This is starting to get predictable.
Not the storytelling, mind you. I mean the consistently strong, human touch that Bendis brings to this super-hero classic. The writer explores the notion that Peter is not just burdened by his powers and his now-overdeveloped sense of responsibility. He's burdened by the fact that the rest of the world doesn't know what he knows and isn't as passionate about What's Right as he is. Though we're in the middle of a new story arc, this issue stands out as yet another strong, character-driven issue, as good as any of the self-contained ones that have come before over the course of this series.
Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin, walks a free man, despite the fact that videotaped evidence of his murderous actions were provided to the authorities. Meanwhile, Spider-Man is being demonized by J. Jonah Jameson in The Daily Bugle and by a candidate for New York district attorney in his stump speeches. Peter Parker has had enough, but his outrage only loses him his job and gets him ousted from class at school. Meanwhile, reporter Ben Urich conducts an interview with said candidate for a Bugle profile, and some new information about the man comes to light as a result.
Bagley conveys the title character's rage and frustraton incredibly well, both on his face and in his actions as he tries to penetrate the Kingpin's steel and glass domain. This issue is all about emotion, and Bagley handles it all incredibly well. Bagley brings real character and realism to his portrayal of Ben Urich here. One can see the intellect, idealism and intrigue in his eyes here.
We really get to know a couple of the supporting characters much better in this issue. Jameson's extremism seems far more plausible when balanced with Robbie's criticism. I love the references to the professional stress that the publisher is struggling with at the Bugle. Aunt May gets a moment to shine as well. She shows strength, warmth, humor and open-mindedness here, a sharp contrast with the vulnerability and fear she exhibited in a recent issue that focused on her emotional problems. Bendis keeps bringing added depth to characters one might have argued had no new layers or qualities to explore.
The greatest strength of this issue is the conflict that's at its heart. Spider-Man doesn't fight any super-villain or lunkhead thugs. He doesn't fight to protect his secret identity or struggle to get to school on time. He fights against hypocrisy. He fights against that adult sense of compromise that we take for granted, that world view in which we see things in shades of grey. Peter's anger here is just the tip of the iceberg; what's underneath is idealism and hope. Though this issue boasts an angry, bitter tone at times, there's actually a level at which it's encouraging. Bendis really makes the character come to life in this issue, and it's not exactly like his take on Peter Parker was a one-dimensional bore to begin with.
