Scarlet Spider

Top 10 Comic Issues of 2013

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Here’s my look back at the ten best single comic issues from the past year. Including ongoing series, one-shots, and mini-series, the only limitations I put on this list was that the comic had to have been released in 2013 (no reprints) and I limited myself to only a single issue from any one title. Because I was focusing on standout issues rather than consistently strong comics every month several of my favorite series missed the cut, but, if time permits, I may work up my regular list of best comic series of the past year as well.

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Scarlet Spider #24

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Scarlet Spider #24The series winds to a close leading into next month’s final issue as Kaine decides to give up the role of hero after what Kraven the Hunter put his friends through (including one still fighting for his life in the hospital). He also faces new threats in a friend turned enemy, someone masquerading as Annabelle, Aracely‘s dark visions, and the arrival of his crazy one-night fling Zoe Walsh (who brings her rocket launcher with her for the unannounced visit to Kaine’s hotel room).

Although the issue feels rushed, like writer Christopher Yost is trying to pack in as many ideas as possible (and hanging plotlines) into a single comic to set up next month’s final issue, there’s quite a bit here to enjoy including plenty of the title’s trademark insanity and a cliffhanger that leaves the fate of nearly every single character from the series completely up in the air.

I’m going to miss this book, and although news has it that Scarlet Spider will be continuing to enjoy life with a new version of the New Warriors (hopefully with Aracely along for the ride and a Guardians of the Galaxy costume for Vance Astrovik) it won’t be the same.  Worth a look.

[Marvel $2.99]

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Scarlet Spider #23

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Scarlet Spider #23The Kraven the Hunter storyline comes to a close as Kaine fights the suicidal madman who is threatening the lives of all of the new Scarlet Spider’s friends. Only willing to spare Aracely, Annabelle, Wally, and Donald if Kaine can kill him, the hero tries his best to fight off his darker nature, defeat Kraven, and save his friends.

Kaine is able to stop Kraven (although the comic doesn’t explain why Aracely wasn’t of any use when her life, and those of her friends were threatened), but the super-villain makes his escape and one member of Kaine’s new group of friends is severally injured which will send another on a late-night search to discover more about the history of Houston’s super-hero. I’m betting he’s not going to like what he finds.

With Kraven’s defeat, writer Christopher Yost sets up the series’ final arc as Kaine’s past will apparently haunt him through the end of the series (and possibly beyond?). Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Scarlet Spider #22

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Scarlet Spider #22With his friends held against their will by Kraven the Hunter, Kaine works his way through the traps the mad man has set for him including Kraven’s bloodthirsty daughter Ana Kravinoff who seems obsessed, like her father, with forcing the Scarlet Spider’s murderous nature back to the surface.

Although I was sad (but certainly not surprised) to find out our other Scarlet Spider wasn’t Ben Reilly, the choice of Kraven makes quite a bit of sense and allows writer Christopher Yost to play on the leftover threads of Kaine’s death and Kraven’s resurrection that tie the two killers together.

With the comic coming to an end with issue #25, and Marvel showing no real interest in using Kaine elsewhere, Yost is presented with a unique opportunity to end the comic on his terms. For at least a single issue Kaine is able to fight off what Kraven and his daughter demand of him, but given next issue’s one-on-one battle with Kraven to the death we’ll soon see whether the Scarlet Spider truly is a hero or a killer. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

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Scarlet Spider #21

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Scarlet Spider #21Kaine returns from New York a broken man after his encounter with Doc Ock Spidey and the Jackal and the return of his degeneration scars that mean the clone’s days are once again numbered. However, things really pick up when the frustrated Scarlet Spider is confronted by his namesake – the original Scarlet Spider who proceeds to kick our hero’s ass.

Without giving too much away, despite Kaine’s untrustworthy perception the clues to the identity of the other Scarlet Spider not being Ben Reilly are impossible to ignore well-before the character is unmasked. I’d have certainly preferred the return of Reilly in some form of another to the switch we get here, but the joy of getting two Scarlet Spiders in one issue helps mollify that disappointment (and the return of the Jackal’s clones certainly doesn’t rule out Reilly’s return sometime in the future).

Most of the comic centers around the fight between the two heroes one clad in black and red and the other in crimson and his trademark blue hoodie, but we also see several of Kaine’s friends being attacked as well as if someone is systematically hunting the former assassin and all who he loves down.

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Scarlet Spider #21 Read More »