The Amazing Spider-Man #15 Review: A Cosmic Moral Conundrum
Writer: Joe Kelly | Artist: Emilio Laiso | Publisher: Marvel Comics
Is The Amazing Spider-Man #15 just "Diet Guardians of the Galaxy," or does it offer something more? As Peter Parker drifts further away from New York, issue #15 proves that even in the deepest reaches of space, the Parker Luck—and his unwavering moral compass—follows him everywhere.
In this review, we break down Spidey’s team-up with Rocket Raccoon, the shocking truth about his new Tech Suit, and why this "spaced-out" era of Spider-Man is surprisingly consistent.
Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man #15 follow below.
The Plot: Nightmares and Alien Fight Pits
The issue opens with a psychological fake-out. We see Peter reuniting with Aunt May in New York, only for the scene to dissolve into a twisted nightmare fueled by his guilt over leaving Earth and the looming spectre of the villain Hellgate.
Reality hits hard when Peter wakes up not in Queens, but to Rocket Raccoon pointing a massive gun in his face. The dynamic between these two is the highlight of the book. Rocket, who refuses to call Spidey "Peter" (claiming it's a lame name) and insists on calling him "Boss," reveals they are in deep trouble.
Rocket has indebted the team to an alien mob boss who runs a gladiatorial arena. To square the debt, Spider-Man must fight the pit’s champion: Betty.
The Twist: The Truth About the Tech Suit
Expectations are subverted when "Betty" is revealed to be a massive, hemorrhoid-looking monster. But the real story isn't the monster; it’s Spider-Man’s suit.
Throughout this arc, Dr. Xanto Starblood has equipped Peter with a high-tech exo-suit. However, in the middle of the death match, Peter realizes the crowd is betting on the suit, not him. Why? Because the suit isn't a husk—it’s a sentient being enslaved by a restraining bolt.
Key Moments and Highlights
1. The Birth of "Glitch"
Peter Parker does what Peter Parker does best: he chooses morality over survival. Despite being in a life-or-death battle, he demands a hard restart of the suit to free its mind.
- The Joke: The reboot forces Spidey into a literal T-Pose—a hilarious nod to video game culture (fitting, given Joe Kelly’s background in game writing).
- The Lore: The suit, naming itself Glitch, reveals it was a Technarch who sold itself into slavery. The mind-meld between Peter and Glitch offers a poignant look at Peter’s internal "sea of self-loathing."
2. Rocket Raccoon’s Secret Agenda
While the chaos unfolds, Rocket slips up. He reveals that his debt to the mobster wasn't just about money; he was hunting for information regarding his missing family. Whether this refers to the Guardians of the Galaxy or Groot specifically remains a mystery, but it adds necessary depth to Rocket's presence.
3. An Unexpected Romance?
By the end of the issue, Peter has lost the suit (having freed Glitch), but he gained an admirer. Raelith, the green-skinned team member, is apparently "turned on" by Peter’s selflessness. The issue closes with her throwing herself at Peter, proving that Spidey has a Captain Kirk-level charm when he’s off-planet.
Critique: Is It Worth Reading?
The Verdict: 7.5/10
The Amazing Spider-Man #15 is an incredibly fun, albeit not groundbreaking, entry in the series.
The Pros:
- Consistency: After a long period of uneven storytelling, this book finally feels consistent in tone.
- Dialogue: Joe Kelly’s script is sharp. The banter between Rocket and Spidey is pure gold.
- Visuals: Emilio Laiso’s art handles the shift from horror (the nightmare) to sci-fi action seamlessly.
The Cons:
- The Ticking Clock: The biggest downside is the meta-knowledge that this status quo is temporary. With Marvel announcing the Death Spiral (Venom/Carnage crossover) coming in April, it feels like we won't get to live in this sci-fi experiment long enough to fully appreciate it.
Final Thoughts
If you can get past the fact that this is essentially a Spider-Man book wearing a Guardians of the Galaxy costume, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride. It asks interesting questions about what Peter and Xanto are planning next and where Rocket’s family is.
For fans of cosmic Marvel and witty banter, Amazing Spider-Man #15 is a solid pickup.