Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3 Review

2.6K

Clash confronts Spider-Man as Clayton attempts to overcome his past.

Warning: this article contains spoiler for Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3.

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3

Writer: Christos Gage | Artist: Travel Foreman | Color Artist: Rain Beredo | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Cover Artists: Travel Foreman & Jason Keith | Title Page Design: Nicholas Russell

Summary

The last issue concluded with Clayton Cole seemingly succumbing to the temptation to resume a life of crime. Having had one of the worst days in years, Clayton met with Mendel Stromm in a bar frequented by criminals. There, Stromm presented him with a proposition. If Clayton would help Stromm infiltrate Parker Industries’ security, then Stromm would help Clayton overcome his debts. At first, Clayton resisted but he eventually gave in.

As issue three begins, Peter Parker broods in his office. Despondent over the situation with Clayton, he confides a sense of responsibility to Harry Osborne. Meanwhile, Clayton receives a new Clash costume from the Tinkerer. Then he meets with Stromm. The villain reveals himself to be the “Robot Master.” Not only is Stromm as cyborg, he controls an army of robots.

Just as Clash appears to accept Stromm’s offer to infiltrate Parker Industries, he turns on the Robot Master. Then a battle ensues . When Stromm and his robots gain the upper hand, Spider-Man arrives and turns the tide. Together, Clash and Spider-Man defeat the Robot Master and his minions.

In the aftermath, Clash and Spider-Man discuss the repercussions of Clayton’s actions. Clayton believed taking down Stromm as the Clash would prove himself to Parker and Spider-Man. Unfortunately, Spider-Man reminds him that donning the Clash costume violates Clayton’s parole. Clayton must turn over all of his Clash gear and stay away from sonics. Furious with these developments, Clayton turns on Spider-Man as the issue concludes.

A Change in Theme

The theme of this series changed with Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3. Previously, Peter Parker’s reaction to knowledge of the future dominated thematically. By attempting to prevent the vision of the future shared with him, he helped drive Clayton right into making poor decisions. Those poor decisions ultimately lead Clayton to resuming the mantle of Clash.

However, other than a scant mention of Peter feeling responsible at the beginning of the issue, that theme receded. Instead, the thematic focus shifts to Clayton and taking responsibility. Clayton sought to prove himself to Peter and everyone around him. Despite this laudable goal, he went about it all wrong. He tragically drifted back into old habits by adopting the Clash persona again.

An Addiction

While attempting to reason with Clayton, Spider-Man analogizes Clayton’s use of sonics to an addiction. More specifically, Spider-Man reacts to Clayton’s complaint that he is leashed by restrictions. First, Spider-Man notes that sonics always lead Clayton into trouble. He isn’t wrong. By using sonics, even with the best of intentions, Clayton violated his parole. Furthermore, resuming the mantle of Clash was unnecessary. Spider-Man could have handled the entire conflict with the Robot Master without causing so much property damage and putting so many at risk.

Like many addicts, Clayton rationalizes the problem away. He argues he just proved he could be trusted. He saved Parker Industries! Therefore, he must have made the right choice! Without sonics, he believes he is nothing. In addition, he thinks Spider-Man’s suggestions of designing sonics without using them place him on a leash. He has plenty of excuses. Instead of seeking forgiveness and making changes, he attempts to prove he doesn’t have a problem, or that his issue can be controlled.

Ultimately, Clayton’s nature gets the best of him. Unsatisfied with Spider-Man’s suggestions and admonishments, he turns on him. The issue concludes with Clayton employing his sonics against Spider-Man.

A Brooding Parker

Clayton isn’t the only one with responsibility issues. Power and responsibility have always been a theme of Spider-Man. After all, “With great power comes great responsibility” has been the underlying theme of Spider-Man from the beginning. With that in mind, it is no surprise that Parker broods in his office over the situation with Cole. Of course, he feels responsible. He believes he drove Clayton into this with additional scrutiny and overbearing behavior.

Harry Osborne argues to the contrary. Parker might have handled things better. However, Clayton is a grown man. At some point, he must accept responsibility for his actions. He must make better decisions. Osborne suggests to Parker the addiction one feels using a super powered suit. It seems to work. After that pep talk, Spider-Man found Clash during the darkest moments of the battle with the Robot Master.

At any rate, despite all the changes in Parker’s world, it is good to see some consistency. No matter how successful Parker is, he will still get hung up on the fate of his friends, family, and proteges.

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3 Conclusion

The Amazing Spider-Man stories of Civil War II have been a welcome addition to the Spider-Man mythos so far. So much has happened to Parker during recent years that it is somewhat of a relief to get a story with smaller stakes attached. Even though Parker agonizes over someone he considers himself responsible, the self-doubt and responsibility do not paralyze him. Spider-Man acts. Gage has written an excellent story. Foreman and Beredo’s art wonderfully bring the story to life. Clash’s black and white costume make him a shadowy reflection of Spider-Man. His costume embodies a “what if” tale for the wall crawler—what if Spider-Man had abused his powers? It’ll be crushing for Peter, but he must now resolve that issue.

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #3