The Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond, Vol. 3

The Amazing Spider-Man (2018) (Collected Editions)

by Zeb Wells, Michael Dowling (Illustrator)

Amazing creators unite for a brand new era of Spidey! Ben Reilly — the clone of Spider-Man — is back! He’s been through hell, but now with the support of a major corporation, Ben is thwipping once again and being the best Spider-Man he can be. And what does Peter think? Well, he’s just been through the Sinister War and he’s exhausted! But even if Peter is against Ben’s return to the limelight, does he have a choice? The webs that are about to be woven will take you to places you’ve never been…pit our spectacular heroes against classic villains reloaded, as well as brand-new foes…and make you rethink the whole concept of Spider-Man! But what will all this change and upheaval mean for Mary Jane, the Black Cat, Aunt May — and all of New York City?!

Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) #86-88 and #88.BEY, and MARY JANE & BLACK CAT: BEYOND.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Spider Man, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Superheroes, Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2022

About the author

Zeb Wells is an American comic book writer known for his work at Marvel Comics, as well as his work on the animated TV series Robot Chicken.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third instalment of Beyond sees the Beyond Corporation under scrutiny from many sources from Misty and Colleen through to Parker, MJ and even Aunt May! The Beyond Corporation is forced to make a big move when they loose some critical data, and so they pull out their secret weapon, yet another iteration of one of Spidey's most dangerous foes! On the face of it quite an interesting concept of corporate malfeasance, but one that is littered with repeated Spidey-lore. The many peopled team of creators do any exceptional job of consistency though. A 7.5 out of 12, Three Stars.

2023

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beyond marches onwards, and a new threat rises in the form of the Queen Goblin! And while Peter Parker remains bedbound, it's up to Mary Jane and the Black Cat to step in where spiders fear to tread, while the Beyond Corporation recruits a new team of heroes - it's the return of the Slingers!

There are only three issues of the main Beyond title collected here, but they're the beginning of the end so you know shit's getting real. Ben's downward spiral really kicks in, and the tension ramps up a hell of a lot in just one issue as he learns what Beyond have been keeping from him. Zeb Wells and Michael Dowling handle issues 86 and 88, while Jed MacKay and Carlos Gomez pick up issue 87.

In terms of the supplementary material, the Slingers one-shot from writer Geoffrey Thorne and artists Jim Towe and Jan Bazaldua is alright, but it does feel a bit late in the game to be introducing another group of heroes. I like the Slingers, but they always seem to get shortchanged. Meanwhile, Jed MacKay and CF Villa's Mary Jane & Black Cat one-shot is pretty much perfect - MacKay writing Black Cat is always a treat, and his handling of MJ and Felicia's relationship is top notch.

Despite one dodgy Slingers issue, Beyond shows no sign of slowing down. The stage is set for the final act, and it's going to be a doozy.

[C.T. Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

SPIDER-MAN: BEYOND was always meant to be a series with a limited shelf-life and Ben Reilly as Spider-Man was good but the Beyond Corporation is an evil megacorp so, of course, he had to end up betrayed by them. I'm a bit iffy about Doctor Kafka as Queen Goblin but I suppose people think we need a Hobgoblin or Green Goblin figure at all times, like he's Spider-Man's joker. I admit, I grew up after Norman Osborne was dead so he's never been a favorite. Still, they're very theatrical and I like the attempt to take down the corporation via legal means like the Daily Bugle.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another disjointed volume. The Beyond plot goes forward and gets increasingly interesting while the rest treads water. I find the construction of the plot-main story interspersed with more mundane issues-rather tedious.

Ben finally grew up on me-and he’s a character I’ve never been interested in to start with- so I guess Wells handles him well. Still, when all is said and done I can’t wait to see Peter back.

[Brunò · Rating 3 out of 5]

English/Spanish review:

Better than last volume,got the same complaints. Ben and his psychiatrist were damn stupid believing that they weren't being heard. Even worse,inconsistent. Last issue he passed the hard drive on a way that he obviously knew he was being watched. What happened didn't make sense.



