Peter Parker is finishing high school with hopes of getting a summer internship at Empire State University. But will his responsibilities as the friendly, neighborhood Spider-Man and the threat of an old foe throw his future into question? Some Spoilers Ahead!
Written by Ralph MacchioCover by Todd Nauck & Rachelle Rosenberg
Illustrated by Chris Allen
Colored by Rachelle Rosenberg
Lettered by VC’s Travis LanhamAs we get closer to the release of Spider-Man: Far From Home, Marvel is throwing more Spidey one-shots our way set during Peter’s high school years. Because most of Spider-Man’s most famous adventures and villains are from the early years, it makes sense to keep going back to this well. Long time writer/editor Ralph Macchio returns to pen this script with Peter facing off against The Lizard for the second time ever!
Peter is finishing high school and looking to get accepted into the summer internship in the science department at Empire State University. Knowing this could be a crucial step up for both his educational and professional future, he plans on doing everything he can to be impressive during the interview and orientation process. While on the preliminary tour, Peter notices that Dr. Curt Connors is teaching and participating in research at the university.
To those new to Spider-Man, or the villain The Lizard specifically, here’s a quick history lesson: He is one of the most tragic baddies to go up against the beloved web-slinger. Like Peter, Dr. Connors occasionally leads a dual life. In his human form, he is a hero, to both Peter and to many more. A military doctor who lost his arm during his service, he now puts his brilliant mind into researching a serum that uses reptilian DNA that would allow people to re-grow missing limbs. Years prior he tested the serum on himself and while it did allow him to re-grow his missing arm, it also almost immediately transformed him into a giant reptile-monster known as THE LIZARD! The Lizard hates humanity and is always at odds with his inner humanity.
Back to the story: Peter steps aside to speak with Connors. Knowing he is still reconciling with becoming The Lizard and causing so much trouble in the wake of attempting to do good, Peter decides to throw some hero worship at the good doctor. At this point in time only Spider-Man and The Lizard have met, so Peter takes the time to get acquainted to Curt. After a nice conversation between the two, Peter heads back to the tour and Curt gets back to work only to be violently interrupted by henchman working for the villain known as Silvermane. He wants Connors’s serum for himself and isn’t taking ‘no’ for an answer. The thugs take the serum, Connors’s notes and his pet lizard/test subject Lizzie figuring that’s all they need for Silvermane’s people to re-create it.
Anger and heartache flood through Connors and he once again transforms in the cold-blooded beastie. Smashing his way through the university to head after the thugs, The Lizard is aware that his actions go against everything Connors stands for, but thinking he needs to do what Connors can’t or won’t, he sticks to the plan of total destruction. Upon seeing what’s happening, Peter is left with a tough decision once again: Stick to the tour that leads to an interview and a professional crossroads, or chase after The Lizard and put an end to the terror.
Because of his long history at Marvel and working on various Spider-Man titles, writer Ralph Macchio crafts a script that truly captures Peter’s heart. He’s still young and coming to grips with balancing his personal life and his life as a superhero. He knows what he has to do in both aspects of his life, but he is finding it more difficult as he gets older to keep the promises he made to Aunt May about his future and his internal promises to Uncle Ben as Spider-Man. Macchio takes us back to a time when more often than not Peter had to sacrifice happiness and success in his personal life because with great power…
This is something that always pained me as a kid growing up with the comics. I always wanted to see Peter come out on top and it felt like he never could. Macchio brought those feelings back. Along with a well written Peter, we get a solid outing for The Lizard as well. The character is one of the first baddies to deal with two conflicting personalities in one body and he still stands the test of time as both tragic human and monstrous alter ego. Macchio does a great job with these characterizations once again. It’s a decently long script for a 22 page comic, but it’s paced nicely. It’s a quick read with familiar story beats some great action.
Continued belowChris Allen’s artwork is a nice mash-up of modern and classic styles. He walks this line of touching on 60’s era issues of “The Amazing Spider-Man” with today’s sensibilities. His line work moves between thoroughly detailed close-ups and wonderful character designs to more action-based movement. His classic Lizard design is an absolute delight to see. Overall his style isn’t anything that steps out ahead of the pack. It’s similar to most of the stuff we get from Marvel books, but it still looks good. And with Rachelle Rosenberg doing the colors, it’s hard to not look good by the time we get the final product. Her colors pop and jump from the page. She is definitely having fun playing in this sandbox and it shows. The panels showcasing Spidey and Lizard duking it out or jumping/swinging around the city are stunning. She is on a short list of colorists that should get you giddy when you see her name on the cover or credits page. She is once again a standout talent on an issue that could have fizzled out with a lesser artist.
Macchio gives us a solid script that plays to the strengths of Peter’s heart and Spidey’s quips, and the heart-breaking duality of Curt Connors mind and body. Paired with fun, classic art by Allen and Rosenberg’s flashy and gorgeous colors. ‘Reptilian Rage’ is a really enjoyable read with a classic “Spider-Man” feel that will bring out the kid in most readers, but it probably won’t stand out from the crowd.
Final Verdict: 6.5, A thwipping good time, with a fan-favorite villain, but it doesn’t really have a greater purpose in the grand scheme of things.
