Spiderman What if Volume 1 Issue 19 Review

It's 2002 and I'm in Junior High, sitting front row (but besides nervous to slide iv seats over side by side to my crush) for the debut of the outset Spider-Man movie of my life. I'm way as well shy to talk to my crush after, merely I tin't terminate talking to anyone inside earshot about Spider-Man. From this point forward I will refer to Spider-Man every bit my favorite comic book character (sorry Wolverine and Nightcrawler).

Information technology'due south 2012, and I've been married just over a yr, and I'yard watching the rebootedAmazing Spider-Homoon DVD in my Chicago apartment, gin and tonic in my hand. I've started a comic volume website recently, but information technology's a fledgling trivial projection. I won't even cover the movie there. I'm quite unsure of where my life is headed professionally, stressed out and aimless, just notwithstanding I take a neat fourth dimension watching.

It's 2021 and I have a rare night out without my three young boys, watchingSpider-Man: No Way Homein a theater screening that required proof of vaccination against a virus sweeping the world withal again. Today I'll worry almost all the maskless moviegoers around me enjoying their popcorn, but for well-nigh three hours, I'g fixated on the webbed mask Steve Ditko designed so perfectly in the early 60's.

A lot's changed for me in 2 decades, just ane relative constant is that I'1000 more likely than not to enjoy a bully Spider-Human being motion picture, and Spider-Man: No Way Home is no exception.

* Spoilers For Spider-Man No Way Dwelling Follow! *

The Problem With The Good Old Days

Spider-Human: No Style Homecelebrates this history, specifically engineered to inject a heaping serving of nostalgia into the unstoppable Marvel Cinematic Universe machine. It'due south agloriousintegration of Spider-Man's 2000's success at the box part and the full scope and scale of an interconnected, shared Curiosity Universe. At the conclusion of "Far From Home," Mysterio reveals that Peter Parker is Spider-Human being, driving a now globe famous (and half-the-globe-over reviled) Peter in "No Way Home" to turn to Doctor Strange to cast a spell that will make everyone forget. The attempted spell goes awry, leading to an invasion from across the multiverse of characters who know Peter Parker is Spider-Human being, including villains (Alfred Molina'south Doctor Octopus, Willem Dafoe's Greenish Goblin, Jamie Foxx's Electro, Sandman, and Lizard) and heroes (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield as Spidey!) from across the Sony-verse.

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I was nothing but enraptured and awed through the motion-picture show's two and a half hour run time, and nevertheless, I left with a question: If I know I'm existence pandered to, why am I non more than critical of that?

Trading on nostalgia certainly isn't unique to comics (we don't have to dig likewise hard to retrieve the disaster known as Star Wars: The Ascent of Skywalker), just it's a huge claiming in 2021. Very shouty former men in the fandom dear to pine for days gone by, back when the neverending shared story of these characters was just the way they liked it. Only the day after I saw "No Way Dwelling" in theaters, Marvel announced what appears to be a throwback Gambit serial from looooooong-time Ten-Men writer Chris Claremont prepare during the late 80s early 90s period when Storm got turned into a little girl. This joins Peter David'due south corner ofMaestrocomics, a Ron Lim written return to early 90's Silver Surfer, and X-Men Legends as a growing wing of Marvel's published output expressly catered to the "good old days" crowd.

While I'1000 not opposed to creators similar Claremont who've created so much in the Curiosity Universe standing to go work and get paid (that'south a good thing!), I am actively opposed to attitudes and agendas that proceed the Marvel Universe rooted in the embittered, stubborn anger of maintaining a past gold age that probably never fifty-fifty was. I beloved continuity, and I dearest the history of the Curiosity Universe, but I loath regressive storytelling that doesn't push button the universe forward, and merely fossilizes a perceived version of idealized status quo.

The biggest MCU movies of the by 3 years plough meta-regression into artwork. This started in Avengers: Endgamewhich was an (earned) victory lap of all things MCU, and it's amplified here inSpider-Man: No Fashion Home with the full history of Spider-Human movies of the 2000's. These are movies that are looking back more than they're looking forward, and the danger in my view becomes getting lost in the past.

We Take to Become Back… Only Non Likewise Far

Avengers: Endgamedeftly navigated this trap with plenty of clever choices, only it also benefitted from operating asthedecision to a decade long Infinity Saga in the MCU. It makes sense to expect dorsum as yous close the curtain on an era.

