For today’s comic book review I read Amazing Spider-Man #9,the story contained within is  titled  “The Man Called Electro!” And it is a Spider-Man thriller like none before, as Steve Ditko and Stan lee raised the stakes on this one.  Not only do we have the action pack trills of Spider-Man facing Electro, not only do we have the drama of high school, young love,  and the pressure of media attacks on Spider-Man, but we have something much more important; Aunt May is sick, in fact deathly ill.

Can Peter Help his aunt, deal with the pressures around him, and all while Spider-Man saves the day?  Or are we in for a shock of our lifetime with reading this electrifying story? 

Story

Just as my introduction suggest,  this story is filled with all the ingredients to make a great story if put together correctly.  This story did just that,  everything just flowed in the ideal way, to keep us at the edge of our seats from page to page of the comic book.

I like this story so much that I even agree fully with the editorial boating on page one,  if your sitting down to read this story now, I Envy you just as they did,  and you will “have a ball!”  This story, I feel put together everything that they learned over the issues a spider-man story should be, and put it together well.

Artwork

With a great story does not have to come great artwork, or even good artwork. But fortunately for us, in this issue, Steve Ditko was at the top of his game, giving us wonderful use of foreshortening,  shadows, and all the other features that make comic book art pop. all while maintaining his unique style and feeling that makes spider-man stand out.

The Panel I picked to include shows spider-man lying down, still sizzling after being defeated by Electro.  A stunning and surprising moment,  offering us colorful characters in a not so colorful world, an effect that I feel is used great in this issue.

Originality & Continuity

This story, builds upon the love story of Peter Parker and Betty Brant, and also building upon the Flash Thompson,  Peter Parker relationship at school, in particularly after last issues fight.

The first gets more attention and even some development, that I will talk about below.  the latter was almost a way to put Peter and Flash back in status Que,  as peter brushes him off when he wants to talk,  I feel this can lead, and in a logical way back to them having a strained relationship at best.

Characters & Development

The love story between Peter Parker and Betty Brant seems all but unavoidable now, and with that Betty seen some strong character growth this issue.  She was there for peter and Aunt May in their time of need, as well as being concerned for his safety. But we also learned that she has her reasons to not want peter putting himself in danger like he does, and it ties to her past.  A mystery hinted at that is yet to be revealed, offering us a great piece for future development.