I (heart) Marvel: Web of Romance #1

Writer: Tom Beland
Pencils: Cory Walker
Inker: Cliff Rathburn
Colorist: Matt Milla


This one-shot, part of the I (heart) Marvel event, features Spiderman as he desperately searches for the perfect Valentines Day gift for his wife. Peter’s so desperate in fact, that enlists the aid of his fellow Avengers, his aunt and even a villain or two.

Wow. Two Marvel Event one-shots in a row that I actually enjoyed! Last week I reviewed the My Mutant Heart one-shot and while I wasn’t blown away it was still an enjoyable read. Web of Romance is much better. Featuring one full-length story instead of three, like My Mutant Heart, Web presents a cute little Valentines Day story about comics’ best couple, Peter Parker and Mary Jane.

Tom Beland, writer of indie hit True Story Swear to God, weaves a really neat little tale that has everything a good Spiderman story needs - action, comedy and Peter Parker winning out in the end despite the odds. I especially love the opening scene between Spiderman and Z-list supervillain, Mandrill. And Beland really nails Peter and Mary Jane’s relationship, explaining why MJ, not Gwen Stacy, is the true love of his life.

And, damn, Cory Walker can draw a mean Spiderman. I think the colorist hurt Walker’s somewhat minimal style by trying to add too many details after the fact, but it doesn’t totally ruin the look. Someone really needs to get Cory Walker and Robert Kirkman on a regular Spiderman title. That’s a Spidey book I would buy.

So, yeah, this is a really good one-shot, well worth dropping a few bucks on. We’ll have to wait and see if the rest of the I (heart) Marvel books are as good as this one. I’ve been pleasantly surprised so far.
 

Special thanks go out to Jeremy Shorr, owner of Titan Comics for allowing us to use his advance preview books for review purposes.

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