Blockbuster and Lackluster (Spoilers)

Before I give you the rundown, lets update the new Spidey, he's broke, lives with his Aunt, and works for the Bugle, which is no longer ran by J. Jonah Jameson, because he had a heart attack. Oh and by the way everybody on the planet has forgotten the Parker was Spider-Man and he is no longer married to Mary Jane.

Now that I've cleared that up, this is the third issue of the month for Amazing and after two issues of catching readers up on how Parker lives in this over the top pitiful,existence the story begins to pick up. However, not in a positve light, because by the time this issue is ends a theif may know that Peter is Spider-Man, Spidey is wanted by the cops on suspicion of murder, becomes a made man in a mafia family, and a new villian by the name of Mr. Negative takes his blood and has a connection to Aunt May.

This story is garbage plan and simple. Steve McNiven's artwork was at its best, as usual but don't try to sell be a pinto and tell me its rolls-royce. Don't get me wrong I really like Dan Slotts writing on the New Avengers: Initiative, the wrtiting flows with the characters and you really get to see these young superheroes revealed as to who they really are and still evolve. That doesn't happen here, this story from day one seemed forced with the idea of, let's see how much random pressure we can put on Spider-Man to gain some sympathy from the readers. That doesn't happen. By the time I finished reading this book I was longing for the pre-One More Day Spidey who had some serious problems, doubts, and fears, that were generated and came together over time. Plus, if your still reading New Avengers he's still in his black suit gearing up for the SECRET INVASION. But, I'm going to assume they will fix that with the New Avengers Annual coming out next week. No amount of fantastic artwork by Steve McNiven can save this book, and I want to make one thing clear, this story is not Dan Slott's fault, I understand these were the circumstances he was given to work with but there is now way to make this work.

The Amazing Spider-Man #548
Writing-2 out of 5
Art-4 out of 5
Overall-2 out 5

After that review I need a sandwich, another review will be up with the latest news later today.

Excelsior Bitches!!!