Customer Reviews

Spider-Man: Reign

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Spoiler Free: Okay enough already with those comparisons, they're absolutely correct comparing the two. Once you get past that, does this work stand on its own two feet and deliver an excellent story, memorable portrayals of the characters, fitting and great art, a tone that works well for the story, and superb writing all within the Spider-man universe? Yes, on all accounts it does. For fans of Spider-Man, The Dark Knight Returns, Blade Runner, The Lorax, and Unforgiven alike - Reign offers us a look into individuals denying the truths, haunted by their past and actions that can't be undone, with brief and rare moments of hope in a world of a society and government gone awry. Many of the actions parallel sentiments you can feel in the moment, past and future. Everything about this story bleeds feelings and emotions you can sink your teeth into and relate to from the pit of your stomach. We see chances at redemption, chances to look forward and leave the past behind, and chances to do the right thing even if it's the hard thing to do. That is what I got out of reading it anyways, I'm a big fan of these types of stories and the ability of people to make tough choices and get over ghosts of the past with actions that speak louder than words. To go aginst the judgments of others, to find the truth or inner strength and accomplish more that they thought possible. Reign delivered all this, powerful stuff from an unexpected source.

A four-issue prestige format mini-series about a flagship character's "final days" in a dystopian future? While Kaare Andrews may have intended this as a "Dark Knight Returns" homage (witness the reporters' names..."Miller Janson"?), the story rises above mere tribute and takes on a life of its own as the series progresses. It's no surprise that Mary Jane is gone--Spidey's clinging to her tombstone on the cover. Although I've never been a fan of the airheaded model, Andrews crafts a tragic love story here that will bring a tear to the eyes of even the most hardcore MJ-haters.

All of Spidey's major villains are here (except for one noticeable exception, Mr. Norman Osborne). Without spoiling any of the surprises, one villain makes his creepiest appearance ever. Needless to say, if you are a Spider-Man fan (especially of the ol' blacksuit-era), you need to read this collection.

The parallels between "Spider-Man: Reign" and "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" are fairly obvious, but I was actually thinking more of a Superman story rather than a Batman one as I read this four-part comic book limited series. Before Marvel really existed D.C. was always doing "imaginary stories," where they could play around with their characters. Eventually in 1989 DC started publishing "Elseworld" publications, that had stories that took place outside the continuity of a character's canon. There was an annual for one of the Superman titles where Clark Kent and Lois Lane are not only married, they are going to have a baby. But when the baby starts kicking in its mother's womb with just a fraction of the powers of his Kryptonian father, Lois is killed. The story is about the effect this tragedy had on Superman and I have to admit that I remember the set-up but not the payoff.

A similar fate might be in store for "Spider-Man: Reign," written and drawn by Kaare Andrews, which has a strong parallel to that Superman story in that Peter Parker being Spider-Man is responsible for the death of Mary Jane because they are a married couple. To put things delicately, it turns out that Spider-Man's blood is not the only thing about him that is radioactive (yes, we are back to taking the radioactive spider story of Spider-Man's creation at face value). Consequently we have the tragic irony that Peter's love for Mary Jane is literally what killed her. That idea has resonance and it serves as the justification in this particular tale for Peter to quit being Spider-Man. Now it is thirty-five years down the road and what is happening to New York City is going to force Spider-Man to come out of retirement (something that inevitable is not a spoiler).

This futuristic New York City is a world devoid of super criminals and super heroes, and it is "The Reign," the fascist city police, who keep the order. Peter Parker is now a bearded and decrepit old man who gets fired from the flower shop at which he works and goes home to a shabby apartment where he imagines conversations with his dead wife. Meanwhile, Mayor Waters is working on a laser barrier, ironically called the WEBB system, that will protect NYC from terrorists and you just know this is a bad, bad idea. Things get really interesting when J. Jonah Jameson, a very bitter old man, shows up at Peter's apartment, railing against a world full of liars and oppressors, and trying to give Peter a package. It is in defending JJJ from the Reign that Peter starts to get back into the swing of things.

That first issue sets up the dynamic of this one as Peter is put on a collision track with the Mayor's plans for the city. In the second issue Waters finds out that Spider-Man is back he sends the Sinner Six (The Sandman, Electro, Scorpion, Mysterio, Hydro-Man and Kraven the Hunter) after the web head, while JJJ starts "publishing" again to get the word out. The third issue features the mechanical arms of Doctor Octopus and (as all Spider-Man titles do this summer) that black costume, and you know what THAT means. I have already said I like the premise of Mary Jane's death, and I certainly appreciate the idea that there are things in this world that J. Jonah Jameson really does hate more than Spider-Man. However when you are fostering comparisons between your story and "The Dark Knight Returns," you are going to come out on the short end because we are talking about A+ comic book stories like "Watchmen" and the arrival of the Silver Surfer and Galactus in "The Fantastic Four."

