Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4 Review

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Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4 wouldn’t be a Spider-Man tie-in without lessons of responsibility.

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4.

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4

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

Getting Through to Clash

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4 starts with Spider-Man defending himself from Clash (a/k/a Clayton Cole). Until recently, Clayton was an employee of Peter Parker at Parker Industries. He is a reformed villain of sorts trying to make a better life for himself. However, he featured in of one of Ulysses’s visions (Ulysses is the Inhuman that has visions of possible futures). Subsequently, Clayton resumed the mantle of Clash after feeling he had not alternatives. Just when it appeared that Clayton was going to assist the villainous Robot Master sabotage Parker Industries, Clash turned on him. However, using the audio technology was a violation of Clayton’s parole.

Spider-Man pointed that out to Clayton and counseled him he would have to abandon this technology. Clayton didn’t take the news well. Set on proving his power to Spider-Man, he attacked. However, Spider-Man subdued him with reasoning. As Clash ranted about his abilities, Spider-Man upped the ante. He pointed out that Clashes audio powers were sufficient to easily kill a person. Clayton reacted that it wasn’t him. That conflict was over.

Controlling Your Destiny

Clayton nearly gives up. After all, Ulysses had a vision about him. In that vision, Clayton took up the mantle of Clash, and he fought Spider-Man. Then the vision came to pass. Therefore, Clayton concludes free will does not exist. He was destined to fail and fall to crime.

Spider-Man quashes that belief. The wall-crawler does not believe in preordained destiny. Ultimately, everyone is responsible for themselves. Clayton made choices along the way. He decided not to aid the Robot Master. He elected not to engage in crimes. Clayton proved he has a conscience, and didn’t destroy Spider-Man when he had the chance. Therefore, the visions were not definitive.

In addition, Spider-Man makes a great observation. Ulysses had visions that Spider-Man acted to prevent. That proves the future was not set according to those visions. Ultimately, Clash sees his point. Although, when the Robot Master recovers, he abandons Spider-Man and states he has to be his own man now.

Battle with the Robot Master

With Clayton leaving the battle, Spider-Man is left to defend himself against the Robot Master and his army of robots. As one might expect, Spider-Man prevails. Spider-Man is surprisingly vicious. He literally rips apart many of the Robot Master’s limbs before locating his remote. Once he has the remote, the other robots are useless.

The best part of this conflict nearly breaks the fourth wall. The Robot Master taunted an apparently helpless Spider-Man with a “Come back, Shane!” reference after Spider-Man pleaded for Clash to stay. After that, Spider-Man tore apart the Robot Master and his robots. During the fight, he states, “Okay…after hearing you quote Shane, I kinda get what people mean when they say I ruined their childhood every time I change my costume.”

Of course, nobody in the comic actually says that. This type of behavior only happens in the real world. One would expect this kind of dialogue from Deadpool. From Spider-Man, it was unexpected and admittedly funny.

A Middle Path?

As with any hero during the Civil War II storyline, the question is which side will they choose and why? Tony Stark believes these visions to be dangerous. They produce unintended consequences. Therefore, the future should be allowed to play out. On the other side, Captain Marvel utilizes these visions as a method of enhancing her protection of Earth. She believes in them. They help her identify targets before they become a more serious threat. Or, so she believes.

Spider-Man falls somewhere in the middle. On the one hand, he rejects Ulysses’s aid in developing modern miracle drugs. He acknowledges that by using Ulysses’s visions, they could save time and money in developing cures for the worst of mankind’s ailments. However, by doing so, they wouldn’t make mistakes. Making mistakes are key to learning. It is a very scientific view and part of the scientific method.

It isn’t that simple, though. Spider-Man’s history depends on a major event. When he had the opportunity to act and prevent a robbery, he chose not to do so. Later, that robber killed his uncle. Racked with guilt, Peter Parker has lived by his Uncle’s mantra: with great power comes great responsibility. In this case, if he has the power to identify a life-threatening situation, he must do something about it. So, which side of the conflict will Spider-Man choose? Glad you asked…

Spider-Man Chooses a Side

One of the most significant developments of Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4 comes when Spider-Man declares his allegiance. He decided that ignoring Ulysses’s visions when lives are at stake is irresponsible. Therefore, he supports Captain Marvel’s intention to utilize those visions. However, he advises her that he will be the “Jiminy Cricket” on her shoulder. In other words, he’ll be her conscience.

It is hard to tell when exactly this issue took place relative to the main story line. Presumably, the events of this issue occur prior to the events of Civil War II #3. Bruce Banner died in that issue. Furthermore, Banner died as a result of Ulysses’s vision that was shared with Captain Marvel. There is no mention of those events here.

Spider-Man may still side with Captain Marvel even knowing of Banner’s death. However, he doesn’t mention it at all. That would seem to be an issue he would want to clear up prior to declaring his loyalty. It will be interesting to see how this will resonate with him in Civil War II going forward. Keep in mind, Spider-Man changed sides during the original Civil War event years ago once he saw the light. Is he in store for a similar change here?

Civil War II: Amazing Spider-Man #4 Conclusion

This issue marks the conclusion of this tie-in to Civil War II. Spider-Man seems to have taken his own advice and doesn’t hold himself ultimately responsible for Clayton’s shortcomings. However, he ends the issue in search of Clash. Speaking of which, Clash has taken a middle road of his own. He robbed Roxxon of a slush fund intended for kickbacks and other illicit activities.

The Amazing Spider-Man tie-in was a smaller story. That is refreshing. Not all of Spider-Man’s adventures have global stakes. This sets him apart from many of his contemporaries. His adventures are often personal, or at least they have personal stakes. The downside of that comes with a sometimes overly dramatic tone to his stories. However, the consequences resonate.

Up next for Spider-Man is an October event entitled “Dead No More: The Clone Conspiracy.”