Comic Review: Amazing Spider-Man #7 – A Spectacle Without Soul
After the rather chaotic but intriguing sixth issue of Joe Kelly’s new run, it’s time for the continuation in Amazing Spider-Man #7. This installment largely focuses on Spider-Man’s battle with his new opponent Hellgate and it’s safe to say the issue is dominated by action. But is action alone enough to hold the reader’s attention and create the emotional weight that has been missing from ASM for years?
Unfortunately, the answer isn’t clear-cut. On one hand, the comic delivers a spectacular fight, full of energy and creativity, with John Romita Jr. proving he can still compose dynamic sequences. On the other hand, a sense of déjà vu, a flat storyline, and the absence of real tension make the issue fade quickly from memory.
Spider-Man Finally Uses His Head
One of the biggest criticisms of Zeb Wells’ previous run was how bland the fight scenes were. Battles that should’ve been emotional highlights often boiled down to quick exchanges of punches, with no strategy, no reflection, no drama. Kelly clearly aims to fix that here and credit where it’s due: Spider-Man finally fights like Spider-Man.
In his clash with Hellgate, we see Peter not just throwing punches but trying different methods, using gadgets, analyzing his surroundings, and turning the environment to his advantage. The idea of using nitrogen-cooled cables in Central Park is a great example of this resourcefulness even if it doesn’t have lasting results. Thanks to this, the fight carries more drama, and the reader gets a glimpse into the hero’s thought process. It’s a refreshing touch that has been sorely missing.
Hellgate – A New Morlun or Just Another Throwaway Villain?
Hellgate himself leaves mixed impressions. Kelly and Romita Jr. treat him more like a force of nature than a fleshed-out character similar to Morlun’s debut. The problem is, where Morlun inspired genuine fear and awe, Hellgate feels… derivative.
His accent and speech style skirt the edge of parody, and his motivation boils down to little more than a craving for a “real fight.” That might work as a one-off idea, but it’s nowhere near enough to make him memorable. As a result, Hellgate comes across as another “villain-of-the-month” flashy, but shallow.
JRJR – The Legend Still Has It, But…
John Romita Jr. is back in his element here battles, motion, chaos. To his credit, the fight sequences are clear, energetic, and well-composed. Romita remains a master at guiding the reader’s eye across the page without overcrowding panels.
But it’s hard not to notice that his linework lacks the sharpness and vitality of his Coming Home days with J. Michael Straczynski. Some pages feel raw and underdeveloped, and a few panels near the end even lose clarity. It’s solid work, but too often you’re left asking: “Is this really the same artist who once defined Spider-Man’s look for an entire generation of readers?”
Writing – Cleverness Mixed with Cliché
Kelly shines in Peter’s internal monologue easily the strongest element of this run so far. Thanks to it, the fight with Hellgate isn’t just a display of force but also a window into Spider-Man’s mind and emotions. Unfortunately, the humor is uneven. Some quips land perfectly, but others like the infamous “evil fart-barbarian” line feel forced and break the tone.
The side plots, like short appearances by J. Jonah Jameson or Black Cat, amount to little more than cosmetic filler. Felicia in the role of “armed partner” feels especially out of place, while Jameson’s cameo adds nothing meaningful. Once again, ASM suffers from the long-standing problem of a supporting cast that exists but is rarely used well.
Structure and Rhythm
The issue is essentially one long fight both its strength and its weakness. On the one hand, the pace is fast, the action is flashy, and it’s easy to get pulled in. On the other, the lack of balance becomes obvious. After several pages of nonstop battles, there’s no room to breathe, and the story loses depth. The result is that Amazing Spider-Man #7 is fun in the moment but shallow overall, leaving little behind.
Summary
Amazing Spider-Man #7 contains glimpses of a genuinely strong story a clever, resourceful Spider-Man, dynamic fight scenes, and a few well-written lines. But those strengths get buried under a formulaic script, a bland new villain, and uneven artwork.
It’s a comic that reads well in the moment but will be hard to remember in the long run. Much like Kelly’s run so far, it teeters between the promise of something fresh and the repetition of old mistakes. If future issues don’t break the mold, Hellgate and his saga may quickly join the ranks of “forgotten Marvel experiments.”
My Score: 6/10
Pros:
+Spider-Man using brains, not just brawn+Creative use of the environment (the liquid nitrogen scene)
+A few truly striking JRJR splash pages
+Straight into the action from page one, no filler
Cons:
-Hellgate feels derivative and lacking in personality-Humor sometimes feels forced and breaks the mood
-Supporting cast pushed to the sidelines
-JRJR’s linework occasionally looks unfinished
-No real tension — everything feels too predictable
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