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The Amazing Spider-Man (2022) (Collected Editions)
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5: Dead Language, Part 1
Amazing answers to your burning questions! What did Peter Parker do that ruined Spider-Man's reputation?! What happened all those months ago between Peter and Mary Jane Watson? What does the immediate future have in store for both of them? And who is the creepy-looking figure that has something to do with all of it? The answers will be worth the wait! Plus: DARK WEB is over, but the fallout will haunt Spider-Man for a long time. To recover, Peter and Felicia Hardy, A.K.A. the Black Cat, escape from the city to an exclusive spa in the Catskills! Surely nobody will ruin their romantic getaway by trying to kill them - right? Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2022) #19-23.
120 pages, Paperback
Published July 18, 2023
6 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Zeb Wells
733 books74 followersZeb 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
June 13, 2025
So this is it. Showtime. This is the first of two consecutive volumes that will explain why no one really trusts Spidey anymore and why MJ has her own man and family! So after all the hints and mystery, this is Zeb Wells' moment and... OH - MY - GOD ..this was so underwhelming! I think the reason why this run is disliked by so many is because the hype was so so good, and so good that it really raised expectations, and when this damp squib of a volume came out, it hurt even more than it would normally. I must admit in my personal and work life I always undersell, so that if it's poor, it's OK, but if it's good, it's seen as really good. Are you an overseller or an underseller? This volume gets a somewhat solid Two Star 5 out of 12 for good art and a solid sense of event, albeit grounded in a weak premise.
2025 read
2025 read
December 12, 2023
"After the chaos of the last few weeks, what do you think about taking a weekend off?" -- Felicia Hardy, a.k.a. Black Cat
"Hmmm. I don't know. Hold on while I call up evil and ask it to chill out." -- Peter Parker, our Amazing Spider-Man
Rebounding from the disastrous disappointment (shudder) that was known as Vol. 4: Dark Web, its follow-up Vol. 5: Dead Language helps to mend fences by giving the readers what they very likely wanted in the first place, namely a Spidey story that is fast and funny. Its opening segment provides that romp with Peter Parker and his crush Felicia Hardy heading upstate to the Catskills for some romantic R&R at a spa. Of course things quickly get derailed with 1.) the unexpected appearance of a former paramour and 2.) an arriving group of spoiled young adults who want to play super-villain with purloined technology. It gets a way more rougher in the second half when the tone drastically changes course into a completely serious and unrelated storyline, with Peter Parker desperately on the run - a la The Fugitive or Les Miserables - after he unintentionally causes quite the attention-getting problem in York, Pennsylvania (woot-woot!). However, it unsurprisingly concludes with a cliffhanger so naturally I'll have to check out the subsequent volume to see how things exactly play out for him. Also of note here is striking cover art that features the classic line-up of the Fantastic Four in action . . . except that only TWO of them make appearances. I declare shenanigans!
"Hmmm. I don't know. Hold on while I call up evil and ask it to chill out." -- Peter Parker, our Amazing Spider-Man
Rebounding from the disastrous disappointment (shudder) that was known as Vol. 4: Dark Web, its follow-up Vol. 5: Dead Language helps to mend fences by giving the readers what they very likely wanted in the first place, namely a Spidey story that is fast and funny. Its opening segment provides that romp with Peter Parker and his crush Felicia Hardy heading upstate to the Catskills for some romantic R&R at a spa. Of course things quickly get derailed with 1.) the unexpected appearance of a former paramour and 2.) an arriving group of spoiled young adults who want to play super-villain with purloined technology. It gets a way more rougher in the second half when the tone drastically changes course into a completely serious and unrelated storyline, with Peter Parker desperately on the run - a la The Fugitive or Les Miserables - after he unintentionally causes quite the attention-getting problem in York, Pennsylvania (woot-woot!). However, it unsurprisingly concludes with a cliffhanger so naturally I'll have to check out the subsequent volume to see how things exactly play out for him. Also of note here is striking cover art that features the classic line-up of the Fantastic Four in action . . . except that only TWO of them make appearances. I declare shenanigans!
March 26, 2024
This was a wild read, I am kind of iffy with this.. like there were parts of it I liked.. the opening story with Felicia and Pete going on a date and then stumbling onto MJ and Paul and well the drama there and meeting corporate people playing at super villains and how it also involves White Rabbit, and some funny scenes and non sensical writing but it made for a fun read lol. And I like the romance and understanding that developed between Felicia and Pete.
The next arc which finally answers the questions of what did Pete do in the opening of the run and how it connects to "Emissary" story from ASM #555-557 was.. okay a lot to take in and I did read it also before reading this one and it has references to that story and ties well into it, so if you haven't read that you maybe a bit confused.
But yeah we see the return of Dr Rabin and his plans for that trickster god and how he wants to becomes "the Emissary" and also get revenge on Spider-man and well Pete and MJ in the middle of it as it takes place just after Spencer run end when they are moving in together and fighting him and the strange god, going to another dimension and we learn where Paul is from and the whole drama and it does explain how Pete and MJ got separated and the growing divide, plus the fights vs FF and Cap America was wild, but there could have been a better reason for it, but then again time passes by quick in that dimension, so that explains Pete's irrational behavior but still could have been written better.
