Why is Nick Spencer's Spider-Man so... meh?

Written by Nick Spencer and illustrated by a plethora of artists, the first issue of this Spider-Man run was published by Marvel Comics in July of 2018. And life is never straightforward for Peter Parker. You’d think he’d be used to it, but just when he starts to find balance with his crime fighting, love life, and everything else he has to juggle, he’s thrown into the middle of controversy and scandal. But with a mysterious foe known only as the Kindred lurking in the shadows, what waits for the wallcrawler? And does he have what it takes to survive?
With the second omnibus due out soon, and Zeb Wells creating controversy with every issue, its time to revisit everything that Spencer gave us.
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00:00 - Intro
01:17 - Part One: #1-15
12:59 - Part Two: #16-29
27:10 - Part Three: #30-43
37:20 - Part Four: #44-60
50:22 - Part Five: #61-74
01:06:41 - Final Verdict
#SpiderMan #NickSpencer #MarvelComics

[@MaddoggComics]

🐶🐶 WOOF WOOF! NEW VIDEO! 🚨🚨 Nick Spencer's Spider-Man is nowhere near as controversial as the current run by Zeb Wells... But does that mean it's any good?📚🤔 I take a deep dive into the whole 74+ issue run and just find myself wondering: Why is this so meh? 🕷 . Yes, you heard right, MADDOGG MERCH IS HERE! 🤯 We've got some phenomenal designs by @shadowcatmanga that you can pick up today and support the channel! This has been a long time coming, so please show some love! Www.MaddoggComics.com 🐶 . If you want to support the channel, why not treat yourself to something from the channel sponsor: OrganicPricedBooks! Make sure you use code WOOFWOOF for $2 off your orders! 💵 Ordering 4 or more books together? Use code WOOFWOOFSHIPITTOGETHER for 5% off your entire order! 🤯 . If you're in the EU and you want free shipping, free gifts in every order and Hulk-proof packaging, Comics Bugle is the only website you need! Use code WOOFWOOF for 3% off all non-sale items! 👑 . Hope you guys enjoy! I was still a bit under the weather when recording and tried to fix the audio, but so much went into this review. Give it a like, subscribe if you're new, and share where you can! . Where To Start on Wolverine is next, but until then, stay Mad, Doggs! WOOF WOOF! 🐶

[@mayotango1317]

For me this era revive the old Peter and MJ...before Zeb Wells kill them.

[@thespidercrafter8547]

I see you everywhere...

[@kbar4462]

I think the enjoyment of Spencer's run is heavily contingent on what Spider-man era you're a fan of. Slott fans wont enjoy the run as much as JMS or 80s fans will, for example

[@MaddoggComics]

Ahh, that's a fair point, I have the nostalgia goggles for Slott because that was my era where I'd go to the comic shop and buy issues with money from my paper round 😂 been tempted to revisit JMS, does it still hold up? 🐶

[@rap3208]

I found spencer's run bland compared to slott's run but lots of people enjoyed it which I found baffling. Maybe they enjoyed it or they just say they enjoyed it becuase they harped so much about Slott's long run. They didn't like him especially in the CBR board where Slott engaged with them and he was honest and did not not pander to the fans so the more they hated him.

[@shuwarurusubs]

It's a run that just mostly tries to fix things, rather than tell an actual story and that story is dragged out to the point where readers stopped caring. It's also the most obvious examples of editorial making the book feel like a slog to read post One More Day

[@DzustComics]

Marcus... You're the reason I gave another chance to Deadly Class, a series I initially disliked, but now love. So here's your chance to sell me on Chuck Dixons Nightwing. You've put that run at number 1 of your most wanted omnis and now we got a compendium. Why should I read it?!

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

Urm, you should read it simply because Nightwing has a manbun/ponytail. Need I say more.😉😂

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

But joking aside its the first time(outside of Titans) he flies solo on his own out of Batmans shadow in a new town(bludhaven), with a new rogues gallery. And to my knowledge its the first time he fights Blockbuster. I Have it on my read pile, so cannot really recommend it yet but very exited to get stuck in.😁

[@MaddoggComics]

Oh damn, I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it more the second time, that book was one of my favourites of last year! :) Stephen has already given some strong reasons for, but for me it's just some great 90's/early 2000's storytelling. It's not super full of itself, but still rewards you for reading more than one issue, the action is fun and I just love Dick Grayson, so I am biased 😂 I'm going to read the full Tom Taylor run when it wraps up, so keep an eye out for that review 😇

[@InReserveProductions]

Dixon set up the fundamentals of how to write Nightwing. If you want to know how to write Dick Grayson well, you look to Chuck Dixon. There's a reason he was writing nearly every Batman related book at some point during the 90's and early 2000's.

