By: Bryce Morris
Another X-citing title in Marvel Comics’ expansive Fall of X lineup is The Uncanny Spider-Man. Writer Si Spurrier (Nightcrawlers) and Lee Garbett (Death of Doctor Strange)’s five-issue limited series The Uncanny Spider-Man sees a massive shift to the status quo of one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes.
As the title implies, traditional webslinger Peter Parker takes a temporary back seat while longtime X-Men member Kurt Wagner a.k.a. Nightcrawler adopts the mantle of New York City’s friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. The similarities in acrobatic prowess between Spider-Man and Nightcrawler have always been highlighted upon their initial encounters in comics, often acting as rivals in certain respects.
Readers are given an opportunity to see this potential that a Nightcrawler/Spider-Man mashup offered come to fruition in the opening pages of the book, wherein Nightcrawler (fully suited up in his Spider-Man outfit) handily defeats a pack of armed thugs. The two heroes even share a knack for using humor or quips to distract their foes during combat… a match made in heaven. It’s gratifying to see those encounters finally come full circle with Kurt, who seems to be making the Spider-Man mantle his own. This is the “what if?” we never knew we needed.
Previous individuals who have acquired the Spider-Man mantle range from Miles Morales to Gwen Stacy to even Doctor Otto Octavius. While Kurt may not utilize the famous web shooters in this issue, Nightcrawler makes up for it with his trademark teleporting “bamf” ability as well as a magical sword… which may just give Spidey’s webs a run for their money.
Seeing as this involves a mainstay mutant, there is still the threat of anti-mutant organization Orchis operating in the background on the hunt for this “new Spider-Man ” and others of his Homo-Superior species. Uncanny Spider-Man continues to offer a tinge of diversity with the Fall of X lineup, adding a dash of uniqueness to Marvel’s mutant mythos.
Overall, this issue was exciting enough to keep readers engaged. It did a great job at introducing a run that plenty of comic fans can look forward to as the year comes to an end. Uncanny Spider-Man #1 is now available at select comic retailers. At $4.99, the comic offers adequate value for the money.
Page Count: 36 Pages
Price: $4.99
