The first book in the five part mini-series Edge of Spider-Verse sees a return for David Hine and Carmine Di Giandomenico's character Spider-Man Noir.

The story is set six years after the event of the 2010 mini Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without a Face in 1939 and sets to serve as a prelude to the forthcoming Spider-Event Spider-Verse.


It would appear that the feature of the mini series is to give a prologue into how five of the featured Spider-People become embroiled into the main story arc which starts in November in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #9.

This Spider-Man Noir storyline is penned by previous Noir scribe's David Hine & Fabrice Salpolski but unfortunately there is no return for former artist Carmine Di Giandomenico, instead the pencilling duties are taken up by Richard Isanove (Savage Wolverine) which is a bit of a let down as whilst Isanove's gives a good impression of a Noir feel, it never quite matches the level set by Di Giandomenico's tone.


The story however does it's job superbly as it gives the reader a glimpse into what's been happening in the lives of 1930's Peter Parker, Mary Jane and Aunt May. the writer's manage to keep to the narrative imposed by their remit, as this is more of a re-introduction to the character before the main event type thing but they do it well enough that this vignette of a story doesn't really lose focus and when the "Surprise" save happens it never feels contrived or forced.

Whilst a non essential pick up for Spider-Verse it's still a good indicator that this level of story-telling will continue in the other four books in the series.

7.0

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A good solid issue, this title continues to have a strong and impressive start and with Peter David writing the signs are good that the story arcs will only get better and better the longer the title continues. However that being said in this climate a book lasting longer than a year or two is a bit of a lottery. but the foundation on which the re-vamped Spider-Man 2099 book has started gives cause to be optimistic for a sustained run. I would say the only slight downside would be the inconsistency of Will Sliney's artwork which vary's from page to page. however Sliney has shown potential enough within the first two issues of this title that once he gains the consistency then the book will have a very good artist to convey the story that the excellent David is trying to tell.



Speaking of the story, it's a decent flowing continuation of the previous two issues that keeps the reader guessing as to where it is Peter David is taking Miguel O'Hara and by extension us the reader.



As it transpires Miguel is relieved to find he still has a job at Alchemax despite the bombshell he laid on CEO Liz Allan in the previous issue. One of the interesting aspects is the lack of a Spider-Sense for Miguel which does help in placing him in precarious situations which happens quite effectively within this issue. and the use of a villain who we haven't seen since his encounter with an apparent "Superior" character was a welcome surprise, considering whom it would appear his new employers are.



I can't help but continue to enjoy the direction that this book is taking and hope that sales ensure a prolonged run. Reading about the ways in how Miguel need's to keep Tiberius Stone safe in order to maintain his own existence is an interesting faucet given who it transpires that Stone is and his relationship to Miguel means for Spider-Man 2099 in the future.
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