But it does explain what happened and deals with the return of a former villain and seems like it will lead to a big thing, I am excited to read it and yeah not really a big fan of the art.. some areas its good, other areas it makes for a weird read but still its fun to read ASM and get caught up with it every year.
The next arc which finally answers the questions of what did Pete do in the opening of the run and how it connects to "Emissary" story from ASM #555-557 was.. okay a lot to take in and I did read it also before reading this one and it has references to that story and ties well into it, so if you haven't read that you maybe a bit confused.
But yeah we see the return of Dr Rabin and his plans for that trickster god and how he wants to becomes "the Emissary" and also get revenge on Spider-man and well Pete and MJ in the middle of it as it takes place just after Spencer run end when they are moving in together and fighting him and the strange god, going to another dimension and we learn where Paul is from and the whole drama and it does explain how Pete and MJ got separated and the growing divide, plus the fights vs FF and Cap America was wild, but there could have been a better reason for it, but then again time passes by quick in that dimension, so that explains Pete's irrational behavior but still could have been written better.
But it does explain what happened and deals with the return of a former villain and seems like it will lead to a big thing, I am excited to read it and yeah not really a big fan of the art.. some areas its good, other areas it makes for a weird read but still its fun to read ASM and get caught up with it every year.
May 27, 2024
Spoiler alert
All for this? The explanation for Peter's situation is some esoteric-mystical mumbo-jumbo about inter-dimensional travel with a character from 15 years ago that I don't even remember?
Sorry, but no. I'm still in "old fart" mode, hooked on an urban Spidey. Magic and all that is good for Doctor Strange, but not for Peter Parker.
That said, Peter alienates everyone by acting like a jerk, the story is poorly told and JR jr. is on autopilot - but we already knew that.
I'll graciously pass over the useless and profoundly stupid two-parter that opens this volume. Terry Dodson has clearly come to cash a check and doesn't save the mediocrity of the whole.
In any case, Wells is doing even more damage to the franchise than Spencer's last run. That's saying a lot
All for this? The explanation for Peter's situation is some esoteric-mystical mumbo-jumbo about inter-dimensional travel with a character from 15 years ago that I don't even remember?
Sorry, but no. I'm still in "old fart" mode, hooked on an urban Spidey. Magic and all that is good for Doctor Strange, but not for Peter Parker.
That said, Peter alienates everyone by acting like a jerk, the story is poorly told and JR jr. is on autopilot - but we already knew that.
I'll graciously pass over the useless and profoundly stupid two-parter that opens this volume. Terry Dodson has clearly come to cash a check and doesn't save the mediocrity of the whole.
In any case, Wells is doing even more damage to the franchise than Spencer's last run. That's saying a lot
January 26, 2024
First two issues were written by Joe Kelly with Terry Dodson on art. Peter and Black Cat go for a getaway upstate and run into MJ and the dude she is now with. A little cringy. Then Spidey and Cat get into a scrap with some people renting out high powered weapons. Was a bit silly and not that great. Next three issues has Zeb Wells back in the saddle with JarJar inks on art. Not gonna front, this started getting a tad interesting. Ties back to some god from ASM 555-557. I haven’t read those issues so I don’t know this god. However, we finally start to tap into the mystery that started 23 issues ago at the beginning of this run. This was Spider-Man being hated by everyone and him and MJ not together anymore while she’s with someone else with kids. Curious to see how this plays out.
September 22, 2024
Man, took me long enough. Read a couple of issues six months ago, finished the rest today.
Kinda have no clear idea what the through line of this trade’s worth of story was about.
The only part that’s clear is me seeing how all the Paul controversy finally got blunted in these very issues.
Yes. At least he turned out to be somewhat important, and not just some inconsequential red shirt. And the callback to one *ancient* throwaway villain is a nice touch. Got some interesting mythology that Wells & JRJR are deftly turning into a Big Problem for Spidey.
So I’m thinking I’m back in (with no apologies to John Wick).
Kinda have no clear idea what the through line of this trade’s worth of story was about.
The only part that’s clear is me seeing how all the Paul controversy finally got blunted in these very issues.
Yes. At least he turned out to be somewhat important, and not just some inconsequential red shirt. And the callback to one *ancient* throwaway villain is a nice touch. Got some interesting mythology that Wells & JRJR are deftly turning into a Big Problem for Spidey.
So I’m thinking I’m back in (with no apologies to John Wick).
April 28, 2023
This is some slight bullshit, first issues were not that bad though… l
July 20, 2023
After the horrors of the event storyline Dark Web, Amazing Spider-Man makes a fun change of pace as Joe Kelly takes over writing duties for two issues, in which Peter and Felicia Hardy escape from the city to an exclusive spa in the Catskills, where the bad timing could not have been better planned. Starting with the brief, but awkward encounter with Mary Jane and her partner, the theme of relationships plays throughout this two-parter, in which Peter gets honest with Felicia about where his love for Mary Jane is now.
Considering that Zeb Wells sets up this status quo between Spidey and Black Cat from earlier in his run, Kelly is embracing this, as well as providing a light, fun tone that is appropriate compared to the slightly darker tone of the current run. Whilst there is a physical threat in the shape of White Rabbit, who has some great characterisation, as well as some psychotic rich kids dressing up as Spidey’s villains, Terry Dodson presents some visually striking art from superhero posing to character expressions, though there are panels where the art can look around the edges.
