AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #560 REVIEW

[Adam Chapman]

Reviewer: Adam Chapman adam.chapman@sympatico.ca
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Peter Parker, Paparazzi Part Two: Flat Out Crazy

Paperdoll strikes!

Writer: Dan Slott
Artist: Marcos Martin
Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Letters: Virtual Calligraphy's Cory Petit
Spidey's Braintrust: Gale, Guggenheim, Slott, Wells
Assistant Editor: Tom Brennan
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Executive Editor: Tom Brevoort
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Visually, this arc is very different from other recent arcs, but I'm a huge fan of the stylistic change. Its very classic-looking, really evoking a Ditko-esque sensibility. And fortunately for Slott, this style works absolutely perfectly in illustrating his new villain, Paperdoll. She's an interesting villain from a visual standpoint, and Martin really illustrates the hell out of the new character. Plus, this issue features a particular "cliffhanger" which is sure to raise a few eyebrows and questions. With that particular cliffhanger, Martin's style is more reminiscent of Romita Sr. than Ditko, whom he feels like he's channeling for the majority of the issue.

Peter Parker works at his new gig as a paparazzi, but his friends aren't exactly happy. Robbie Robertson thinks its shameful, Aunt May is disappointed, and Harry Osborn is angry that his friend would ever become one of photographers who have hounded him and his family for years. Dexter Bennett is the one proponent for the new job, giving him more money and thanks than Parker ever got from Jameson. As Peter tails Bobby Carr, a murderer starts to strike, and soon Spider-Man is up against the mysterious Paperdoll, for the life of another paparazzi.

Besides the obvious complaints about Brand New Day (that being the loss of MJ and the marriage, the fallout from OMD, etc), the most common one I'm hearing now is that there's too many new villains too fast. I really can't disagree with this enough. It keeps the book feeling more fresh, with new threats, and a reduced reliance on the traditional rogues gallery. I'm all for using the traditional rogues, but when you only use them and don't develop new concepts and ideas for villains, to see what sticks, you end up with an over-reliance on characters who shouldn't be used that often. The current climate of BND is similar to Stan Lee's tenure, where there are many new villains being introduced with each and every issue, to keep things new and fresh and the reader interested. We're getting a return to classic rogues soon, with Eddie Brock, Norman Osborn and Mac Gargan making appearances in a few months, and although I'm looking forward to them being used, not just because they're cool villains but also because of questions about what they remember now, in some ways I'm sad that we won't be getting more new villains.

This issue has the first appearance of Paperdoll, and Slott does a good job of making this creepy stalker a credible and scary threat, plus he manages to do some excellent character work with the supporting cast, as well as the lead character. Peter's close to moving in now, we can see the romantic triangle developing between Vin, Carlie and Peter, and becoming a tad more pronounced. Plus Peter's new job is likely to cause problems with his new roommate, that is if he still has it at the end of this arc.

The art, as I said already is fantastic, its really well-suited to this script and this style of villain. Its very classic looking, and looks phenomenal.

Can't wait for the end of this arc, which is now two weeks away because of the done-in-one story that started off this month's 3 issues. Recommended!

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[Ben Lehnsherr]

I was happy to see this issue was a lot better than last week's #559. Very noticeable jump in quality, IMO. Slott just needed a little more set-up this arc, I suppose. Marcos Martin's art is a given great, and this is no different.

[Ryan Read]

Paperdoll is my favorite so far of the new villains. I also love the use of the DB staff about Peter's new line of work. It's a very slippery slop and Bennet is just scum with what he's really up to.

[gregorv]

great issue...possibly one of my favs in BND so far... Paperdoll was cool, she was pretty goofy, but also very interresting...but oh that last page broke my heart =(

[Solomon_Grundy]

Norman Osborn, Mac Gargan and Eddie Brock are coming back? ... To Spiderman? ...Could it be true?

Seeing the new status quo for the Norman/Harry relationship will be interesting, but really this has got my hopes up for Gargan finally being freed from that wretched symbiote.

Just please Marvel, please please PLEEEEEASE don't kill Gargan. Or humiliate him.

He should rip the symbiote off, spit on it, insult it, and flush it down the toilet. At which point it re-bonds with Eddie Brock, who is currently homeless and living in the sewers.

[Adam Chapman]

Originally Posted by Solomon_Grundy

Norman Osborn, Mac Gargan and Eddie Brock are coming back? ... To Spiderman? ...Could it be true?

Seeing the new status quo for the Norman/Harry relationship will be interesting, but really this has got my hopes up for Gargan finally being freed from that wretched symbiote.

Just please Marvel, please please PLEEEEEASE don't kill Gargan. Or humiliate him.

He should rip the symbiote off, spit on it, insult it, and flush it down the toilet. At which point it re-bonds with Eddie Brock, who is currently homeless and living in the sewers.

Not just coming back, but all at the same time.

[Solomon_Grundy]

Originally Posted by Adam Chapman

Not just coming back, but all at the same time.

If a symbiot-less Gargan remains a member of the Thunderbolts as a revamped Scorpion persona, I will begin buying that book for as long as he is a member.

I don't any other issues, but I will buy it right now. YOU HEAR ME MARVEL?!?

[Ben Lehnsherr]

I'll be pretty disappointed if the symbiote jumps back to Brock from Gargan.

[Mark Blicharz]

I'm disappointed that Brock is coming back at all. Meh.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Mark Blicharz

I'm disappointed that Brock is coming back at all. Meh.

The story would have been better if he had actaully succeeded in killing himself.