Pete's stuff still good. It was kinda funny that on his issue everyone was so stupidly hot. I'm surprised they let em draw Black Cat like that.

Español:

Mejor que el último volumen,tengo las mismas quejas. Ben y su psiquiatra fueron muy estúpidos creyendo que no los escuchaban. Peor aún,inconsistente. En el último número,Ben pasó el disco duro de una manera que obviamente sabía que estaba siendo observado. No tiene sentido lo que pasó.



Las parte de Pete siguen estando buena. Me hizo gracia que todos estén tan buenos en su issue. Me sorprende que hayan permitido que Black Cat sea dibujada así.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading the Beyond books thinking I’d get a good test run of Zeb Wells’ current run on Spidey. Instead it seems like a “52” kind of team-of-writers effort, and while it’s a little uneven (as tag-team series writing can be), I’m actually OK that it’s not more of Wells’ juvenile antics - there’s an interesting sub-plot slithering beneath this all.

Oh my freakin god do I love what MacKay did with Parker friggin Robbins. This is such chef’s kiss writing with a character that hit the skids pretty hard, and finding a way to make him relevant to the character in question. I mean, it’s also blindingly obvious casting once MacKay has planted the idea…

MacKay’s undying LOVE for these two is unmistakable. The Capital-A At-ti-tude on Felicia *and* MJ is spontaneously combustible. The mutual respect between them is honey down to your elbows dripping. And if they don’t get an ongoing out of this, *I* might have to spontaneously combust in protest.

The Hobie side-quest was outta nowhere, but at least the dude’s getting a chance to redeem. The inevitable fall from grace is gonna hit HARD.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume feels a little disjointed, but for the most part I liked it.

Issue #86: things get dark really fast and I liked this issue the most. It's definitely a turning point for Ben. There's a softness to the art that's pleasing. It's possible that it was drawn digitally.

Issue #87: This issue switches back to Peter, and Felicia and Captain America help him train to get back to being Spider-Man. It's logical, but feels...weird. Glad to see Steve helping Peter and to get his assessment of just how powerful Spider-Man is. Ramifications for Ben after last issue also are revealed. The art changes with almost a J. Scott Campbell look but instead of very skinny people they are all too big, with a very bulked up Cap and overly...thick, Mary Jane and Felicia.

Mary Jane and Black Cat: Beyond: Yet another change of pace. MJ and Felicia go on an adventure together. It's completely useless (except to get rid of a villain that I always thought was dumb, who was created by Bendis). The art is good, maybe a Terry Dodson style but with heavier inks. There are actually a couple fun moments and a heartfelt one at the end, which will mean more for longtime Spider-Man readers.

Issue #88: Switching back again to the main story. Beyond reacts to Ben and Janine's actions and I felt what was created and sent out by Beyond looked really dumb, not to mention how it was created. It ends on a cliffhanger and even in Ben's current state I'm not sure he would do what he did. This issue also has references to story points going way back. I've missed these references, highlighted by captions telling exactly what they are referring to because it helps to build a cohesive universe.

Issue #88.BEY: This catches up with Hobie (aka the Prowler) who I had frankly forgotten about. He's moved on to bigger and better things but this story brings him into the Beyond storyline. Clearly seeds for the future. I like that Hobie is inventive but people's abilities are exaggerated to the point where they know and can do anything in any field of science. That goes for all of the big brains too (Stark, McCoy, etc.). Eventually it just becomes unbelievable.