Spider-Homo: No Way Dwellingis less clearly conclusive, and its nostalgia more than deliberately marketed. The hype effectually "No Mode Dwelling house" is less about Tom Holland'due south third Spider-Man pic and how information technology volition impact the MCU moving forward, and more nigh actors who volition returnfrom not-MCU projects fans already love. There's real danger there of becoming more than of a large budget Wikipedia page full of linked sources than astory.

"No Style Home" feels aware of this, fifty-fifty as its teasing united states of america with Charlie Cox's Netflix Daredevil joining the MCU inside the first 25 minutes of the movie. Crucially, the narrative momentum is always in control of the reminiscence ride, and not vice versa, even as the film Lucile Bluth winks at touchpoints like Doc Ock's "The power of the sun in the palm of my mitt" or Gobby's "I'grand something of a scientist myself."

More succinctly, there'southward areasonfor all these ghosts of Spiders by to infiltrate "No Mode Dwelling house," and it's a good one! Throughout 2021, the MCU Multiverse has been fracturing, nearly notably inWandaVisionandLoki on Disney+. That comes to a caput hither as Dr. Strange'south (absolutely unhinged, reckless) memory spell goes wrong, and the barriers between multiverses erode. Nosotros've been building to this bespeak in the MCU'southward large picture all twelvemonth!

Crucially likewise, the integration of all these onetime Spidey movies is in direct service of helping Tom Holland's Peter Parker progress every bit a character. In "No Way Home," The netherlands'due south Parker is faced with a choice: Send these villains dorsum to their own universes, with the knowledge that they will die, or try to help them change from their villainous path, and return with a take a chance at salvation. Aunt May being the one to convince Spider-Man to relieve and rehabilitate these villains is brilliant, as May (even on decease's door) tells Peter it's the right affair to do no matter what. Plus, the MCU'south Peter Parker is joined by Tobey and Andrew's previous incarnations who are fully on board with a chance to practisebetterby their villains this time. Information technology's reflective of Peter saving Vulture at the stop ofSpider-Man: Homecoming, a grouping of Spider-Men all focused on doingwhat's rightno matter the personal price, and this story sells that with aplomb. That'due south what justifies the fanservice.

The heart and humor ofSpider-Human: No Way Dwelling house also helps the film transcend triteness. I was choked up multiple times throughout, and frequently not where I expected to be. The moment Zendaya'south MJ begins to fall from a great height, I already felt Andrew Garfield's hazard at redemption inside reach. And still, seeing Garfield get to swoop afterward her, get to concur her safely in his arms, and to watch him immediately tear up thinking nearly Gwenkilled me. That moment in particular feels special considering it'due south not just about the widely pannedAstonishing Spider-Human being 2 – it'south near the history of Spider-Man's comics, from "The Expiry of Gwen Stacy" to today.

I'chiliad delighted and a fleck surprised that "No Way Home" leaned into Spidey's secret identity exposure as thoroughly as it did. I anticipated Peter and Doc Strange's spell would actually seal Peter'south identity support,thenthe multiverse invasion would be the effect. And instead, the two threads get to exist simultaneously, an outed Peter Parker forced to bargain with both exposure and multiversal villain-crashers, and information technology's extremely effective tension.

If I always rewatch, I anticipate it will stand up out more just how much "No Way Dwelling" values spectacle over internal consistency. That said, when the spectacle is Spider-Human being playing go on away from Doctor Strange in the mirror dimension, or fighting Electro, Sandman, and Lizard on the Captue of Liberty, I don't really care!

It'southward a tearjerker of an ending in a number of means, just I'm both surprised and pleased that the MCU commits to an ending with a Peter Parker who is entirelyfreed from not just his supporting bandage, simply from the net of Peter Parker as the heir apparent to Tony Stark and the Avengers. The Ultimates-ification of Peter Parker has never been my favorite thing, but I certainly understood why that would exist the instance in a cinematic universe defined by the Avengers. Yet, I'm left in awe how "No Way Home" took pure doses of nostalgia and concocted a motion picture that and then finer sets the phase for a new era of Tom Holland'due south Spider-Homo from here. I can't look to see what the next decade brings.

