The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #42 Review

One of the drawbacks to Dan Slott’s decision to cap off his Amazing Spider-Man run at issue #800 is that he won’t have much of an opportunity to explore Peter’s new status quo as science editor at the Daily Bugle. Consider this annual issue an attempt to address that problem. It doesn’t stand out as much as some of Slott’s recent stories, but it does allow fans to spend a little more time with the Daily Bugle crew and a few long-time villains.

Slott’s story builds on the aftermath of The Clone Conspiracy (not necessarily a point in its favor), as Betty Brant and Peter Parker join forces to investigate a clue left behind by the briefly resurrected Ned Leeds. That puts the duo in the path of the Enforcers, the Kingpin and various other nefarious players covering up something called Blood Creek. It’s an excuse for Slott and artist Cory Smith to combine traditional Spider-Man antics with a dash of good, old-fashioned mystery. That mystery doesn’t have the greatest payoff, unfortunately. The truth behind Blood Creek is more silly than compelling as it tired to merge the seedy criminal underworld with the world of the supernatural.

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