Amazing Spider-Man #14

Ben returns to Earth to take another look at Peter. When he's confronted by the collection agent that's been dogging Peter for months, he decides that it is the perfect time to bring the man to Madeline so that his darkness can become the first of the army Ben will command. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #14 is a promising start to Dark Web, breaking away from Spider-Man to showcase a year in the life of Chasm, Janine, and the Goblin Queen. The additional page count allows the creative teams to compress a year into four, visually distinct sections while building the emotion at the epicenter of this issue. It feels like Dark Web is the story Wells has really wanted to tell since taking over Spider-Man, and that shows on every page. Fans of Hellions and Beyond will want to pick this up, and for the most part, can skip the previous issues of Amazing. Read Full Review

The Dodson's evoke a real sense of tragedy in "Fall" and Ryan Stegman makes clear that hell is coming for both Spider-Man and X-Men comics in "Winter." Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #14 is an interesting issue. It feels like something that might normally be a "zero issue or one-shot leading into an event. "Dark Web kicking off in a regular issue that doesn't feature Spider-Man or anyone else other than the villains is interesting in a lot of ways. Overall, it's a nice issue that delivers motivation but doesn't quite have that punch that really excites. Still, it's more than enough to keep me interested in the event to come. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #14 has just enough detail to give readers a sense of what we're in store for with Dark Web, but it's mostly half-baked. The players are present, and how they get together is clear, but the motivations behind their actions and goals remain vague or secret. The creators have stated that it takes inspiration from the Inferno event and Mutant Massacre, which might be why this issue doesn't feel like a Spider-Man book. I'm optimistic about the upcoming event, but if you're looking for a deep look at the characters underneath the rage and revenge, you can skip it entirely. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #14 sets up the Dark Web event with a Spider-Man-free issue that focuses entirely on Ben Reilly. The plan Ben devises with Janine, and Madelyne is audacious, but this issue is just planning. Did this need to be an Amazing Spider-Man comic? No, it should have been a one-shot or zero-issue, but at least you get a taste of what's in store for the Dark Web event. Read Full Review

Screaming Enigma

May 31, 2023

This was a well-done issue that catches us up on what Ben and Janine have been doing since the ending of the last ASM run. While I'm not typically a fan of the art changing mid-issue, I think this was a better usage of that and the art, mostly, fit with the different scenes being depicted. Overall, I think this issue does a good job of building interest and intrigue going into Dark Web.

CrazyforRAMU

May 25, 2023

Dark Web is shaping up into quite the tragedy. Although I don't "like" a lot of what's going on -- how many other characters are going to get burned by Ben Reilly's endless, juvenile angst? -- I'll admit the build-up is crafted well. The four-act structure makes a nice excuse for the range of different art styles. Plot and character developments strike a nice balance. What we see here is clearly prelude, but also clearly meaningful.

Batmanaholic

Nov 23, 2022

This was not what I expected but a good read. It's got 4 different set teams which is usually something I hate, but it worked for this story. Ben'a new suit is pure badass and one of the only character redesigns I've liked in a long time. Can't wait for this event to start.

DDJamesB

Nov 27, 2022

It's not bad. It has good parts. It also doesn't feel like an Amazing Spider-Man book which is why I am docking it a little. I get we need set up, but it be nice to get some Peter in his book.

Kalaoui

Dec 08, 2022

It was OK and not a bad setup for an event but this is supposed to be an ASM book. Where is Peter Parker and how in the world is this related to his MJ and Felicia story? I guess we are spreading this over many books and that is just not a good thing for the current story which will have to wait until this is over. Art worked well for the 4 parts which is good but man the ASM office is killing me right now.

daspidaboy

Nov 23, 2022

this issue was okay to be honest. Not bad, but not good either.

samizrozami

Dec 06, 2022

Great art, dumb story

Federico Liguori

Dec 16, 2022

This is not good. Not rating it 4/10 just because it's the first part of a new event and I want to give it the benefit of the doubt. I just don't like this new Spider-Man run and I surely don't like this new Ben Reilly or whatever he's called now. Enough with these characters, we've seen them a thousand times! Marvel is completely out of ideas and I'm already fed up. P.S. "Hallow's Eve"? Is this a joke or what? The hell did I just read?