Now for the main course, where we are finally getting some answers about the initial mystery that Wells established at the start of his run; so right away, this is a better run than Nick Spencer’s. As Peter and M.J. look in horror over the return of a familiar face, the story flashes back one year earlier to when the two were in a relationship and are confronted by this familiar foe, which turns out to be Benjamin Rabin. Last seen in Amazing Spider-Man #557, during the “Brand New Day” era when Wells was a co-writer, Rabin was thwarted by Spider-Man from becoming an Emissary of a Mayan god. There are deep cuts going on here, some of which may go over some readers’ heads and possibly won’t be interested, such as the obscure villain, though Wells is being ambitious, even trying in with the Great Web that Dan Slott established during his run.
During this extensive flashback, Peter and M.J. are trapped in another dimension, where they come across the likes of Dino Mayan monsters and her soon-to-be partner Paul. During some mishaps, Peter returns to his home, leaving M.J. behind, but realising some time has passed, due to a dimensional rift (you know, crazy science). This also marks the beginning of dickish Peter, which has somewhat plagued this series, seeing how everyone turns against him, from his friends to his super-friends. Understandable, given his situation where he is in a rush to find some way of saving M.J., Peter could have resolved these conflicts with a quick conversation.
John Romita Jr is one of those artists I’m always going to be divisive towards, with a style that can be inconsistent, not least in the blocky nature of his characters. That said, collaborating with Scott Hanna and colourist Marcio Manyz throughout this book, Romita has been doing his best work, showing some well-crafted action sequences that lean into outlandish nature (hence the Dino Mayan monsters), whilst Peter looking completely battered with a torn-up Spidey suit. As previously stated, dickish Peter is problematic, but Romita drawing how Peter resolves a brief confrontation with Captain America is well done and punchy.
Whilst it’s good to get some answers, Zeb Wells is really swinging for the fences with a storyline that is ambitious with deep cuts and obscure villainy that is interesting enough to unveil, though what is coming up is the much-publicised climax, which is a worrying one.
Considering that Zeb Wells sets up this status quo between Spidey and Black Cat from earlier in his run, Kelly is embracing this, as well as providing a light, fun tone that is appropriate compared to the slightly darker tone of the current run. Whilst there is a physical threat in the shape of White Rabbit, who has some great characterisation, as well as some psychotic rich kids dressing up as Spidey’s villains, Terry Dodson presents some visually striking art from superhero posing to character expressions, though there are panels where the art can look around the edges.
Now for the main course, where we are finally getting some answers about the initial mystery that Wells established at the start of his run; so right away, this is a better run than Nick Spencer’s. As Peter and M.J. look in horror over the return of a familiar face, the story flashes back one year earlier to when the two were in a relationship and are confronted by this familiar foe, which turns out to be Benjamin Rabin. Last seen in Amazing Spider-Man #557, during the “Brand New Day” era when Wells was a co-writer, Rabin was thwarted by Spider-Man from becoming an Emissary of a Mayan god. There are deep cuts going on here, some of which may go over some readers’ heads and possibly won’t be interested, such as the obscure villain, though Wells is being ambitious, even trying in with the Great Web that Dan Slott established during his run.
During this extensive flashback, Peter and M.J. are trapped in another dimension, where they come across the likes of Dino Mayan monsters and her soon-to-be partner Paul. During some mishaps, Peter returns to his home, leaving M.J. behind, but realising some time has passed, due to a dimensional rift (you know, crazy science). This also marks the beginning of dickish Peter, which has somewhat plagued this series, seeing how everyone turns against him, from his friends to his super-friends. Understandable, given his situation where he is in a rush to find some way of saving M.J., Peter could have resolved these conflicts with a quick conversation.
John Romita Jr is one of those artists I’m always going to be divisive towards, with a style that can be inconsistent, not least in the blocky nature of his characters. That said, collaborating with Scott Hanna and colourist Marcio Manyz throughout this book, Romita has been doing his best work, showing some well-crafted action sequences that lean into outlandish nature (hence the Dino Mayan monsters), whilst Peter looking completely battered with a torn-up Spidey suit. As previously stated, dickish Peter is problematic, but Romita drawing how Peter resolves a brief confrontation with Captain America is well done and punchy.
Whilst it’s good to get some answers, Zeb Wells is really swinging for the fences with a storyline that is ambitious with deep cuts and obscure villainy that is interesting enough to unveil, though what is coming up is the much-publicised climax, which is a worrying one.
August 12, 2023
3
This has not been good. I miss good Spider-Man stories.
This has not been good. I miss good Spider-Man stories.
August 16, 2023
When Zeb Wells decided to split up Peter and MJ, a move which was obviously going to be disliked by fans and turn people off the book, you might think that he would have a payoff in mind to make all the drama worth it and make it a story worth telling. Unfortunately this isn't the case. Mild spoilers ahead.
Zeb Wells finally returns to the mystery he introduced in #1 and explains why everyone is upset with him and why MJ left him. An emissary of the Mayan God, Wayep, transports Spider-Man and MJ to a dystopian alternate reality in order to sacrifice them to his god. While there, they meet Paul who helps develop a way for them to return home. Unfortunately, Peter gets sent home by himself accidently, and since time works differently, MJ is stuck in this alternate reality so she can fall in love with Paul instead.
