General Information

Title: Amazing Spider-Man 50
Author: J. Michael Straczynski
Illustrator(s): John Romita Jr. pencils, Scott Hanna ink, Dan Kemp colours, J. Scott Campbell cover
Original Publication Date: Feb. 26, 2003
Cover Price: $2.25 US, $3.75 Can

Premise

Peter and Mary Jane try to sit down for a heart-to-heart talk about their relationship, but it's not a great place to have the conversation.

High Point

"How do you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Speak in all capitals like that?"
"Silence, minion."

Low Point

The somewhat cheesy and derivative super-villains.

The Scores

I've read a number of comic books. (It's a big number, actually.) I don't think I've ever seen this kind of heart-to-heart conversation going on in secret with so much stuff blowing up. That counts as original. I give it 5 out of 6.

The artwork on the cover is excellent. It's being reproduced as a poster due out next month, and I've ordered mine. The interior art is good, but not spectacular or amazing. I give it 5 out of 6.

The story is well written. It really captures the problems that Peter and MJ have in their relationship nicely, while still giving some good superhero action. If you've seen the movie, all you need to know before picking this up is that Peter and MJ are married but separated when the issue begins, and this is the issue where they decide whether to try again or get divorced. (Some knowledge of Captain America and Doctor Doom would help, but it's not required.) I give it 5 out of 6.

The characterization of Peter, Spider-Man, MJ, and the target of the attacks was very good. The other prominent guest star (who had the High Point conversation with the target of the attacks) was done consistently with other appearances, but we didn't really anything new about him. I give it 5 out of 6.

The emotional response was excellent. There were several moments played strictly for comedy, and they all worked. (I've never seen that character used for comic relief before, either.) The serious moments carried similar impact, although Romita's art style seems better suited to comedy than drama. I give it 5 out of 6.

The flow had some issues jumping from conversation to combat and back, but otherwise worked well. I give it 4 out of 6.

Overall, a surprisingly good jumping on point for the last issue in a story arc, that's still very entertaining. I give it 5 out of 6.

In total, Amazing Spider-Man #50 receives 34 out of 42.