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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #9
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 5: Unintended Consequences
Peter Parker, the Amazing Spider-Man, and the estranged love-of-his-life, Mry Jane, continue to deal with the aftermath of the decision that changes their relationship forever.
Collects:
- Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #51-#56
Collects:
- Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #51-#56
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
15 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Straczynski
1,372 books1,280 followersJoseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
August 31, 2022
Although this volume was not as great as the previous ones, it still was highly enjoyable and Straczynski really portrayed the relationship between Peter and Mary Jane to the utmost beautiful level.
June 8, 2015
Review to come! When I'm less tired! :P
October 28, 2019
This JMS volume feels like it's flying on autopilot, with stories that are interesting and/or charming, but also forgettable.
Peter fights a jigsaw-puzzle Hulk that can't be killed because it's already dead. It's charming that JMS is playing in the science side of the Marvel universe pool, and he lets Peter be a bit of a scientist too. But so much of this arc is a big fight against an unstoppable foe (until it's ready to be defeated in the end), which is pretty much never a good look. Fortunately, the arc also has moral dilemmas and the rebuilding of the Peter/MJ relationship, to give it some depth [3+/5].
Unintended Consequences (#55-56). A nice return to Peter as Teacher, as he sees how one of his students has been affected by his vigilantism. Pulling Ezekiel in to deliver the moral of the story is a little heavy-handed, but I suppose it's good that he's becoming a supporting cast member. Overall, a nice thoughtful piece [3+/5].
Peter fights a jigsaw-puzzle Hulk that can't be killed because it's already dead. It's charming that JMS is playing in the science side of the Marvel universe pool, and he lets Peter be a bit of a scientist too. But so much of this arc is a big fight against an unstoppable foe (until it's ready to be defeated in the end), which is pretty much never a good look. Fortunately, the arc also has moral dilemmas and the rebuilding of the Peter/MJ relationship, to give it some depth [3+/5].
Unintended Consequences (#55-56). A nice return to Peter as Teacher, as he sees how one of his students has been affected by his vigilantism. Pulling Ezekiel in to deliver the moral of the story is a little heavy-handed, but I suppose it's good that he's becoming a supporting cast member. Overall, a nice thoughtful piece [3+/5].
October 3, 2018
2,5*
Two different stories, both not so good, only saved by Straczynski's good sense for mono/dialogues.
First one is one big flop: 13 mobsters killed some 50 years ago melt together-in a convenient humanoïd-lizardy form, mind ya- after being gamma-irradiated. Yeah, right. Spidey is then hired by the responsible don on whom they want to exact revenge. If it sounds stupid that's because it is. Totally sub-par for Straczynski who accustomed us to much better stuff. Characters are good though, particularly the detective paired with Spidey. His caustic humor does wonders with our favorite webslinger.
The second one is Peter taking care of one student with family problems. No real stakes here and even worse, it's very similar to a previous subplot a few volumes back. Is JMS running out of steam?
Ok, it's well written (3*) but the stories are really lame and don't add much to the greater picture. A volume that can easily be skipped.
Two different stories, both not so good, only saved by Straczynski's good sense for mono/dialogues.
First one is one big flop: 13 mobsters killed some 50 years ago melt together-in a convenient humanoïd-lizardy form, mind ya- after being gamma-irradiated. Yeah, right. Spidey is then hired by the responsible don on whom they want to exact revenge. If it sounds stupid that's because it is. Totally sub-par for Straczynski who accustomed us to much better stuff. Characters are good though, particularly the detective paired with Spidey. His caustic humor does wonders with our favorite webslinger.
The second one is Peter taking care of one student with family problems. No real stakes here and even worse, it's very similar to a previous subplot a few volumes back. Is JMS running out of steam?
Ok, it's well written (3*) but the stories are really lame and don't add much to the greater picture. A volume that can easily be skipped.
October 20, 2013
I don't always agree with how Straczynski writes MJ, but I give him props for writing one of my favorite romantic superhero scenes ever (Amazing Spider-Man #53). (Yeah, sometimes I feel feelings, okay?)