[@JLD22591]

My understanding of it is that Harry was supposed to be kindred. The doctor strange and the MJ stuff was all supposed to tie back to One More Day, And if not outwrite undo it, at least address it, make Peter aware of it and make it so that they can move forward with his character. If you read it with that in mind, it's pretty obvious that MJ still remembers pre-one more day stuff and so does kindred Harry. MJ remembering is something that was included very very early on in the One More Day story, but later scrapped. If you think about it in that context too. All the different stuff like removing one's sins, Doctor Strange noticing something wrong with Peter's soul and meeting with Mephisto, All of those things line up and start to make sense. It seems like this is the second time that Marvel let Spencer get started on an idea and then came in at the last minute to completely undermine it. The first being hydra Cap and Secret Empire's conclusion. In both cases it seems like editorial approved his ideas. Let him write all the way up to the finish and then scrapped it at the last second so he had to scramble and do something different. It's not surprising that at this time he has just left Marvel completely. In Spencer's defense, I think he had a satisfying conclusion planned but his story was undermined and he settled for trying to undo Sins Past instead.

[@MaddoggComics]

Yeah, I heard a few people talk about editorial interfering, it was the same with King's Batman, but I just try to take the book that's in front of me, since that's what my money gives me. But it is interesting to wonder what this run could've been with a little bit more breathing room and a few less plot lines (looking at you, Chameleon and Teresa Parker) 😂 thanks for watching mate! 🐶

[@JLD22591]

@@MaddoggComics That's perfectly understandable, people aren't going to have all that context. Just reading the book especially those reading it after it came out in trade unless they go and look for it because the end of the story is so, but I think people that are interested enough to watch the video and read the comments may be interested in more context behind some of the decisions made at the end of the story. While no one knows the ending that we would have gotten, Spencer was very obviously building to some kind of confrontation with Spidey's most notorious story, and then made a massive pivot at the last minute to the second most notorious. If people are interested, I just think Spencer deserves a little more credit, or at least the benefit of the doubt that there may have been some tampering with the story that he was trying to tell.

[@TevyaSmolka]

I personally liked nick Spencer Spider-Man it was really awesome and a breath of fresh air from the terrible dan slott Spider-Man in my opinion, but then zeb wells came In and ruined everything for Spider-Man in my opinion.

[@MaddoggComics]

Ahh damn, I remember enjoying the majority of Slott, but plan to go back at some point. But I'm glad you had a good time with Spencer's run, I did want to love it but there were just too many hurdles for me 🤦‍♂️ thanks for watching the video though mate 🐶

[@TevyaSmolka]

@@MaddoggComics your welcome man and I can understand that

[@hobbes6392]

Every year basically since post Secret Wars ASM proves more and more that your enjoyment of comics can only increase by not reading Spidey comics.

[@MaddoggComics]

Worst part is, I don't know if you mean the 80's Secret Wars or the Hickman one 😂😂😂

[@hobbes6392]

@@MaddoggComics *the real answer is both actually* I like Michelinie, I like JMS and I even like a lot of Slott. It doesn’t really change the fact that Pete has basically been in a box the last 40 years that only ever slightly expands and in the last 20 only contracts now. And I get that these are forever stories, especially for the company mascot but like look at Cap his last 3 runs are: on the run from the government and political commentary, classic Marvel super spy storytelling, and now he’s doing some magic Captain Britain shit. All with character development and exploration of Steven’s beliefs, wants and desires. What even is Spidey’s character in the year 2024?

[@zsh010]

Maddogg comics and the comic book report two of my fav comic book KZbinrs ever ❤

[@joshuanelson6795]

I thought this was a great run until editorial completely derailed the ending. Even still, it’s miles better than what Zeb Wells is currently giving us.

[@Ultimate-Spider-man270]

It isn't the best but it looks like gold compared to Dell's run.

[@CaptainMaakasu]

Love the longer format videos ^^ Fantastic content as always

[@MaddoggComics]

Thank you mate, I much prefer making longer videos, feels more rewarding :) but just a shame I can't get them out as often :/ the support keeps me going though! 🐶

[@czms922]

It felt like a set up series for zeb wells, then marvel said "hey get rid of everything the last guy was working on"

[@MaddoggComics]

It's crazy how many Marvel runs also fit that description 😂 hope you enjoyed the video! 🐶

[@Rodimusprimerib]

Loved this video as i was on the fence if to get the omnibuses but as i never tead any of it i was a bit hesitant. You have opened my eyes and saved me some $$& to be placed in some other titles. Thank you and yes i watched until the end… how much did you sell it for 🤣

