Amazing Spider-Man #10

Writer – Dan Slott
Artist – Olivier Coipel
Inker – Wade Von Grawbadger
Colours – Justin Ponsor

The second part of Spider-Verse finds our various spider-heroes thwarting the members of the Inheritors and noticing that it takes quite a bit to do so.  That becomes more evident when they discover that Morlun and his family keep clones of their bodies on hand just in case something does happen to them, such as dying.  So if they cannot truly die, then what is there to do for our heroes?  Dan Slot continues to ramp up the action between the heroes and villains as well as bringing in more new Spider-Men including the wonderful Spider-Monkey.  Not only do we get to see some more of Peter’s other selves, but also the return of the Superior Spider-Man who has been assembling his own team of Spider-Men to take on the Inheritors.  Doc Ock has a plan, or had a plan that is until 616 Spidey and his team busted in upon them, thereby raising the alarm with the Inheritors and alerting them to their presence.  The expected confrontation between Peter and Octavius is averted this issue, which was a bit of a shame but you know that it is coming and when it does, it will be glorious.  Slott also reveals who Old Man Spider-Man is and it was a little unexpected but also opens up another realm of possibilities to further the story.  Dan Slott has been firing on all cylinders and with some strong art from Olivier Coipel, this crossover event has been nothing short of fantastic.  Strong stuff and Spidey’s best event since Spider-Island.

4.5 out of 5

Avengers World #15

Writer – Nick Spencer, Frank Barbiere
Artist – Marco Checchetto
Colours – Andres Mossa

If the world is falling apart, what else is there to do but form your own team of Avengers?  That is exactly what Doctor Doom has decided to do, with a little help from Valeria Richards that is.  You would also do as such if the Scarlet Witch was coming to claim her pound of flesh.  This was probably the most fun to have been seen in an issue of Avengers World this far and all thanks to Nick Spencer and Frank Barbiere.  Valeria is always one of the most interesting characters to appear in any comic she graces, and this issue was no exception.  She takes center stage as she offers her Uncle the choices to form the perfect team of Avengers, at least for this particular case and those choices while somewhat strange are also somewhat inspired.  Made up of 3-D Man, Valkyrie, Stingray, Elsa Bloodstone and U.S. Agent, they are quite the eclectic group, but there is no doubt that Spencer and Barbiere will make them work.  It is a little disconcerting seeing good-guy Doom trying to do the right thing and all thanks to the inversion spell that he helped Wanda cast, though it is quite humourous to see that even when he is trying to be good, he still cannot help being just as bad as he ever was.  One thing that is for sure is that Doom will eventually go back to his villainous ways, he always does, but until then, this story is sure to be very entertaining if this book is anything to go by.

4 out of 5