Comic Book Review: ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ #696

In ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #695, the new Hobgoblin (Phil Ulrich in case you’re keeping score) found a way to ramp up Spidey’s spider-sense so that it’s essentially useless. To make matters worse, Ulrich has decided that he’s going to get to Spider-Man by kidnapping the one person he knows has links to the web-head… Peter Parker! And while Ulrich’s plan is taking place, the original Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley) has returned to NYC with his sights set on killing the upstart imposter Ulrich. Oh boy!

This issue opens on Madame Web who has collapsed in the wake of the vision she had last issue. As she falls, she manages to croak out, “I’m so sorry… Peter…”. Speaking of Peter, he’s in the hands of Hobgoblin Ulrich and the Kingpin. The villains want Peter to contact Spider-Man and have the wallcrawler bring back a suitcase that contains… well… that would be spoilers.

Since Peter obviously can’t have Spider-Man come with the suitcase and, with his spider-sense still in high gear, he has to do something or else he’s going to die. (And we can’t have that since Peter has to at least make it through to this December’s ‘Amazing Spider-Man’ #700.) To that end, Peter has the Hobgoblin contact Max at Horizon Lab’s. After getting the warning that Pete’s in trouble, Max leaps into action and decides that, while Spidey might not be around, someone has to be the hero.

While all of this plotting about the briefcase is going on, Kingsley is investigating Ulrich to see who exactly has taken his rightful place as the Hobgoblin. Before all is said and done, there are goblins, ninjas, and some unlikely team-ups that you won’t want to miss.

With only a single issue to go before the final countdown to issue #700 begins in ‘ASM’ #698, writer Dan Slott isn’t holding anything back on our good ol’ friendly neighborhood web-slinger. He’s delivered yet another bang-up issue that’ll have you cheering, booing, and hugging the edge of your chair… and I have every expectation that things are only going to get more exciting as 2012 (and the end of an era) rushes to a close.

Final Score: