The Expected Return of the Green Goblin

Amazing Spider-Man #27, 29-32 (Marvel, July-November 2017, $3.99)
Over the course of my life as a comics reader—and some back issues in my collection suggest that I was reading comics at the age of 4—the Amazing Spider-Man has remained my favorite superhero, with this title perhaps my favorite superhero title. The current run has maintained my interest and preference, and some really interesting things continue to happen in the series.

Written by Dan Slott, with art by Stuart Immonen or Greg Smallwood and inks by Wade von Grawbadger or Smallwood, these issues feature covers by Alex Ross—a treat for this character and series. While some creative pairings handle Spider-Man in a cartoony and flip manner, this artistic team brings an excellent seriousness to the title.



Norman Osborn is back, aiding a revolution in Symkaria. Spider-Man is there with the Silver Sable and her new Wild Pack to protect the civilians and end the struggle. In several Secret Empire (which I've yet to read) tie-in issues, Spider-Man finds that Parker Industries has been infiltrated by Hydra, led by the returned Doctor Octopus, who actually engineered the rise and success of the company while the Superior Spider-Man.

Parker declines to give up his company and travels to Shanghai to seek assistance from the branch there, only to draw Doc Ock's attention again. How Spider-Man defeats Ock is quite surprising and delightful.

We end this review set with #32, a standalone transitional issue that moves us from the return of Norman Osborn toward the expected return of the Green Goblin. Smallwood's art is of a similarly serious stye as Immonen, lending a welcome darkness to this moody issue. Similar to Doctor Strange's origin story, Osborn looks for a way to return to the Goblin, traveling to the Temple with No Name. How Slott handled the issue's unfolding and revelations was very enjoyable. This was an excellent, excellent issue.

Availability: Amazing Spider-Man #27 was reprinted in Amazing Spider-Man: Worldwide Vol. 6.