10 Thoughts on Spider-Man: No Way Home

1) Must There Be An Uncle Ben

One of the most surprising reveals in "No Style Home" is non only does Aunt May get to teach Peter that "With great ability, there must likewise come great responsibility," and not only is it seemingly the first time Peter'southward heard this, but it doesn't seem like Tom Holland'due south Peter Parker had an Uncle Benat all.

I had causeless that the absenteeism of Uncle Ben in MCU Spidey's debut in "Civil War" was but doing us a (welcome) favor of not rehasing Spider-Human being'south origins, but "No Way Domicile" suggests that'south because Peter never lost an Uncle Ben. This could just be a misread on my role, but at that place'south no "Ben Parker" tombstone next to May'due south at the end of the movie, and both Tobey and Andrew'southward Spidey'south reference a Ben while Tom'due south does not.

I don't really accept any kind of effect with this, but it is fascinating to me the ways "No Style Home" inverts the May / Ben roles (effectively) and contrary-engineers Peter'southward well-nigh of import lesson every bit something that comesaftersix movies every bit Spider-Human being!

two) Bad Villains Honor Show

I've been handing out the "At that place is no Mandarin Laurels" for villain nigh thoroughly wasted in service of the plot since 2013, and I'thousand excited to render to the awards here in 2021 afterward a whole year off!

While I certainly wouldn't have said no to one of the multiversal Spider-villains sticking effectually in the MCU (particularly Alfred Molina'due south "Superior" Octopus), none of them really compete for the award the way Taskmaster and the Deviants did this year.

Of course, the irony here is that now that I've also seenShang-Chi, the inspiration for the laurels – Ben Kingsley'south "At that place is No Mandarin" himself! – made a triumphant return!! And then you could make a potent case that the crown returns to the Mandarin in 2021, since the MCU rebranded the 10 Rings equally the deadly organization pb past Xu Wenwu, Shang-Chi'due south father, aka totallynot the Mandarinagain.

It's a competitive year, but I'm going to stick to my gut and give the title to Taskmaster, not just because the villain was entirely inverse from their comics personality, only primarily because the characterdid nonwork for me in their picture show.

Our winners:

2013: The (Not) Standard mandarin
2014: Ronan the Accuser
2015: Businesswoman Von Strucker
2016: Cottonmouth
2017: Surtur
2018: The Blackness Order
2019: Ronan the Accuser
2020: DNP
2021: Taskmaster

3) For $one, Name A Woman

Ok, so Peter and Stephen's spell gone wrong brings characters from their universe to the MCU if (and only if) that graphic symbol knows Peter Parker is Spider-Man. This premise allows for the return of our 5 colorful villains, and of course the ghosts of Spiders past. But, that logic also opens the door for non-powered players in the lives of Pete, namely Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, or Gwen Stacy. And nosotros don't hear annihilation about them breaking through. I get why this doesn'thappen in terms of plot, merely it'southward a chip as well convenient that we don't see any loves of Peter Parkers.

Fifty-fifty if Kirstin Dunst simply did not want to take function (fair enough!), that honestly just highlights to me another of the what ifs almost "No Fashion Abode": The absence of whatever unknown characters from across the multiverse. The introduction of 1newplayer – a new Gwen (Spider-Gwen anyone?), a Miles Morales, Herman Schultz, anyone! – could have been a cool wrinkle, and offered a chip of surprise during the "I've seen that one!" festival of Spider-movie theater. In that location are no left-field twists across this Spider-Poetry, no Spider-Hams or Punk Spider-Mans, which leaves a lot of untapped potential.

4) The Greatest Spider-Man of All

Andrew Garfield's Spidey was always quite skillful – funnier and more assertive than Tobey'south – but Garfield's tenure was conspicuously tarnished past muddled vision and messy execution. Information technology's a classic case of a skilful role player on a bad squad, like Zach Lavine on the Bulls prior to 2021's championship contender erupting like they have (unrelated: Become Bulls!).

I was really happy to encounter Garfield not but get a redemption bout, but todecidedlysteal the show, lighting up the screen as Peter with the funniest and most heartbreaking moments. To all the Andrew Garfield stans who've been representing since 2012, congratulations on your vindication!

