Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #6 – One Step Forward, Two Steps Back
After a promising start to the new run, Joe Kelly continues his vision of Spider-Man’s adventures. Issue #6 faces a tough challenge on the one hand, keeping the positive momentum going, and on the other, establishing a new status quo and laying the foundation for a longer storyline. The result? A comic that has moments of emotional strength and well-written dialogue, but ultimately suffers from the same problems that have haunted Spider-Man for years: messy romantic subplots, an uninspired supporting cast, and a step back in the art department.
Peter Parker – Finally Happy?
The biggest surprise of ASM #6 is the tone. After years of editorially-imposed suffering, we finally get an issue where Peter Parker seems… fulfilled. He’s stable at work, not drowning in debt, makes time for May, and actually appears to enjoy life. It’s a welcome change readers finally get a breather from Spider-Man’s “eternal bad luck.” But knowing Marvel, it’s easy to predict this good streak won’t last long.
The fact that Kelly can write Peter as an ordinary, kind man who finds small joys in everyday life is a huge plus. But the comic doesn’t shy away from the controversial thread of his love life and that’s where things get tricky.
Open Relationships and Romantic Chaos
The romance subplot remains the most hotly debated aspect of the new run. Peter is still in an open relationship with Shay, which in theory could be fresh and interesting showing that superheroes don’t have to fit into the classic, monogamous mold. The problem is that, for this particular character, it rings false.
Peter Parker has always been written as the monogamous type, someone who commits fully. Here, the open relationship feels like a convenient loophole for the writers it lets them keep the new girlfriend around while still leaving room for flirtations with Felicia Hardy. It’s more “have your cake and eat it too” than a genuinely emotionally invested story. As Nick Miller from New Girl once said: “You have to pick. You can’t have both women.” Peter clearly hasn’t learned that lesson.
It’s a shame, because Shay herself isn’t a bad character. She has the potential to be an interesting addition to Peter’s life. But the way this romance is constructed feels more like a marketing experiment than an organic development of the hero.
Supporting Cast – Wasted Potential Again
Another Achilles’ heel of the series is the supporting cast. Outside of May and Norman Osborn, there’s no one truly recognizable. Shay, Brian, Ricardo they all come across as “temporary.” A few years from now they’ll likely end up on lists like “10 Forgotten Spider-Man Friends.”
It’s baffling why the main Spider-Man series keeps ignoring its classic cast. Betty Brant, Liz Allan, Robbie Robertson, Flash Thompson these are the foundations of this world. And yet, paradoxically, it’s Venom that currently has the richer, more interesting “spider-cast” than Amazing Spider-Man itself.
Norman Osborn remains controversial. As Peter’s ally, he still looks like someone trying to redeem himself, but it’s hard to forget all the crimes on his record. The relationship is tense, but also increasingly artificial many fans would prefer to just leave Norman as a classic villain.
Art – John Romita Jr. vs. Pepe Larraz
The biggest visual change in this issue is the return of John Romita Jr. as artist. He’s a Marvel legend, an artist who left an indelible mark on Spider-Man. But there’s no denying it JRJR’s best years are behind him.
His linework can be solid in quieter, more intimate scenes Peter’s conversations with May or Shay are clear and carry the right weight. But once the action starts, the drawings lose their dynamism and energy. Coming right after Pepe Larraz’s brilliant, almost cinematic pages, the contrast is painfully obvious. Romita Jr. can still deliver competent layouts, but at times you can see the lack of passion. It’s “fine,” but definitely a step backward compared to recent issues.
Narrative Pacing and Structure
Another problem is pacing. Kelly likes to use time jumps that, instead of adding drama, make the reading experience chaotic and a bit tiring. He clearly understands story fundamentals and knows how to build character relationships, but the sequencing of events feels too clunky. Instead of a smooth narrative, we get a chopped-up structure that disrupts the issue’s emotional rhythm.
Ending and New Arc Setup
The cliffhanger with Hellgate teases a larger story, but it doesn’t land with enough impact. There’s no real build-up, so instead of excitement, the ending just… exists. It’s a solid setup for the next arc, but lacks a true “wow factor.”
Summary
Amazing Spider-Man #6 is full of contradictions. On the one hand, we finally get a Peter who looks happy, strong interactions with May, and a few genuinely sharp lines of dialogue. On the other, the open relationship subplot and bland supporting cast undermine the story’s cohesion. Add to that the artistic regression after Larraz’s departure and the clunky pacing, and the end result is mixed.
It’s not a bad comic it’s enjoyable and at times even charming. But it’s also not an issue that will stick with readers for long. Once again, Spider-Man feels caught between good ideas and controversial decisions.
My Score: 6/10
Pros:
+A happier, more fulfilled Peter Parker+Great scene with Aunt May (“no one is going to disrespect my nephew!”)
+Dialogue that feels light and natural
+An attempt to establish a new status quo and story foundation
Cons:
-Open relationship subplot feels forced and unnatural-Supporting cast is bland and unengaging
-Romita Jr.’s return is a step down after Larraz
-Time jumps disrupt narrative flow
-Hellgate cliffhanger lacks punch
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