The arachnid universe continues in constant evolution and renewal, and good proof of this is the publication of The Amazing Spider-Man – Beyond 4 inside the line Marvel Premiere by Panini Comics. This volume marks the culmination of a particularly turbulent and significant era; a true turning point for fans of the wall-crawler, especially those who have been keenly following the Beyond saga and the more recent stories surrounding Ben Reilly.
This fourth volume compiles the final numbers of the Beyond stage, encompassing both episodes of the regular series and essential specials to understand the outcome of the events and the transition to the next editorial phase, with Zeb Wells as the next head writer. The creative team includes some notable names: Patrick Gleason, Kelly Thompson, Zeb Wells, Cody Ziglar y Jed Mackay to the scripts, and an artistic display led by Mark Bagley, Sarah Picelli, Fran Galán and Gleason himself, among other prominent cartoonists.
A time of change and conflict: the tragedy of Ben Reilly
The story takes place just after the climax of the previous volume: The Goblin Queen has destroyed the Daily Bugle, eliminating crucial evidence about the Beyond Corporation's activities and delving further into the manipulation of memories of Ben reillyPsychologically shaken, Ben chooses to seek revenge, taking Janine with him and leaving Mary Jane at the mercy of the villain. The fate of all now rests on the shoulders of a Black cat determined and a Peter Parker still recovering from his injuries, who join forces to unravel the mystery and try to save both their friends and the Daily Bugle.
The writers of Beyond each contributes their own personal touch in this final stretch. Patrick Gleason, in a less common role as a writer, takes charge of the first chapters, providing doses of action and a deep knowledge of the characters. Later, Kelly Thompson and Jed Mackay attempt to introduce humor and explore the relationship between the two Spidermen, although the resolution of the different narrative fronts is sometimes abrupt or inconclusive. The conclusion, orchestrated by Zeb Wells, focuses on a direct confrontation between Peter and Ben, allowing both to shine but leaving Ben's destiny at a low point, ready for the new era.
The artistic section: a catwalk of styles
One of the most talked about aspects of this volume is the wide variety of participating artistsWhile the overall quality remains high, the coexistence of such disparate styles can create a certain contrast between episodes. Mark Bagley remains faithful to its usual dynamism, although with some signs of artistic maturity, while Sarah Picelli y Patrick Gleason They bring freshness and spectacularity to the most powerful vignettes. Special mention should be made of the work of Bryan Valenza as a colorist in the closure, which further enhances the graphic potential of the collection.
This visual variety can diminish the overall coherence of the story, making the reading experience fluctuate depending on the issue and its creators. Gleason particularly shines in the final chapters, showing why he's so highly regarded at both DC and Marvel.
A closure that leaves mixed feelings
As for the overall assessment of the volume, The Amazing Spider-Man – Beyond 4 It's both interesting and uneven. On the one hand, it offers a much-needed conclusion to many plot threads that had been brewing for months, with a special focus on the evolution of Ben Reilly and the impact of the Beyond Corporation. On the other hand, the abundance of special episodes and creative twists and turns can leave the reader feeling that some ideas were left half-developed or even abandoned to make way for the next phase.
A striking element is the inclusion of a special issue that closes the dispute with Lagarto, part of the line of episodes released as patches to resolve unfinished plots. This device, common in the Beyond saga, allows for the introduction of new characters and offers variety, but it also distracts the reader, diminishing the depth of the main story.
For the followers of Ben reilly, the outcome may seem disappointing, as the character's promised return ends up turning into a fall that is barely explored before making way for the new cycle of the collection. Fans of Peter Parker You will be able to appreciate several scenes where the character recovers part of his classic charisma and demonstrates his resilience.
