And while I'm here, why oh why doesn't Marvel have Stern chained to a computer, writing a book or two for them? Surely there's a place for a craftsman who's a true pro? I can think of a few books that would benefit from his talents... Read Full Review

Stern and Weeks deliver a strong issue, despite its overt similarities to an earlier story. This issue never feels like the beginning of a fill-in arc, even though none of the regular Spidey creative team is present. The stakes of the story never fail to keep your attention all the way until the last page, which is a whopper. I can't wait for the next issue, and it's been a while since I've said that about Amazing. Pick this one up! Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #627 was a fun start to this three-part stand alone story that does not have any connection to the Gauntlet arc. This issue continues the role of great stories that Amazing Spider-Man has been delivering for the past few months. Roger Sterns sequel to his classic storyline hit all the right notes as he perfectly set-up the story and also showed that he still has a good handle of Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Combine Lee Weeks strong artwork and this was everything that you expect from a Spider-Man comic. I highly recommended to new and older fans looking for a good Spider-Man story. Read Full Review

While I've been enjoying more than a few of the recent issues of this title, this issue was particularly enjoyable. Stern knows how to write Peter Parker as a challenged but not mopey character, and he seems to have fun doing it. I'm in for the rest of this story from Stern and Weeks and plan to kick back with my Pepsi Throwback to enjoy a return to classic form for this title. Read Full Review

I can't say yet whether this will turn out to be a story that's equal to (or better than) "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut", but it's shaping up to be quite an enjoyable romp in its own right. A lot of the success of the story will rest on how Stern explains the development of the final page, and where he takes the story from here, but for now this is a fun ride that feels like a classic Spider-Man story of old, without feeling anachronistic or dated. Read Full Review

The upside of this issue was its retro feel, steeped in continuity, referencing previous Spider-Man/Juggernaut battles, name-checking the kidnapped Madame Web (a plot point of Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut, as well) and delivering a clever Spider-Man who works things as much with his mind as with his radioactive spider-bitten muscles. The downside is pretty much the same, as all the references take up a lot of time, and much of the issue felt like familiar ground for me. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #627 is a failure not only because of its dated style and forced script, but because it also feels largely irrelevant to the ongoing Gauntlet initiative. Such brief excursions from the ongoing status quo can sometimes serve as welcome tangents. Not this time. Read Full Review