REVIEW: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ (2025-) #1 - Joe Kelly's Grand Start To A New Era Of Spidey
- Christopher Mills
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
After four years, Zeb Wells's time on The Amazing Spider-Man has come to an end, and Joe Kelly has taken over to provide a new era for the webhead. Just like with the start of any writer's time on a character after someone else has spent time, there are questions that we have to think to ourselves when reading. Does this new writer respect and honor what came before? Is there a new status quo for the character, or is the story picking up from where we left off? The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is able to answer some of these questions straight out of the hat.
Joe Kelly is no stranger to writing Spider-Man and has done so in the past before, but he also recently just wrote the "8 Deaths of Spider-Man" storyline, which eased him back into taking over for Zeb Wells. As someone who hadn't been reading Well's The Amazing Spider-Man run since "Gang War," I thought that there would be a lot of missing context when starting this new run, but thankfully, Kelly is able to ensure that even new readers will be able to follow along with this new storyline that he's crafting.
Peter Parker is trying to get a new job and back on his feet, which is not anything new from the character, but it's always fun seeing that the balance between being Spider-Man and Peter Parker is something that he will never nail down. These interviews only go on for a few pages, but Kelly allows for some humorous writing within them, with Pepe Larraz's art bringing them to life. Pepe Larraz is currently on the art before John Romita Jr. returns to take over fully, but as for now, he's at the back of the issue with the B storyline. Larraz's art brings a special touch to The Amazing Spider-Man comic that feels like it was missing, which we unfortunately don't get with JRJR's artwork, which can make reading some issues an annoyance.
As close as Peter may be to getting a job, he showcases the responsibility that he holds to protect New York and quickly has to deal with the Rhino, who has gone on a rampage. If you haven't been keeping up with The Amazing Spider-Man comics, then you should know that Spider-Man and the Rhino have a solidified relationship, and this attack feels out of the norm, and even Spider-Man can notice that. While Peter tries to investigate what's going on with the Rhino and the shocking aftermath of their battle that has taken place, Kelly ensures to keep his readers in the know of what villains might possibly be behind the Rhino's rampage.
The issue has a surprising ending that, without a doubt, will make you want to pick up the next issue to understand what's going on and if any of what we've just witnessed is real because if it is, Spider-Man is already in deep trouble. Peter Parker trying to get a job? Check! Peter facing old foes? Check! A familiar face pulling the strings to mess with Spider-Man? Check! Peter Parker is still single? Well, Joe Kelly seems to provide some changes in this department.
Although he's not with Mary Jane (get over it), he seems to be dating Shay Marken, which is a relationship that's carried over from the previous run. They're not exclusive just yet, but from the lovely date we get to see them on, things only look like they can go in the right direction for the two. Personally, it's refreshing to see Peter Parker with someone new, and I can only hope it'll be a semi-permanent change to his character.
There are a few pages with John Romita Jr. on the art that follows Norman Osborne as we see him at a press conference, but compared to the story we just got, it unfortunately doesn't compare, and currently there isn't much interest to see where Norman's story is supposed to lead to or even with how it may connect to the main storyline taking place. It feels like we've been dealing with Norman facing his sins, and while he does have a lot, there's only so much you can do when using it as the forefront of his stories. It has become his whole character and at times it can lead to him being quite bland and boring, especially in comparison to everything else going in.
There are even some greater teases for what's to come at the very end, but overall The Amazing Spider-Man #1 is a great start to Joe Kelly's new run on the wallcrawler, and it seems like he has something shocking in store for Spider-Man and his readers as he faces the ultimate challenge.
About The Amazing Spider-Man #1
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Written by: Joe Kelly
Art by: Pepe Larraz, John Romita Jr.
Cover by: Pepe Larraz
Page Count: 36
Synopsis: ALIVE & THWIPPING! The next era of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN has arrived! Peter is, shockingly, without a job and looking for gainful employment, but his job search is interrupted by a RAMPAGING RHINO who is but the tip of a sinister iceberg. What major Spider-Villain is working behind the scenes weaponizing other Spider-Villains including one we haven't seen in OVER SEVEN YEARS?! Also, what is that Goblin-free Norman Osborn up to anyway?
Comments