I don’t want to point fingers here, but has anybody noticed the up and down level of writing on Superior Spider-Man? At times, it’s absolutely stunning, and then others, rather tepid. Could it be that the Dan Slott & Christos Gage partnership is a bit lopsided? I have no proof, except those random Superior Spider-Man issues that fall way below the mark of excellence that has followed the story since issue #1.
Take Superior Spider-Man #23. This is not a bad issue, but it is nothing to get excited about. Perhaps it is the inclusion of a symbiote, a character that ran past its prime when grunge was still a relevant term. Perhaps it’s that too much happens within these pages. Whatever it is, issue #23 falls flat, and puts into play a situation that the book has no need for. To top it all off, the one story that’s really generating excitement is being kept in secret for far too long.
Spider-Man attempts to defeat Venom/Flash Thompson, and is unsuccessful. To make matters worse, Peter Parker and his new love Anna are attempting a luncheon to introduce the latter to Peter’s Aunt May and May’s husband Jay Jameson. On top of that, Mary Jane is questioned by the cops about Carlie Cooper, whom it turns out left a message on MJ’s phone urging her to stay away from Peter. The Goblins have captured Carly, and continue to question her on Spider-Man’s identity.
Wrapping the issue up, Flash Thompson, wounded from his fight with Spidey, shows up at Peter Parker’s house. After an uncomfortable lunch including May, Jay, Peter, Anna, and Flash, Peter (remember now, he’s Doc Ock) pressures Flash into an experimental surgery that will give him robotic legs. Flash gets his legs, but the real trick up Spidey’s sleeve was to separate Flash from the symbiote. Once he does, the symbiote gets the upper hand and takes over Spider-Man, giving us Superior Venom.
See what I’m saying? Too much. This could have been spread over two issues, and in reality, the entire Venom plot could have been dropped. It may lead into something, but the subplots here are much more interesting. J. Jonah Jameson attempting to get Alchemax to build Spider Slayers, unaware that Spider-Man 2099 is working there. Carlie attempting to expose Doc Ock’s secret, the blossoming relationship between Anna and Ock’s Peter – it’s all better than Venom. The worst is that the Green Goblin phase of the story has been hidden for too long. It’s time for the new GG to go out and greet the world.
I have no idea if this was a solo Gage issue, but it lacks the fluidity and dialogue of Slott’s work. No matter what was happening, Slott always kept the story moving and working together. This issue is a mess. But the art from Humberto Ramos is first rate, his angular style makes Venom a real nasty character. I also enjoy how he pencils Green Goblin. Ramos makes his work bigger than life, which is perfect for such a story.
Superior Spider-Man continues to be one of the most important eras in the history of the character. Issue #23 is just a dull bump in that road.
(3 Story, 4 Art)
