One of the most popular Spider-Man writers of the modern era returns in Amazing Spider-Man: Torn. Jump back to Peter Parker’s college days at Empire State University with Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, Mary Jane Watson and Flash Thompson! But not everything is rosy and happy as a new evil rears its head in a way that’s sure to impact Peter’s future!
It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say J. Michael Straczynski was one of the most significant writers to work on Amazing Spider-Man. Previously known as the creator of Babylon 5 and an experienced screenwriter, his ASM run alongside artists John Romita Jr., Mike Deodato Jr. and Ron Garney is held in high esteem and is seen as one of the character’s creative highpoints. Torn marks his first work on a Spider-Man title since 2007 and – whilst focusing on a very different period of the character’s history – he hasn’t missed a beat.
Torn takes place during Peter’s college years where his friendship with Harry Osborn was forming and he was in somewhat of a love triangle with Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. This is placed alongside a supernatural mystery with magical books and demons that sees Spider-Man clash with morally scrupulous young woman who upon stealing said magical book is transformed into the demonic Evangeline. Whilst Straczynski writes a great Spidey – with the humour and action perfectly executed, it is the human drama where he excels.
Given that most of his previous run focused on a married Peter and Mary Jane, Straczynski has the couple’s chemistry down to a tee, but that is just one of the layers that he explores as he delves deep into all the supporting cast’s emotional states. We see how Peter’s desire to see no harm comes to anyone since the death of Uncle Ben can sometimes backfire as keeping everyone happy is impossible and can sometimes lead to greater heartbreak.
Whilst Peter battles against Evangeline, he also has to work out his feelings for both MJ and Gwen which plays nicely into the chosen time period. Mary Jane too gets a lot of focus as the later stories that fleshed her character out beyond the party girl image she had early on allows the character to be explored in a greater depth. Meanwhile, Harry Osborn has to cope with both his own romantic troubles and his own demons which mainly emerge from his difficult relationship with his father Norman Osborn (The Green Goblin).
Pere Perez turns in some excellent art to bring the whole series together. He draws a great Spider-Man and injects a ton of excitement into the action sequences. He also excels at the more dramatic aspects, with Peter and MJ’s angst being brought to another level by his frank depictions.
This is everything a Spider-Man fan could want – drama, romance, quips and action. Fans of Straczynski will be thrilled to see him back and any returning Spider-Man fans or newcomers off of Brand New Day will find this a perfect jumping on point.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn is out 7 July from Marvel (9781302964726, p/b, £16.99)
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