[Comic Book Review] FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #4 from Marvel Comics

PopCultHQ received a review copy of FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #4 from Marvel Comics. Available March 20th, the creative team for this issue features writing from Tom Taylor, art from Juann Cabal with Douglas Franchin, colors from Nolan Woodard, and lettering from VC’s Travis Lanham.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s spoiler-free review of…

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #4

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Juann Cabal w/ Douglas Franchin (finishes)
Colorist: Nolan Woodard
Letterer: Travis Lanham

Main Cover Artist: Andrew C. Robinson

Spider-Man fights foes that live eighteen miles beneath Earth’s surface, but he doesn’t fight alone! If Spider-Man and his mysterious ally survive and make it back topside, they’re going to need the whole neighborhood to chip in!

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #4

Spidey’s escaped from Under York but the trouble isn’t over yet. Can Spider-Man, The Rumour, and some of his other amazing friends avert a disaster? Or will they truly feel the wrath of Hale?

Writing:

Show me one example of Tom Taylor not completely succeeding at telling an excellent story infused with character and wit. What has he worked on that doesn’t honor the legacy, history, or tradition of a property while also saying it with a new voice? Is it fair to say a writer whose body of work is so good is on the cusp of becoming a superstar?

His Spider-Man quips and thwips with the best iterations of the character. The voice with which Taylor writes him is so authentic you’d think they know each other. Just like how Taylor captures the essence of the entire DCU in Injustice, he nails everything that’s right about Peter Parker. The title features the word “neighborhood” prominently and the attention that’s given to making this about Spider-Man in the community, while still feeling large-scale, should also be heralded.

Spider-Man is in the hands of some great writers across all the Spider-Books, but Tom Taylor’s is fast becoming my favorite. His callbacks hit their mark, the sitcom-feel wrapped in Marvel Universe action is terrific and the supporting players all serve a function rather than just fill the background or need rescuing. Imagine a comic where the background characters almost get as much agency as the star.

Art:

Imagine if Jamie McKelvie, Salvador LaRocca, and Terry Dodson gave a drop of blood to create a Spider-Man artist who could gorgeously render action, laughs, and heart in a modern style. That’s Juann Cabal (with finishes by Douglas Franchin). Where did this one come from? I need to seriously revisit his work on All-New Wolverine and see if it was at this level then. None of Taylor’s fine work would land half as strong if it weren’t for the art in this book. The humor, the weight of each action and reaction, it’s communicated so well in this issue you feel it. Even the throwback panels to classic Spidey have so much warmth to them you can practically bask in its glow.

Colors:

Nolan Woodard brings the same vibrant, youthful energy that worked so well on All-New X-men and Totally Awesome Hulk to this title. Showcasing a wide range of lighting and special effects while never taking away from the human tone of the work. He renders the denizens of Under York in 50s noir blended with a mystic edge. The neighborhood setting is made more tangible by the dusk tones of Woodard’s palette. As the book throws up little surprises like the single panel 8-bit video game, Woodard rises to meet that, and any other challenge the book throws him, with style.

Letters:

It’s a different Travis Lanham that we see on this book than the one who plays it down on Spider-Man: Life Story (also reviewed this week). Given more action (and Thwips) to play with here, the lettering job is a spectacle of fun and fury that sits over the images in a pure pop-art fashion. Emphasizing the comedic quips, it’s also hard to argue Lanham’s role in contributing the fun-filled humor this book has in spades.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

A classic Spidey rendition. Art and writing that will make your heart smile and thump in equal measure. If you like the way All-Star Superman made you feel good, this title does the same for Spider-fans. So much to enjoy and not much to dislike. I don’t envy the person who must drop a Spider-Man title from their pull list this month. Whatever you do don’t drop this one, it really is the best of the best in the spider-family right now.