Meanwhile, Peter, desperate to find a way to get MJ back as soon as possible, acts like an asshole to all his friends. Never mind that things would probably go a lot quicker if he explained his actions and asked for help from his super smart fellow heroes.
It's convoluted, messy, and only serves to annoy fans. It seems like editor Nick Lowe actually told Wells to avoid conventions due to the hate that he'll receive from this storyline (#26 especially).
Why does Marvel want a writer and editor who are intentionally infuriating fans? This is the worst Spider-Man comics have ever been, and I have no idea how this got published without someone seeing that this was going to be received badly.
There is also a 2 issue story before the above story which is written by Joe Kelly, where Spider-Man and Black Cat go to a romantic retreat. Unfortunately, MJ and Paul (ugh) are at the same retreat. Drama ensues while Spidey and Black Cat also get drawn into a fight involving the White Rabbit and the Silicon Six (tech guys who use the technology from the Sinister Six). I've enjoyed Joe Kelly's writing on Spider-Man before, but this wasn't great.
Another annoyance with this volume is that they could have had the first two Joe Kelly issues in the previous trade and had the entirety of the "Dead Languages" story in this trade instead of splitting it up into 2 parts.
While this review may seem overly critical, it's hard not to be pedantic after noticing constant bad writing and terrible choices in this Spider-Man run. Every issue is just garbage, and I'll bet that a lot of this run will be retconned due to how badly received this is. I don't know why Marvel is allowing so much damage to their flagship character. Sort yourselves out Marvel!
Zeb Wells finally returns to the mystery he introduced in #1 and explains why everyone is upset with him and why MJ left him. An emissary of the Mayan God, Wayep, transports Spider-Man and MJ to a dystopian alternate reality in order to sacrifice them to his god. While there, they meet Paul who helps develop a way for them to return home. Unfortunately, Peter gets sent home by himself accidently, and since time works differently, MJ is stuck in this alternate reality so she can fall in love with Paul instead.
Meanwhile, Peter, desperate to find a way to get MJ back as soon as possible, acts like an asshole to all his friends. Never mind that things would probably go a lot quicker if he explained his actions and asked for help from his super smart fellow heroes.
It's convoluted, messy, and only serves to annoy fans. It seems like editor Nick Lowe actually told Wells to avoid conventions due to the hate that he'll receive from this storyline (#26 especially).
Why does Marvel want a writer and editor who are intentionally infuriating fans? This is the worst Spider-Man comics have ever been, and I have no idea how this got published without someone seeing that this was going to be received badly.
There is also a 2 issue story before the above story which is written by Joe Kelly, where Spider-Man and Black Cat go to a romantic retreat. Unfortunately, MJ and Paul (ugh) are at the same retreat. Drama ensues while Spidey and Black Cat also get drawn into a fight involving the White Rabbit and the Silicon Six (tech guys who use the technology from the Sinister Six). I've enjoyed Joe Kelly's writing on Spider-Man before, but this wasn't great.
Another annoyance with this volume is that they could have had the first two Joe Kelly issues in the previous trade and had the entirety of the "Dead Languages" story in this trade instead of splitting it up into 2 parts.
While this review may seem overly critical, it's hard not to be pedantic after noticing constant bad writing and terrible choices in this Spider-Man run. Every issue is just garbage, and I'll bet that a lot of this run will be retconned due to how badly received this is. I don't know why Marvel is allowing so much damage to their flagship character. Sort yourselves out Marvel!
August 18, 2023
Since the dawn of Zeb Wells’ Spidey run readers have been axing themselves what that opening scene meant and wha hoppen to him and MJ’s relationship - how come she married to Some Guy wiz kids not Peter’s? Well, five books in and Zebby’s now answering them q’s with some a’s. And, as always when it comes to Pete and MJ, it’s… complicated.
But first we get treated to two of the most boring issues of Spider-Man you’ll ever read courtesy of Joe Kelly and Terry Dodson. Spidey and Black Cat go for a spa weekend and end up fighting some tech bros trying to get rich off of Sinister Six knockoff equipment. The story is utterly disposable, boring rubbish and Dodson’s art is sketchier than his usual polished work.
The existence of these two superfluous issues is either to give Wells and JRJR more time for their issues, which are what readers actually want to read, and/or to simply pad out a book like this so Marvel can double-dip on the storyline rather than deliver it in one volume - hence the “Part 1” of the subtitle. Booooo!
So onto the main event - does Dead Language deliver? Kinda. Without going into the details and potentially spoiling it, it’s definitely unexpected, and its unpredictability is what kept me intrigued to see where it could all be headed - and then it ends abruptly, to be bloomin continued when they could’ve excised the wasted space Kelly/Dodson’s crap took up and replaced them with more of Wells/JRJR’s story to provide a more satisfying read!
Hmph. Typical commercialism for you. Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr provide a decent half-story in Amazing Spider-Man, Volume 5: Dead Language, Part 1 though the wait to find out the whole story continues on for at least another book (unless you’re reading the singles, in which case you probably already know it).
