Scarlet Spider

Scarlet Spider #6

/ / Comics

Scarlet Spider #6Along with showcasing how Houston’s new hero has taken the city by storm the latest issue of Scarlet Spider puts quite a few stories in motion. We get Kaine squaring off with Ana Kravinoff, his growing frustration with Aracely‘s ability to know more about him than she should (and maybe even more than than he knows about himself), and a couple references to a blue hoodie and the man who used to be known as Scarlet Spider.

The story also gives us a little more information on Aracely and how she’s connected to the mysterious Mexica and “The Darkness” as well as foreshadowing the return of Madame Web and Kraven the Hunter, both of whom have their sites set on the new Scarlet Spider.

Another good issue that give us a big throwdown between Kaine and Ana in a burning church as well as some humorous moments between the frustrated hero and Aracely and some contemplative moments about as Kaine gets used to his new role and place in the world. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #6 Read More »

Scarlet Spider #5

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-5-coverNow that Kaine‘s battles with the Assassin’s Guild are over (at least until they ask him to make good on his promise to assassinate someone on their behalf) the Scarlet Spider can relax. Except he can’t because a small group of terrorists have chosen Houston to detonate a nuclear device.

With time running out Wally Layton asks for the Scarlet Spider’s help (a name Kaine is less than thrilled that people have begun using for him) in finding the bomb. However, the police officer is a little unprepared for how brutal Houston’s new super-hero gets while pumping suspects for information.

With Kaine and Lawton the comic has a fun odd-couple buddy-cop movie feel which when mixed with the countdown and suspense of the story turns out to be a hell of a lot of fun. We do get cameoes from Iron Man, Maria Hill, and (for some unknown reason) Ultimate Universe Nick Fury, but none of them interact with our hero or make it to Houston in time. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #5 Read More »

Scarlet Spider #4

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-4-coverKaine‘s past finally catches up with him as the Assassin’s Guild send several of their most skilled killers to Houston to kill the new Scarlet Spider over an old grudge. Kaine, however, has other plans.

The latest issues is high on action, but the B-story of Doctor Medlund confronting the man who put a hit on him for the death of his wife and baby girl keeps killing the momentum of the main storyline.

Kaine’s unorthodox solution to stopping the assassins by offering to perform one murder for them in the future, at their convenience, certainly isn’t something Peter Parker would do but it reminds us, despite his new career as a super-hero, how Kaine troubleshoots and deals with problems.

We also get yet another person (Annabelle) learning the Scarlet Spider’s secret identity (geez, this guy keeps secrets worse than movie Batman) as well as getting our first glimpse at Aracely‘s hidden talents. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #4 Read More »

Scarlet Spider #3

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-3-coverDespite his intentions to do anything else with his life, Kaine finds himself the popular new super-hero of Houston tracking down street criminals just like Spider-Man (okay, not just like Spider-Man), and still trying to find a way to protect the young illegal immigrant from the people who want her dead.

On the Aracely front Kaine gets some help from the hotel’s bartender Annabelle Adams and Dr. Meland but things get far more complicated when Kaine learns the Doctor has a contract on his head from the greiving husband whose wife and child died on the doctor’s table. Even more troubling is the fact that the Assassin’s Guild now knows that Kaine is still alive and exactly where to find him.

Although I’m a little concerned that Kaine doesn’t understand the basic concept of a secret identity (a doctor, cop, bartender, assassin, and a smuggled illegal immigrant all know he’s the Scarlet Spider) things look pretty good for this title with plenty of action and some really good Spidey narration – Kaine-style. Best of the week.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #3 Read More »

Scarlet Spider #2

/ / Comics

scarlet-spider-2-coverDespite his plans to take the money and run Kaine finds himself in Houston protecting a young woman, the lone surviving victim of a human trafficking ring the new Scarlet Spider uncovered last issue.

The Scarlet Spider finds himself fighting a fire-controlling assassin intent on killling the girl and anyone else in his way. Despite all his denials Kaine proves to be a hero, not a killer, by saving the woman and deciding to stay in Houston (at least for the time being).

Although we get more narration into Kaine’s past we sadly don’t get another flashback of the original Scarlet Spider this time around. However, the two issues do a pretty good job reintroducing and establishing Kaine as a new hero in the Marvel Universe. Worth a look.

[Marvel, $2.99]

Scarlet Spider #2 Read More »