P: I should get you back to the hotel before it's too--
MJ: No.
P: No?
MJ: Not tonight.
MJ: I think it's time, don't you?
P: It's just...I want it to be right, MJ. No distractions, not when I'm tired, or chasing a case, or--
MJ: And will there ever be a day when that happens? I came back for you, Peter. I love you. For everything you are, for everything you think you're not. Distracted or not, tired or not, you're my lover. My husband. And the dearest thing in the world to me.
:)
Also, the Digger -- what a weird but interesting concept for a villain. Right balance of cheesy and cool.
P: I should get you back to the hotel before it's too--
MJ: No.
P: No?
MJ: Not tonight.
MJ: I think it's time, don't you?
P: It's just...I want it to be right, MJ. No distractions, not when I'm tired, or chasing a case, or--
MJ: And will there ever be a day when that happens? I came back for you, Peter. I love you. For everything you are, for everything you think you're not. Distracted or not, tired or not, you're my lover. My husband. And the dearest thing in the world to me.
:)
Also, the Digger -- what a weird but interesting concept for a villain. Right balance of cheesy and cool.
July 6, 2023
This was a weaker volume but still with great character moments.
The first story is about a bunch of mobsters killed in the 50's, but buried where the Gamma explosions went off, creating them all into one body of a monster similar to the Hulk. Peter than has to protect another mobster from this creature wanting to exact revenge. It's a pretty cool story cause show's Peter's smart side of how to deal with situations but drags on a bit too long and didn't care about the Mobsters. I will say the final two issues are a lot stronger, with Peter again helping one of his students with her family issues. Really wholesome and some great detective vibes for Spider-Man that I enjoy.
Overall solid, a 3.5 out of 5, but not as good as the last 4 volumes.
The first story is about a bunch of mobsters killed in the 50's, but buried where the Gamma explosions went off, creating them all into one body of a monster similar to the Hulk. Peter than has to protect another mobster from this creature wanting to exact revenge. It's a pretty cool story cause show's Peter's smart side of how to deal with situations but drags on a bit too long and didn't care about the Mobsters. I will say the final two issues are a lot stronger, with Peter again helping one of his students with her family issues. Really wholesome and some great detective vibes for Spider-Man that I enjoy.
Overall solid, a 3.5 out of 5, but not as good as the last 4 volumes.
December 4, 2013
Weakest entry yet by Straczynski. Disappointing. Mobster kills competitors, has bodies buried in Nevada desert, 50 years later, government bomb testing exposes the same site to Gamma Rays...ya.
So is born 'Digger' a hybrid of all the 13 mobsters killed. Looks like Hulk as a rotting corpse, but not scary. This literally takes almost the whole volume to resolve. The mobster who ordered the hit hires Spidey to bodyguard him, saying that he'd come save him anyway for nothing, so why not make some $$. This seems very off, but PP runs it by a cop friend who says no prob. Defeats monster using brain/brawn combo (shock). Last story covers another kid at the school who PP helps (much like the earlier volumes, where a female has an absent older brother in trouble - it's almost like they got very lazy and reworked the entire first 2 volumes again and hoped we were too stupid to notice.)
Ezekiel shows up again, with more mystery, and is tied into some organization (the head of it actually) that Spidey comes up against, but not the way you thought it would be resolved.
Not really all that good. This could have been done with way fewer pages and accomplished just as much. I suppose it would be better if I had any vested interest in a bad guy getting justice against another bad guy but no, not really. The student story was nearly verbatim copy of the first one in the earlier volume, so not impressed at all.
SKIP.
So is born 'Digger' a hybrid of all the 13 mobsters killed. Looks like Hulk as a rotting corpse, but not scary. This literally takes almost the whole volume to resolve. The mobster who ordered the hit hires Spidey to bodyguard him, saying that he'd come save him anyway for nothing, so why not make some $$. This seems very off, but PP runs it by a cop friend who says no prob. Defeats monster using brain/brawn combo (shock). Last story covers another kid at the school who PP helps (much like the earlier volumes, where a female has an absent older brother in trouble - it's almost like they got very lazy and reworked the entire first 2 volumes again and hoped we were too stupid to notice.)