But first we get treated to two of the most boring issues of Spider-Man you’ll ever read courtesy of Joe Kelly and Terry Dodson. Spidey and Black Cat go for a spa weekend and end up fighting some tech bros trying to get rich off of Sinister Six knockoff equipment. The story is utterly disposable, boring rubbish and Dodson’s art is sketchier than his usual polished work.
The existence of these two superfluous issues is either to give Wells and JRJR more time for their issues, which are what readers actually want to read, and/or to simply pad out a book like this so Marvel can double-dip on the storyline rather than deliver it in one volume - hence the “Part 1” of the subtitle. Booooo!
So onto the main event - does Dead Language deliver? Kinda. Without going into the details and potentially spoiling it, it’s definitely unexpected, and its unpredictability is what kept me intrigued to see where it could all be headed - and then it ends abruptly, to be bloomin continued when they could’ve excised the wasted space Kelly/Dodson’s crap took up and replaced them with more of Wells/JRJR’s story to provide a more satisfying read!
Hmph. Typical commercialism for you. Zeb Wells and John Romita Jr provide a decent half-story in Amazing Spider-Man, Volume 5: Dead Language, Part 1 though the wait to find out the whole story continues on for at least another book (unless you’re reading the singles, in which case you probably already know it).
August 19, 2023
The back of the cover on this GN states "Amazing Answers to Your Burning Questions!", so I figured it was finally time to unveil the secret that split Peter and MJ and had her married to a different guy with kids. You know, the mystery that has been hanging on for a while?
THIS STARTS THE SOLUTION, but doesn't give the full answer, hence "Part 1".
UGH
Highlights:
- The best part (and not that great) is the first two issues where Peter and Felicia go on a date trip to an arctic spa... only to run into MJ and Paul.... and a group of people who rent old supervillain tech from previous henchmen to have mock battles of their own.
- Another ordinary day leads to trouble as MJ sees "him" and screams to Peter "he's come back!" Then... ONE YEAR EARLIER... here we go...
- Rabin is a crazy guy who is trying to use the power of totemic symbology to awaken a deity named Wayep. He has marked Spidey as the "Sun Blood" who needs to die so Wayep can return. He sends Pete and MJ into an alternate world....
- .... where they meet Paul, who lives here and has been dedicating years to studying powers from Totems. He has developed a way to get home, but it takes Peter to get it working...
- ... though as soon as he does, Wayep attacks.
- Peter gives the device to MJ, wanting her to escape safely, but she comes back and forces Peter to go, not wanting to see him killed by Wayep. He lands hard in Pennsylvania, but a week prior, having survived a week in the other world.
- Seeing that he must get back and save MJ, he turns to the Fantastic Four for help, needing to speak to Reed, who is gone helping Skrulls on their world. Knowing that this is a time sensitive issue, he fights them when they refuse to help, wanting to confirm his identity
AND THAT's where it leaves off.
I need the next Volume BAD. This is like punishment.
THIS STARTS THE SOLUTION, but doesn't give the full answer, hence "Part 1".
UGH
Highlights:
- The best part (and not that great) is the first two issues where Peter and Felicia go on a date trip to an arctic spa... only to run into MJ and Paul.... and a group of people who rent old supervillain tech from previous henchmen to have mock battles of their own.
- Another ordinary day leads to trouble as MJ sees "him" and screams to Peter "he's come back!" Then... ONE YEAR EARLIER... here we go...
- Rabin is a crazy guy who is trying to use the power of totemic symbology to awaken a deity named Wayep. He has marked Spidey as the "Sun Blood" who needs to die so Wayep can return. He sends Pete and MJ into an alternate world....
- .... where they meet Paul, who lives here and has been dedicating years to studying powers from Totems. He has developed a way to get home, but it takes Peter to get it working...
- ... though as soon as he does, Wayep attacks.
- Peter gives the device to MJ, wanting her to escape safely, but she comes back and forces Peter to go, not wanting to see him killed by Wayep. He lands hard in Pennsylvania, but a week prior, having survived a week in the other world.
- Seeing that he must get back and save MJ, he turns to the Fantastic Four for help, needing to speak to Reed, who is gone helping Skrulls on their world. Knowing that this is a time sensitive issue, he fights them when they refuse to help, wanting to confirm his identity
AND THAT's where it leaves off.
I need the next Volume BAD. This is like punishment.
September 20, 2024
I started reading Zeb Wells run on this title because of the Doctor Octopus issues, which I really enjoyed, even as a newcomer to the comic. I enjoyed those four or five issues enough to go all the way back and read this run from the beginning. All this time, I've been wondering what happened before this story started, and all I can really say about this collection of issues is, if that's all the explanation I get as a reader, then I'm really not impressed. Hopefully there's more to this going forward, because this just felt like a collection of filler issues, and I'm already pretty invested in this run as far as buying up to the most recent issue, so hopefully this isn't what I can expect going forward.
Also, the art for the first two issues in this run just sucked. I'm sorry. I hate to be that blunt about someone's talent since they're clearly doing something more cool for work than I am, but it felt like a bunch of kid drawings pulled off of a fridge somewhere and slapped into this issue because John Romita Jr. or Ed McGuiness were busy with something else. At least it gets back to JRJ after the first two issues.
Also, one of the things I liked about Spiderman was that he had one love interest, for the most part. If this is all we get for why they're broken up and she's with this Paul rando, then whew, I see why a lot of long time readers haven't enjoyed this run.
