Since this series began, it’s been used like the classic ‘Marvel Team-Up’. Each issue, Spidey has teamed up with one of his Avengers teammates. This issue, we get a little different team as Peter spends the entire issue with Aunt May. Going in, I was expecting it to be a meeting between Aunt May and Spider-Man. Instead what we’re treated to is so much better than anything I could’ve dreamt up.

From the very unique cover art from Chris Samnee and Javier Rodriguez,  you just know that this is going to be something different. Then as you open the book, the “previously” page is art from the 1960s Spider-Man titles with Peter hanging out with Aunt May and Uncle Ben. Yeah… this isn’t going to be the usual team-up.

The issue starts off in usual Spider-Man style as Spidey apprehends the low-level thug Copperhead in the middle of a bank robbery. However, something is amiss. Even the bank employees (and the villain) notice that something isn’t right with Spider-Man today.

In the very next page, we learn why. Peter is meeting with Aunt May at the cemetery on the anniversary of Uncle Ben’s death. The rest of the issue consists of Aunt May and Peter talking about what Uncle Ben meant to the two of them. Interspersed through their talks are flashbacks to Peter and May shortly after Ben’s death and how they dealt with his passing.

If you’re looking for action, this issue isn’t it but if you’re looking for some of the best darned writing in a comic book… wow! This one has it! I like a lot of books that have slow stories and less action but that’s usually not the case with Spider-Man but writer Zeb Wells shows that it can be done. By the end of this issue, I was nearly in tears. This is one of the best Spider-Man issues I’ve read in this 50th anniversary year yet. Plus… there’s a hint of something that, if true, will definitely make this an issue that Spidey fans are going to want to read.

Add on top of that artwork from Steve Dillon (‘Preacher’) and you’ve got not only a great comic book, but a real piece of art all the way around. Sure. I’ll admit I’m a bit biased towards Spider-Man titles but this one definitely deserves its score, and that score is…

Final Score:

 

AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #11
Story by Zeb Wells
Art by Steve Dillon
Cover by Chris Samnee and Javier Rodriguez