5) Just A Tease

I'm quite high on the MCU's Spider-trilogy, simply I'll admit information technology's a scrap weird that through three movies,Spider-Man: Homecoming'steases nearly Vulture knowing his identity, and connecting with Mac Gargan (aka Nacho, aka The Scorpion) in prison all went absolutely nowhere. Of course, it's evenweirderthat Michael Keaton's Vulture will apparently next be seen in 2022'sMorbius, a film with a trailer that shockingly makes even less sense subsequently watchingSpider-Man: No Way Dwelling!

Worse, Jamie Foxx's Electro makes a joke in "No Way Home" that he idea Spider-Man would exist black, and while I heard some in the audience excitedly murmuring they were teasing Miles… they already teased Miles in Spider-Man: Homecomingand it went no where! Call back Donald Glover's function every bit Uncle Aaron? Don't worry, neither does the MCU.

Hey, I love the three Spideys together here, but in that location's no denying Tobey, Andrew, and Tom highlights the lack of multifariousness and imagination in the franchise over the past 20 years. The Spider-Verse is much wider and more inclusive, and it'southward fourth dimension the MCU reflected that.

6) Credit Goop

As teased at the end ofVenom 2: Permit There Be Carnage, patently Doctor Strange and Peter'southward magic brought Tom Hardy'due south Eddie Brock and Venom from the Sonyverse to the MCU. That thread continues hither in the mid-credits scene, where we see Brock made utilise of this trip across the multiverse to get loaded in Mexico and learn a fleck about the Avengers. The implication – at to the lowest degree as I sympathise information technology – is that Brock's symbiote knows of a Peter Parker/Spider-Man, otherwise I don't know why they'd get included inside the spell.

Regardless, when Brock and his symbiote are called back to their original Universe (once again, peradventure to be seen/referenced in the confounding Morbius), the camera lingers on a little scrap of symbiote goop left behind on the bar counter confirming: Venom is in the Curiosity Cinematic Universe.

seven) Multiverse of Madness

Doc Strange's role in the moving-picture show is a compelling subplot, as nosotros casually acquire here that Strange is no longer sorcerer supreme, losing the championship to Wong during the five yr blip. Stephen hasn't necessarily fallen as far as I thought nosotros might see, but he is arrogant in attempting his spell with Peter in the beginning place. Approximately 98% of "No Way Home" never happens if Stephen simply stops spellcasting and talks things through for 2 minutes, but of form, the good doctor can't exist bothered.

All of that has me pretty interested in 2022'southDoctor Strange two: Multiverse of Madness, but oddly the trailer for the movie airing as the 2nd post-credits teaser did not help matters! It's just a trailer sure, only I was weirdly disappointed by this one, specially since the reveal of an Evil Physician Strange feels really disappointing after that just happened in Marvel's animated What If. Adequately effectively as well!

Hopefully, much similar trailers for "No Way Habitation," theMultiverse of Madnesshas ample tricks, and the trailer reveals are simply a small office of setting the stage. Just I went from very excited to feeling pretty cautious about this one, and that seems like the opposite intended effect!

8) Sinister Five

I was pretty hyped for a multiversal Sinister Six, so I'll admit in that location'south definitely a percentage (permit'south telephone call it half dozen.6666%) of my nerd-brain that breaks pulling in v villains instead of six! I kept waiting for the surprising reveal of Topher Grace's Venom (and hey, exercise yous Toph), but alas, no sixth was to be plant!

Nonetheless, of the villains, I thought Jamie Foxx made the most of his redemption tour, given the critical drubbingAmazing Spider-Homo 2took, and how much more effortlessly charismatic and funny he gets to be hither in 'No Way Habitation.' I"ll be thinking about "gotta be careful where you fall" every time I become outside.

The absolute standout operation for me, though, was Willem Dafoe as the about sinister Green Goblin we've yet seen. Dafoe's heel turn was inappreciably surprising – never trust a Norman Osborn! – only the vigor with which the Goblin turns, and the violence he unleashes was far more than I anticipated. In the long-running debate nigh Spider-Human being'due south true archenemy, Doc Ock may acceptmoreadept stories, but it's always Stormin' Norman who causes the virtually trauma, and "No Way Home" captures that yet again with the death of Aunt May.

