Come on, it was Alpha AND Jackal... In the same comic! How couldn't I love it?! Alpha continued being self-absorbed and an all-around jerk, while Jackal was his regular crazy, funny self. I will admit that I was a tiny bit let down by the end of this one when Alpha blew Spidey off and didn't take Spidey up on his offer of more training, but to be honest, that kind of fit Alpha's whole deal. Read Full Review

I can't wait to see where this one goes! Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #693is a strong issue that would stand on its own merits were it not part of a multi-issue story arc. It's action-packed and never drags on; it definitely gives you more bang for your buck than other comic books that sometimes feel like “filler” issues. Track this one down and buy it, and watch out for Amazing Spider-Man #694,which sports a cover that features a nice homage to Superman VS The Amazing Spider-Man #1. Read Full Review

For anyone not familiar to Ramos' art, it takes a little getting used to. He deals in a lot of sharp angles and unrealistic poses He's improved a lot over the past few years, but every now and then it shows [Spider-Man swinging toward MJ's club on the second page]. It doesn't really bother me, personally, it's just one thing to take note of. Though I still have my qualms with Alpha as a character, this issue is a big step-up from the last. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #693 is interesting even while being off-putting, and Slott's walking a very tight rope with keeping it that way while featuring a character as annoying as Maguire. Let's hope he keeps it going with Part 3 next time out, because we REALLY want to see this brat learn a lesson or twelve. Read Full Review

There's still time to place your bet on whether or not Spider-Man will keep Alpha as a sidekick (not that we condone gambling). Alpha is not a likable character and he's not supposed to be. After fifty years, Dan Slott has given Spider-Man a new set of responsibilities (and I don't mean he's been writing for fifty years). Humberto Ramos handles the big action scenes along with Peter in his civilian guise with ease. This is a turning point for Spider-Man and this series. If you haven't been reading Spider-Man lately for some reason, now is a great time to start. Actually, be sure to pick up the last issue. You won't regret it. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #693 is a good looking issue that suffers from some minordialogue missteps. Overall the team and this simplistic arc more than earn a very solid recommendation. Read Full Review

Ugh"not the best. Surely there is a point to this story beyond introducing a loathsome new character and having a bunch of morality plays for the slower readers? Thank goodness for Ramos and company on art". Read Full Review

Alpha still has a concluding issue to go, and hopefully Slott will rectify the little flaws that have been marring this arc. There are still moments of greatness in this issue, and most of it is just as good as you'd hope, but there are those niggling little doubts that will spoil this arc and drag it down in quality. This is by no means a bad comic book, but it's nowhere near as good as Slott's best. Read Full Review

There's some decent character work to enjoy in this issue as Peter interacts with Max Modell, his family, and various superhuman allies. Sadly, none of it involves Alpha himself. As poorly executed as these two issues have been, my enthusiasm for the series and the build-up to Amazing Spider-Man #700 is beginning to wane. Read Full Review

Taken individually, each questionable story choice should not lead to how underwhelming Amazing Spider-Man #693 is as an issue of the long march to #700. Each, however, taken together (and particularly in one issue) has the effect of undermining the parallel that Slott and Ramos are trying to achieve. It's meant to be a tribute to the legacy of Spider-Man. The existence of Alpha is surely a debate that will continue, as the decision to include this character or even this type of character is hardly forgettable. Whether the intent is enough to justify the results is the big picture question, and reaffirms the “with great power comes great responsibility” lesson. Even for creators. Read Full Review

At the end of the day Amazing Spider-Man #693 is a complete disappointment when it comes to Spider-Mans new sidekick, Alpha. Though the issue did have its good points when it came to Peter Parkers side of the story this is supposed to be a story that helps build Alpha as a new character. Instead what we get is a list of reasons to dislike Alphas character. This doesnt mean that the character cant be turned around but after only two issues it is clear that Dan Slott has a lot of work ahead of him to get Alpha over as character, much more than he had coming into Amazing Spider-Man #694. Read Full Review

Say it ain't so " I've been a huge fan of Dan Slott's run on Amazing Spider-Man, but this arc with the teenage superpowered narcissist Alpha isn't grabbing me. Read Full Review