name anyone guesses when things start going wrong?”
Yep. Seems like Nick Spencer knew he was doing something that’s been done many times so he had Spidey just call it out in the middle of the big reveal/fight. Points for that.
I don’t dislike this run as much as some reviewers, but I don’t love it either. It doesn’t help that you also have to read a separate book, Last Remains Companion, to really get the whole picture of this somewhat disjointed story.
I hope to learn more about why and how *mild spoiler name* powered up and became Kindred in volume 12.
July 8, 2021
Kindred. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I like it when Mark Bailey draws Spider-Man.
I like it when Mark Bailey draws Spider-Man.
Read
January 19, 2021This is the volume where the kindred stuff comes to a head, or at least where he makes his big move.
And I liked it a lot. It was not who I’d guessed it was but I liked who it ended up being.
I read this in single issues an while the story is coherent, I think reading the LR issues in between each issue is a must. Not only are they pretty good but they also fill in the gaps as we barrel towards the conclusion in #55.
And Patrick Gleason on pencils? Heaven! Mark Bagely filling in for a few issues? Just as awesome! So it’s great to look at, effectively told so does it make a mark on Spider-Mans “great” stories?
I don’t know yet. That will be left to time.
What I can tell you is that it’s exciting, easy on the eyes, and has interesting motifs on Spider-Man lore. Worth a read and I’m still on board for the run.. for now. Because every arc being split between 2-3 volumes wears on your patience after awhile.
And I liked it a lot. It was not who I’d guessed it was but I liked who it ended up being.
I read this in single issues an while the story is coherent, I think reading the LR issues in between each issue is a must. Not only are they pretty good but they also fill in the gaps as we barrel towards the conclusion in #55.
And Patrick Gleason on pencils? Heaven! Mark Bagely filling in for a few issues? Just as awesome! So it’s great to look at, effectively told so does it make a mark on Spider-Mans “great” stories?
I don’t know yet. That will be left to time.
What I can tell you is that it’s exciting, easy on the eyes, and has interesting motifs on Spider-Man lore. Worth a read and I’m still on board for the run.. for now. Because every arc being split between 2-3 volumes wears on your patience after awhile.
June 20, 2021
Kindred has been haunting Spencer's Spider-Man from the start, sending villains and troubles after him. Which is a formula that rarely works well, because it seems like a cheap way to string together unconnected stories. But Spencer plays fair, shows us Kindred from the start, and makes sure his main thrust, involving Sin-Eater, is well linked to the story. But it still goes on FOREVER. I mean, are we 4 years in or something at this point!?
Well, here we FINALLY get some resolution. We get the reveal of who Kindred is, which is a really classic Spider-Man sort of thing: mysterious villain is revealed as cast member. It works pretty well, other than the fact that Kindred keeps being dark and mysterious when he talks rather than getting to the point.
There's some poor use of supporting character, as other Spider-Folk get knocked around like they're pawns (but maybe there's ore in their own titles or something). But, I was pretty happy with how the story was going until it just STOPPED. In another infuriating decision in what's been a whole line of bad decisions in the Spider-Man collections of late, Marvel decided to end the story on a cliffhanger by holding the epilogue until the next volume.
Thanks guys. Story is probably 4 stars, this collection is 3.
Well, here we FINALLY get some resolution. We get the reveal of who Kindred is, which is a really classic Spider-Man sort of thing: mysterious villain is revealed as cast member. It works pretty well, other than the fact that Kindred keeps being dark and mysterious when he talks rather than getting to the point.
There's some poor use of supporting character, as other Spider-Folk get knocked around like they're pawns (but maybe there's ore in their own titles or something). But, I was pretty happy with how the story was going until it just STOPPED. In another infuriating decision in what's been a whole line of bad decisions in the Spider-Man collections of late, Marvel decided to end the story on a cliffhanger by holding the epilogue until the next volume.
Thanks guys. Story is probably 4 stars, this collection is 3.
