Reviews

The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 9: Skin Deep by Mike Deodato, Mark Brooks, J. Michael Straczynski

makothebookdragon's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

jagussow's review against another edition

4.0

Do people not enjoy complex characters? Every day I more and more understand the backlash to Last Jedi, an excellent film with an excellent portrayal of a more complex Luke. I've seen people complain about this story because in it, Peter Parker bullies a nerd. But that's a gross oversimplification. Parker is portrayed pre-spider bite and enjoys respite from local bullies when a nerdier nerd shows up in high school. Parker does his best to stay in the shadows and let the bullies focus on the new kid. Not exactly a profile in courage. Parker makes it worse when he hits the new kid with a volleyball in PE. But that's where it ends. Parker realizes what an ass he's been and then befriends the nerd. Parker even takes the wrap for the kid bringing a knife at school. Fast forward to present day and Parker meets this former classmate and vouches for him to Tony Stark which sets off the real plot.

I don't think that exactly qualifies as bullying and it certainly isn't a "betrayal" of Parker's character. Parker fundamentally is good but that means making mistakes and learning from them. This is not out of character especially when the character includes finding out he has powers and immediately using them to try and win fame and fortune. Parker is good but flawed and with lots of bad luck. It is why we keep reading about his adventures.

This wasn't a groundbreaking story but it also wasn't bad and certainly wasn't character assasination

birdmanseven's review against another edition

3.0

This helped wash the bad taste of the last volume out of my mouth, but it still wasn't as good as the early volumes. I was in to the the totem concept and all of the mystical stuff. I miss that. This was alright, but I always hate when writers invent a character then pretend he's always been around.

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booknooknoggin's review

2.0

I get that this guy wrote a "great" tv series, but this was not all that great for me.....I can't see Peter Parker bullying another nerd...just felt way out of character.

betweentheshelves's review

4.0

This volume covers another story taken from Peter Parker's past; this time, a friend from high school comes back and asks for help--but things quickly take a turn for the worse. Peter is able to see what path he could have taken if he didn't have the support of his family and friends. There were a lot of emotional moments, and this marks a turn in Parker's story. There are also some really great layouts here; the art matches the epic fights that Spider-Man has in this volume.