the plot: After visiting his late son's grave for the final time, Norman Osborn reenters the life of Peter Parker, determined once and for all to defeat his longtime foe. Meanwhile Peter spends time with Aunt May, and gives Mary Jane a call, only to be discouraged after hearing her answer as Mary Jane Watson, rather than Parker. That's nothing though, when the Green Goblin returns in a new battle suit, planning his new attack on Spidey.
the review: After being dissapointed with some of the stories in this title lately (like the stream of one-shots, the anti-climatic Doc Ock storyline, and the unfortunate business with the Sandman in issues #42 and 43,) Peter Parker: Spider-Man, and more importantly it's writer Paul Jenkins return to telling the kind of story that made me love his writing so much to begin with. This is the kind of cerebral, thinking, moody, emotional story that's been missing from this title and I'm pleased to see it's return.
I also really enjoyed the nice character moment where Peter is upset that Mary Jane has returned to calling herself MJ Watson, as opposed to Parker. I always wondered how Peter much feel to hear that all the time.
Not only that, but for a first part, this issue really had me hooked. It takes itself seriously, and seemingly paves the way for a continuous flow of stories in this book, rather than the rather choppy style of the past year.
The only fault I found in this issue was Humberto Ramos artwork. It's just too cartoony and angular for a story like this. It's nice he finally got to draw a complete story after the being the cover artist for over a year, but his art just doesn't seem suited to a story like this. And what's up with Norman's pupils by the way? I love Ramos art over on Out There, his Cliffhanger Comics title, and hope that if he follows up this arc, he's given a lighter story to work with. Still, he handles the moodiness of this story well, and meshes beautifully with Wayne Faucher, who I hope sticks around even if PP:SM's regular penciler Mark Buckingham jumps ship.
There's not much else to say now, other than that I liked this issue, and am looking forward to seeing what's next. Peter Parker: Spider-Man #44 gets ***1/2 out of *****.
continued in Peter Parker: Spider-Man #45
the plot: After visiting his late son's grave for the final time, Norman Osborn reenters the life of Peter Parker, determined once and for all to defeat his longtime foe. Meanwhile Peter spends time with Aunt May, and gives Mary Jane a call, only to be discouraged after hearing her answer as Mary Jane Watson, rather than Parker. That's nothing though, when the Green Goblin returns in a new battle suit, planning his new attack on Spidey.