Amazing Spider-Man vol. 2 #39 (May 2002) by J Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr (Marvel)

I recently reviewed Step by Bloody Step (Image) and decided to re-read all the other silent issues over the years (including some of Marvel's "Nuff Said" theme of twenty-four books from early 2002). I remember this book was supposed to be released in Feb/March but was delayed as a result of the 9/11 special. In regards to the use of the silent gimmick in the "Nuff Said" books, I think this script really worked as we follow the three similar arcs among Mary Jane, Aunt May, and Peter. I think Stracynski cheated a bit with the various use of words to assist with Aunt May's arc. I particularly liked the comparison between Mary Jane and Peter and thought the whole issue could have been just about them. Even though I deat up JRJ a little bit in my review of his Hulk #35 "Nuff Said" issue, I thought he did a good job here. The Straczynski run is marred by the later Gewn Stacy storyline, but this was during the first year in his nearly six year run. They were putting out some pretty good stuff. more