What a difference one issue makes. For those who have been following my reviews, I recently took a crack at
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #82. I didn’t enjoy it much and gave it a poor rating. I especially didn’t like Bill Mantlo’s script for that issue, but I didn’t let it deter me and I grabbed the next issue in my comic book box, #83, and I have to say that this story was much better.
I assumed we would have followed Cloak and Dagger as they continued their hunt for The Kingpin, but that is not the case. Instead, the story opens with Black Cat out and about, making friends with alley cats as she gets some fresh air instead of resting in her hospital bed after being severally injured at the hands of Doctor Octopus some issues ago. We are then taken to Spider-Man who interrupts a counterfeiting operation before visiting Felicia Harding at the Hospital. Upon his arrival, he discovers that Felicia has disappeared only to have her show up perched in the window a few panels later. A peeved Spidey takes off, contemplating the future of their relationship.
In his civilian guise, Peter is tasked to photograph The Punisher’s arraignment hearing for the Daily Bugle. As Peter sits in the crowd and listens to the defense attorney’s plea for insanity on Frank Castle’s behalf, he cannot help but draw parallels to Punisher’s motives and question his very own sanity and sense of responsibility.
Mantlo’s handling of the script here was way more mature than the previous issue and worked well in unison with the art supplied by Greg LaRocque. In contrast to Milgrom, LaRocque’s backgrounds are much more detailed and I preferred his grasp on interpreting human anatomy. His strong suit seems to be faces.
Bottom Line: This was a good Spider-Man story that tees the ball nicely to further explore character development for Peter Parker as Spider-Man. We get some light action in the first half which helps balance the more serious second half of the story. Well crafted on Mantlo’s part.
3 out 5 stars.