Symbiote Spider-Man 3
Creators: Peter David, Greg Land, Jay Leisten, Frank D’Armata, VCs Joe Sabino
Story: In this King in Black tie-in, Mister E has stabbed the Black Knight and taken his Ebony Blade, the one weapon that may threaten Knull. Throw in a symbiote clad Spider-Man, a time traveling Kang, a talking “Raccoon,” Captain Marvel, a Celestial head space station, Merlin, trolls, a forge and we have the makings of some zany goodness.
Steve: What I love about event books, is the sheer lunacy that can happen. If you were to tell a friend who doesn’t read comic books about this book, he/she would look at you like you’re nuts. And yet, it makes total sense and it’s brilliant. Peter Davis has embraced the ideas of Knull and is spinning quite a yarn here. After what started as a more familiar Spider-Man story, David shifts to a team-up book with the mission of retrieving a magical sword crafted by Merlin himself. What is really interesting here is that, as a tie-in book, there are real stakes here. The item in question could have ramifications to the main story if what is said about the blade is true. I suppose it’s unlikely to make it into the main story, but it’s cool nonetheless. I have certainly bought in and am also interested in the one shot involving the Black Knight himself.
Glenn: You can tell that again, Peter David is having so much fun here. He adds even more set pieces in this issue including the original female Captain Marvel Monica Rambeau and lots of amazing interactions between her, Spidey, Kang and Rocket. David’s skill for dialogue and humour really sings in this issue as we get a brief respite in this pseudo past invasion before we get another spanner in the works at the end of the issue. With Spidey, Monica and Kang here it’s almost like a mini original Secret Wars reunion which makes me happy, but there are so many great small moments in this comic. This mini has the most tentative link to the main story, but it’s the most fun so far which I think is needed in an otherwise very heavy and serious event. I can’t wait to see what other random pieces Peter David throws at this next issue while still having it all make sense, this is a blast.
Art:
Glenn: After a brief lapse back into his ‘plastic women’ tendencies last issue, Greg Land is back on firm form here. There’s a lot of dialogue this issue and Land keeps us entertained with the characters’ actions and draws everyone very well. I’m very glad to see that Monica is not drawn like the women from last issue and Land draws her and her super cool costume incredibly well. There’s not a lot of action for him to do here, but what he has to work with he excels in. It seems from the character I hinted at that shows up at the end that we’re going to see some serious action next issue and I think that’s where Land will really wow us, but this issue shows that when he’s not falling into bad habits, he’s one heck of an artist.
Steve: There isn’t much left to say about Greg Land that I haven’t said recently on these reviews. Land is simply doing some amazing work. His lines are smooth and crisp. His storytelling is great, emotive and fluid. Jay Leisten does an excellent job with the inking, really complimenting Land’s art.
Grade:
Glenn: A
Steve: A+