Lots of changes in tone and art styles, with frequent jumps to different subplots. They may have finally made Ben his own person but we'll see just what that means and how long it will last.
Issue #88:

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

The great BEYOND series continues, but shifts back towards Peter instead of Ben. Hopefully Volume 4 will wrap the story up nicely...
Highlights:
- Ben admits to no longer trusting BEYOND, having read through the drive that Otto gave him at the end of the last Volume. Unfortunately, when he chooses to trust his psychologist with that knowledge, they trigger something in his brain and start wiping his memories.... which begins to mess with his ability to process thought.... How far gone is Ben?
- Peter needs to build up stamina if he is going to fully be Spider-Man again. So, with some help from Black Cat and Captain America, he trains hard and makes progress. Still not quite there yet.
- One night at the hospital, while Peter is resting, a criminal known as The Hood comes into the hospital room and will kill Peter if Black Cat doesn't steal back his trademark hood (lost in a fight with Hawkeye). MJ goes with Felicia and together they get the hood back, and turn the tables on the crook. (BEST SCENE in the Volume: Peter groggily wakes up to see both Felicia and MJ at the end of his bed, both in Black Cat suits. He thinks he's dreaming and says "Ok, this dream again? Please be gentle..." then falls back asleep. I laughed so hard!)
- Janine goes to MJ and she takes her to Glory Grant at the Bugle. They have the drive with them and are getting ready to reveal it all to the reporter when a new villain arrives on the scene: Goblin Queen! Made from Norman's sins (a Sin-Eater thing), she is very violent and focused. We are left with a cliffhanger for MJ when Ben comes to save Janine and runs.
- In a side story, we see Beyond buying the company of Hobie Brown, giving him plenty of time to now be Hornet (remember the 2000's series Slingers? I loved that comic!). Teaming up with a new Dusk and Ricochet, it seems as if the Slingers might be back in business.... but working for BEYOND?

Bring on Vol 4... this has been a good time.
Recommend.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Zeb Wells returning for two out of five issues in this bizarre round-robin, we finally have a turn for the better in this previously mediocre-to-bad storyline. But, we get progress on Pete's recovery, true malevolence from Beyond, a fun girls' night out with Mary Jane & Felicia, and a terrific new goblin. This is all around a good volume that makes me eager for the finale, when previously I hadn't cared a whit about the Beyond run.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven't really been a fan of this direction for the book, but the story is heating up and getting exciting, and there a couple of interesting one-offs that tie into the story as well. The artwork is consistently strong throughout and I am looking forward to volume 4.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love seeing Felicia and MJ work together, and everyone pitch in to help Peter get his strength back.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5.

I really liked the Mary Jane and Black Cat issue. It had some real emotion. But it’s really a bridge to something bigger.

[Rory Wilding · Rating 4 out of 5]

By this point in Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond, there are two narratives going on. One of which is Peter Parker, slowly recovering from his battle with the U-Foes and has to train himself to get back into Spidey shape. The other narrative is Ben Reilly, who is currently Spider-Man, which has been trademarked by the Beyond Corporation, which are clearly having some dark secrets that Ben and his partner Janine are trying to uncover.

On Ben’s side, we delve more into what it means to be a clone as he has his usual psychology session with Dr Kafka with the knowledge that Beyond is using him because he’s malleable and easily manipulated. Similar to what Peter went through during a previous issue, writer Zeb Wells puts Ben into his own dreamscape as Beyond plans to erase his memory, which allows artist Michael Dowling to present some stunning visuals. As tragic to see what happens to Ben, but because he is a product of Beyond, he may not stay around for the hero for long.

When we see what Peter is doing, who can’t be Spider-Man, due to Back Cat taking possession of his suit, she and Steve Rogers train him to back into shape. This issue by Jed MacKay and Carlos Gómez, which is one long training montage, feels more like a light breather in contrast to the dramatic tension of the main narrative; certainly the sight of Peter in a goofy costume with a paper bag over his head is funny and makes me hope that Insomniac Games features this costume in their upcoming Spider-Man game next year.

However, MacKay writes another issue that ends up being the standout of this volume and once again has nothing to do with the main narrative. The Mary Jane & Black Cat one-shot showcases the brief team-up between the two women who have to pull a heist in order to help the hospitalised Peter. Whilst artist C.F. Villa has fun with a lot of villains appearing, as well as drawing skimpy outfits for Mary Jane and Black Cat, it is the writing that really shines, showing the dynamic between the two women, which is witty and touching, especially when it comes to their own relationship with Peter, which is always complicated. Considering that MacKay has written the Black Cat solo series, it makes you wish that we saw more of her dynamic with M.J.

