Amazing Spider-Man’s current direction has been one of two different halves. On one half, we are seeing why Joe Kelly was chosen to keep up Peter Parker’s adventures as Spider-Man going forward. The lost in space adventures has been something different that’s given new life to how Peter has been challenged. On the other half of the series, we are getting the much more disappointing Norman Osborn and Ben Reilly story of each of them living Peter’s life on Earth while he is away. We are back to that side of the narrative to kick off 2026 for the series. Let’s see if Amazing Spider-Man #20 can make the weak side of the series into a strength.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: John Romita Jr., Paco Diaz, and Todd Nauck
Inkers: Scott Hanna, Paco Diaz, and Todd Nauck
Colorist: Marcio Menyz, Erick Arciniegam, and Marte Gracia
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20 SOLICITATION
“NIGHT OF THE GOBLIN (SLAYERS)! Norman Osborn may be purged of his sins, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still come back to haunt him! HOBGOBLIN wants Norman out of the SPIDER-MAN game (and this life) for good — and he’s got the hyper-lethal tech of an entire goblin-slaying army at his disposal. What does Norman have…?! A Spider-Man or Woman or two who trust him as far as they can throw him…” – Marvel Comics
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20
Spider-Man Family Show They’re Ready
The best aspect of the current Earth-based part of this series continues to be the way Joe Kelly is writing the Spider-Man Family. Kelly has certainly done a great job at capturing the voices of each Spider-Man and Spider-Woman that is stepping up. Their involvement here shows once again why Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, Araña, and others should’ve been given this full spotlight. They are so compelling with how they work together against Hobgoblin’s plot you see why they are leads.
Hobgoblin Plot Works With Narrative
The way Kelly is writing Hobgoblin in this story arc is building a lot of confidence that he knows how to write modern versions of Spider-Man’s rogues gallery. Hobgoblin utilizing his own version of the Spider-Slayers has made him and his group a big time threat. It has given more of a reason for the Spider-Man Family to unite against Hobgoblin because they need everyone to defeat him.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20
Being Spider-Man Making Norman Osborn Delusional (Again)
Kelly certainly does his best to show there is a narrative around Norman Osborn. Unfortunately, what is being learned here isn’t at all a narrative that grabs the interest. Norman suddenly thinking he needs to step up as a leader for the younger Spider-Man Family has a disingenuous and forced feel to it. Especially given that since posing as Spider-Man all we’ve seen is Norman getting his ass handed to him. Amazing Spider-Man #20 shows this again as he becomes quickly overwhelmed by Hobgoblin’s Spider-Slayers. Why would we believe Norman being a leader and possible mentor is what fans want? If this showing is any example it is the last thing that should happen.
Ben Reilly Arc Waste of Time (Again)
Norman Osborn character arc is not the worst part of Amazing Spider-Man #20. That award goes to Ben Reilly. Amazing Spider-Man #20 opens in a way that shows exactly why with Ben and Janine Godbe simply walking away after getting bored with Ben acting as Peter Parker. That is the entire resolution we get to what was supposed to be a major part of this current direction. It epitomizes why the Earth-segment of this current arc was a waste of time. There was nothing to make Ben or Janine interesting characters. They can easily disappear and it would not matter at all.
Slow Moving Supporting Cast Sub-Plot
Aunt May shows up in this issue to demand a meeting with Norman Osborn and that is all we get from the supporting cast. Aunt May’s usage here shows that Kelly stretched himself thin by not telling a more focused story with the cast. He tried to much to have Aunt May, Brian Nehring, Rand Industries, and other elements here to have Spider-Man’s supporting cast involved. But because Kelly had to spend so much time trying to convince us of Norman as a temporary Spider-Man there wasn’t room for the supporting cast. And that was shown again here with Aunt May’s presence and the lack of presence for the Rand Industries sub-plot.
Great Art Talent = Inconsistent Artwork
John Romita Jr., Paco Diaz, and Todd Nauck are all talented artists who have delivered great Spider-Man artwork in the past. Though for all that talent their artwork is distinctly different from each other. And that is shown as they work together Amazing Spider-Man #20 as there different art styles creates an inconsistent reading experience. Anytime there is momentum built up we switch to one of the artists. It is noticeable in a way that makes you as the reader stop to get readjusted because the quality shifts. It leads to the artwork for the entire issue looking rushed that hurts the pacing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Amazing Spider-Man #20 opens in a way that exemplifies the problem with the focus on Ben Reilly and Norman Osborn this series has had. The character choices made are head scratching. Add in the artwork-by-committee approach, there are so many problems with the general pacing of this issue that it overshadows any good parts of Joe Kelly’s writing.
Story Rating: 3 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 4 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 3.5 Night Girls out of 10
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