Also, the art for the first two issues in this run just sucked. I'm sorry. I hate to be that blunt about someone's talent since they're clearly doing something more cool for work than I am, but it felt like a bunch of kid drawings pulled off of a fridge somewhere and slapped into this issue because John Romita Jr. or Ed McGuiness were busy with something else. At least it gets back to JRJ after the first two issues.
Also, one of the things I liked about Spiderman was that he had one love interest, for the most part. If this is all we get for why they're broken up and she's with this Paul rando, then whew, I see why a lot of long time readers haven't enjoyed this run.
July 15, 2023
First up, Zeb Wells takes a couple of issues off, letting Joe Kelly hop into the writer's chair for a Black Cat team-up story. I know Joe Kelly's older work was fantastic, but I honestly don't think his Spidey stuff has been very good lately (lookin' at you, Spidey/Deadpool and Non-Stop/Savage Spider-Man), which unfortunately extends to these issues. The dialogue is all over the place, the flirting feels distracting, and the plot is, to put it nicely, naff. At least he gets Terry Dodson on art though, so the book looks pretty if nothing else.
Then Zeb Wells and JRJr return to reveal What Peter Did at last, and it's...probably not as bad as it appears? It's mostly just Peter being a dick for no reason and not stopping to explain himself. I get why he'd act like that, but it definitely feels like one of those stories where everything could be resolved with a conversation. I do like Wells drawing on one of his older stories from Brand New Day for the inspiration here, and it's definitely a villain that would outmatch Spidey most of the time, but the motivation for everything seems like a reach.
Okay, but veering into unnecessarily complicated for no reason other than ~the drama~
Then Zeb Wells and JRJr return to reveal What Peter Did at last, and it's...probably not as bad as it appears? It's mostly just Peter being a dick for no reason and not stopping to explain himself. I get why he'd act like that, but it definitely feels like one of those stories where everything could be resolved with a conversation. I do like Wells drawing on one of his older stories from Brand New Day for the inspiration here, and it's definitely a villain that would outmatch Spidey most of the time, but the motivation for everything seems like a reach.
Okay, but veering into unnecessarily complicated for no reason other than ~the drama~
June 21, 2023
So, we've recovered from Dark Web...
Right?
HA. Guess again. First off, this collection starts with a filler couple of issues that reestablish the Black Cat / Spider-Man relationship and ....remind us that MJ is still out there being a stepmom. The rest of this collection is the 'Dead Language' part. Dig DEEEEEEEEEP into past ASM stories for one issue mentions (Oh! Sometimes TWO issues) about a big bad that nobody gave a rip about.
Oh, and there's also yet ANOTHER Kamala Khan cameo. Not good enough to give her own title? Need a placeholder superhero in your title...there you go.
I don't like the way this is laid out. I don't like the marketing by Marvel (as of this writing, they divulged who gets killed in ASM...after they said they weren't going to spoil it) at all. Time jumps are annoying and we've had to put up with the 'missing year' for .......almost 2 years now?
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Bonus: I HATE White Rabbit stories...like...a LOT
Bonus Bonus: Totems? Again? It's always totems now. I blame you Straczynski
Right?
HA. Guess again. First off, this collection starts with a filler couple of issues that reestablish the Black Cat / Spider-Man relationship and ....remind us that MJ is still out there being a stepmom. The rest of this collection is the 'Dead Language' part. Dig DEEEEEEEEEP into past ASM stories for one issue mentions (Oh! Sometimes TWO issues) about a big bad that nobody gave a rip about.
Oh, and there's also yet ANOTHER Kamala Khan cameo. Not good enough to give her own title? Need a placeholder superhero in your title...there you go.
I don't like the way this is laid out. I don't like the marketing by Marvel (as of this writing, they divulged who gets killed in ASM...after they said they weren't going to spoil it) at all. Time jumps are annoying and we've had to put up with the 'missing year' for .......almost 2 years now?
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Bonus: I HATE White Rabbit stories...like...a LOT
Bonus Bonus: Totems? Again? It's always totems now. I blame you Straczynski
May 6, 2024
Ok, getting it out of the way: the first arc of this volume sucks. I don’t care, it was stupid, the end. Now for the meat to this meat and potatoes: what did Peter do?
NOTHING! He did nothing!
There’s a stupid Mayan god character from 400 issues ago who wants to kill MJ and takes them to another world. MJ sends Peter back to get help after they meet a man named Paul who knows how the Mayan magic works. Peter fights with EVERYONE but I kind of just found it funny. Fantastic Four? SCREW THEM! Captain America? How about we punch him in the face. Spidey’s wanted by the FBI for seemingly no reason and so he goes to… Norman for help? While their relationship is well written, from a storytelling perspective it just makes zero sense. And to top it all off, when Pete gets back, years have gone by, and MJ is mad at him (why? She sent him away) and is now married to Paul, with their kids. Okay…….
This was stupid. I still had some fun though. Two stars, but teetering on one and a half
NOTHING! He did nothing!
