Anyway, "Amazing Spider-Man" #647 is the final issue in the "Brand New Day" era of the book. And just like "Amazing Spider-Man" #600, all of the web-heads, or braintrust, each contributed a story. Since some of the stories aren't really connected with each other, I'm gonna review the stories individually.
"Another Door"
Story: Fred Van Lente
Art: Max Fiumara
This story is the probably the main story in the issue. Van Lente writes this story pretty well, wrapping up some of the cast stories, while also setting up new ones. Apparently, Vin Gonzales is finally released from jail, and tries to make ammends with the people he has hurt. Peter goes shopping with Carlie for Halloween costumes but ends up in a big fight.
I don't know why Overdrive is here. The last we saw him he was all webbed up and put to jail back in "Amazing Spider-Man" #645. But I think Van Lente chose him so the Spider Mobile could make an appearance. And it was pretty out of character of Spidey to just yank out the windows of a building, not thinking of the collateral damage he has done.
Stanley Osborn (Harry Osborn's new son) dressed as Dr. Octopus is pretty funny and ironic. After reappearing in the book for "Brand New Day," he will leave again and go some place far away. But I can't blame Van Lente for this though, Harry's story is pretty much finished anyway, with his new baby and telling Peter that Spidey and he are square.
And because of that, the role of Peter's best friend is now left to Mary Jane. That would bring some interesting plots in the future just because of the fact that MJ knows about Peter's secret. I gotta give it to Van Lente, Peter and MJ's conversation here is a lot better than the whole "One More in Time" arc by Joe Quesada. MJ dressed as Jackpot is another "Brand New Day" irony.
On the other hand, we now know that Hobgoblin will make a comeback, and Van Lente may have already given us a hint on who Hobgoblin will be. Vin revealed to Harry his Green Goblin tattoo and Norman Osborn is his higher power. So they turned Vin from a really good guy into a villain now.
This particular story is basically an epilogue to the "Brand New Day" and a set up to the upcoming "Big Time."
"Honor Thy Father"
Story: Zeb Wells
Art: Michael De Mundo
Harry Osborn might have shown a little bit of his goblin side by beating up Vin in this story. I can't say I didn't enjoy that, though. In the previous story, we see Vin reveal his relationship with Norman Osborn, and Harry took it as a threat to his baby.
Props to Zeb Wells for giving Harry Osborn the confidence he needed to be his own man before he disappears from the book again.
"Stand Off"
Story: Bob Gale
Art: Karl Kesel
In my opinion, Bob Gale is the "weakest" in the braintrust in terms of writing a good Spider-Man story. "Stand Off" is basically a filler story to the issue, as it did actually nothing to contribute to the plot in general. The whole story is just to give an interaction between Mayor Jonah and Spider-Man.
"Norah's Last Night in NYC"
Story: Joe Kelly
Art: J.M. Ken Niimura
Who else better to write a Norah Winters story other than Joe Kelly? Winters's mom is asking her to leave New York and come home to Wisconsin because she didn't "make it" in journalism. But Spider-Man convinces her to stay. I believe Norah Winters to be one of the most interesting underused supporting cast in the book, and it's good see she is the main focus in this story. Thank you Joe Kelly for including her in your stories. I wish to see more of Winters in "Big Time."
I'm not really into anime art in American comic books, but the quirky art of Niimura suits the character of Norah Winters well, so this one's okay to me.
"J. Jonah Jameson - The Musical"
Story: Mark Waid
Art: Paul Azaceta
Well, this isn't really a story at all but a single page poster featuring a fictional J. Jonah Jameson musical. Maybe the fact that Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta already did "Origin of the Species" that they got way with just this. There are a some funny lines though.
"American Hero"
Story: Marc Guggenheim
Art: Graham Nolan, Mark Pennington
Flash Thompson makes an appearance again in the book. Guggenheim writes a story that gives a reflection to the real world. Flash and Spider-Man have a conversation about how they both inspire each other. A good and touching story by Guggenheim.
"You Again"
Story: Fred Van Lente, Dan Slott
Art: Adam Archer
Back in the start of "Brand New Day" (ASM #546) we see a girl kissing Peter. Van Lente and Slott gives her a story with this one. The girl's name is Mia Flores and she has the hots for Harry Osborn. She tries to befriend Peter to get closer to Harry but because of Peter's secret alter-ego, Mia always misses Peter whenever she tries to catch up with him.
It's a pretty interesting story because Van Lente and Slott used a character from the beginning of BND to recap the major events that happened throughout the era (Paper Doll, New Ways to Die, Gauntlet, etc.)
Overall, this issue is packed with Spider-Man goodness from all the members of the braintrust. Although some of them are pretty much filler stories, they are still a good read. Aside from the main story, I really liked the Norah Winters and Flash Thompson stories.
Now that "Brand New Day" is over, it's time to move on and hit the "Big Time"!
Rating: 4.5/5
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