May 26, 2021
Nick Spencer was channeling J.M. Dematteis hard when he wrote this story, and I mean that as high praise.
However, I can't give the story five stars, because it doesn't end. We're left on a cliffhanger, and a strange one at that. And that's fine, I guess, because comics are ongoing. But besides that, I feel like the story I read was only half of the story thus far. It feels like pieces. I know that there's a companion volume, but usually those are supplemental material that can be ignored. (OMAC Project excepted. I am never going to let that go.)
Maybe I'm less upset about the story itself than the way it is collected. I don't know for sure, because I haven't read the ending yet. That being said, I'm not really digging the way that this arc has been collected into three (or four, depending on how you count it) volumes. I suppose if I wait 5 or 10 years, there will be a Complete Collection of all this, but ASM is one of the few series that I still am relatively caught up on.
I suppose it's not that big a deal. I like the story so far. But I'm left wanting more, and not necessarily in the good way.
However, I can't give the story five stars, because it doesn't end. We're left on a cliffhanger, and a strange one at that. And that's fine, I guess, because comics are ongoing. But besides that, I feel like the story I read was only half of the story thus far. It feels like pieces. I know that there's a companion volume, but usually those are supplemental material that can be ignored. (OMAC Project excepted. I am never going to let that go.)
Maybe I'm less upset about the story itself than the way it is collected. I don't know for sure, because I haven't read the ending yet. That being said, I'm not really digging the way that this arc has been collected into three (or four, depending on how you count it) volumes. I suppose if I wait 5 or 10 years, there will be a Complete Collection of all this, but ASM is one of the few series that I still am relatively caught up on.
I suppose it's not that big a deal. I like the story so far. But I'm left wanting more, and not necessarily in the good way.
December 1, 2021
1,5* and not a chance in Hell I’ll bump it up
... all this for that?
Lame villain, lame secret identity-even I guessed who Kindred was and I’m usually bad at this game- even lamer motivations proferred by a whining spoiled brat with powers coming out of nowhere...
I guess the missing tie-ins must be somewhat relevant for once because the last issues felt disjointed with characters being here and doing things without any coherence with what happened before. That makes this underwhelming pseudo-conclusion (it concludes nothing and ends up on a cliffhanger) even worse.
It probably doesn’t really deserve such a low rate but that’s my answer to the waste of time Spencer’s overdone build-up inflicted on me for dozens of issues to simply fizzle and die in a half coherent dud. I had the intuition this Kindred storyline would be bad the first time I saw him and endured him for too long to be in a forgiving mood.
Nicky, Nicky, you did great things over the years; this run of ASM just isn’t one of them.
... all this for that?
Lame villain, lame secret identity-even I guessed who Kindred was and I’m usually bad at this game- even lamer motivations proferred by a whining spoiled brat with powers coming out of nowhere...
I guess the missing tie-ins must be somewhat relevant for once because the last issues felt disjointed with characters being here and doing things without any coherence with what happened before. That makes this underwhelming pseudo-conclusion (it concludes nothing and ends up on a cliffhanger) even worse.
It probably doesn’t really deserve such a low rate but that’s my answer to the waste of time Spencer’s overdone build-up inflicted on me for dozens of issues to simply fizzle and die in a half coherent dud. I had the intuition this Kindred storyline would be bad the first time I saw him and endured him for too long to be in a forgiving mood.
Nicky, Nicky, you did great things over the years; this run of ASM just isn’t one of them.
August 13, 2024
Kindred - the seemingly undead villain who has been plaguing Peter Parker's life from the shadows finally reveals himself. Can Spider-man defeat this all powerful foe?
Despite having the rest of the 'spider-family' around him, and even Dr Strange and Black Cat at one point, Peter seems powerless against the unstoppable Kindred. The rest of the cast have little to do but be pawns as things finally come to a head between Kindred and Peter. Spenser draws this confrontation out somewhat and frustratingly we dont even get a conclusion to things by the end of the book either. As an antagonist Kindred is very involved in Peter's history but the big reveal feels a bit of a let down and the big denouemont falls flat. We get no real explanation as to how Kindred is as powerful as he is either.
