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In Part Three of Slott and Romita’s “New Ways To Die” story arc, the action really gets started—but is the story any good?

Last issue featured Spider-Man sneaking into the Thunderbolts’ base and having a face-to-face with Norman Osborn, but that was interrupted by Spidey’s finding out that Venom (currently Mac Gargan) was at F.E.A.S.T., the homeless shelter Peter’s Aunt May volunteers at; the symbiote had sensed one of its former hosts there. However, once it became evident that this was Eddie Brock and not Parker, the Venom symbiote attempted to bond with him, only to find that instead Brock got covered in a white symbiote-like substance whose very touch burned the symbiote (for reasons not yet explained). A grand total of seventeen out of twenty-four story pages this issue is spent on the Venom/Anti-Venom/Spider-Man fight scene. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing—just don’t come into this issue expecting as many plot developments as last issue.

Menace, a new goblin-type villain, takes up most of the remaining story pages. Careful readers will notice that it’s hinted a couple times in this issue and the last that Harry Osborn may be Menace, though personally I doubt the writers would go for such an obvious choice. The issue also seems to set up a showdown between Norman Osborn and Menace next issue—it’d be great to see Norman back in the ol’ green and purple suit.

I thought the writing was a bit of a step down from last ish. The characterization of Anti-Venom seemed to fluctuate without explanation. I also find it a bit silly that, when Spidey saves a bystander whose life had been threatened by a car Anti-Venom had thrown, Eddie realizes that Spider-Man actually saves innocents. (The whole “concern about innocents” thing is a throwback from the period in the 90’s when Venom was insanely popular and Marvel attempted to mold him into an anti-hero). Venom (back when he was Eddie Brock) debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #300, and has been around for decades—it’s taken him this long to notice that Spider-Man saves people? Seriously? I find it hard to believe that, after so many years of denial, this one event would manage to completely change Anti-Venom’s view of Spider-Man.

However, I loved it when Spidey, upon seeing Anti-Venom, quips: “Another one? Just what I need. White this time. That’s great. We haven’t done white yet.” There’s been nearly a dozen symbiotes at one time or another, and that comment managed to get a chuckle out of me. In general, though, I love the way Slott writes Peter and his dialogue. He really gets Spidey.

Romita’s art was great, as always, though I noticed a lot more of the problem I noted last issue—namely, Norman’s hair keeps inexplicably disappearing. Check out the last page of the comic to see what I mean. Doubtlessly it’s due to the hair not getting inked and therefore not getting colored. It’s a relatively minor nitpick, but after two issues it’s rather annoying.

Not much remains to be said about Klaus Janson (another industry veteran) and Dean White’s inking and coloring (respectively) except that both are at the top of their game here and only complement Romita’s pencil work.

While perhaps not up to the standards of last issue, Part Three of “New Ways To Die” is nevertheless an entertaining and fun comic that’s well worth your money.

The Amazing Spider-Man #570
“The Killer Cure”
Written by: Dan Slott
Penciled by: John Romita, Jr.
Inked by: Klaus Janson
Colored by: Dean White

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