There’s a stupid Mayan god character from 400 issues ago who wants to kill MJ and takes them to another world. MJ sends Peter back to get help after they meet a man named Paul who knows how the Mayan magic works. Peter fights with EVERYONE but I kind of just found it funny. Fantastic Four? SCREW THEM! Captain America? How about we punch him in the face. Spidey’s wanted by the FBI for seemingly no reason and so he goes to… Norman for help? While their relationship is well written, from a storytelling perspective it just makes zero sense. And to top it all off, when Pete gets back, years have gone by, and MJ is mad at him (why? She sent him away) and is now married to Paul, with their kids. Okay…….
This was stupid. I still had some fun though. Two stars, but teetering on one and a half
November 30, 2023
This volume starts off with a two-issue Joe Kelly story guest-starring White Rabbit which is either really not good or not really good, I'm not sure which. But it's got a huge cast of undercharacterized characters and about a thimble full of plot.
Then we finally get the BIG REVEAL about what happened before ASM #1. And it's a mess. Part of it is that it's told in two different timeframes, which serves to confuse things because many of the same things are going on in both. And then we learn that Peter managed to really alienate everyone before #1 by acting really out of character. Oh, and it's all the result of a fight with some scientist and some god and some weird skull-death guy, none of whom have any resonance in Spider-Man's story.
Wells is often a great author, so I can't understand why his ASM run has gone so badly wrong.
Then we finally get the BIG REVEAL about what happened before ASM #1. And it's a mess. Part of it is that it's told in two different timeframes, which serves to confuse things because many of the same things are going on in both. And then we learn that Peter managed to really alienate everyone before #1 by acting really out of character. Oh, and it's all the result of a fight with some scientist and some god and some weird skull-death guy, none of whom have any resonance in Spider-Man's story.
Wells is often a great author, so I can't understand why his ASM run has gone so badly wrong.
August 22, 2024
"DUDE, I'M SORRY, BUT I THINK I JUST PEED A LITTLE--"
"HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, KAREEM. TONY STARK SPORTS ADULT DIAPERS UNDER THE IRON ONES. OUR SECRET."
- (White Rabbit's driver) Kareem's first time webslinging with Spider-man.
Peter and Felicia escape to an upstate vacation spa, only to run into MJ and Paul. F@#$ you, Paul! The dialog during the fight scenes was very confusing. Sometimes, a conversation flows like water. Clear, smooth and timely. These first two issues moved like rocks and syrup. Slow, chunky, got stuck.
The last three issues (finally!) attempted to explain what happened to Peter six months ago in York, PA, why everybody's mad at him, and what the deal is with Paul and MJ. But, it must conclude in the next volume. I found it quite interesting. Many references to Wells' run in ASM 555-557, from April 2008.
Three stars.
"HAPPENS ALL THE TIME, KAREEM. TONY STARK SPORTS ADULT DIAPERS UNDER THE IRON ONES. OUR SECRET."
- (White Rabbit's driver) Kareem's first time webslinging with Spider-man.
Peter and Felicia escape to an upstate vacation spa, only to run into MJ and Paul. F@#$ you, Paul! The dialog during the fight scenes was very confusing. Sometimes, a conversation flows like water. Clear, smooth and timely. These first two issues moved like rocks and syrup. Slow, chunky, got stuck.
The last three issues (finally!) attempted to explain what happened to Peter six months ago in York, PA, why everybody's mad at him, and what the deal is with Paul and MJ. But, it must conclude in the next volume. I found it quite interesting. Many references to Wells' run in ASM 555-557, from April 2008.
Three stars.
January 22, 2025
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: DEAD LANGUAGE PART 1 is the beginning of the explanation for how Spider-Man got seperated from Mary Jane, how she ended up with Paul, how she got her kids, and how Spider-Man alienated all of his allies in the superhero world. The answer is...not great. It's not terrible but it's pretty far removed from what Spider-Man should be. Mary Jane got stuck in a Walking Dead-style post-apocalypse hellhole and adopted kids while marrying (not marrying?) Paul. Oh and Spider-Man didn't have time to explain what was going on because he felt like he had to save her at all costs but I am pretty sure Reed Richards would have opened a dimensional gateway faster. It's not as bad as it could be but while I prefer Black Cat, I love Mary Jane too and this is a disservice to her. Make her a water clone or a synthoid or something.
December 8, 2023
Joe Kelly and the Dodsons step in for two issues as Pete and Felicity head upstate for the weekend and get involved with some evil tech bros? It's pretty stupid. Then Wells and JRJR return for the beginning of the story of what happened before the first issue of this run. We find out some of why everyone's pissed off at Spider-Man. It's told so confusingly that it's difficult to tell what is happening now and what happened a year ago. The villian is back from the Brand New Day era and I can't even remember him even though I read all of it. It's weird. The bad guy basically just spouts gibberish and is looking to make some king of sacrifice to a Mayan God. I like Wells as a writer. How is this title this bad?
January 1, 2025
Me gusta la dinámica de héroes y pareja que conforman Peter y Felicia Hardy. Y estaría genial poder disfrutarlo sin que sea una excusa argumental más para agitar las "aguas emocionales" con Mary Jane y su nueva pareja. Es cierto que Zeb Wells en este arco argumental pronto lanza a los dos enmascarados de la comodidad del resort en paraje invernal a un inesperado encontronazo con "supervillanos" bastante divertido.