The next issue is back to business with Beyond as Janine hopes to reveal the corporation’s secrets with the hard drive she’s been given. In response to this, Maxine Danger, who you just love to hate, successfully petitions the Beyond board to create new supervillain, Queen Goblin, by merging Kafka with the captured sins of Norman Osborn from Nick Spencer’s run. Whilst there isn’t much characterisation towards Queen Goblin, her design is a fresh spin on the Goblin motif as she looks menacing and adds to the sense of dread that the story is delving into.

The final issue concludes the volume with a bit of a downer as it’s a one-shot about Hobie Brown, originally the Prowler and is now Hornet, who seeks the help of the Slingers, which are a target for the Beyond Corporation. As well as being too talky, the issue focuses on a team that I rarely know about and so it was to feel any attachment towards and makes you wonder what role, if they have one, in the subsequent issues of the Beyond storyline. Again, the whole package that is Amazing Spider-Man: Beyond feels disjointed, but there is enough right to see how it all concludes.

[j_ay · Rating 1 out of 5]

An absolute mess or horrid writing by too many writers, and absolute debacle of horrid art by too many artists....with covers by the stellar Arthur Adams. Aside from that, a crime against dead trees and/or bandwidth.

[MC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only halfway decent collection of the otherwise execrable Beyond (and I'm not a Ben Reilly stan, I just can't abide sloppy storytelling).

The reason why this collection stands out?

It contains Jed MacKay's EXCELLENT Mary Jane and Black Cat one-shot, which manages to be the rare comic that pleases lovers of strong, three-dimensional female characters who pass the Bechdel Test (despite Peter being the only reason why they are working together) and should also make those who read solely to see hot women in skintight costumes very happy. It's witty, it's touching - the ending conversation is worth the price of admission alone - it's got fun action and shows off both characters' strengths and why they are such fan favorites.

The rest of Beyond is a poorly plotted mess. Look at the Art Adams covers, throw the rest away because in order for the story to make sense, you have to actively turn off your brain.

[Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

If it isn't obvious by now, don't mess with the Beyond Corporation.

Ben Reilly got clued in to that fact by Doctor Octopus. He was flagged as a controllable asset by Beyond.
Ashley Kafka (or her clone) tried to stay out of Beyond's reach. Look how that paid off.
Hobie Brown (almost forgot he wears the Hornet gear now) got paid off in a hostile business takeover. Hush money.
Peter got the Spider-Man IP bought out from under him and almost died from a staged attack.

This collection does have the big 'villain monologue' we learn more about Beyond's plans and what their end game will likely be. We also get a glimpse of just how far Beyond will go to stay in control of EVERYTHING.


Bonus: Slingers reboot, anyone?
Bonus Bonus: Beyond is just as back as Stark-Fujikawa from the 2099 era. Mega corps are EVIL
Bonus^3: Hood cameo? There's a character that's played out for awhile

[Alex Sarll]

Pretty much an entire volume of the other shoe dropping, as it's confirmed that Ben Reilly's corporate sponsors are up to absolutely no good. That this is no surprise whatsoever needn't have been a problem; more of an issue is how defanged it all feels, despite being mostly written by Zeb Wells and Jed Mackay, who on other Marvel books strike just the note of black comedy which this ought to have. I'm reminded of the recent newsletter in which Marvel editor Tom Brevoort mentioned that despite having the same official rating, Spidey books were kept a little more appropriate for all ages, because the character has such cross-media popularity with kids. Which is fine, but if so, maybe they should stick to putting him in jolly adventures, rather than a seemingly endless stream of dark stories that can't actually go dark.