There was plenty of theorizing that later on "No Way Home," various villains could stick effectually for a larger office in the MCU, and while I'd be interested in an adaptation of Osborn's "Dark Reign" somewhen, I'm glad we got to see the true evil of the Goblin unleashed one time more, if only to encounter Tobey take a literal stabbing in the back in order to try to help him.

( On a related note, credit to Zack of My Marvelous Year for convincing me to rewatch the Sam Raimi directed Spider-Manfilms for the the commencement fourth dimension in decades because that actually paid off here!)

9) Spider-Man Movie Power Rankings Update

AfterInto the Spider-Poetry,I ranked the Spider-Human motion-picture show verse, and adding inFar From HomeandNo Mode Home,I wouldn't alter anything other than asserting 'No Way Dwelling house'south' extremely high placement in the pantheon!

The plainly unpopular controversy hither is asserting "No Way Dwelling" is better thanSpider-Human being 2, and I go information technology. I similarThe White Anthologymore thanRevolver, I'm used to the heat. Honestly, though, as practiced equally Spider-Man 2is (and Ijuuuustrewatched it!), I simply prefer the grandeur and interconnected Marvel Universe that "No Way Home" tin bring to the table. You don't get this upshot without Spider-Man 2laying the groundwork, I don't deny the importance, merely I will e'er take a functional story with multiversal Sinister Six and a healthy dose of Dr. Foreign over a straight up Pete vs Otto banger.

Crucial to note here too,Into the Spider-Poesyremains the GOAT, and I don't call back information technology'southward that close.

1. Spider-Human: Into the Spider-Poesy
2. Spider-Man: No Way Home
3. Spider-Human being 2
4. Spider-Human being: Far From Home
5. Spider-Human: Homecoming
6. Spider-Man (Sam Raimi)
7. Amazing Spider-Man
8. Amazing Spider-Man two
9. Your knees experience like they've been mashed with Thor'due south hammer every time yous run
10. Spider-Human 3

10) MCU Power Rankings Update

Spider-Human: No Way Homeis the get-go upper echelon Marvel Studios film of 2021, which also makes it the start knockout sinceEndgame. It'south not my absolute all-time of the all-time, simply I exercise think it belongs inside my top ten, in a swelling 2nd tier of "Great" Marvel movies. Information technology'due south definitely my favorite of the MCU Spider-Man trilogy, and I'grand generally quite high on the first ii entries.

I'm likewise addingShang-Chito the 3rd tier, having finally defenseless upwards on Disney+, and really enjoying the spectacle of Shang's origin story. At the time of this ranking, at that place's one episode remaining inHawkeye, only I'm comfortable dropping the series in my "Mixed Feelings" category, as it's been a wildly inconsistent blend of huge hits and tremendous misses.

Tier i: The Best

i) Avengers: Infinity War

2) Avengers: Endgame

iii) Jessica Jones (Season i)

4) Thor: Ragnarok

Tier 2: Great

5) Guardians of the Galaxy

6) Captain America 3: Civil State of war

seven) Black Panther

eight) Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier

nine) Spider-Human: No Way Home

10) Avengers

xi) WandaVision

12) Daredevil (Seasons i,2,3)

Tier iii: Good

13) Captain America: The Offset Avenger

14) Spider-Man: Far From Home

fifteen) Atomic number 26 Man

16) Spider-Man: Homecoming

17) Shang Chi

eighteen) Loki (Season One)

Tier 4: Perfectly Average

xix) Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

twenty) Black Widow

21) Iron Man iii

22) Eternals

23) Ant-Human & The Wasp

24) Captain Marvel

25) Avengers 2: Age of Ultron

26) Ant-Man

Tier five: Mixed Feelings

27) Doctor Strange

28) Hawkeye

29) Falcon and the Winter Soldier

30) Luke Cage (Seasons one & two)

31) Amanuensis Carter (Seasons 1 & two)

32) Runaways

33) The Punisher (S1, S2)

34) Thor ii: The Dark World

35) Cloak & Dagger

Tier six: I'll Simply Watch With a Comic In Paw

36) Defenders

37) Thor

38) Agents of SHIELD

39) Fe Fist Season Two

40) Incredible Hulk

Tier 7: Nope

41) Iron Man 2

42) Jessica Jones (Flavour Two)

43) Canker sores

44) Fe Fist Season 1

45) Inhumans

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Source: https://www.comicbookherald.com/spider-man-no-way-home-review/

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