Reviewer: Tim Sheridan
Story Title: Hobgoblin: Part 6
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: JD Smith
Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos
Production: Jacob Chabot
Assistant Editors: John Barber & Nicole Wiley
Editor: Ralph Macchio
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Some people say this book has lost its way. I’ve heard fans and reviewers saying this book is not what it once was. Well, that is actually true. What made this book so different almost 5 years ago was the fact that it was a rookie Spider-Man putting on his tights for the first time and we got to experience it from his eyes.
And it was great. It was a big part about what was missing from Spider-Man comics for years. But now, after 77 issues, Peter Parker is not quite the rookie he once was. He’s growing as a character, and as a superhero. And you know what? To me, that is what this is all about. After the first issue, we were connected with this incarnation of Peter Parker. At least, I was. And after that, I wanted to see him grow. And for the past few years, he’s become more cynical, and more guarded.
This issue is the final one in the “Hobgoblin” arc. What has happened is that Spidey’s best friend (and the guy who dated Peter’s gf) Harry Osborn has been infected or has mutated into this monster. And Peter has to stop the monster. But you know, he’s rather conflicted about it, seeing as he doesn’t want to hurt his friend. But he also doesn’t like to see havoc brought upon the good people of New York.
You can see the dilemma here.
What’s worse, is that Hobgoblin is telling Peter to kill him.
Then SHIELD gets involved, and it’s all downhill after that.
This is a great issue exemplifying the hard luck and conflicted character of Peter Parker that we know and love.
The story is accessible, the dialogue is clever, and the art is dynamic. I don’t know what else you all want from a comic. We get a lot of great moments with Spidey, and when he takes his anger out at Nick Fury, it’s simply cathartic. Because it’s something we all want to do at that point.
There is nothing out of the ordinary for this comic. Every month (sometimes twice a month) this team puts out a quality book for us. The idea behind the Ultimate line was to create a very relatable young Spiderman for people to enjoy. Perhaps after 77 issues it has lost a new-ness about it, but by no means has it lost any amount of it’s energy, fun, or class.
Bendis said we have at least another 30 or so issues with this team, so I look forward to every one of them.