Se empieza a descubrir el porqué de la situación actual de Peter y MJ. Todo tiene que ver con la amenaza de un matemático que ha conectado con una deidad de muerte. Convirtiéndose en una imparable fuerza sobrenatural. Y la verdad es que sí que al final Zeb Wells parece querer marcarse su TAS a lo Stracynski. Pero pinta bastante mal...
Se empieza a descubrir el porqué de la situación actual de Peter y MJ. Todo tiene que ver con la amenaza de un matemático que ha conectado con una deidad de muerte. Convirtiéndose en una imparable fuerza sobrenatural. Y la verdad es que sí que al final Zeb Wells parece querer marcarse su TAS a lo Stracynski. Pero pinta bastante mal...
July 8, 2025
first two issues were Dodson drawn. an almost romantic adventure with Felicia and Peter in the snow.
white rabbit, with kareem (person who Spider-Man saved then returned the favour when in tombstone's grip) are leasing villainous weapons out to the rich for an experience. it goes poorly and they fight. stop teasing us and let Felicia and Peter get together.
then we get the history of MJ and Paul in the other dimension. a call back to the bachalo drawn winter god brand new day story. shows that Paul and robin are related, MJ knows. they had been theough so much together in that dimension that they fell in love.
Peter almost burns bridges by not explaining why he is doing things as time passes quicker in that other reality. Osborn helps him snd this is where they start to foster their new relationship.
they defeat the evil rabin but not without losing kamala.
story is fine. I wouldn't go back and re read this.
white rabbit, with kareem (person who Spider-Man saved then returned the favour when in tombstone's grip) are leasing villainous weapons out to the rich for an experience. it goes poorly and they fight. stop teasing us and let Felicia and Peter get together.
then we get the history of MJ and Paul in the other dimension. a call back to the bachalo drawn winter god brand new day story. shows that Paul and robin are related, MJ knows. they had been theough so much together in that dimension that they fell in love.
Peter almost burns bridges by not explaining why he is doing things as time passes quicker in that other reality. Osborn helps him snd this is where they start to foster their new relationship.
they defeat the evil rabin but not without losing kamala.
story is fine. I wouldn't go back and re read this.
October 30, 2023
A mixed bag. Starts off with two issues devoted to Spidey and Black Cat taking a weekend away at a spa, following the events of Dark Web. Naturally, they can't have a moment's peace. Then we finally turn to the events that have been hinted at for months: what ruined Spider Man's reputation and turned everyone against him? We're promised that the answers will be worth the wait, but I kind of doubt it. So far, at least, it looks like Peter is just trying his best to save MJ and stop an other-dimensional threat. The art is good throughout, with Terry Dodson on the first 2 issues and John Romita, Jr., on the others.
December 17, 2024
Heard Dark Web was trash so I skipped that volume and was met with a pretty interesting story. The two issues in the beginning with Black Cat were fine. However, what’s most interesting is the back half that begins to attempt to explain what happened with Spider-Man and Mary Jane.
Once again I don’t understand the criticism Wells’s run on Spider-Man gets. Wells utilized previous stories from Parker’s history to create a simple but effective explanation for why we find Peter where he was in the first issue.
I’m excited to read the next half of this Arc!
Once again I don’t understand the criticism Wells’s run on Spider-Man gets. Wells utilized previous stories from Parker’s history to create a simple but effective explanation for why we find Peter where he was in the first issue.
I’m excited to read the next half of this Arc!
August 16, 2025
About the first issues, I love Black Cat. We know she is not Peter’s first option and will never be, so I feel bad for them trying to be a thing when we know he belongs with MJ. Talking about MJ, I already kind of knew what happened; reading it just makes me sad. First of all, referencing a 15-year-old arc that’s not very memorable to make such an impactful story was bold. At least it is unexpected. I have no problems with MJ’s choices; they make sense. And although we hate seeing Peter behave this way, it makes sense too. It’s just awful to see him this miserable.
October 9, 2023
COLLECTS AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2022) ISSUES #19-23
This collection has two issues featuring Black Cat and Spider-Man on a vacation that gets interrupted by bad guys. Then, the final three issues of this collection start to fill in the blanks on why everyone is mad at Peter, and what happened between him and MJ.
This collection has two issues featuring Black Cat and Spider-Man on a vacation that gets interrupted by bad guys. Then, the final three issues of this collection start to fill in the blanks on why everyone is mad at Peter, and what happened between him and MJ.
May 15, 2023
One would think that when 2 out of 6 issues are not written by Zeb Wells the collection should have a 33% less-sucks rate, but no. Sadly not. As usual, only Romita Jrs pencils make this worth a flip-through.
May 31, 2023
una pobre historia de relleno, para luego entrar a la dilatada explicacion de porque Peter no está con MJ. Inconcluso hasta siguiente volumen. Aun no se entiende el porque de Dark Web, y el aburrido intermedio de Beyond. Llegué a extrañar a Spencer.
June 12, 2023
It's like ASM is some sort of slow-acting poison - first Nick Spencer, now Zeb Wells. I genuinely can't comprehend how we went from Hellions to this, but I would like to get off Mr. Wells's wild ride and get back to his excellent comics of the past years.
November 4, 2023
The year is going to be 2065. I'm going to be sitting with my grandkids muttering to myself obscenities about some dude named Paul Rabin. They'll have no clue what I'm talking about, but I'll always hold the disdain for this fictional character for ruining ASM #895 - #920.
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