The latest volume of Amazing Spider-Man under Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr. got off to a solid start. Kelly and Romita did what they needed to do to build trust that they are going to be moving Peter Parker and his supporting cast forward. All the groundwork was made from what’s Peter new life is and Spider-Man fighting his rogues gallery who have all gone up a level, if Hobgoblin is any indication. How will Kelly and Romita follow up their debut story arc? Let’s find out with Amazing Spider-Man #6.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artist: John Romita Jr.
Inker: Scott Hanna
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #6 SOLICITATION
“HELLGATE’S OPENING…PUNCH! PETER PARKER’s life has been worse. He’s got a steady job. BLACK CAT is giving him the time of day again. As SPIDER-MAN, Peter’s taken some super-powered punches. But he’s never caught the kind of HELL that’s in store for him next.” – Marvel Comics
REVIEW
Amazing Spider-Man #6 is a transition issue. That is something shown to be needed after how crazy things got with Spider-Man’s latest battle against Hobgoblin. Being able to show this transition issue was needed that through the storytelling did a lot for the overall enjoyment of what we get.
The focus on Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #6 was particularly refreshing. Specifically, actually showing how Peter is moving forward in his life. That’s seen in Peter finding a job that works to his strengths as an engineer and scientist and having love interests that’s honest with him. Finding this new balance in life in turn helps him feel more confident as Spider-Man.
This all goes to highlight how much Peter’s personal and superhero life have always played complimentary to each other. And for much of his life since becoming Spider-Man has been about the lack of balance hurting both sides of his life. Because of that this reading experience for Amazing Spider-Man feels new. Which is tough to be able to have when it comes to Spider-Man after so many decades.
Having a refreshing tone to the direction helps the investment in how Peter is navigating his life. Starting that off with spotlighting Peter’s new job at Rand Enterprises was a tone setter. Peter doesn’t necessarily have his life sorted out as he still has his absences due to his work as Spider-Man. But at the very least he is now has a job and boss who are grading him on his production output. Though at the same time it is made clear because of his reliability in terms of attendance he won’t be able to advance beyond his current role. Having a boss that is realistic about Peter’s career is something he has desperately needed since graduating from college.
Continuing this trend of understanding, we also see Peter get a reality check when it comes to his love life. Shay Marken was always going to have an uphill battle when it comes to being placed in the potential love interest role. Kelly has found a great way to position her as she is upfront that since Peter can’t fully commit to a relationship she won’t either. This self-awareness without having Shay knowing he is Spider-Man does put more on Peter to come to terms he is not a commitment guy. At least not right now given that how he is trying to navigate being Spider-Man with a new job and other personal life things.
Which helps ease Spider-Man and Black Cat openly flirting with one another not come across as malicious. Shay’s honest she is openly dating others and Peter does tell Felicia about this and hangs out with her outside of being Spider-Man. Kelly also strikes a good balance between Spider-Man and Black Cat’s flirtatious relationship and being good partners when the time calls for it.
This helps the transition to what the new story arc for Amazing Spider-Man have some intrigue behind it. Hellgate as the villain Spider-Man and Black Cat will be facing creates a lot of unknown with what can happen. Creating that sense of unknown leads this ending to be an exciting one. We don’t know what this will lead to, which all highlights the strength of Kelly looking to do something new with this Amazing Spider-Man run.
The artwork from John Romita Jr. in Amazing Spider-Man #6 was some of the best work he has done in quite some time. Romita has always been a high-quality artist but there have been times in more recent years when he commits to ongoing work there is a lack of consistency. We see how much consistency makes all the difference as Romita’s artwork has unique pop. Whether it is the Spider-Man or Peter Parker scenes. The smooth detail is there that adds to this being a premium comic book.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Amazing Spider-Man #6 is a fantastic transition issue for this series. Joe Kelly and John Romita Jr. are able to spend quality time spotlighting Peter Parker’s new status quo. In the process we see multiple sub-plots develop for both the Peter Parker and Spider-Man side of this series. That all leads to an ending that works well to create a sense of unknown for what the ramifications of the second story arc for Kelly and Romita’s run will be.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
For more opinions on anime, comic book, movies, and sports you can follow Kevin on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X.