Spider-Geddon #1 // Review
With Sony working on the newest Spider-Man movie, Into the Spider-Verse, it only makes sense that Marvel would make some grand event to tie into the concept, much like how Avengers: Infinity War inspired the current Infinity Wars event. In fact, that the comic focused on here has nothing to do with Infinity Wars makes it feel refreshing, in spite of the fact that it’s a sequel to 2014’s excellent Spider-Verse.
For those who missed the original story and want to know what happened, a solid and comprehensive primer can be found here. Otherwise, be prepared to be slightly lost without much explanation.
The appropriately-named Spidergeddon #1 takes Dan Slott’s original concept of Spider-Man and his multiversal counterparts fighting for their survival, and ramps up the stakes for the core Marvel Universe without lowering the impact of the plot. Christos Gage is behind the helm this time around, with Jorge Molina providing the pencils and inks. David Curiel colors the pages, while Travis Lanham letters them.
The opening pages do a splendid job introducing the reader to the new status quo for several Spider-People. Miles Morales is shown first, having come into his own as the younger spider-based protector of the streets of New York. The action jumps to San Francisco, where Otto Octavius is using his newest lease on life to allegedly protect the citizens of the city as the Superior Octopus, fighting against one of the crime lords of the area.
In a reference to Otto’s solo series of the same name--on sale now--Otto monologues to himself about how he’s possibly defeated death itself thanks to some new cloning vats he’s made for himself; ones that use technology created by the Inheritors to make themselves immortal. Also, thanks to the meddling antics of Spider-UK and his allies, the Inheritors have found a way to tap into that technology to escape from the Earth they were stranded on. Can Spider-UK, Otto Octavius, Spider-Punk, Spider-Gwen, and the Spider-Man known as Miles Morales (along with the others) stop the Inheritors from returning?
Considering this is part one of a major Spider-Man event, it’s safe to guess the answer.
Christos Gage has taken several clever ideas and blended them into the core of this event, and he does so without slowing down what is a slightly-crowded first issue. For instance, Gage’s own Superior Octopus book isn’t required reading for the event, but does establish an element of this issue that makes the story possible, and is referenced as such. Returning minor characters like the Vulturions are a pleasant delight for longtime Spidey-fans, even if the characters themselves have always been incredibly lame. It’s also fun to see Otto doing his best to be a hero again, with the corny dialogue from his Superior Spider-Man days making a return.
The art, like with the previous Spider-Verse crossover, is spectacular. Jorge Molina has done a fantastic job making so many similar costumes and body types all look completely unique and different. A fight between Otto and the Z-list villain Count Nefaria is also a highlight of the book, taking place on the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, with some great choreography. Seeing the blend of Doc Ock’s “punch things with tentacles” fighting style mixed with the extreme agility of a Spider-Man body is a treat, particularly when dodging Count Nefaria’s own optic blasts. In fact, the only real complaint is that the various Spider-peoples are no longer drawn in unique art styles like they were the last time around.
If you’re a Spider-fan, you’ve already picked this book up. While Spidergeddon #1 isn’t the best Spider-Man single issue ever printed, it opens up the door for what looks to be an interesting and solid event story. Indeed, if it’s half as entertaining as Spider-Verse was, then it’ll be better than any main Marvel event released in the last few years.
Grade: B+
