The Amazing Spider-Man #801
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Marcos Martin
Colors by Muntsa Vicente
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente
Ten years is a long time. In the comic book industry it is even longer. With all of the relaunches and creator changes that take place it is admirable that Dan Slott was able to bring so much greatness to The Amazing Spider-Man title for a decade. The last issue really wrapped up a huge story arc and felt like and end for both story and character. Knowing that Slott had one more issue before stepping away it was no mystery as to what story he would choose to tell. Once a massive story like Spider-Man vs. The Red Goblin concludes there is only one place to go. Telling a personal story that serves as goodbyes for the character, creator and fans alike.
When reading the story one can easily tell that this is not just a look at Spider-Man or what he means to people who is just the story that is written. The issue is so much more. Moving from panel to panel you can see that Slott is using this script as his goodbye. Slott accomplishes this by showing how much Spider-Man means to people inside and outside of the story. Spider-Man is a hero full of compassion that means so much to so many people. Slott uses this aspect to tell a story less about the hero and more about the idea of Spider-Man. Whether he is saving someone in a convenience store or weeping up a criminal for the police Spider-Man is the good that all people want to strive for. The script shows this wonderfully in how a life can be changed forever in just a few fateful moments.
Marcos Martin and Muntsa Vicente absolutely crush the art in this issue. Coming back to the title bringing glorious art for Slott’s final issue is the greatest goodbye letter they could have presented. First off, the splash page, at the start of the issue, with Spider-Man crashing through the window will leave you speechless and in awe. Martin’s version of the web slinger is very Ditko-esque but in a beautiful and modern way. The art is most successful when switching from the fast paced fight sequences, to the slower pace of the other story taking place, which allows the issue and readers to take a breath in between the high energy action. Vicente is able to guide readers through these two stories changing from a vibrant colorization of the action to a more subtle coloring of the uncle story.
Like stated before, ten years is a long time. Enough time to shape a character and define him in ways unseen before. Spider-Man will live on as a character and a book but Slott’s Spider-Man stories will live on forever. The greatest thing about comic books is that they can be read over and over and year after year. The final page sums up tens years of dedication to a single character perfectly and in his final goodbye letter Slott reiterates that while he may be gone from this title he will always be here for the fans anytime they want to visit.
Cover: B+
Script: A
Pencils and Colors: A
Overall: A
Heroes At The Summit 