Things get intense in Symbiote Spider-Man #2 as Ned and Peter clash and the Black Knight suffers a near-fatal wound.
Before the story’s beginning, we are briefly brought back to Secret Wars. A big part that occurred was that Spider-Man inherited a symbiotic suit. The iconic suit helped Peter, in both his personal and superhero life. However, as we already know, it was his ultimate downfall. The suit looks as if it is making its return, suggested by the cover. Additionally, we may also be greeted by the presence of Knull.
For those who don’t know, he is the king of the symbiotes. As for the story, Spider-Man is dealing with Mister E. He is responsible for turning Ned Leeds and others in the Ravencroft Institute into shadow creatures. Also, Kang the Conqueror’s machine is destroyed, while trying to take Uatu the Watcher. This complication leads to Kang begin taken by Rocket Raccoon. Finally, Spider-Man being aided by the Black Knight in the fight against the creatures.
Outside of Ravencroft, an institute for the criminally insane stand Spider-Man and Black Knight. Peter is once more donning his black suit. The pair talk about the situation at hand. An eclipse is taking place with no answers. Peter is still curious about why Black Knight knight is aiding him. He then replies that Merlin the Magician gave him a message in his dreams. Spider-Man’s confession turns into shock as the magician appears behind him.
The wizard apologizes for scaring Peter. He then explains that the problem is growing. He then tells Peter to return to the Daily Bugle. It is revealed that the creature goes after people they hate in real-life. Ned Leeds is attempting to kill J. Jonah Jameson. Peter wonders if he has to save Jameson and Black Knight yells, “YES” in response.
Back at the Bugle, Jameson is yelling at an employee named Neil. The reason for this is that even he cannot explain why there is an eclipse. He is then fired and made fun of for his middle name, “Degrase”. He is likely referring to real-life astrophysicist, Neil DeGrasse Tyson. This is a funny easter-egg, towards one of science’s most famous figures.
Anyways, Robbie Robertson hears about the firing as his boss rants about Tyson. Jameson is wondering where Peter and Ned are. The pair were involved with a story at Ravencroft. The boss then yells and says that he is reasonable. This was due to the fact that the institute was nearly two hours away. He then asks Betty Brant if he’s reasonable. She replies with no and smiles saying something else.
Outside the bugle, a crazed Leeds is fighting the creature that is possing him. Jameson is about to attend an editorial meeting. Brant sees him get ready and sees the villainous Leeds outside the window. She is shocked and Leeds breaks the window. A shocked Jameson runs for his life.
While running down the stair, he blames Spider-Man for this monster being after him. Leeds hears this and calls out his boss on this. Thinking that Spider-Man won’t make save his time, he is proven wrong. Peter breaks through another window and tackles the creature. As this happens, Jameson said that he is billing Spider-Man for the damages.
Merlin and Black Knight are talking at the Avengers Mansion. Merlin expresses that the Ebony Blade is the key to stopping the great evil. The magician is referring to the king of symbiotes, Knull. Merlin even volunteers to add more magic-based power to the blade. This is to ensure that they can stop Knull. Black Knight is about to give the blade to Merlin, but something happened.
First off, Black Knight asks for his real name to be said. Merlin disappears and it is revealed that he was a shadow creature. Everything he said was true, minus him allying with Parker and the knight. Black Knight is then stabbed with the blade.
Meanwhile, Peter and Ned’s fight spills into the printing room. Leeds tries swaying Peter into thinking they are family. This is because of the suit Peter has on. The creature leaves Ned’s body to be rolled by one of the machines. Peter is quick to save his co-worker. Leeds knows that the creature is at the mansion, which helps Peter. However, he also realized that the Black Knight is hurt.
The Black Knight is visited by Kang. He then thinks he is hallucinating because he then sees Rocket. Black Knight then smiles and faints from blood loss. Kang sees that he breathing, but is barely holding on. Rocket then says they need to help Black Knight out. He knows this problem will get worse. In the next panel, we see Spider-Man in the air with Monica Rambeau aka Spectrum. Finally, we see a shot of Knull dominating the likes of Captain America, Venom, and The Thing. It looks as if other heroes will be involved.
Peter David’s storytelling is pretty good in this issue. I love how he has Peter joking about saving his boss. Then, there the realization that Black Knight knew he was being fooled. Finally, I love the reference to Neil DeGrasse Tyson. It was really funny and unexpected. Now, we can say that the scientist, Tyson worker alongside Spider-Man. In fact, Jameson was the best part of the story. Of course, the part of him firing Tyson was funny.
Yet, him blaming and billing Spider-Man was great. I absolutely love these changes for the art, the trio of Greg Land, Jay Leisten, and Frank D’Armata are great at their job. We have art that is just awesome to look at. The drawing of Merlin is spectacular, along with everyone else in the story. The shadow creature looked amazing.
I love how they resembled the symbiote. Also, the shot of Betty’s face was just perfect. This felt real, along with everything else. I cannot say more about this art. There is nothing bad about it. However, there are people deserving of that credit for realism more artists, including Declan Shalvey, Patrick McGrath, Jay Bowen, Anthony Gambino, and Salena Mahina deserve credit.
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