Favorite Quote #1: "So, here's the high concept: Spider-Man and Mysterio. A buddy picture. Two guys who can't get along team up with two sexy spies...go to the bad guy's secret base. Save the world. And all your money." -- Spidey, convincing Mysterio to join the good guys
Favorite Quote #2: "Think of them as the Sinister Six." "Seven. I'm with them." "Don't make me kill you." "Kidding. Just kidding." -- Sable and Mysterio, as they face the octobot-zombie Avengers
Favorite Quote #2: "Think of them as the Sinister Six." "Seven. I'm with them." "Don't make me kill you." "Kidding. Just kidding." -- Sable and Mysterio, as they face the octobot-zombie Avengers
Summary
Having stumbled from the fake factory, Black Widow, Silver Sable, and Spider-Man find themselves looking on the ruins of Symkaria. Spidey ponders the people that he's failed in his life (Uncle Ben, Captain Stacy, Gwen, Billy Connors, Marla Jameson) and realizes that these failures are nothing compared to this failure. Sable breaks into tears and Spidey tries to comfort her. Widow tells him not to bother since she's in shock, reminding him that they have work to do. Spidey expresses outrage that she could be so cold, until an oil tanker explodes near them and he realizes that Widow is right, that they have people to save. The two swing into action, saving people from burning cars, etc., until Widow calls a halt. She asserts that "this Hemisphere is done for" and suggests that they leave. Spidey argues that they have people to save, but Natasha feels that they should cut their losses and find Octavius before he can burn the rest of the world.
Meanwhile, on Horizon's floating lab, Max says that Doc Ock is close to having all 200 of his stealth satellites in orbit but that the team still hasn't cracked their cloaking technology. Sajani suddenly realizes that the satellites appear to be similar to the device that she built to fabricate vibranium and Grady realizes that it has his technology for "rolling back chronoton particles." Suddenly, Uatu realizes that they shouldn't be looking for the satellites, but for Doc Ock's base. He reasons that Doc Ock is sending signals all over the world (not just to his satellites) when he makes his demands, so, if they can trace the signal when he does so the next time, they can find his base. In Symkaria, Mysterio reveals that the "destruction" of the country is actually an elaborate scene that he created, with actors playing the role of civilians in trouble. Chameleon asks how long the illusion can last, and Mysterio reckons hours, "unless Ms. Romanoff storms off set." To distract them, Chameleon gets into a Doc Ock suit and attacks, just as Spidey starts realizing that something isn't right about the buildings catching fire (hypothesizing that it would take more heat than the Lenses emitted). As Spidey and Widow fight "Doc Ock," Mysterio calls the real Doc Ock, who tells him that he's occupied.
Ock explains to Rhino, who's with him, that the heroes that Spidey rallied last issue are striking at his bases and could hinder his plans. Ock takes to the airwaves again (as Uatu predicted), saying that these "terrorists" must be stopped. He returns to Mysterio, who shows him "Doc Ock" fighting Spidey and Widow. The real Ock expresses outrage that Chameleon is fighting his "last great battle against the Wall-Crawler." In the battle itself, Sable returns and attacks Ock, putting explosives on his suit. Chameleon panics and asks Mysterio if he's safe. Spidey notes that "Doc Ock" appearts to be talking to someone other than the assembled heroes and, when Chameleon threatens Sable in a voice that doesn't sound like Ock's, realizes that it's not actually Ock in the suit. To prove his point, at that moment, Otto takes control of the suit. Spidey attacks and Chameleon tells Mysterio (in front of Spidey) that he's not controlling the suit, revealing their hand. Sable asks how Spidey can be so flip as he engages in some banter with Ock, and he informs her that Mysterio created the entire ruse, including the destroyed Symkraia. He says that he should've put two and two together when Doc's attack conveniently included an electro-magnetic pulse that took out the electrical equipment in Spidey's suit. Inspired, he uses his magnetic webbing to encase Chameleon's Doc Ock suit, cutting off its connection to Mysterio. Spidey says that he wants to talk to Mysterio and Widow threatens Chameleon into silence by revealing that she knows "the secret of [his] true face"
Spidey talks to Mysterio, knowing that he's still listening, since it's like "waiting for the reviews to come in." He reminds Mysterio that, if Spidey's right and Doc wants to destroy the world, Mysterio will be a "dead man with two billion dollars worth of ash." He asks him to join their team and reveal Doc Ock's secret base. Mysterio agrees, saying Spidey had him at "two billion dollars worth of ash." Elsewhere, in New York, Mary Jane buys the Wake nightclub to "throw a very good friend one helluva party" and, in Boston, JJJ, Sr. calls his son to try to make peace with him. (JJJ, Jr. hangs up the phone.) In Sable's plane, Mysterio leads them to a pyramid in Guatemala, which he chose for its 2012 "end of the world" parallel, figuring that he could pull off a big "Mayan apocalypse" special effect. Widow informs them that they've been spotted through Sable's cloaking device, and Ock appears on their screens, dismissing the "primitive Symkarian stealth technology." Doc informs the team that they've traveled a very long way to die. Spidey disputes that, noting that Ock has been reduced from the Sinister Six to the "Terrible Two." Ock counters, saying that he's shored up his ranks with "six all-new recruits," revealing that he's turned the Avengers into octobot-zombies. As they engage in battle, Spidey suggests that they address one Avengers at a time (quoting a good Aunt May adage) and pulls out an ice pellet to take down Captain America like Sandman did. However, he suddenly realizes that Doc's ice pellet is the same tech that he created for the Cryo Cube, his armor is based on Spidey's helmet design, and his stealth satellites are based on Spidey's noise-reduction system. In fact, Spidey realizes that all his inventions for Horizon have been twisted by Ock, thereby giving him everything that he needed.
