Chapman gives us the most off-beat and unexpected installment of this mini-series, delivering a cannibalistic and sadistic version of Peter Parker. I can't say that it's fun to watch "Uncle Ted" abuse "Patton Parnell" or Patton later using a mouse as his gateway drug to cannibalism. But, I definitely found myself surprised that no one's ever previously done this story, given how much it makes sense that Peter had a pretty good shot of becoming a cannibal thanks to the spider that turned him into Spider-Man. (Chapman lets us know that Patton had the sadism in him well before the spider bit him.)
Chapman keeps the reader guessing throughout the issue by adroitly playing off his/her expectation that Patton is going to be like Peter. With each unexpected development, I found myself fighting against the pull of the story, figuring that Patton would somehow overcome these urges to become a hero. It's only when Morlun appears at the end to stop him that you find yourself really accepting that Patton wasn't our Peter.
Speaking of Morlun, we do get confirmation here that it was Morlun that's appeared in previous versions of this series. He's apparently not as dead as he seemed to be the last time that we saw him, though Slott is going to have to explain how he's now managed to cheat death twice. But, we still have plenty of time for him to do that. Now, it's time to enjoy the fifth and final Spider-Man. After Patton, I feel like everything's on the table with this one.
*** (three of five stars)
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