Ezekiel shows up again, with more mystery, and is tied into some organization (the head of it actually) that Spidey comes up against, but not the way you thought it would be resolved.
Not really all that good. This could have been done with way fewer pages and accomplished just as much. I suppose it would be better if I had any vested interest in a bad guy getting justice against another bad guy but no, not really. The student story was nearly verbatim copy of the first one in the earlier volume, so not impressed at all.
SKIP.
October 29, 2020
This volume was alright. We pick up with a backstory in 1957 about some gang war where a guy named Forelli gunned down some 13 people called "Vegas 13" and in present day they all come merged alive because their remains were dumped at the site where a gamma test was going on. Now they are after Forelli and its upto Spidey to protect him and this villain is called "Digger" and he is kinda cool but just another hulk-type-green monster. Its a decent read but could have been well done. Though good moments between MJ and Pete and the 2nd story is when Pete is helping one of his students Melissa and learns that her brother was arrested by Spidey so "Doctrine of Unintended Consequences" comes into play and so now Peter has to make it right by finding her brother Josh and Ezekiel comes in and they have some good philosophical debates. It was a decent read.
April 19, 2013
Not too shabby, great dialogue and hints of something big coming. Good times.
March 23, 2025
When the corpses of thirteen mob enforcers are reanimated by a gamma explosion, the resulting hybrid, the Digger, goes on a vengeful rampage across New York. In order to save lives, Spider-Man finds himself reluctantly selling-out to mob boss Forelli in exchange for protection.
I found the Digger and his origins to be intriguing, as well as how Peter has to use his scientific smarts and his knowledge of gamma-powered beings like the Hulk in order to defeat the resurrected killer. I would consider it stupid that, despite the numerous negative results, the US government in the Marvel Universe keeps detonating gamma bombs, but let's be realistic; they'd keep doing it in the real world too if they thought there was a chance of a better weapon.
However, despite Digger being an interesting antagonist, he's not an iconic one and this book feels a little bit like the series just spinning its wheels with minor one-off stories that don't overly affect the status quo.
Even the development of Peter and MJ working on their marriage doesn't actually advance at all here.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
I found the Digger and his origins to be intriguing, as well as how Peter has to use his scientific smarts and his knowledge of gamma-powered beings like the Hulk in order to defeat the resurrected killer. I would consider it stupid that, despite the numerous negative results, the US government in the Marvel Universe keeps detonating gamma bombs, but let's be realistic; they'd keep doing it in the real world too if they thought there was a chance of a better weapon.
However, despite Digger being an interesting antagonist, he's not an iconic one and this book feels a little bit like the series just spinning its wheels with minor one-off stories that don't overly affect the status quo.
Even the development of Peter and MJ working on their marriage doesn't actually advance at all here.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
August 31, 2024
In "Unintended Consequences", a new villain in the form of the Digger is introduced as Spidey's next foe. A gamma mutated composited set of corpses belonging to a bunch of dead mobsters from the '50s, the Digger is yet another villain in Straczynski's run that boasts near mystical origins. The Digger chases after members of the Forelli crime family, the mob that was responsible for the massive hit decades ago, and it's up to Spidey to stop him. It's a bit weird of a story, but mostly works. The following story is a short one co-plotted by Fiona Avery and it's about Peter helping out one of his students, which was mostly decent.
Not really a high point for the series since a lot of this was not really all that memorable, but mostly entertaining enough.
Not really a high point for the series since a lot of this was not really all that memorable, but mostly entertaining enough.
May 1, 2018
This was my first venture into the world of Spider-Man (I know it's a weird place to start, but I picked this up super cheap second hand) It was a fun trade, with two separate plots spanning a few issues each
The art was great
The art was great
May 30, 2025
"Hi, the name's Spidey, I'm here to deliver a Singing Strip-O-Gram. So come on out and play, this thong is killing me. But what kind of thinger would I be without a killer thong, I athk you?"
- Spider-Man talking and annoying criminals at the same time.
