Review: ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #15 Confronts Monsters & Character Growth

Eddie Brock has grown a lot since his days of hungering for Spider-brains. In Amazing Spider-Man #15, we realize just how much.

Zeb Wells, Ed McGuinness, Cliff Rathburn, Marcio Menyz and Joe Caramagna show just what a lethal protector can do- for good and ill.

The Goblyn Queen’s manipulations have reignited Venom’s taste for brains- but only Spider-Man’s. That means that Peter Parker doesn’t just have to fend off killer Christmas trees but also his old frenemy. Meanwhile, Chasm’s plan is beginning to take shape, sucking Ms. Marvel, J. Jonah Jameson and others into Limbo!

Dark Web is shaping up to just be a dumb fun crossover. It’s not deep, it’s not complex, but it’s pretty fun. Wells is writing something akin to a summer blockbuster, and it’s making for a fun, if slight, read. Seeing a Venom regressed to his 90’s state of mind was a lot of fun though.

McGuinness returns after his work on the anniversary 900th issue a few months ago. He jumps into a possessed New York quickly, creating some very fun monsters. His superhero action is still clean and easy to follow, making for a brisk and enjoyable read. 

Rathburn is a light hand on the inks. He takes McGuinness’s signature style, and adds a layer of polish. Menyz adapts to work with the line art, using brighter colors that fit better with his style, and adding a yellow and red glow. Caramagna adds his touch to the book as well, with some fun word balloons for the issue’s Inferno monsters.

Don’t go into this book expecting a masterpiece. It’s fun, often silly, and worth your time though.

Amazing Spider-Man #15 is available now from Marvel Comics.