Comic Review: The Amazing Spider-Man #11
After many months of uneven quality, The Amazing Spider-Man finally delivers an issue that can honestly be called engaging. Issue #11 is ambitious, occasionally chaotic, but packed with ideas and energy that this series has been missing for a long time. It’s a comic that not only tries to move Peter Parker forward, but also redefines the Spider-Man status quo… both on Earth and in space.
Not everything works perfectly, and the price of the issue still stings, but overall this is one of the most interesting ASM issues in recent years.
Broken Mirror – Spider-Man Without Peter Parker
The first main story focuses on what’s happening on Earth during the absence of the real Peter Parker. And yes, very quickly we get confirmation of what many readers already suspected: the “Peter” we’ve been seeing is actually Ben Reilly, and the new Spider-Man operating in the city turns out to be… Norman Osborn.
The twist itself isn’t particularly shocking—you could see it coming from a mile away—but the execution is surprisingly solid. The fight between Spider-Man and “Peter” (Ben) is dynamic, emotionally charged, and does a good job of showing the tension between these characters. Joe Kelly makes it very clear that neither Ben nor Norman can truly replace Peter Parker. They lack his lightness, his humor, and the moral compass that shows even in the smallest moments.
Ben Reilly – Finally Treated Like a Character
The biggest positive of this section is how Ben is written. After years of terrible handling (especially during the Chasm era), this is the first time in a long while that Ben actually feels like a human being, not just a walking plot problem. His guilt, his fear after nearly getting children killed, and his conversation with Felicia Hardy all feel genuine.
A particularly strong addition is the revelation that Ben can feel every time Peter dies, tying directly into the “8 Deaths” storyline. It’s a small detail, but it helps connect this issue to past stories and adds emotional weight to Ben and Peter’s bond.
Norman Osborn as Spider-Man
Norman Osborn wearing the Spider-Man suit is a concept that could very easily derail the series. Thankfully, it works here—for now. His motivation, protecting Peter Parker’s legacy, is believable, but Kelly never lets us forget that this is still Norman Osborn. He’s ruthless, aggressive, and more than willing to break bones, even when he’s technically doing the right thing.
The key moment comes when Ben asks the obvious question: “What gives you the right to call yourself Spider-Man?” That question hangs over the entire story. This part of the comic isn’t amazing, but it’s far from bad—it’s a solid setup for what’s to come.
Broken Man – Cosmic Spider-Man (The Highlight of the Issue)
The second main story is without question the strongest part of the entire issue. Peter Parker… in space. A risky, controversial idea that many fans of street-level Spider-Man instinctively reject. And yet—it works.
Pepe Larraz absolutely steals the show. The opening, mostly silent sequence showing Peter struggling to survive on a desolate alien planet is stunning. Panels of Peter on his knees, screaming in despair, perfectly capture his physical and emotional exhaustion.
Breaking the Hero to Build Him Back Up
This story clearly leans into the classic “break the hero down and rebuild him” structure. Peter is weak, beaten, far from home—and obsessively focused on one thing: he needs to get stronger. This is a fascinating response to the previous run, where Spider-Man was constantly portrayed as ineffective and powerless.
The research ship storyline quickly takes a dark turn when Peter discovers that the “biological samples” being studied are actually sentient beings. His reaction is immediate and completely in character—no hesitation, no compromise.
The New Suit and What It Means
The origin of the new suit—a repurposed Technarch husk—is handled efficiently without dragging things out. The fight aboard the ship, with the atmosphere turned off, is pure comic-book spectacle, and Larraz’s dynamic paneling makes every page feel alive.
The ending, with Peter freeing the prisoners and encountering Rocket and Symbi, is a perfect hook for future issues. One subtle but important moment stands out: Peter introduces himself as Peter, not Spider-Man. A small choice with big implications.
Backup Stories – Uneven at Best
Unfortunately, this issue suffers from the familiar problem of being overloaded with backups.
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Rapid Return – Competently done but very formulaic. Rapid is likable enough, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that Marvel is trying to create a “new Peter Parker” type character that few readers truly care about.
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Spider-Mayonnaise – Completely absurd, but charming in its silliness. A fun tonal break.
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In the City with… Spider-Man – A beautiful two-page spread filled with detail and atmosphere, celebrating Spider-Man in New York City.
The problem is that these extras disrupt the tone of the main stories and only amplify frustration with the issue’s high price.
Artwork
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John Romita Jr. – His style remains divisive, but credit where it’s due: his action scenes work very well, and the coloring significantly improves the overall look. Dialogue-heavy scenes are still his weak point.
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Pepe Larraz – Absolutely top-tier. Incredible visual storytelling, dynamic action, and strong emotional beats. If anyone doubted cosmic Spider-Man, Larraz puts those doubts to rest.
Final Thoughts
The Amazing Spider-Man #11 is far from perfect, but it’s easily the most exciting issue the series has delivered in a long time. The cosmic Peter Parker storyline feels fresh and bold, while the Ben and Norman material—though predictable—is handled with far more care than expected.
If Marvel had focused solely on the two Joe Kelly stories and lowered the price, this could have been a standout issue. Even so, it’s hard not to feel genuinely curious about where this series is headed next.
Pros:
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Excellent and intriguing cosmic Spider-Man storyline
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Stunning artwork by Pepe Larraz
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Best portrayal of Ben Reilly in years
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Risky but compelling continuation of Norman Osborn’s redemption arc
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A real sense that the series is finally going somewhere
Cons:
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Predictable plot twists
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Inconsistent quality of backup stories
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Overpriced issue
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Many unanswered story questions
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