The first appearance of Digger. Not one of my favorite villains, but his origin story explains a lot.
Ezekiel shows up a few times, setting up for a bigger story.
Mr. Parker helps one of his students find her missing brother.
More romantic banter between Peter and MJ.
I loved every moment this book. Even the Digger story. Five stars.
- Spider-Man talking and annoying criminals at the same time.
The first appearance of Digger. Not one of my favorite villains, but his origin story explains a lot.
Ezekiel shows up a few times, setting up for a bigger story.
Mr. Parker helps one of his students find her missing brother.
More romantic banter between Peter and MJ.
I loved every moment this book. Even the Digger story. Five stars.
December 30, 2018
I'd really give this 3.5 stars, I think. Here, we get another story of Peter as the teacher in the second half, and I like seeing this side of him. He really cares for his students, and Ezekiel also gets him thinking about what happens to the people he throws in jail. It wasn't quite as fast paced or emotionally charged as the previous volumes though. Excited to see what comes next!
June 18, 2022
Es genial poder ver la etapa de Peter como profesor, apoyando a sus alumnos, lidiando con otras responsabilidades, de vuelta con MJ y con su tía May sabiendo de él. Además que tener a Ezekiel ahí es de mucha ayuda.
No conocía a Digger como villano de Spider-Man, este monstruo zombie de varios mafiosos, me gustó como terminó todo para Peter.
No conocía a Digger como villano de Spider-Man, este monstruo zombie de varios mafiosos, me gustó como terminó todo para Peter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2022
Another strong read. I really enjoy how Peter Parker is written in this series. Straczynski really gets the guilt that Peter feels, but also knows how to balance that out with the fun of a Spidey story. Also... yay for Peter and MJ back together!!!
September 14, 2023
This was close to being a 5 star, but the last story really didn’t do much for me.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first/main story. It was a good mix of everything you’d want in a Spider-Man story and then some.
That being said, I really enjoyed the first/main story. It was a good mix of everything you’d want in a Spider-Man story and then some.
December 26, 2025
The Doom airport one was like 4.5ish out of 5 if not 5.
The Digger arc was a 2.8.
The last mini-Ezekiel one was like a 3.2.
Idk if those round out to a 3/5 but that’s the rough rating for these issues collectively *white guy shrug emoji*
The Digger arc was a 2.8.
The last mini-Ezekiel one was like a 3.2.
Idk if those round out to a 3/5 but that’s the rough rating for these issues collectively *white guy shrug emoji*
January 6, 2019
The first half of this was decent enough. But the last story, regarding Mel? Absolute brilliance. This is the kind of stuff Marvel Comics was made for and Stan Lee would be proud of.
December 29, 2019
Not a fan of Straczynski's run.
October 23, 2020
not as good as the previous volumes, but still well done
September 20, 2021
This is some good writing.
December 9, 2021
I was torn between a 3.5 and a 4 for this volume because it's not as strong as the previous ones, but I'll round up since I still enjoyed it a lot.
November 15, 2022
Not good.
October 12, 2024
Peter and MJ continue to be the backbone of this run, but the other plots like Digger and Ezekiel’s secret vigilante gang fail to make themselves feel like anything more than set dressing.
August 23, 2019
This comic book was totally cool.
March 10, 2017
Peter and MJ finally get back together. There is a bad guy that is a dead mobster from the 30s and that gives an interesting twist to the usual Spiderman villains. The book is very readable and the conversations are well written. A good read.
July 14, 2022
I’m sort of conflicted with this run right now because I am interested in it for one part but very uninterested for another part.
So this trade has two little arcs, the first one has a zombie wiseguy hulk villain that felt a little too long in the tooth. And we have a really interesting grounded story with Peter and the ‘misfit kids’ of the school he was teaching at.
First of all, the whole premise of the first arc, even though it’s technically plotted well, is absolutely ridiculous. Zombie Mafia Hulk. That could be all I say on the matter but I didn’t entirely hate it. I liked the stuff that was going on around the villain like Peter’s moral dilemma with being paid blood money for doing what he’d already do, and any progression made between the relationship of Pete/MJ. Another thing I really liked about the story or at least found passable was how Spider-Man deals with this enemy by basically tearing him limb from limb because that’s exactly what I felt like doing to myself having to read such a drawn out basic story. Spider-Man fights this villain 3 separate times and each time is borderline tedious. (Other than the last time he fights him of course).