Meanwhile, on Horizon's floating lab, Max says that Doc Ock is close to having all 200 of his stealth satellites in orbit but that the team still hasn't cracked their cloaking technology. Sajani suddenly realizes that the satellites appear to be similar to the device that she built to fabricate vibranium and Grady realizes that it has his technology for "rolling back chronoton particles." Suddenly, Uatu realizes that they shouldn't be looking for the satellites, but for Doc Ock's base. He reasons that Doc Ock is sending signals all over the world (not just to his satellites) when he makes his demands, so, if they can trace the signal when he does so the next time, they can find his base. In Symkaria, Mysterio reveals that the "destruction" of the country is actually an elaborate scene that he created, with actors playing the role of civilians in trouble. Chameleon asks how long the illusion can last, and Mysterio reckons hours, "unless Ms. Romanoff storms off set." To distract them, Chameleon gets into a Doc Ock suit and attacks, just as Spidey starts realizing that something isn't right about the buildings catching fire (hypothesizing that it would take more heat than the Lenses emitted). As Spidey and Widow fight "Doc Ock," Mysterio calls the real Doc Ock, who tells him that he's occupied.
Ock explains to Rhino, who's with him, that the heroes that Spidey rallied last issue are striking at his bases and could hinder his plans. Ock takes to the airwaves again (as Uatu predicted), saying that these "terrorists" must be stopped. He returns to Mysterio, who shows him "Doc Ock" fighting Spidey and Widow. The real Ock expresses outrage that Chameleon is fighting his "last great battle against the Wall-Crawler." In the battle itself, Sable returns and attacks Ock, putting explosives on his suit. Chameleon panics and asks Mysterio if he's safe. Spidey notes that "Doc Ock" appearts to be talking to someone other than the assembled heroes and, when Chameleon threatens Sable in a voice that doesn't sound like Ock's, realizes that it's not actually Ock in the suit. To prove his point, at that moment, Otto takes control of the suit. Spidey attacks and Chameleon tells Mysterio (in front of Spidey) that he's not controlling the suit, revealing their hand. Sable asks how Spidey can be so flip as he engages in some banter with Ock, and he informs her that Mysterio created the entire ruse, including the destroyed Symkraia. He says that he should've put two and two together when Doc's attack conveniently included an electro-magnetic pulse that took out the electrical equipment in Spidey's suit. Inspired, he uses his magnetic webbing to encase Chameleon's Doc Ock suit, cutting off its connection to Mysterio. Spidey says that he wants to talk to Mysterio and Widow threatens Chameleon into silence by revealing that she knows "the secret of [his] true face"
Spidey talks to Mysterio, knowing that he's still listening, since it's like "waiting for the reviews to come in." He reminds Mysterio that, if Spidey's right and Doc wants to destroy the world, Mysterio will be a "dead man with two billion dollars worth of ash." He asks him to join their team and reveal Doc Ock's secret base. Mysterio agrees, saying Spidey had him at "two billion dollars worth of ash." Elsewhere, in New York, Mary Jane buys the Wake nightclub to "throw a very good friend one helluva party" and, in Boston, JJJ, Sr. calls his son to try to make peace with him. (JJJ, Jr. hangs up the phone.) In Sable's plane, Mysterio leads them to a pyramid in Guatemala, which he chose for its 2012 "end of the world" parallel, figuring that he could pull off a big "Mayan apocalypse" special effect. Widow informs them that they've been spotted through Sable's cloaking device, and Ock appears on their screens, dismissing the "primitive Symkarian stealth technology." Doc informs the team that they've traveled a very long way to die. Spidey disputes that, noting that Ock has been reduced from the Sinister Six to the "Terrible Two." Ock counters, saying that he's shored up his ranks with "six all-new recruits," revealing that he's turned the Avengers into octobot-zombies. As they engage in battle, Spidey suggests that they address one Avengers at a time (quoting a good Aunt May adage) and pulls out an ice pellet to take down Captain America like Sandman did. However, he suddenly realizes that Doc's ice pellet is the same tech that he created for the Cryo Cube, his armor is based on Spidey's helmet design, and his stealth satellites are based on Spidey's noise-reduction system. In fact, Spidey realizes that all his inventions for Horizon have been twisted by Ock, thereby giving him everything that he needed.
