It's been a while since I sat down with Jenkins and his take on Spider-Man, and I'm glad I renewed the acquaintance. Jenkins's approach on this particular super-hero comic is rather surreal and stands out as unique among the Spider-Man line of titles. There's a nice dichotomy at play, as Jenkins provides a thoroughly accessible read for anyone who may be out of the loop as to recent goings-on, and he also offers a mysterious and enticing story featuring a new villain (maybe?) and her anti-corporate crusade.
Another person close to Peter Parker has been struck down by one of Spider-Man's nemeses, and Peter falls into another funk, angry at God and himself for allowing such a tragedy to befall someone who just didn't deserve it. He's unable to dwell on his sadness for long, though, as a mysterious presence beckons him out into the world, clad in his spider-togs, of course. The presence is a woman, one with inexplicable spiritual and physical powers, and apparently with a connection to the theft of a $50-million gem from a New York-based corporation.
Buckingham really brings out the title character's grief and guilt; the intensity of emotion and the burden is there to see on Peter's face. Buckingham's unconventional style is well suited to the unconventional tone of the new antagonist as well. He's able to convey the bizarre, undefinable effect she has on Peter's perceptions quite well. He also brings an unusually soothing tone to the character.
The character's quiet, spiritual but upsetting nature is intriguing, for sure. Jenkins has crafted a remarkably original figure in her, the kind of thing one doesn't see in super-hero comics... save for perhaps Grant Morrison's Doom Patrol from a while back. I have to admit that I find it frustrating that she has yet to be named, but on the other hand, it also adds to her mystique.
While that unconventional character and atmosphere certainly piques my interest, I have to admit that my favorite part of the book was the opening scene focusing on Peter's despair. We've seen this time and time again in the Spider-Man books -- it's a defining characteristic of the property, after all -- and somehow, it doesn't get old. At least, it doesn't in Jenkins's depiction of it. It's in moments like this one that Peter's humanity really comes shining through. We can all relate to such a melancholy conversation with God.