So, if that comparison is fatal, then the question becomes whether or not there is a better basis for judging "Spider-Man: Reign"? The answer is that while this is at face value the "last" Spider-Man story (they are never going to do one where he "officially" dies so this is probably as close as it gets), it really works much better as the last Venom story. I say this never having really liked the character of Venom, mainly because of the level of violence he represents. But the last Venom story-arc I read, dealing with the idea that Eddie Brock was dying and that the symbiot always liked Peter best, appealed to me and "Spider-Man: Reign" follows the same approach in coming up with a nice twist on the fundamental relationship between the symbiot and Peter. This also puts the Spider-man mantra of how "with great power comes great responsibility" in a fairly interesting new context. The net result is certainly interesting and while not great, because there is nothing inherent in the best part of the situations that require Peter to be a senior citizen, it is still pretty good.

okay, some odd 20 years ago DC wanted to reimagine one of there older characters and take off all the stains of adam west, yes i'm talking about batman, and yes the book was Dark Knight Returns, the future interpetation of an aged batman who is ready to take his city back, even if that means going thourgh mutants, a "reformed" Joker, the gotham P.D., and even his best Friend Superman, this was a tale that reshaped the whole psychology of The Batman, and now Marvel has finally done the same thing For there greatest hero Spider-man, not giving anything away, its old spiderman, turned his back on his identity, and must fight his emotions over the death of mary jane, all the while an old villian returns to finally take out spider-man, Batman now has major competition for the darkest story.

I could not get into this story. It felt completely rushed. Spidey just did not feel like Peter Parker. I thought the narrative was cumbersome and clumsy. The storyline had potential but had no real appealing style or flow. The supporting character of Suzie Cement Girl was almost pointless, and she was written unbelievably. The idea of Petey taking on (SPOILER!) dozens of symbiote monsters was pretty cool, but surrounded by the rest of the sub-par story made it not as amazing as it could have been. The art was...exciting in some places - mostly the depiction of Venom. However, some scenes could have been designed much better. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to laugh when Spidey reappeared in a dramatic pose with nothing on but a mask, his underwear and a cast.

I'm still waiting for a worthwhile older spider story.

If you've read any of my other reviews, you know I don't like to summarize the story, and give things away. In that spirit, I'll only give away the premise of the story. Reign takes place years into the future where Peter Parker (Spider-Man) is old. But being old, is not the reason why Peter hangs up the Spider-Man gig. His life-long love, Mary Jane, dies of cancer from the radiation that gave him his "Spider-powers." Out of guilt, he retires, and lives alone in his apartment, while New York, crumbles down around him, and eventually, is ruled by a fascist dictator, with his own military police.

What makes this story so moving, is that you really see a reflection of Spider-Man, the hero, in his city (New York), or vice versa. While Peter Parker is in shambles over his guilt and loneliness, so too is New York. But not all New Yorkers are have given up, and you will be surprised to see, who (more than one person) stand up for him. While Spider-Man sees the injustice and abuse of power by the city officials, he is reminded again, why he originally put on the mask in the first place.

While all this is going on, Peter's inner turmoil begins a healing process. Peter is reminded that his fight for justice is not just about him- its about the people he swore to protect.

The story itself is good, but the writing is superb. To be honest, I'm not familiar with the author/artist, but Kaare Andrews definitely has a gift for words. The script is moving, and after reading this, I defnitely want to pick up more of Andrews' works. Pick it up, I highly recommend this book.

"Spiderman: Reign" was a good read, I always like the "alternative" perspective on familiar characters, but this one was a bit too familiar. It's so much in the style of Frank Miller's "Dark Knight Returns" that it was distracting to me. The narrative through the media, social upheaval, and noir-style thought bubbles may have been homage to Miller, but it was so close to the mark to almost seem unoriginal. But there was some good characterization with Peter Parker, and I especially liked Doc Ock's posthumous role. Overall a good read, but glad I had a coupon.

Spider-Man "Reign" was a very cool read & one can't help but make comparisons to Miller's influential "Dark Knight Returns" not only from concept alone but Kaare Andrews illustrations aren't far off from Frank Miller's. Though putting those two similarities aside this is a very different tale & certainly not as epic in scale when weighing it against "The Dark Knight Returns". The latter being my only real quibble with this book. "Reign" falls too short too fast despite Kaare Andrews attempt at taking a beloved icon through some very serious dark territory and he does this in true innovative fashion to also include some of Spidey's more familiar supporting cast. Despite it's short comings, Andrews bleak & introspective tale reflects a proto Marvel 2099 & a Peter Parker who perseveres & overcomes no matter the overwhelming odds stacked against him. And it's stories like these that make us remember why we love this character so much in the first place.

I liked reading the book so much. And I know one of these days it will be a colliter item.

Peter Parker seems to be doomed for a hard and tragic life. Without spoiling anything, it is heartbreaking to read about the fate of Peter and MJ in this dystopic future. However ultimately the story is that of triumph, and the theme of responsbility is nicely used throughout this tale.