J. Michael Straczynski offers up a story that's succeeds on two levels. In many ways, he presents a truly traditional Spider-Man story, one that introduces a new villain while tapping into the title character's guilt and sense of responsibility. On the other hand, the writer also explores a more modern idea -- school bullying and violence -- and it gives the characters a greater degree of credibility. There are problems with this issue, though. The art for the flashback sequences is far too flashy for the tone that's called for. And the script indulges in a cheat shot at a competing comics publisher, a cheap shot that's irksome for a couple of reasons.
Peter Parker hears a news report of an explosion at a New York industrial park, and he quickly realizes it's connected to his childhood friend, Charlie Weiderman, who was considering carrying out a dangerous experiment involving Vibranium. In his super-hero guise of Spider-Man, Peter visits the blast site to try to find out what became of Charlie, and he soon discovers that he may have been exposed to his experiment: a metal skinsuit. Meanwhile, Peter thinks back on his friendship with Charlie and the dangerous turns it took years ago.
Deodato's art comes off as little rushed at times, and I really don't think it was necessary to show use Mary jane in a bra getting ready for her job. But there's a darkness in Deodato's work here that suits the overall tone of the story. There's a real sense of foreboding here. I wish the art for the flashback sequences were as appropriate. Brooks's work is far too bright and detailed for what's needed for those sequences. One could argue that the flashbacks are harkening back to a simpler time in the characters' lives, and a simpler tone -- even a Silver Age look -- would have worked better, as opposed to Brooks's manga-influenced art. The teen characters also look a little too old here, and Peter's glasses look as though they may have been fashioned from hula hoops. But really, there's not much really wrong with Brooks's efforts; it's just that his style isn't really a good fit here.
Straczynski's exploration of high-school violence is well done, as he offers a balanced look. Charlie is the victim, but he's also not completely blameless. The only times he takes charge of his situation, he does so inappropriately, and he lies and hides behind others as an easy way out. Furthermore, the flashback script's nods to Peter's continued sense of loss over Ben Parker's death ring quite true and drive home the personal nature of the events that are unfolding in his life now.
"... The price of Time-Warner stocks fell three percent today, mainly due to deficiencies in the publishing division -- which insiders ascribed to a lack of inventiveness in its graphic publishing arm."
That's an excerpt the news broadcast that alerts the hero to th explosion, which is a key component of the plot. This obvious dig at DC Comics, of course, has nothing to do with the story, and it's annoying. It's immature and inaccurate, petty and hypocritical. This isn't a friendly jab at the competition; it's some form of deluded gloating. Furthermore, Marvel suggesting DC isn't inventive enough is like Taco Bell suggesting McDonalds try serving burgers. Where is Marvel's answer to 100 Bullets? To Ex Machina?
The fact that it's mean-spirited isn't the biggest problem with it, though. No, the biggest problem is that it's bad storytelling. It has nothing to do with the story, nothing to do with establishing a realistic context for a fantastic tale. It takes the reader out of the story, away from the characters, and focuses his or her attention on the little feuds of those who are behind the scenes. 5/10
