Comic Roundup: Amazing Spider-Man, Fathom and Ultimate Fallout

For this week’s Comic Roundup, we book a trip to Spider Island in Amazing Spider-Man, look in on the fallout from the death of Ultimate Spider-Man and join Fathom as she launches her newest series.

Amazing Spider-Man #666
By Dan Slott and Stefano Caselli

When Marvel launched the new direction for Spider-Man with Slott as the only writer, I was really impressed how good the book quickly became. The fun factor had been restored to the Web Slinger and I felt like I was 12 years old again. But somewhere along the way, right around when he joined the FF, the book went off the rails for me and I dropped it. However, with issue #666 serving as the prologue for the Spider Island event, I decided to jump back in and see what’s what.

I’ll make this really simple for you: The fun that was there at the beginning of Big Time is back in a big way. Slott has written issue #666 as your introduction to the world of Spider-Man, the supporting cast and what will be happening during Spider Island. The script is tight, funny and hits all the right notes. Caselli is quickly becoming my second favorite Spider-Man artist (after John Romita Jr.) as his pencils manage to translate the fun in the script into pictures. It’s just a shame he can’t do the art for every issue.

If, like me, you had given up on the Wall Crawler, it might be time to give him another shot. Spider Island looks like it’s going to be a blast and you don’t want to be late to the party.

Final Grade: A-

Ultimate Fallout #3
By various

I don’t think anyone was more surprised than me by how good the whole Death of Spider-Man arc was. Bendis delivered a solid, touching final story of the ultimate version of Spider-Man and it was a great was to close out that era of Marvel’s Ultimate Comics line. Ultimate Fallout is supposed to serve as a bridge between that and the new era beginning next month. So far though, the outlook isn’t that good.

The first issue, by Bendis and Bagley, was a great comic that almost had me in tears. By contrast, the third issue had me wishing I had just downloaded the thing for free. The series is using a jam band approach as three creative teams tell three storylines that set up the new Ultimate Universe. The problem is that none of them are very good and nothing much is happening. And I mean nothing. Just a lot of speeches, posturing and Iceman crying like a bitch. Really lame stuff.

Next issue is the big reveal of who the new Spider-Man is going to be. It seems that is the whole reason for this series to exist. Issues #2 and 3 of Ultimate Fallout almost make it not worth it to find out.

Final Grade: D

Fathom #1
By Scott Lobdell and Alex Konat

After an interesting #0 issue a few months ago, Volume Four officially kicks off with issue #1. Having not read Fathom for a few years (since Volume 1 to be honest) I was worried about not being able to follow along. But much like the #0 issue, I need not have worried.

Lobdell does a great job of making introductions and having the reader get to know everybody. We learn who Fathom is, her world and what has recently happened. The initial elements of the plot for Volume Four are put in place and we get some really beautiful artwork form Konat. The man seems to be able to channel Michael Turner at will, since his art has all the same qualities that made Turner so great. My only real issue is that the #0 issue and #1 seem to have nothing to do with each other. The end of the last issue isn’t even referenced. But I’m more than willing to play wait and see if the book continues to be a great read.

With the huge glut of DC comics coming in September, small titles like Fathom can easily get lost on the stands. As I always say, make the effort to support smaller press books, especially when they are as good as Fathom.

Final Grade: B