Posted - July 19, 2014 | Updated : August 27, 2015
Marvel Knights Spider-Man 18
Wild Blue Yonder Part Six
The first thing that caught my attention this issue was a panel were Spider-Man is spinning the Owl
while making with the witty patter.
While this is going on, a furious Absorbing Man starts attacking.
An early casualty is Ms. Whats-Her-Hame.
I was expecting that at some point we would have a name or a code name on her. But she's dead and we
don't even get to know her name.
That's so cool.
I've been calling him Superman. Then he called himself Virtue. Now he's back.
With a much better costume and a new moniker: "Tiller". As in the guy who separates the
wheat from the chaff - a biblical reference. This is one very religious Skrull. Personally
I prefer the name "International Harvester".
I've been looking for eye beams and now we have them.
Since last issue part of Marvel Knights Spider-Man has become a Fantastic Four
comic (not a complaint). We catch up on the foursome in Lousiana backcountry or is it the
Florida Everglades. Anyway its a wet marshy land with lots of alligators.
The Thing is perfect for wrestling alligators. Impenetrable, rocky hide, super-strength.
I've watched
Swamp People
, the Thing would make quota, no problem.
Meanwhile, the Tiller begins to become aware of his true nature.
And its through the Internet, of course, or that might be the Daily Bugle intranet he's
accesssing.
Just look at this.
Totally ridiculous slash amusing. The inside of the Owl's car is bigger than my apartment.
Things can get really exaggerated in the comics (wait, don't tell me, there's a real limo with
this dimensions, right?).
Here's a great Absorbing Man vs. Spider-Man panel by Billy Tan.
Billy Tan has been making Absorbing Man gigantic ever since
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #14 I really like that
rendition of the character. I don't recall Creel being oversized in past Thor and Avengers issues
I've read though.
Once again, Spider powers + Peter Parker brains = deadly combination. In terms of smarts
Creel is in the opposite side of the spectrum from Peter. The Absorbing Man is very reactive,
I'm referring to his tendency to automatically "absorb" anything he comes into contact with.
The Absorbing Man doesn't have to absorb everything he touches, he just does. Its tempting to
imagine someone more cerebral wielding the Absorbing Man's powers. Someone who would observe
the materials in the immediate area, come up with a reasonable, and flexible plan of attack
or defense; on what materials are ideal to do the job. Implement and adjust as necessary.
That would be one heck of a formidable foe. But we have Creel who absorbs the first chemical
Peter throws at him. And here he gets into contact with the second chemical.
Peter Parker, the science whiz has made Creel absorb a chemical that in combination with
this second substace results in . . .
First of all, never let it be said that the Absorbing Man didn't leave this story arc with
a bang. Second, he's fine. The Absorbing Man is one of Marvel's toughest characters. Looking
forward to seeing him, somewhere, soon.
So how does a guy who always thought he was human, waitaminute, its worst than that. So
how does a born-again Christian take the news that he's a Skrull? Not well. As you can see,
the Avengers needed to be called in.
There's lots of destruction of property but not because of malice. It's more from shock
and grief really. These series of panels shows us the happey ending writer Reginald Hudlin
gives to Superm - no, Virtue, nope, The Tiller, cool, but no. Ethan, he's name is Ethan.
Not only do we have a happy ending we also have a fantastic "sleeper"character for
Marvel to use in future storylines. Where was Ethan during
Secret Invasion
by the way?
This is not only the ending of the issue its also the ending of the "Wild Blue Yonder" story arc.
Not only that we also bid goodbye to the creative team of Reginald Hudlin and Billy Tan. Six issues
ago this team started out choking and unsure but ended up earning the right to handle Marvel's
premiere character. It's been a joy to see the improvement from one issue to the next of the last
six issues. Thanks guys!
Get your copy
here
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