Antebellum Marvel: The Amazing Spider-Man #531
Previously in Fantastic Four #536
I’m traveling the road to Civil War with Marvel so I can be caught up by the time this storyline hits the big screen. Please do not comment with spoilers if you’re familiar with this particular story arc, but you are welcome to provide non-spoiler answers to any questions I may ask in the review.
- Issue: The Amazing Spider-Man #531
- Title: Mr. Parker Goes to Washington (Part Three of Three)
- Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
- Penciler: Tyler Kirkham
- Inkers: Sal Regla
- Letterer: VC’S Cory Petit
Who’s In It:
Peter Parker (Spider-Man), Tony Stark (Iron Man, The Titanium Man, MJ (briefly in the shower)
What Happens:
Spider-Man takes on The Titanium Man, fighting among the nation’s famous monuments. During the battle, Titanium starts monologuing about how his boss wants Stark dead so there will be no one to fight for superhumans in the SRA debate. They believe that once the government starts hunting superhumans, it will make their attack against the U.S. even more successful. Then he gets away.
Stark uses a recording of this encounter to prove his point when he meets with the committee the next day. But even with some people from Peter, it doesn’t seem as if it made a difference.
Later, Peter hints at how convenient it was for Titanium to not only know about this secret hearing, but to deliver an argument that backs up Stark’s claims. Stark flat out denies setting it up and swears that he would have told Peter what was going to happen.
Of course, this is a lie as Iron Man meets Titanium with a briefcase full of money. Even though it was all a set-up, Titanium meant what he said: when the U.S. government turns on superhumans, they will be just as they were in Russia. And Iron Man might not think it so funny when he’s running errands for briefcases of cash.
Back at home, Peter worries that his big mouth has made it harder for Tony to prove the SRA is a bad idea. While MJ showers, Peter starts to doze in front of the TV while a news report reveals 600 people were killed in Connecticut by someone or something called Speedball.
Points of Note:
- Tony Stark is a motherfucker. He lies to Peter, he lies to Titanium (he didn’t know Spider-Man would be there)… he’s a lying liar who lies.
- Tony sure was passionate when he spoke about how Lincoln taking the nation to war with itself was necessary. Guess he sees himself in the same position.
- Who the hell is Speedball?