[Clay Bartel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to jump in on Spider-man, while I've collected some singles in the pasted and read the Symbiote Spider-man Crossroads Miniseries I hadn't ever collected a volume of Amazing Spider-man, had no idea where to begin but after flipping through a few different books I noticed I liked the art and Black Cat was featured in the book, and I love Black Cat and have collected some of her books!

This book focuses on Ben Reilly, Peter Parker, Mary Jane, Hornet, Captain America and Black Cat and the Beyond Corporation.

I'm jumping in randomly at volume 3 but felt there was enough info that I never really felt lost.

This was real fun and made me wanna collect more Spider-man and Black Cat books!

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big improvement over the first volume. That's partly because Ben's part of the Beyond story is heating up, partly because Peter is taking up more focus, and partly because Mackay shows up for two really fun issues that are heavy on Felicia. The Mary Jane/Black Cat team up is great fun and ends with a surprisingly heartfelt scene between the two. And while I can't say that I'm terribly emotionally invested in what's going on with Ben, I am really interested to see how Beyond's meddling with his memories will affect him. I wasn't terribly impressed with the first Beyond volume, but this is such an improvement that I'm glad I stuck around.

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #86-88, 88.BEY and Mary Jane & Black Cat: Beyond #1, this was an enjoyable collection. While Ben Reily continues to slowly fracture, Peter trains with Captain America and Black Cat to regain his edge. Mary Jane and Black team up to recover the Hood's hood in a surprisingly fun team-up issue. And in the aftermath of Doc Ock's assault on Beyond, we find them more and more sinster and shady. They even send out Red Goblin after Ben and his girlfriend. Good to great art and an enjoyable storyline make for a great comic that I've eager to read the conclusion.

[Harrison Delahunty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit lean of a collection that seems to just bridge the gap between volumes 2 and 4, setting some stuff up without doing anything particularly exciting.

The stuff with Peter, Cap, and Felicia is fun but doesn’t go anywhere. Ben’s memory/personality degradation seems like it could go somewhere interesting, but hasn’t gone anywhere yet. The last issue collected here is a whole heaping pile of set-up and nothing more.

The art is solid across the board here, at least. None of the artists stick out in a bad way, and both Dowling and Gómez do particularly good work in their issues.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jed MacKay gets to write more Black Cat as she's around training Peter getting him back up to speed. The best issue is when Felicia and Mary Jane have to team up to find the Hood's cloak before he kills Peter. On the clone side of things, things aren't looking good for Ben. Maxine Danger isn't even trying to hide what a sleaze ball she is anymore. Ben and Dr. Kafka both get their memories altered and then there's the Goblin Queen.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

COLLECTS AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2018) #86-88 and #88.BEY, and MARY JANE & BLACK CAT: BEYOND

This collection features the debut of Queen Goblin. While Ben Reilly continues to be a major part of "Beyond," Peter Parker is starting to play a bigger role in this story. Black Cat is also featured prominently in this collection. I was also happy to see the Slingers in action.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's weird to consider how the saving grace of this comic may have been Doctor Octopus? And how he has exposed more of why Beyond is obviously terrible and MAYBE Ben is going to catch up.

Peter is still not 100%, but at least he's functional? A lot of shenanigans here including some great Black Cat moments. Still not crazy for this arc.

[Néstor Vargas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Peter's struggle to regain his confidence and strength was a good side story here. The Mary Jane & Black Cat one shot was amazing (though it's still very funny that MJ is able to do all that) and those last panels were the best. I hate how they treat Ben, it's a nice story and arc in general, I just suffer for him. The Queen Goblin is menacing but lacks substance. The .BEY issues were meh.

[Andres Pasten · Rating 3 out of 5]

La historia levanta en este volumen, pero me sigue sonando a relleno.

[Luke Costin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok run in the end, nothing to write home about but nothing terrible either. I like the new character design at the very end though.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Yosef Shapiro · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is good to see MJ and Black Cat working together.

[NarraTea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ending the volume on a cliff hanger like that—well done