Spider-Man: One More Day

The conclusion of the aftermath from Civil War, One More Day brings to a close the story started in Back in Black. It's an odd thing to think so highly of the start of this story and so poorly of the end. The pacing, characters and story for the first 2 and a half chapters are great, they are a story of grief and coming to terms with that, beautifully portrayed through our protagonists. It seems however that Marvel doesn't want Peter Parker to grow up and demands a reset to zero button akin to Dragonball Z and Fairy Tail where no one ever dies and everyone remains teens forever. The final chapter and a half are a rushed affair, no toiling over a world changing decision, no character development just a series of panels (many of the same picture with no words) to get Pete back to his miserable teenage days. This story had promise but the execution of removing decades of stories between Pete and MJ was so poorly handled with no consternation, impact or consequence that you can tell the corporate heads over ruled the excellent story tellers. I wish this were better, especially with the stories before and after but I can't bring myself to. It's worth reading for continuity only.

The title above says it all really- “Amazing but Sad”I’ve read Spiderman comics since I was a youth in the early 70’s, and JMS stories throughout his Spidey have been quite simply, the ‘best of the best’.‘Nuff Said!

So, One More Day, for anyone with even a nose in the comic word they should be aware of the controversy this story caused among Spider-man fans. Having waited until this volume is published before reading One More Day I have to say it was a strange read even knowing how it turns out.For those who have followed the major Spider-man developments of the past year the start point of One More Day should be familiar, for those who aren't, following on from Civil War and Back in Black Spider-man's secret identity is no longer secret and his Aunt May lies in hospital dying from a bullet wound meant for Peter Parker.The first half of One More Day is really good with the pacing and dialogue very good indeed, Peter's struggle to find a way to save his aunt via old friends and new enemies is handled very well. He is continually told by others that May's death is going to happen and he should use the little time he has caring for her, at the point where it looks like Peter is beginning to accept the inevitable is where the stumbling block comes.(SPOILERS FOLLOW - YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED)Peter is offered a way out by supernatural means but this comes with a cost to both him and his wife, Mary Jane, some of you will be aware of how the story ends and the uproar it caused. Having been a huge Spider-man fan for several years I wasn't really angered by the end to One More Day but found myself really confused. On the plus side, When Peter and mary Jane are offered the solution to Mays death and the price the have to pay for this you do get some very touching dialogue between them and this is what confused me, you are given clear signs why these two have to be together because they love each other so much only for it all to fall apart. The thing that Marvel have always championed about Spider-man is he is the every man and some of Spider-man's best moments are those in his normal life he has no control over such as the death of his friends and the burden of being Spider-man magnifying these aspects. For those of us who have followed Spider-man comics for a long time we have seen him grow up, face losing friends, fall in love and get married, his aunt discovering his double life, his seperation from Mary Jane and reconciliation so to see all this dismissed is what angers fans. The eventual end to One More Day is the only problem for me but time will tell as to how it will stand up in the library of Marvel stories.The books art by Joe Quesada is really beautiful for the most part and Strazcynski's writing of dialogue flows exceptionally well. So even if you heard how it ends and you're put off by it I would still recommend One More Day just to see part of how good Spider-man can be, the tender moments between Peter and Mary Jane elevate it outside super hero comics because you see what every good story needs, a man and woman who simply and unconditionally love each other.

Its like finding out a friend of yours has NEVER been happy.I like the authors work and I assume he was pushed into writing this.Because its awful. The entire idea is just disgusting.Spiderman makes a deal with the devil to save someone who is well into their 80's, at least.Who would never have asked here to give up his happiness for her.And deals with the devil work out so well don't they. Just ask Johnny Blaze.They should have changed the story to have Aunt May die the following day because the devil trades in misery, not bargain-keeping.The thing about Spiderman I always liked was RELATABILITY.Sure he has super powers and your don't, but he was problems and worries and you can relate to that.He grew up, he got married, he shared his hopes and dreams with someone. I've done that myself and its wonderful.And then rather then have a RELATABLE end to the marriage, Mary Jane's death or a divorce.Something that people have actually gone through.Peter gives up the greatest source of joy he has ever know so his Aunt can die peacefully in her sleep the following day for all he knew.Its just not relatable, and in an industry where comics are thriving on relatability, empathy and connecting with the reader,this infantile fop of an idea will historically be seen as a pathetic cheap cash-in.Moron doesn't cover the level of idiocy and stupidity spiderman trades in here. Its like he suddenly stands for nothing at all.I'm certainly done reading Spiderman.Its like cheering for someone who's too stupid to put on pants!!!