Amazing Spiderman #1.3 Review

Disappointing.

I actually felt that this mini-series was becoming redundant fast…until the antagonist actually became better rounded.

Slott isn’t one for hollow villains. Whether it be Doc Ock or Black Cat, there are layers and layers of depth he’s ready to plummet to show opposing viewpoints.

Ramon Perez’s artwork is slowly growing on me and I love how Herring uses the colors. He is definitely the star of this issue.

SPOILERS FOLLOW………..

Clash aka Clayton Cole is unable to make anything of the recording he took from the Spiderman fight.

Peter has problems of his own. Aunt May looked into his room and found his experiments for the web fluid and the cash he took from Clayton. Combining the two, she guessed that he was making and selling drugs (Breaking Bad anyone?).

Peter is able to use her naivety and convince her that the money is from an unknown neighbor who pushed it under their back door. The adhesive is easier to explain as Peter shows how it sticks to a pen without any problems.

Next day, at the science fair hall in Midtown High, the other students are setting up their respective exhibits when Polly, the class photographer, notices Clayton’s setup.

They connect over Clayton’s exhibit and love of superheroes (along with a dislike of grouping Spider-Man with them).

In class, Peter is in a rush to get an experiment off the ground for the fair, when he hears that the Daily Bugle is paying people for close-up shots of the Vulture, a new criminal running around.

With a camera belonging to his aunt, and in his Spider-Man costume, he tries to get photos of the Vulture but is engaged and barely manages to save the film.

Aunt May is overjoyed when Peter brings back his first payment from JJ Jameson, editor of the Daily Bugle.

The science fair starts and poor Peter, devoid of resources and ideas, is unable to impress the jury with his portable anti-magnetic inverter. The others (in superhero cosplay) come up to him with advise that he needs a little more razzle dazzle instead of just forking out a practical exam result.

Aunt May arrives to support Peter (mostly out of guilt for calling him a drug peddler) and is able to engage Polly in a conversation and a home visit.

Clayton starts feeling jealous that ‘his’ girl has been taken away and decides it’s time to show his exhibit.

With his Clash costume on, he proceeds to display his experiment on sonics but a rash Peter believes it’s an attack and hits him.

This results in a fight which makes the school walls and roof collapse thanks to Clayton’s improper usage of his sonic weapons.

Mr Flannagan the counselor is hit by a rock and collapses, but before a huge portion of the roof can smash them to bits, Peter manages to grab it. Even as Clayton chides him for acting a hero in front of everyone when he’s not, Aunt May’s horrified cry of ‘monster’ cuts far deeper.

Using the inverter, Peter is able to delete all the sound files from Clash’s setup, rendering him powerless. Even though Flannagan tries to say that Spider-Man saved them, Aunt May is horrified by what she’s seen.

The aftermath is terrible for both. While Clayton has to face his parents’ scathing disappointment at the waste of time, Peter is resigned to quitting after Aunt May says she feels sad for the ashamed parents who have Spider-Man as their son.

This is what I wanted. Clayton came across as the victim during this issue, a target for Peter’s misplaced rage. He didn’t become a supervillain after the Spider-Man staged battle fiasco, but tried to use it in a better way to get exposure.

I also love the science talk they’ve included. From null-sound pockets to polyphonic music, it all gives us a glimpse into two people who’re very alike but grew up very differently.

SPOILERS END……………..

Clayton gets some great moments and becomes a more well-rounded character, even as Peter’s life starts to hit its own crests and troughs.

Slott doesn’t take a side and shows us two troubled teenager going through the ups and downs of life.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10.

+A well rounded antagonist
+Good artwork
+The brilliant usage of colors
+Peter’s supporting cast is explored

-Some moments feel like ‘been there, done that’