[@MaddoggComics]

Oh, I didn't sell it yet, went Belgium the next day and didn't want to keep a buyer waiting 😂 glad this saved you some money though, but the run may still be interesting to you so don't just take my word for it in case you love this 😇 thank god for Marvel Unlimited, is all ill say 😂 thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@dav2675]

I was prepared to argue with you since I have positive feelings when I think about the overall run. But when I tried coming up with everything I loved about it, I couldn't remember anything which is kind of the point of the video

[@MaddoggComics]

Haha, I appreciate the honesty David, and for you watching the video first, most tend to just read the title and argue 😂 hope you enjoyed the video! 🐶

[@brookehuber5464]

What comics should I read before avengers the kang Dynasty

[@MaddoggComics]

Check out my Where To Start: The Avengers, I give different suggestions depending on the type of story you like 🐶

[@user-mo3cd6jh2e]

Glad you have this out. Im just fixing to start this run in omnibus form. Tbh, im not the biggest spider-man fan but I understand why ppl like the character. My 6 year old son is a Spider-Man fan (never seen that coming lol) and I am trying to enjoy it with him. Really good perspective. Im just going to keep pretending I like the character.

[@MaddoggComics]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) but maybe not being the biggest Spider-Man fan might change your perspective on this run, so let me know what you think when you give it a read! Thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@TheComicBookReport]

I really can’t wait to check this out! I just started reading the Spencer run and I always enjoy getting your thoughts. I’ll probably need to sample throughout though trying to avoid some spoilers 🕷️😂

[@MaddoggComics]

Ahh mate, that's cool, it's why I section things off so you can avoid spoilers 😇 let me know what you think of the run when you do read it though, and thanks for watching the video mate! Hope you are doing well! 🐶

[@TheComicBookReport]

@@MaddoggComics appreciated man! Great content as always 💪

[@whateverwhatever4476]

At least Spencer was planing to undo OMD and trying to get MJ and Pete back tigether.

[@MaddoggComics]

Sometimes it's better to just leave a story in the past though, especially if the outcome is, whatever was going on in Mephisto's Casino 😂 each to their own though! 🐶

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

Just got to the end. Really well done quality review. That last clip made me laugh though.😂

[@MaddoggComics]

Glad you enjoyed it mate, and thanks for watching until the very end, might start adding a skit in more often 😂🐶

[@TheCluelesspanda]

Currently reading through this run, really struggling.

[@MaddoggComics]

I wish I could say it's worth sticking with it, but the early part was the smoothiest for me and it didn't get much better :/

[@muriok2474]

Nice long video! Personally, I would like to see more of these from the channel 🔥

[@MaddoggComics]

Definitely got plans for more in the future, and thank you for the support! I'm not able to get as many videos out with this approach, but I wanna be able to keep doing it 🐶

[@Diana-gw6cu]

Editorial interference I think if he could have cooked We'd be okay

[@MaddoggComics]

Tbh I wonder where the editorial got involved... Because the Chameleon stuff didn't inspire much hope either 😂 I guess we'll never know, but the conversation is definitely more interesting than the run itself, and thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@JLD22591]

Yeah, with your appreciation for the Jameson Dynamic ypu really should read Zdarsky's Spectacular Spider-Man run. The first few issues are a little rough for me, but once the Jameson stuff kicks in it is all gold. It even has you new favorite character, Teresa Parker! Although she is better in that series.

[@MaddoggComics]

Yeah, I keep wanting to crack that omni open but then get distracted by some long winded controversial run that I end up not enjoying as much 😂 I might book a trip and just take it with me! 🐶

[@michealmahmoud6391]

Honestly I enjoyed Teresa Parker in James Robinson/Mark Waid’s Amazing Spider-Man: Family Business and Chip Zdarsky’s work in the Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man “Amazing Fantasy” arc but hated what Spencer did with her. The MJ/Peter stuff was good but other things was lacking

[@MaddoggComics]

Yeah, can't say I was a fan of her forced inclusion here haha, but I keep meaning to go back to the Zdarsky stories, so maybe I'll warm up to her there 😂🐶

[@mladenkulic446]

I liked Nick Spencer's run which imo was big improved after Chip Zadarsky's run. Chip Zadarsky's short Spider-Man run is forgettable, and meh. Chip Zadarsky is the one who introduced Teresa Parker in his short run.

[@MaddoggComics]

There is a lot to like in it, I guess it just depends what everyone's take away from it is 😂 thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@crashline]

Love your vids bro. Thanks!

