Amazing Spider-Man #537: Review

Feb 2007

J. Michael Straczynski, Ron Garney

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Story Name:

The war at home, part 6 of 7

Review & Comments

Rating:

Amazing Spider-Man #537 Review by Rob Johnson (May 3, 2016)

We've reached part 6 but the goalposts have been moved and now there's going to be a part 7.

This issue all takes place within Civil War #6.

It makes it sound like this is where Spider-Man joins the Resistance. But Peter said he'd already joined last issue. The Marvel Chronology Project reasonably takes that to be after the part of CW#5 and Punisher War Journal #1 where Spidey is hunted by the Thunderbolts and brought by Punisher to the Resistance, all of which immediately follows the beginning of last issue. MCP even has SM appearing with the Resistance in IM#14 during the span of last issue.

Kingpin has been in jail since Daredevil (1998) #50.

From Our Blog:

Gwen Stacy, beauty queen of Standard High School, was Peter Parker's (alias Spider-Man) first great love.

Gwen Stacy: Classic Beauty

Synopsis / Summary / Plot

Amazing Spider-Man #537 Synopsis by Rob Johnson

Peter Parker, Mary Jane and Aunt May are in the motel they booked into last issue. Pete goes out to buy a Daily Bugle and a prostitute recognises him and turns him in, presumably to Kingpin rather than the cops.

In Resistance HQ Captain America sends Human Torch to try and find Spider-Man before Iron Man's forces find him after his TV broadcast against the Superhuman Registration Act last issue. Johnny Storm's method is to write a message to Spidey in flames in the sky to give him a call.

In jail Wilson Fisk has a visit from his 'lawyer' who conveys the message that they've located Peter Parker. Kingpin authorises his assassination along with MJ and May. And if Peter's no longer at that address they should kill the other 2 anyway.

Between scenes Peter has obviously called Johnny and they've agreed a meet between Pete and Cap. Steve Rogers is talking it over with Falcon. Steve trusts Peter. But Sam Wilson offers up the possibility that Tony Stark has manoeuvred Spider-Man into this situation and has set up a trap.

Cap and SM meet on a rooftop. Pete wants to know what you do when the country you love (and in Cap's case represent) turns against you. Steve gives him a long quotation from Mark Twain which might be summarised "It's your patriotic duty to stand up for what you believe in, even if everyone else says you're wrong". Spidey follows him back to the HQ.

Fisk's 'lawyer' contacts a hitman with the address and payment, and warns him about Peter's spider-sense. The hitman takes the job and shoots the messenger - leave no witness who can testify against you. He checks the occupants of the motel room by pretending to deliver fresh towels. Seeing that Peter isn't there he takes up a stakeout position.

At Resistance HQ Spidey and Cap meet with Falcon, Living Lightning, Luke Cage, Punisher, Ultragirl and Vision. They're planning a final battle with Iron Man's gang. (We get a brief shot of Shellhead working with Mr Fantastic, Ms Marvel, She-Hulk and Yellowjacket.)

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