Issue(s): Spectacular Spider-Man #201
Cover Date: Jun 93
Title: "Over the line!"
Credits:
J.M. DeMatteis - Writer
Sal Buscema - Penciler
Sal Buscema - Inker
Rob Tokar - Editor

Review/plot:
The cliffhanger from last issue, where Spider-Man was torn between rescuing the Black Cat or chasing the villains, turns out to be a false choice. Black Cat says that she would have been fine without Spider-Man's help, and both she and Venom yell at Spidey for not pursuing the bad guys. Spider-Man then says that he won't be a part of Venom's violence anymore, and goes to Aunt May's house.

There's also a philosophical debate going on amongst the villains. Demogoblin wants to know what the plan is, but Chaotic Evil Carnage says there's not supposed to be a plan.

Demogoblin nonetheless decides to stick around "for now".

At Aunt May's house, Peter asks May for advice and is pointed down the Uncle Ben path.

But now someone else is around who (supposedly) knew Uncle Ben: Peter's "father". And he has a very different take on the world.

There's potentially something very interesting here in having someone who knew Ben kind of deflating all the hero worship that's been going on regarding him. But since these aren't really Peter's parents, i automatically disregard everything they say.

Peter initially rejects his father's advice, but he later sees people rioting in the wreckage of Carnage's rampage...

...and changes his mind.

This may seem like a turning point, but the truth is that Spider-Man will continue to equivocate throughout these issues. Also, i considered looking for deeper meaning in the riots, like maybe looking at them as a parallel to the Rodney King riots or something. But then i remembered what i'm reviewing and stopped myself.

Carrion enters the plot in this issue, floating up out of the sewer as if to say "Hey you kids, what's all the racket going on up here?!". But he actually won't say much of anything this entire event.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This is part five of Maximum Carnage. Part six is in Web of Spider-Man #102.

References: N/A

Crossover: Maximum Carnage

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

I'm sure glad Peter is going to keep changing his mind on whether to be merciful or stick to his morals.
Y'know the greatest part of Dardevil Season 2 was easily Matt and the Punisher's enteractions. I thought it was one of the best superhero 'kill or don't kill' arguments yet.