Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #401

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Kerry Wilkinson (E-Mail)

Background

Aunt May Parker is dead. In the beautifully-written Amazing Spider-Man #400, she revealed to Peter she knew he was Spider-Man and died in her bed. Shortly after, Peter was arrested by Detective Raven from Utah for first-degree murder. Raven was recently attacked by Kaine, however and now knows it is Kaine - not Peter - responsible for the crimes. He has no idea who Kaine is, though. Jonah is paying Peter's legal fees anonymously. Meanwhile, MJ is pregnant, Ben Reilly has been trying to get her to trust him and a third 'Peter' is on the loose. The first Peter thinks Ben could be responsible for the murders he has been imprisoned for. All the while, the mysterious figures of Kaine, Scrier and Judas Traveller watch on.

Story 'Down In The Darkness'

'Peter' tells MJ he is the real Peter and that the other Peter stole his life. Kaine shows up and Peter jumps into battle - ending up by far the worse off as MJ runs for it. At Ryker's Traveller's sidekick Chakra appears to Peter and tells him MJ is in danger because of Kaine. Peter breaks himself out of prison.

As he's about to jump into the water surrounding Ryker's, Traveller shows up. He has left some sort of vision of Peter in the cell so his disappearance won't be noticed. Chakra is there and carries Peter away on the astral plane. Scrier is also there and talks to Traveller.

And MJ and Peter's flat, the third Peter shows up and again says he's the real one. MJ tries to shoot at him but misses and Kaine appears, knocking out Peter. He carries off an unconscious MJ. Into the flat drops Ben who asks 'Peter' what's going on before the Peter who was in jail shows up - leaving three 'Peters' in the same room. Confused?

General Comments

I'm not too enamoured with MJ having a gun - especially to shoot 'Peter'. Surely she'd have a bit more compassion for someone who, at least on the surface, appears to be her husband? Three Peters in itself is also a bit excessive, plus the whole Traveller/Chakra/Scrier thing is becoming confusing.

Overall Rating

 Posted: 2004
 Staff: Kerry Wilkinson (E-Mail)