In this issue of Amazing Spider-Man, The Sinister Six are in charge! Recently I’ve started what I call the giving Spider-Man a second chance tour, mostly through reading Venom #10 last time. Now I continue my tour with Amazing Spider-Man #676. What’s funny about this issue, there’s not a single panel of Spider-Man within. The focus of Amazing Spider-Man is all villains all issue long. Dan Slott pits the Sinister Six vs. The Intelligencia. The Intelligencia being the smartest villains of the Marvel Universe banded together. With Humberto Ramos drawing this battle of the century who shall prevail? It’s truly a fight that has to be seen to be believed.
Dan Slott does many things right in Amazing Spider-Man this issue, one being that the Secret Six come to life in a way like I haven’t seen before. The crux of all this is they’re together to help Doctor Octopus in stopping the Intelligencia from unleashing the Zero Cannon. Think of it as ultimate doomsday device. Why would they do this? That’s within the issue and is it ever a lot of fun. I like that also the main reason initially is Doctor Octopus is on his last legs, he’s preparing a master plan with Mysterio and Electro helping him craft a new suit. The team all has their own reasons for working with him. I can say that this is up there with one of my favorite characterizations of the Secret Six.
The Intelligencia’s test of the Zero Cannon is as brutal as it should be. There are going to be those unhappy about a certain team getting offed the way they do. The rules of the Marvel Universe are that if you’re a team of a certain level and you’re not Alpha Flight, you’re fair game. The deaths are handled well though, no one will say Dan Slott was callous in how the deaths were done. Ramos does a nice death scene and the looks of some of the members as their doom is about to hit is sad. Then the overjoyed looks of the Intelligencia are messed up but are the perfect balance to the death scene.
Within the eventual battle between the Intelligencia and the Sinister Six, they’re so many great moments it’s hard to narrow it down. The situations Slott puts the Six in makes you root for the team and Mysterio and Electro getting two of the best scenes. Sandman and Wizard have a history as well with the Frightful Four which I thought was a nice mention, though from events, that’s going to be something that I’m curious to see how it plays out. The finale to this issue sets up as the prologue for Ends of the Earth which from this issue, could become an event to keep an eye on.
If you’re a fan of the Sinister Six or just like seeing super villain battles on a large scale, you owe yourself to check out this issue of Amazing Spider-Man. It’s done in one and you need to know little to nothing about what’s going on with any characters before this. Just a great twisted battle between two super villain teams. Humberto Ramos outdoes himself with this issue, the new design of Doctor Octopus is perfect for what’s going on with the character. His fight scenes were just a joy to behold on the page. Slott’s interactions with both teams are solid and I could go on but yes I would recommend buying this issue of Amazing Spider-Man. If this is any hint of what Ends of the Earth is going to be like I’m excited.