[@MaddoggComics]

Thank you mate, they take a bit longer to make lately, so the support keeps me going! 🐶

[@crashline]

@@MaddoggComicstakes time to make quality.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

Maddogg. For information on Teresa Parker read the story Family business. Its pre Spencer. Its written by your favourite. Mark Fuckin waid.😁

[@JLD22591]

She works better in Chip Zdarsky's Spectacular Spider-Man.

[@lunabourke3923]

50:48 I liked that suit quite a lot.

[@MaddoggComics]

Each to their own, just wasn't for me 🐶

[@crimefightingspider]

Awesome intro! 😂

[@MaddoggComics]

Thank you mate 😂 everyone who watches this should be grateful that I didn't go for the takes where I tried to sing 😂🐶

[@nicktroisi6347]

At least it’s better than anything Zeb Wells has produced

[@MaddoggComics]

A worse run doesn't improve a previous one though, but we'll see just how bad it shapes up when I review it once it's finished 😂🐶

[@jessemillan1385]

Nick Spencer's run on Amazing Spider-Man is underrated despite the flaws in terms of referencing Kraven's Last Hunt, and of course the introduction of Kindred who''s revealed to be two people posing as Kindred. In which, the two people are Gabriel and Sarah Stacy from the controversial Sin's past. Kindred would've been a more ruthless villain if he wasn't Gabriel or Sarah Stacy. Other than that, I'm going to read this run, along with Dan Slott's run, J. Michael Strazynski's run, and Roger Stern's run.

[@MaddoggComics]

I'm glad you had a good time with this run, I just felt stuff like Kindred, the sporadic plot lines and lack of focus was too much for me, but there are definitely some good moments in here, hope that came across in the review!

[@Ultimate-Spider-man270]

I know its underrated as hell. I read it last year and it was so good!

[@krono5el]

feel this run was more about the art than anything else which is kinda cool in a visual medium. even tho this might not be enough for a whole run.

[@MaddoggComics]

Oh yeah, the art is 100% a high point of the run! That might be a good idea for a video '10 Comics Where The Art Is Better Than The Story' 🤔 thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@PenmanLupine]

dang, putting the book up on ebay was a cold ending.

[@MaddoggComics]

A necessary evil 😂 I'm half tempted do more skits at the end of videos, little bonus for those who watch all the way through, so thank you for watching the whole thing 😇🐶

[@RattleSack]

Holy crap youre back

[@MaddoggComics]

Hahaha, yeah, hopefully it hasn't felt too long 😇 I'm always working on the next video though so got more in the pipeline and thank you for the support 🐶

[@Lilrev442]

You should do a where to start for venom

[@MaddoggComics]

It's definitely on the To Do List, hope it lives up to the hype, already got Wolverine one filmed so that will be out first 🐶

[@KalParkaran]

It’s like you reached into my brain and pulled out every thought I had on this run! Couldn’t agree more with you, it’s not objectively bad but it has no original ideas and just spends all its time retconing things Spencer didn’t like. I especially disliked the first couple issues and the ham fisted way he undid all of the Slott stuff

[@MaddoggComics]

I'm glad we were on the same wavelength and that you enjoyed the video! Which is your favourite Spidey run? 🐶

[@KalParkaran]

@@MaddoggComics I started collecting during the JMS run so that’s always going to be special for me, but it’s hard to beat Lee/Ditko

[@noahgambriel6556]

This was the last run of spider man I read, dropped after zeb wells #1

[@MaddoggComics]

Ahh damn, I've committed to reviewing Wells run once it's finished, but I hope I can get past the first issue, wish me luck 😂🐶

[@mladenkulic446]

If you have not read Nick Spencer Ant-Man run I highly recommend it.

[@MaddoggComics]

I'll check it out some time! Thanks for the recommendation! 🐶

[@Jimboh1637]

Listen, I rather have an mixed/okay Spiderman run than whatever Zeb Wells/Nick Lowe have been doing. My main problem with Spencer's run was all the damn little recons he did like Harry being a clone, the goblin's deal with mesphisto, bringing back sins past, trying to have his cake and eat it too with the ending of hunted, etc while leaving the one thing that needed retconning un-retconned. Spencer's run feels like a microcosm of a spider man cycle with sin eater coming back, another maximum carnage, another kraven's last hunt sequel, the will they won't day/Peter MJ proposal, another stupid cult etc. Anyways punishing spider from that one what if issue > that silver suit. Just needed to cut out kindred and replace that with some more human issues haunting Peter with Peter versus all the villains being the real climax. For me Spiderman ended with back in black sensational spiderman issue 40. Back in black was the real last hurrah of spiderman for me.

