Edge of Spider-Verse Review

Hunting season is here.

This is a review of every prologue issue of the Spider-verse event. So, it will be a compilation of all the issues and I will give a composite score at the end, as well as individual scores for each issue.

Edge of Spider-Verse was a mixed bag, giving us some great new Spiders as well as some ho-hum ones. While a continuation of the Superior Spider-Man gave SpiderOck the spotlight to lead the charge against the Hunters.

I will not go into spoiler territory too much, but where needed. Still, spoilers follow…

Edge of Spider-Verse #0 (Guardians of the Galaxy FCBD issue)

Well, Spider-man 1602 had a good life…well if you count a painful death in that thanks to Morlun, then no. A good start and platform to establish the threat the Hunters pose, and the quick brutal way in which he was finished despite being one of the few Spiders to actually get a miniseries made one thing clear – no Spider was safe.

The artwork was excellent and conveyed Peter’s fears and apprehensions, as well that Victorian time.

8/10

Edge of Spider-Verse #1

Now this is very unfriendly to new readers, but a blast for those who have followed Noir Spider-man’s exploits. A weak villain and too much continuity reliance hampers the issue a little though.

6/10

Superior Spider-Man #32

It’s a welcome return for SpOck as we see his entertaining introduction to the 2099 universe. Gage and Slott collaborate for a strong issue as we are treated to both sides of SpOck – his arrogance and his love. The entertaining multiverse jumping does reveal Spider massacres, but a great interaction with Spider-Man India (minus the stereotypes) finishes the issue strongly.

The backup will be a little lost on readers, and so despite this Spider-man’s unusual stance on killing and instant connection with SpOck, it fails to entertain.

8.5/10

Edge of Spider-Verse #2

This was an excellent introduction to Spider-Gwen. Despite obvious parallels to Peter (here we have a Peter turned Lizard dying in Gwen’s arms and J.J. giving the ‘great responsibility, great power’ speech), the theme of rock music and keeping Captain Stacy as a foil was inspired.

Makes me want her to be a regular (and I got my wish, hoorah!).

9.5/10

Superior Spider-Man #33

The Hunters seeming invincibility comes to the fore, as well as us getting a backstory for the helmeted one named Karn, which does go the predictable route but give us some interesting tidbits about their hunt.

We finally explore the different set of philosophies of the Spiders, as most of them are against killing while Spider-Assasin, Superior and Old Man Logan Spider-Girl reflect their respective backgrounds in their stance.

7.5/10

Edge of Spider-Verse #3

A heavy manga influence does throw up some interesting material, but the writer’s inexperience in this medium is reflected by exposition overload. The artwork is excellent though.

6.5/10

Edge of Spider-Verse #4

Tales of the Crypt meets Spider-man as we get a good horror story with some interesting subversions of the main universe, and some disturbing visuals – not to mention the true-to-form ambiguous ending!

9/10

Edge of Spider-Verse #5

This was a weirdly wonderful one-shot, with themes of childhood lost of innocence and the ability to accept one-self. Music recurs in this issue after the Spider-Gwen one, and it’s an awesome treat for Spidey and Chemical Romance fans.

8.5/10

So, overall I give it a 8.0 out of 10.

+Some great new Spidey character

+Interesting use of music in character arcs

+The variations of themes are interesting

+A diverse cast of artists make each issue unique

-Some themes don’t work so well

-There is a heavy reliance on continuity for some character