Hex

Feb 22, 2023

The story much like the art is all over the place. Janine went from zero to one hundred really fast. Recognizing she was in a toxic relationship or at least one that was forming and just runs back after interacting with one person. I get that the person had a point but it was very coincidental and that's frustrating to see being forced in to get the character to do what you want. It didn't feel natural. The Ben meeting Madelyn Pryor bit looked awful and read about as bad. Nothing else to say. The Dodson's did a pretty great job on the art but it really couldn't save how quick Janine's turn still is but the pace of the whole book is jumping wildly so I guess it's expected here. I get that it's going through seasons at a time but all of a sud den war is talked about being waged but we don't know with what army, against who aside from Peter and I'm assuming at least Jean Grey and maybe Scott and the rest of the X-Crew. Same as with the Spring section, this really feels like forcing Janine into a position that doesn't feel natural to her and Wells is just trying to create a character for his event and maybe residuals. Finally, Winter brings the worst art I have seen from Ryan Stegman but at least it was the most coherent storyline. It's like Wells started with those last few pages and had to figure out how to get there. This whole book is kind of a mess and I'm not excited for Dark Web as a result. This should have been an annual. more

Afre

Nov 23, 2022

The whole idea of Dark Web has been so confusing to me. Having an event so soon after Wells started his run feels odd. Since I don't feel enough has happened character-wise to Peter. And then the event itself. Crossover between X-Men, Venom and Spider-Man to fight demons from Limbo? That really doesn't feel like a Spider-Man event, even if Ben is the antagonist. But the idea of Ben doing that also just feels so... odd. Clone Conspiracy has it's issues, but at least it felt like a Spider-Man event and not just random stuff mashed together. I just... I don't see this working. So with those thoughts, I still wanted to give Dark Web a chance. Because I have been enjoying Wells' run mostly. The whole run has ideas I heavily dislike or ide as that confuse me, but Wells seem to make them work. Maybe this would do? Sadly, that isn't the case. This just doesn't work for me. I don't really care and Ben being just full-on villain (again, just after being "redeemed" from Clone Conspiracy) just doesn't work. And Janice? Just... eh. It all feels so forced. Just so that this event would happen. Art is fine-ish, but I feel like none of the artists bring their A-game to this. All of the art feels unfinished and the writing just feels like a fever dream came to comic. It's odd that Venom had me more excited for Dark Web than this. And you know the oddest part? This event is the biggest thing that has been marketed for this series. This random event that has forced motivations for characters so that they could be baddies. I have zero ideas what will happen to this run after this and I'm starting to lose interest too. more

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• daspidaboy
• Gio
• Kalaoui

Gio - Nov 28, 2022

Agree with everything stated. I personally am done right now with this current ASM. Most of the Marvel comics are crap too, been happy mostly with some DC comics and a few really good indies. Marvel is trash right now. When I get a Marvel itch I'm better off going back to the oldies stash!!!

Tiki

Apr 22, 2023

Wow Ben Reily the villain, never seen that before!

Gio

Nov 28, 2022

HOT GARBAGE! GOOD-BYE SPIDEY IT WAS NICE KNOWIN' YA! I think I'll check out Spider-man once they drop this Dark Web trash. As of now, I'm done with ASM. Collected up to this issue and I'm just sick of it, lackluster, no story at all. Sorry, it sucks. Better comics are out there that actually still have talented writers and care about story, so I'll put my hard earned money toward that. Total let down especially with the first 5 issues being much better (Though that is not saying much). This pile of dog poop is unreadable, forgettable gibberish, I did not even finish reading it. BORING. DULL. LAME. UNIMAGINATIVE. It all went down hill since the Axe Judgement day stuck it's nose in ASM and ruined the pace. Dark web not only ruins the pace, it pisses all over any enthusiasm one may have over Spider-man right now. Bye bye for now Spidey, but for now if I get a Spidey itch, I'll fare better reading the old ASM issues I have. This new rendition does Spider-man no justice at all!!! more