WHAT IF ... AUNT MAY HAD DIED INSTEAD OF UNCLE BEN? ADVANCE REVIEW

[Andrea Speed]

Reviewer: Andrea Speed andy@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Very Good

How would Peter take losing his Aunt May?

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/1/whatifmay.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/1/whatifmay.jpg" align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Andrea DiVito
Colors: Laura Villari
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Randy Gentile
Editor: C.B. Cebulski
Cover Art: Andy Brase & Frank D'Armata
Publisher: Marvel



Review: Since Brubaker is writing this, you would expect a dark tale, and you would be right, but the surprise is actually an upbeat ending that seems to suggest that harder times and more personal tribulations may have tempered Peter in general and Spider-Man in particular, making him more confident and effective in life.

Brubaker also choose the most unusual way to introduce the story premise. David and Claremont used Watchers, Bendis literally uses himself, but Brubaker uses two guys talking at a comics store, a clerk and a customer discussing “What ifs..”. The clerk is wearing a t-shirt with a Watcher on it, an in joke.

Although Peter’s life and early Spider-Man career changes drastically, the ending suggests that he’d come basically to the same place as he is now, just with a few minor differences. I did like how Peter took to surviving the mean streets of New York, because while it might not have been as legal as some would like of Spider-Man, it is realistic and logical.

DiVito - and isn’t it good to see him again? - contributes some great visuals. While he attempts to mimic the early comic model of Peter Parker’s appearance (and does so very well), the art really comes into its own as the book progresses, and the action scenes really shine. There are several excellently drawn panels, some of which are non-traditional in layout, and the final panel of Spidey is so iconic it could be a poster. Villari’s colors are rich and layered, and she and DiVito are a terrific team.

The funny thing is, while the What If..? involving Karen page suggested a happy story, it turned out to be anything but that. And this story, which sounds like it could be depressing, is for a bit, but then turns out to have a happy ending. Go figure.




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[chrismozer]

I don't know how Peter would react but i cannot wait until that old bag bites the big one!! I was very disappointed when it wasn't the true Aunt May that died in ASM #400.

That old lady has to be older then Methusala!! Didn't she serve the wine at the last supper?

[Andrea Speed]

:LOL:

An Aunt May hater. There's someone who hates everyone.:D

[batmanego]

Í´m so glad What If... is back! it´s such a chance to tell fresh stories with established characters.

[Dino Pollard]

Originally posted by batmanego
ʹm so glad What If... is back! it�s such a chance to tell fresh stories with established characters.

It's not necessarily "back." Unless I miss my guess, this is just a special thing.

[chrismozer]

YUCK....I thought i'd do a dance of joy just seeing that old bag take a dirt nap. Instead, i found that the pivotal moment of Aunt May biting the big one caused no major difference in the outcome of Peter Parker's life. He still seemed to get where he hadda go but just took a different path getting there.

I think this may've been better had both Uncle Ben & Aunt May had been shot. Then old Petey would've had no shoulder to cry on and he may've ended up more of a "Kill 'em all & let God sort 'em out" type of super-hero/vigilante.

[Andrea Speed]

But that's what I said, man!

Although Peter�s life and early Spider-Man career changes drastically, the ending suggests that he�d come basically to the same place as he is now, just with a few minor differences.

[Cardiac]

Originally posted by chrismozer
I think this may've been better had both Uncle Ben & Aunt May had been shot. Then old Petey would've had no shoulder to cry on and he may've ended up more of a "Kill 'em all & let God sort 'em out" type of super-hero/vigilante.

I doubt that very much since Peter already had a strong moral code before his superhero origin. There's nothing I'd hate to see happen to Peter more than for him to be written as a religious loon who leaves justice up to some abstract god-force. ugh!

[chrismozer]

Originally posted by Cardiac
I doubt that very much since Peter already had a strong moral code before his superhero origin. There's nothing I'd hate to see happen to Peter more than for him to be written as a religious loon who leaves justice up to some abstract god-force. ugh!

I didn't mean the "let God sort 'em out" as a reference to Peter being a religious loon. It's just a saying!! I don't think Peter would work well as killing for God! I leave that up to the anti-abortionists.

[chrismozer]

Originally posted by Andrea Speed
But that's what I said, man!

Great minds think alike!!

[Andrea Speed]

I didn't mean the "let God sort 'em out" as a reference to Peter being a religious loon. It's just a saying!! I don't think Peter would work well as killing for God! I leave that up to the anti-abortionists.

:LOL: :LOL:

Now that's funny!

I was actually hoping Cardiac was kidding. You've really never heard that expression before? Mate, where have you been? Have you never seen a dumb action flick? :D

[chrismozer]

Originally posted by Andrea Speed


I was actually hoping Cardiac was kidding. You've really never heard that expression before? Mate, where have you been? Have you never seen a dumb action flick? :D

HOW DARE YOU!! There is no such thing as a "dumb" action flick.
They are all highly intelligent and a great learning source!!!

[Andrea Speed]

:joker:

Oh, I love the stupid - sorry, highly educational - action films. Where else can you learn such value information such as how to make your own Claymore mines, and, if you jump at just the right moment, you will be uninjured by a massive explosion.:D