Medina delivers some beautiful, vibrant art in this issue. The visuals are amazing and perfectly capture the tone of the story and its emotions. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #85 delivers on the second round between Ben Reilly and Doctor Octopus. The comic's writing, pacing, and dialogue was solid and the art continued to bring in dynamic energy and action. This story not only resolves the fight between Ben and Otto, but it also moves the Beyond storyline forward and leaves Ben in an interesting position for the next issue. Read Full Review

Judging by this and Superior Four, Marvel Comics is leaning towards Doc Ock leaning a touch more toward hero than villain, and this issue proves that. The Amazing Spider-Man #85 has good humor, good action, and the continued intrigue of Ben Reilly's very shady Beyond Corp overlords. After this issue though, the real threat of self-doubt and imposter syndrome might unravel it all first. Read Full Review

What could have been a run of the mill replacement superhero story finds some compelling themes to consider amidst all the clones and chaos. Read Full Review

This issue makes the absolute most out of a classic Spider-Man vs. Doctor Octopus battle, while adding some much-needed character development for this extended Ben Reilly guest-starring role. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #85 hits the halfway point of the Beyond Saga, handing Ben Reilly a pyrrhic victory and testing his resolve as Spider-Man. Read Full Review

It's a great deal of fun to read the trials and tribulations of The Amazing Spider-Man reimagined with an original spin. Read Full Review

Though not quite as strong as last issue, this is still great Spider-Man storytelling. There's a few bumps (some loose linework, some needed character development), but overall this is a great story. Read Full Review

Amazing Spider-Man #85 moves the plot forward in the Beyond Era as Ben Reilly learns information that will impact his immediate future. Now Ben is on an even more unknown path as Spider-Man and it is all thanks to Doctor Otto Octavius. If it wasn't for inconsistent artwork and a major error the editors should've caught right away Amazing Spider-Man #85 would've scored higher. Read Full Review

Another great issue for Beyond. I was nervous when they announced this run but have been pleasantly surprised at how good it’s been.

This was probably my favourite issue so far in the Beyond story. A lot of meandering up until now. More than inches of plot progression, I mostly enjoyed the character drama. Characters interest more than super hero fights (the action is fun, but I'd trade an issue of good character dialogue over an issue of explosions)

Doc oc was good and I've really enjoyed him for the most part since the superior days. I never cared for him pre-superior spiderman but since that run it's exciting to see him again and he did not disappoint. I would've given the issue a ten but seeing Otto stay conscious after those angry punches is a bit pick I struggle with. I can see spiderman pulling his punches with someone like Otto, but when loose cannon Ben gets frustrated and angry like he was, those punches aren't going to be pulled so good.

I thought the last page was great! While I'm not generally a fan of writers constantly giving Ben the "whoa is me, I'm a clone and sad" thing, the writing in how it was done here made that tired story beat fresh again. Clone or not, most in Ben's situation are going to be hit with self doubt after learning what he did and that would just be magnified but previously overcome insecurities brought to the surface again.

This was good stuff more

I've become more and more critical of this run as it's gone on, but I have to admit, this issue worked. The promise of a deeper story, and a real shift in the narrative is exciting. I just hope next issue follows through on that.

So it's finally happening. Ben is going to discover some pretty bad truths about the company he works for (it was about time!). Also, I'd like to see Maxine Danger's head on a stake (but the lady got style 😄).
P.S. I've just realized that Otto is furious with Beyond for using his ideas... that he had while controlling Peter's body.

Though the whole beginning seemed offensively nonsensical, a few parts made me laugh so I can't criticize it that harshly. In the end the book got back to serious story telling again that led to major revelations for Ben to learn and should continue an intriguing story. Ziglar just needs to dial down on the attempted jokes that fail at comedy but excel at making great characters like Doc Oc, Colleen, and Misty come across as jokes. All said and done the book averaged out for a solid issue thanks to the end.

Much better than last issue. We're finally getting somewhere! Though that place might not be the best for Ben and that is a sad and terrifying idea. Thankfully for this issue, Maxine didn't say the exact same thing she always does. Otto's inclusion has felt a bit forced but I loved his talk with Ben on the rooftop. Those slower character moments do more for me than a drawn out fight over too many pages. I'd give this a half point higher but there were some pages where the art was really inconsistent with the rest of the issue. Some things weren't as clean but overall, this was a good point to move everything forward.

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Hex - Jan 26, 2022

That's a shame. I thought there were WAY too many names on there when Medina was the only penciller.

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This one actually worked for all the distance we endured to get here, it shouldn't have but it did.

I actually really enjoyed this issue, definitely one of the better ones even if the ending was a bit anticlimactic

Hopefully the rest of the story can maintain this pace

It's all fun and games and comic relief as Otto fights and chews scenery, but when the chips are down and it's time to develop the plot, this issue doesn't quite work for me.

I know it's a long arc and the changes here will be unpacked in later issues, but I think this issue needed *something* to anchor the conflict and make it seem meaningful in the short term.

The humor works for me, mostly -- though it overstays its welcome once Spidey and Ock come to blows. (And the Nextwave weirdness didn't feel right.) The art is also mostly good. There's definitely some behind-the-scenes trouble with all those inkers, and the finish is uneven. The bones are solid, though.

This issue is far from bad, but it's also clearly not the best comic it could be. more

It wasn't bad. A little corny at parts but, had a pretty good plot.

I was enjoying the Beyond storyline but it’s starting to run its course. Also, I don’t mind a little humor in Spidey but the humor in this issue was too much.

It's fine. As usual. The plot feels like it's finally moving somewhere. How unfortunate that it took us this long for it to happen.

But I really can't rate it a higher then 7, because this whole storyline is still too bland for me currently. I'm not invested in any part of this, and I do hope the next issue finally focuses on Ben as a character more.

That's it? I don't know, I expected some more spectacular revelations. Also, those first pages were pretty cringey. I look forward to Zeb Wells' next issue, his issues were the best in this Beyond era.