MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #43 ADVANCE REVIEW

[Blake Petit]

Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Fair
Title: A Whale of a Tale
Rating: All Ages

Orka ruins Peter Parker’s field trip to Oceana Park!

Writer: Marc Sumerak
Pencils: Carlos Ferreira
Inks: Robert Campanella
Colors: A. Street
Letters: Dave Sharpe
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Cover Art: Patrick Scherberger
Publisher: Marvel Comics

As Peter Parker’s science class takes a field trip to Oceana Park, home of the world-famous killer whale Kantu, the Atlantean menace named Orka attacks! It seems he’s a little upset about his ocean-dwelling brothers being held in captivity, so he’s there to bust them loose.

Okay, it’s not the most original plot – I’m pretty sure I’ve read Sub-Mariner stories, Aquaman stories, and a half-dozen others that have the same basic idea behind them. But the execution is pretty good. Marc Sumerak has a really good feel for teenage Peter Parker, his dynamic with Flash Thompson, and the sort of world a character like Pete would inhabit today. Orka’s never really been a major villain, but he’s a decent choice for this story, and it’s nice to see victory claimed through a little scientific know-how instead of just punching someone until he goes down.

Carlos Ferreira’s artwork is very well-suited to the young version of Peter Parker. His teen Spider-Man is a nice contrast to the much larger Orka, and the size difference makes for a more exciting adventure.

All in all, I liked this book. In fact, I like most of the Marvel Adventures books I’ve read. Keep ‘em coming.

Rating:


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