The Review
Going with the illusion? Risky. Seriously risky. Few authors could've pulled it off the way that Slott did here. I spent the first part of the issue wondering how the Hell Slott was going to ret-con destroying half the world. (In fact, I was wondering what Slott had left to do in the last two issues of this arc, given that he seemed to have revealed his entire hand at that point.) The only thing that came to mind was Grady's time machine and I loved the fact that Grady himself mentioned it. But, then I got confused, since he mentioned it in context of using it to understand the satellites' cloaking shields. After all, when we see this scene, we think that the satellites have already been deployed. Why worry about their cloaking system now? Game over. Right? Wrong. The revelation that it was a ruse created by Mysterio? Brilliant. Part of the reason that it was brilliant is not just because Slott didn't have to ret-con the event (and risk the rage of those of us burned by "Fear Itself"), but because it also really brought Mysterio into play. This arc, after all, is about the Sinister Six. We've seen Rhino and Sandman bring their A-games, so it was time for Mysterio to do so. Slott is really using all of them here, making it one of the best Sinister Six arcs that I think I've ever read. Moreover, by throwing us curves like the illusion, you just never know what you're going to get. It took all the discipline that I have not to flip to the end of this issue to see what happens. That's when you know it's a good story.
The Good
1) By revealing that the destruction of half the world was an illusion, Otto's motive is suddenly back into play. It wasn't until I read his broadcast to the world about the other "terrorists" that I realized that, once again, we still don't know what Otto's planning. Slott keeps us guessing, even as we near the home stretch.
2) I've mentioned in previous reviews that I appreciate that Slott keeps working in moments from his entire run, rewarding long-time readers. The fact that I thought of Grady's time machine shows just how well he's using previous storylines and the supporting cast. As I've mentioned before, you don't need to know all the details about the previous storylines, like why Grady had a time machine, to enjoy the arc, but it makes you appreciate it all the more, since it makes you feel all the more connected to the characters.
3) This issue is beautiful, but I though that Caselli's shot of Ock's eyes tightening when he learned that Mysterio was fighting his final fight with Spider-Man was particularly amazing in its detail and impact. Well done.
4) I was wondering when someone was going to point out the fact that, if Ock does indeed destroy the world, the guys' $2 billion isn't going to be worth that much. It's interesting that everyone other than Rhino (possibly) seemed to believe that Ock was really trying to save the world. I'm not sure it's that simple, but we'll see where it goes.
2) I've mentioned in previous reviews that I appreciate that Slott keeps working in moments from his entire run, rewarding long-time readers. The fact that I thought of Grady's time machine shows just how well he's using previous storylines and the supporting cast. As I've mentioned before, you don't need to know all the details about the previous storylines, like why Grady had a time machine, to enjoy the arc, but it makes you appreciate it all the more, since it makes you feel all the more connected to the characters.
3) This issue is beautiful, but I though that Caselli's shot of Ock's eyes tightening when he learned that Mysterio was fighting his final fight with Spider-Man was particularly amazing in its detail and impact. Well done.
4) I was wondering when someone was going to point out the fact that, if Ock does indeed destroy the world, the guys' $2 billion isn't going to be worth that much. It's interesting that everyone other than Rhino (possibly) seemed to believe that Ock was really trying to save the world. I'm not sure it's that simple, but we'll see where it goes.
5) The Avengers as the Sinister Six? Awesome. 'Nuff said!
The Unknown
1) I wonder where he's going to go with the revelation that Horizon technology was used by Ock. It seems to play in JJJ, Jr.'s hands, portraying Horizon as a menace, and I'm worried that Slott is actually going to shut down Horizon, destroying the best work scenario that I've probably ever seen in a comic book.
2) I'm a little unclear where we are with the 200 satellites. I was confused last issue, when it appeared that Otto had succeeded in launching all the satellites, because Spidey himself says that they had shut down all his missile sites. Obviously, here, it's clear that he's still producing satellites, since, after all, the continued production of them is why he needed to distract Sable, Spidey, and Widow in the first place. So, he's still producing satellites, so can't launch them yet? In order to clarify, I downloaded the "Ends of the Earth" Special. It wasn't particularly good, so I'm not going to recap it. But, it does imply that all the missile sites are off-line. So, if Otto still hasn't finished producing his 200 satellites AND he doesn't have any functional missile sites, how is he going to get them into space?
The Unknown
1) I wonder where he's going to go with the revelation that Horizon technology was used by Ock. It seems to play in JJJ, Jr.'s hands, portraying Horizon as a menace, and I'm worried that Slott is actually going to shut down Horizon, destroying the best work scenario that I've probably ever seen in a comic book.
2) I'm a little unclear where we are with the 200 satellites. I was confused last issue, when it appeared that Otto had succeeded in launching all the satellites, because Spidey himself says that they had shut down all his missile sites. Obviously, here, it's clear that he's still producing satellites, since, after all, the continued production of them is why he needed to distract Sable, Spidey, and Widow in the first place. So, he's still producing satellites, so can't launch them yet? In order to clarify, I downloaded the "Ends of the Earth" Special. It wasn't particularly good, so I'm not going to recap it. But, it does imply that all the missile sites are off-line. So, if Otto still hasn't finished producing his 200 satellites AND he doesn't have any functional missile sites, how is he going to get them into space?
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