Amazing Spider-Man #85

8.0

Critic Rating

10 Reviews
8.1

User Rating

40 Reviews
Writer Cody Ziglar
Artist Paco Medina
Cover Price $3.99

DOCTOR OCTOPUS VS. SPIDER-MAN AT BEYOND HQ!
  It's going to take everything Ben Reilly and the company that backs him has to stop Otto Octavius.
  But, in the Merry Marvel fashion and as with all respectable Spider-Stories, even if Spider-Man wins, he is going to lose. And he is going to lose BIG.

RATED T+

Reviews (10) User Reviews (40) Rate / Write A Review

CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 9.1

    Comic Watch - Jimmy Hayes

    Jan 12, 2022

    Another issue of superhero action on a grand scale! Cody Ziglar knows how to tell a story and with Paco Medina on art duties, they make for a winning combination. Pick this up and for the love of God, put it on your pull list!! Read Full Review

  • 8.7

    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally

    Jan 12, 2022

    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

  • 8.5

    AIPT - David Brooke

    Jan 12, 2022

    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

  • 8.5

    The Comicbook Dispatch - StoryBabbler

    Jan 12, 2022

    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

  • 8.4

    Multiversity Comics - Jaina Hill

    Jan 14, 2022

    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

  • 8.0

    But Why Tho? - Collier "CJ" Jennings

    Jan 12, 2022

    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

  • 8.0

    ComicBook.com - Chase Magnett

    Jan 12, 2022

    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

  • 8.0

    Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills

    Jan 15, 2022

    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

  • 7.5

    COMICON - Tony Thornley

    Jan 17, 2022

    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

  • 5.5

    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez

    Jan 13, 2022

    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

USER REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 9.0

    Sollywoods

    Jan 12, 2022

    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 more

    + Like Comment
  • 9.0

    Comicsfan1994

    Jan 14, 2022

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

  • 9.0

    jbong

    Jan 14, 2022

    I admit I'm biased. I'm going to give any SM comic that includes anti-capitalist messaging an automatic 9. Memes aside, this was a great issue that did tease us with more exciting stuff about Tesl---oops I meant Facebo---SORRY! Beyond corp.

  • 8.5

    Federico Liguori

    Jan 13, 2022

    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.

    + Like Comment
  • 8.5

    Psycamorean

    Jan 14, 2022

    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.

    + Like Comment
  • 8.0

    UxasIs

    Jan 13, 2022

    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

  • 8.0

    Kalaoui

    Jan 14, 2022

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

  • 8.0

    Hex

    Jan 26, 2022

    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.

    + Like Comments (1)
  • 8.0

    K-23

    Apr 19, 2022

    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.

  • 7.5

    DDJamesB

    Jan 16, 2022

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

  • 7.5

    CrazyforRAMU

    May 21, 2022

    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 i more

  • 7.0

    Afre

    Jan 13, 2022

    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.

  • 7.0

    Hydro-Man

    Jan 14, 2022

    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.

  • 6.5

    Merlyn

    Jan 12, 2022

    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.

  • 10

    JD

    Jan 12, 2022

  • 10

    Mkhan

    Apr 05, 2022

  • 9.5

    tmartinez

    Jan 19, 2022

  • 9.0

    Swanktub

    Jan 13, 2022

  • 9.0

    Batmanchuria

    Jan 19, 2022

  • 9.0

    iPodwithnomusic

    Mar 03, 2022

  • 8.5

    SenpaifenixJäger

    Jan 12, 2022

  • 8.5

    Rachit Mittal

    Jan 13, 2022

  • 8.5

    Radar

    Jan 23, 2022

  • 8.5

    wesshamu

    Feb 02, 2022

  • 8.0

    tonpas1989

    Jan 12, 2022

  • 8.0

    fearUhavemeisenough

    Jan 13, 2022

  • 8.0

    prettythief

    Jan 14, 2022

  • 8.0

    cincyfan

    Jan 15, 2022

  • 8.0

    KittyNone

    Jan 18, 2022

  • 8.0

    Julhin

    Jan 20, 2022

  • 8.0

    AAlukas

    Jan 29, 2022

  • 8.0

    jmprados

    Mar 14, 2022

  • 8.0

    matmene

    Jan 30, 2023

  • 7.5

    ottomotive

    Mar 02, 2022

  • 7.5

    JCP

    Sep 06, 2022

  • 7.0

    ICC

    Jan 13, 2022

  • 7.0

    Watchtower022

    Jan 26, 2022

  • 7.0

    Adsun22

    Apr 27, 2025

  • 6.5

  • 6.5

    Mout

    Mar 25, 2022

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