Amazing Spider-Man 67 and 68

Superhero Showcase Sunday: Introduction

Long time, no read! I’ve been working to get the web page back on track, including discussing things with my new best friend, Deepseek AI. I can’t promise that the schedule we put together is sustainable over the long haul, but I hit both of my deadlines so far. Now, to make the load more manageable here, I decided to focus on one or two comics and give my other reviews as quick videos on Instagram and Facebook. Then, at the end of the week, I can tie it all together with a longer YouTube dive into the books. Keep reading for my thoughts on Amazing Spider-Man 67 and 68.

The two issues (Legacy 961 and 962) continue the “8 Deaths of Spider-Man story line. They set up for a finish and the next rebooted numbering that starts with Legacy 965, I believe. After a rough patch with Zeb Wells writing, I feel like the old Web-Head is back in good hands and it gives me hope for the future of the title.

Writer: Jutina Ireland, Artist: Andrea Broccardo

Synopsis

Amazing Spider-Man 67 – Peter and Felicia deal with an “about last night” morning by not dealing with it at all. Meanwhile, Cyclops’ X-Men fight with one of the scions of Cyttorak. A stalemate until Juggs shows up and brings his own power of Cyttorak with him. Strange comes to visit Peter and fills him in on everything that’s happened and why Peter needs to intervene. In spite of the dire consequences, Peter blows him off. Cyra, too, pleads with him to help stop the carnage. Another scion rises from the ashes of the defeat of the last. She cries at the death he already caused and what is yet to come.

Amazing Spider-Man 68 – Cyra shows Peter the death at the hands of the new scion. Near total, including those close to Peter. He has another of his usual come to Jesus moments (most likely because

Spoiler

Aunt May is one of the ones who died

) and gives and offering to reverse the damage. He also once again dons the armor of Strange and rejoins the fight. During the fight, Cyra rescues him and takes him to her father’s domain. The blight causes those on Earth to suffer soul rot. They need to fight the blight at its source. That doesn’t end well.

The Great, The Good, and the Decent (TLDR)

Decent: The story just works. Not great, not bad. Just good enough to keep me reading and interested. But, nothing I will remember years from now like Planet Hulk. Plus, it still suffers a bit too much from the hocus pocus. I’m not used to Spidey being involved in such magical adventures. Hopefully, the new story backs off from that some.

Good: I like the art for the action sequences. Other than one major reveal (possibly planned?), the drama in issue 68 underwhelms. Issue 67, however, delivers some personal scenes that illustrate just how much this affects different heroes on a different level.

Great: After the insanity of Zeb Wells, I welcome a more traditional Spider-Man era. I know they can’t just go from one to the other and this story line provided an excellent bridge between the new and the next. For that alone, I respect Ireland’s efforts and thank her for doing her part to return Spidey to me.

Art and Writing

The art in issue 67 strikes a good balance between action and dramatic scenes. During the battle between the X-Men and the scion, the fighters practically jump off of the page. Then, during the sequences when both Strange and Cyra speak to Peter, you can feel the tension and disappointment that both feel when Peter turns them down. The story is interesting, but the writing brings nothing new to the table. The dialogue gets the job done, but that’s about it.

Issue 67 deals more with action initially, trying to bring the battle against the latest scion to an end. That action continues through the end of the book. As a result, the artist gives us a few of the leaping into battle panels from both the front and the back. This time, the dramatic panels lack the impact of the previous issue. They try to make it more dramatic by giving it world changing ramifications. But, it doesn’t quite reach the same gravitas of the personal pleas from Strange and Cyra. Maybe the writing has something to do with it. Again, it follows the formula to perfection. But, it doesn’t do any more to push the issue as different or special. After the mess of Zeb Wells, I’ll take what I can get. Plus, at the end of the book, the art does the heavy lifting on one heck of a twist at the end. Yes, pun intended.

Those are my favorite pages from the books, art wise. I’ll put the one that contains a pretty massive spoiler at the end of the article.

The Verdict

Amazing Spider-Man 67 and 68 won’t go down as two of the more memorable issues. Not even of recent memory. But, I will remember this era of Spider-Man as the one that returned some semblance of normalcy to my favorite Marvel comic book hero. I look forward to what Joe Kelly brings next and bid Zeb Wells a fond adieu.

Images taken from Marvel and scanned via my phone.