[@MaddoggComics]

We can agree on the preferring a mixed/okay run, but I can guarantee I'll have more to say when I review Wells time with the character 😂 and sometimes the conversation is more fun than the book that prompted it, we shall see! Thanks for watching the video mate! 🐶

[@Jimboh1637]

@@MaddoggComics so you going to include Spiderman beyond(I believe Zeb did some of the issues) or just Zeb Wells' solo run?

[@chrismennell1606]

I mean...its better than zeb wells run.

[@MaddoggComics]

A worse run later on doesn't make this one more enjoyable whilst reading it 😂 bizzarely the controversy makes me excited to see just how bad Wells run is once it's finished 🐶

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

To this day, with the first arc being like "Spider-Man has been wrong for the last few years because other writers have forgotten 'with great power, there must also come great responsibility'" I knew this was going to be a case study why having a fan write for a character is good, but having a super fan can be detrimental. While I agreed with a lot of his choices, I don't know how I feel about Spencer taking his run as a chance to undo all the "bad decisions" that have happened to Spider-Man in recent continuity. If that was the case, I can understand why Marvel Editorial, who were likely asleep at the wheel the whole arc, finally woke up and pulled the plug on him the moment Nick implied he was undoing One More Day.

[@MaddoggComics]

That's an interesting way of looking at it, I try to avoid having much context before reading something - just personal preference so I can have an open mind - but your theory of the super fan writing makes sense looking back on it now. I wonder how this run would have looked had it not been hung up heavily on bad stories that came before 🤔 thanks for watching mate! 🐶

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

This was the run that stopped me buying Spider-Man regularly after what 13 years. If I find time need to give it another fair chance and pick up the rest of the trades/or the omni but not a priority. Art is nice though.🙂 I did hear the ending was supposed to be different but editorial and Spencer leaving early scuppered that plan. I picked up again in Wells run but that was even more of a rollercoaster and dropping that one too. The last great run on Spider-Man was Slott. Currently reading JMS Coming home and cannot believe how well that story holds up even now.

[@MaddoggComics]

Yeah, I heard the same about editorial, but even that didn't save the experience 😂 I trust your judgement, so be as harsh as you like: Just how bad is the Zeb Wells run? I might jump into it once it wraps 🐶 Hope you're doing well mate!

[@mayotango1317]

Really? Slott turn Spider-Man into a hollow parody.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

​@@mayotango1317 Yep.​ while he may have at times made him into more of a jokey character but his run had plenty of darker moments too eg Superior, Massacre, Red Goblin, New ways to live. Slott introduced so many new ideas and characters eg Silk, Mr Negative,Flash Thompson Venom, Anna Maria, Max Modell, Spider boy and many more. Plus bunches of new suits like stealth, ends of the earth, bullet proof armor, mark IV etc. Peter actually using his brain at horizon during his run and Parker industries to help people on not just a city wide scale but worldwide, new Gadgets, expanding the Spider Verse lore with a bunch of really cool new variants.. In my eyes we'll look back in 10 years and appreciate what he added. Yes theres a few misses but overall a epic run imo. And little known fact. He actually helped out on the Spider-Man and Miles games as well, one of the most successful Superhero franchises on consoles atm.

[@stephentheshywarrior2759]

​@@MaddoggComics Wells run so far is not super duper bad as some people make out, just a bit hollow. I Really enjoyed the Tombstone arc and Vulture issues. And while People detest JRJR artwork. I still like it.:-) The time jump is actually intriguing. And I did like the Osborn subplot. Honestly what started to piss me off was you'd get into the flow and then get random filler for issues at a time. I absolutely hated the Hellfire gala issue(made no sense)and issue 900 was the worst anniversary issue for the character ever. Like one minute everyone hates Peter for "what he did 6 months earlier" then the next they are throwing him a birthday party like nothing's really happened. Its a comedy and a tradey all at the same time.😂 . And I don't particularly like MJ in this run. Theres nothing memorable, just rehashes of the greatest hits. Paul is just there. And don't get me started on Rek Rap. I wish the Punisher would Assassinate him.😂😂 So up and down. I am considering buying more trades just to see how it goes and I'm stupid .:-)

[@JLD22591]

​@@MaddoggComicsI think there is just enough in there to keep you interested and just enough bad to make it an interesting roller coaster ride of a review video for you whenever it wraps up. Haha if you can get past the new status quo and hating Paul, then there are some good stories hidden in there. The Peter/Norman dynamic can be interesting, etc. definitely looking forward to seeing your video on it someday.

[@raphaelliesse]

The worst part of Spencer run is the art. I hate this piece of sh1t..Marvel could put better and greatest artist than be cheapstake..