Rating:  -
First off, I started reading this before I gave up on the comics medium, so if you've read any of my recent reviews, don't worry, I haven't changed my tune.
Spider Man: Reign is, first and foremost, an unabashed homage to Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns right down to the arwork! Even the names of the reporters (Miller Janson? HAHAHAHAH) let's the readers in on the joke. It's kind of appropriate that there should be a "bookend" like this as in the beginning, Spider-Man was something of a Batman rip-off anyway. Some would argue the problems with the wall-crawler began when the writers started taking the character too seriously.
Anyway, Spider-Man: Reign finds Peter Parker a disillusioned old man, trapped in a near-future New York run by corruption and having turned his back on his dual identity after suffering a tragic loss -- that is until, surprisingly, none other than an even more elderly J. Jonah Jameson, now turned street-preacher, arrives on his doorstep with a package. . . The story also features the Sinister Six, Doc Ock and Venom, so most of Spider Man's early rogues gallery is here.
This is a fun little story. I wish it had come along earlier.
Rating: -
No spoilers here, but praise for an enjoyable read. Very dark compared to most Spider-Man stories out there. Venom fans will LOVE it. My only lack of a fifth star is that it feels a bit similar to Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns in places. However, I couldn't put it down and the visuals are amazing, some of the best and most inspired yet. You really feel Peter Parker's pain as an old man both physically and emotionally. I wish it had gone on longer, just like I did with Dark Knight. It's not yesterday's Spider-Man as it has a very oppressive, brooding feel to it. I found it refreshing and new because of the dark tones, while retaining it's faith and hope in the original purity of the character. Andrews and Villarrubia have done an impressive job.
|