There's some interesting artwork delivered by Patrick Gleason and the reliable Mark Bagley but ultimately this story takes too long to get to the point, and is likely confusing for anyone picking it up unaware of what has come before.
Despite having the rest of the 'spider-family' around him, and even Dr Strange and Black Cat at one point, Peter seems powerless against the unstoppable Kindred. The rest of the cast have little to do but be pawns as things finally come to a head between Kindred and Peter. Spenser draws this confrontation out somewhat and frustratingly we dont even get a conclusion to things by the end of the book either. As an antagonist Kindred is very involved in Peter's history but the big reveal feels a bit of a let down and the big denouemont falls flat. We get no real explanation as to how Kindred is as powerful as he is either.
There's some interesting artwork delivered by Patrick Gleason and the reliable Mark Bagley but ultimately this story takes too long to get to the point, and is likely confusing for anyone picking it up unaware of what has come before.
November 27, 2024
Actually one of the better books by Nick Spencer! But doesn’t quite reach the heights of Hunted.
While I did overall enjoy the book, the artwork and the writing - there were still times where the dialogue was very cliche and boring. Not to mention, times when some things just didn’t work for me. And even Peter would say to Kindred - “this doesn’t add up”. Well yeah, it doesn’t. And maybe Spencer knew that….:/
But I did like some of the interactions between Spider-Man and Kindred, as well as the continued story of Norman’s return as The Green Goblin.
Revealing who Kindred is and how things escalated was intriguing and exciting enough for me to read this entire volume in one sitting, and by the end of it - it made me want to go back and read volume 12 again (because I read this volume after reading the following volume).
I now only have 1 book left to read in Nick Spencer’s run of Spidey, volume 15: and I’m hoping it’s good.
Would recommend!
While I did overall enjoy the book, the artwork and the writing - there were still times where the dialogue was very cliche and boring. Not to mention, times when some things just didn’t work for me. And even Peter would say to Kindred - “this doesn’t add up”. Well yeah, it doesn’t. And maybe Spencer knew that….:/
But I did like some of the interactions between Spider-Man and Kindred, as well as the continued story of Norman’s return as The Green Goblin.
Revealing who Kindred is and how things escalated was intriguing and exciting enough for me to read this entire volume in one sitting, and by the end of it - it made me want to go back and read volume 12 again (because I read this volume after reading the following volume).
I now only have 1 book left to read in Nick Spencer’s run of Spidey, volume 15: and I’m hoping it’s good.
Would recommend!
April 26, 2021
ALL THE SPOILERS!!!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
I totally called that Kindred was Harry Osborne! I called that months ago! (I'm super excited... I don't normally figure out twists!) While some of the story stretched my suspension of disbelief. (Namely Peter dying and coming back to life over and over--which also was a punch in the gut. I'm sorry; even if you know they're going to be okay, seeing your favorite characters suffer and die is never easy.) Still, I was able to overlook those more unbelievable moments because, at its core, this story was all about raw emotion: About a friend feeling betrayed; about a hero and his doubts; about the unsuspected fallout of our choices. All of that... plus just a really creepy story! And... ugh! That cliff-hanger ending! I need the next volume, stat!
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
I totally called that Kindred was Harry Osborne! I called that months ago! (I'm super excited... I don't normally figure out twists!) While some of the story stretched my suspension of disbelief. (Namely Peter dying and coming back to life over and over--which also was a punch in the gut. I'm sorry; even if you know they're going to be okay, seeing your favorite characters suffer and die is never easy.) Still, I was able to overlook those more unbelievable moments because, at its core, this story was all about raw emotion: About a friend feeling betrayed; about a hero and his doubts; about the unsuspected fallout of our choices. All of that... plus just a really creepy story! And... ugh! That cliff-hanger ending! I need the next volume, stat!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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