by Randy Lander

PETER PARKER: SPIDER-MAN #41 "Mission: Uncomfortable" Recommended (7/10) Marvel Comics Writer: Paul Jenkins Pencils: Mark Buckingham Inks: Wayne Faucher Colors: Transparency Digital Letters: Comicraft Editor: Axel Alonso Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN Though I'm more interested in Jenkins's single-issue stories on this title than his more straightforward super-hero action stories, this three-issue Doctor Octopus tale comes to a satisfying conclusion. Most of this issue is a fight between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus, but Buckingham's art and Jenkins's imaginative verbal sparring makes it fairly exciting as well as insightful into the two characters. While the story may not have the impact of the best stories Jenkins has told on this title, it's still indicative of the high quality that Spider-Man books have enjoyed in the past year or so. One of the downsides of this storyline has been a relatively convoluted plot involving governmental corruption, artificial limbs and two villains, one classic and one new. Throw in Nick Fury and a missile guidance system and you've got a story that is hardly friendly to the casual reader, unlike most of the stories in this book. However, while I did feel that the story could have used some streamlining early on, most of the extraneous elements are pared down this issue to make for a simple confrontation between two old foes. Doctor Octopus has undergone numerous personality changes in his time as a Spider-Man foe, but this is one of the better ones, turning him into a more dangerous and frightening villain. What has made Jenkins's run stand out so far has been the sense of humor he gives Spidey, without ever turning the book into just a vehicle for gags. Spidey's banter with Octopus is often hilarious, but there's an undertone of righteous indignation to it that makes it seem as based on anger as it is on amusement. In addition, Octopus's matter-of-fact cruelty, whether it's in his verbal threats or in his very physical actions against Fusion, makes up for his typically goofy appearance. One of my favorite elements of Jenkins's take on the character has been an appreciation for a couple of classic friendships, notably the ones with Daredevil and Human Torch. There's a brief moment of conversation in this issue which serves not only as a reminder of the bond Daredevil and Spider-Man have, but also as a way of moving the plot forward. While Jenkins's writing is part of the appeal of this title for me, however, I cannot stress enough how impressed I have been with the Buckingham/Faucher collaboration on this book. Their work has a classic look to it, not out of place alongside the style of John Romita Sr., but with modern coloring effects that do justice to the work. The storytelling is clear, often fairly simple, and the detail on faces helps to convey the human emotions that drive these inhuman characters. Peter Parker is at its best these days when it features single-issue, character-oriented stories, and it is my hope we'll get at least one or two of those before diving into the return of the Green Goblin story that has been promised to tie into the movie. However, whether the stories are character development or more standard action arcs, Jenkins and company have been delivering consistently good stories of Spider-Man in this title. Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board.