The Good
There was a lot of speculation as to what last issue’s reveal would mean for the Spider-Verse (the general concept, not the event), and even Marvel U at large, and while those questions have yet to be answered, and likely won’t be until next issue, the development of the ruined Earth-3145’s spider-totem proceeded with Dan Slott’s usual effective economy. In just three short pages we learn the differences, and they are legion, between this spider-totem and the ones we’re used to and moreover are made to care a surprising amount about them. We even get some insight into how the world came to be the way it is and what this totem feels his role in it was, but the real standout here is actually the Superior Spider-Man of 616. Otto is in rare form, not only connecting two critical dots, but saving the day in one of the most unlikely ways for that character. It’s great that, even knowing his ultimate fate, Dan Slott isn’t afraid to let him have the spotlight when it’s called for. That’s merely the highlight in what turns out to be a great character-driven issue with a ton of small, powerful moments.
I’ve often been a fan of Giuseppe Camuncoli's pencils, but he’s in rare form in this issue, giving us characters that look, at times, powerful, lithe, agile and intimidating all at just the right times. The action scenes that are rapidly cut to function amazingly and look incredible, particularly a few of the more shocking moments, and there’s a great, meaty sense of power and kinetic impact to the entire issue. Cam Smith’s inks can’t be understated in their role of that, lending the characters a lot of their gravitas and presence while emphasizing how dark and grim things truly have gotten. Things are never too dour though and we can thank Justin Ponsor’s colors for that. This entire event has been a great crash-course on how to make the visual language of a comic book dark without removing any sense of hope or even whimsy from it, and a huge part of that balancing act goes to Ponsor’s colors. This team’s been great throughout the series, but in this issue it really feels like they hit on something special.
The Bad
This issue is all over the place in terms of its storytelling, and it’s understandable with all the various threads that need to come together that things might get a little breakneck, but having Silk make as boneheaded a move as she does, even without having ALL the information, felt like it was needlessly upping the stakes. Mayday is understandable, she's younger and has more of a stake in the person being kept on LoomOr if not needlessly, then at least inorganically.
Without warning the final issue of SCARLET SPIDERS is entirely given away. There’s no indication at the start of the issue as to which one should be read first and the most major plot points of the issue are spelled out in great detail. While this does mean that the tie-in isn’t necessary, it would have been nice for the recap page to at least say that the events took place after SCARLET SPIDERS #3.
The Verdict
Developments from other issues aside, this is an example of some incredible buildup to a final showdown. The outcome of the events might be a foregone conclusion, to some extent, but that hasn’t dulled interest for exactly HOW things shake out and especially WHO walks away. Slott’s done a great job with building the reader’s attachment to a lot of these totems, and the various tie-ins have built them even more, so even if it’s almost certainly assured that 616 Spideys walk away, who ELSE does is still a great source of suspense and anticipation.