As for the second arc, I think JMS is at his best when his writing focuses Peter in a grounded arc with a lot of emotional strings attached and this little arc was no substitute. This time the arc is with another of Peter’s students. The basic plot is that Spidey helps a young girl to find her brother where Peter can’t find her. But the interesting plot spanner thrown in comes with Ezekiel reappearing and making a surprising stand at the end of the second issue against Spider-Man which leaves an even bigger question mark over Ezekiel’s intentions. This saved the trade for me. These two issues were fantastic. JMS developed an older idea and made more interesting progression behind a character who I was previously undecided on (Ezekiel). - who before this trade and the last I was having doubts on if they were interesting, which after this trade I can definitely say I’m fully interested in him and where his story is going because it seems foreboding and ominous.
So yeah really conflicted because most of the run has been great grounded stories with average fights that feel like they take too long.
Reread 2022:
Just an amendment to my original review: I don’t think that Zombie Mafia Hulk storyline is plotted well at all. I think it’s ridiculously boring, cheesy, and way too long. That story is something that feels like it belongs in the 60’s spider-man stories and would be smashed out within one issue instead of 4. It’s insane to me that it lasted 4 issues it made me feel like clawing my own eyes out. The fight scene is also boring
As for the second half of this trade the story of Spider-Man’s consequences of locking up criminals and the progression/foreshadowing of Ezekiel was good but not good enough to save how boring the rest of this trade was. Definitely one of the shitter stories of the run.
So this trade has two little arcs, the first one has a zombie wiseguy hulk villain that felt a little too long in the tooth. And we have a really interesting grounded story with Peter and the ‘misfit kids’ of the school he was teaching at.
First of all, the whole premise of the first arc, even though it’s technically plotted well, is absolutely ridiculous. Zombie Mafia Hulk. That could be all I say on the matter but I didn’t entirely hate it. I liked the stuff that was going on around the villain like Peter’s moral dilemma with being paid blood money for doing what he’d already do, and any progression made between the relationship of Pete/MJ. Another thing I really liked about the story or at least found passable was how Spider-Man deals with this enemy by basically tearing him limb from limb because that’s exactly what I felt like doing to myself having to read such a drawn out basic story. Spider-Man fights this villain 3 separate times and each time is borderline tedious. (Other than the last time he fights him of course).
As for the second arc, I think JMS is at his best when his writing focuses Peter in a grounded arc with a lot of emotional strings attached and this little arc was no substitute. This time the arc is with another of Peter’s students. The basic plot is that Spidey helps a young girl to find her brother where Peter can’t find her. But the interesting plot spanner thrown in comes with Ezekiel reappearing and making a surprising stand at the end of the second issue against Spider-Man which leaves an even bigger question mark over Ezekiel’s intentions. This saved the trade for me. These two issues were fantastic. JMS developed an older idea and made more interesting progression behind a character who I was previously undecided on (Ezekiel). - who before this trade and the last I was having doubts on if they were interesting, which after this trade I can definitely say I’m fully interested in him and where his story is going because it seems foreboding and ominous.
So yeah really conflicted because most of the run has been great grounded stories with average fights that feel like they take too long.
Reread 2022:
Just an amendment to my original review: I don’t think that Zombie Mafia Hulk storyline is plotted well at all. I think it’s ridiculously boring, cheesy, and way too long. That story is something that feels like it belongs in the 60’s spider-man stories and would be smashed out within one issue instead of 4. It’s insane to me that it lasted 4 issues it made me feel like clawing my own eyes out. The fight scene is also boring
As for the second half of this trade the story of Spider-Man’s consequences of locking up criminals and the progression/foreshadowing of Ezekiel was good but not good enough to save how boring the rest of this trade was. Definitely one of the shitter stories of the run.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews