Peter Parker has never had the luxury of normalcy, and his cosmic adventures are proving no different. Whether facing members of Thanos’ black order, surviving gladiator arenas, or confronting ghostly representatives from faraway planets, Peter’s plate has been full since being punched across the galaxy by Hellgate. Yet despite these alien environments, Peter remains who he’s always been, a hero who stands up for the downtrodden. In this issue, writer Joe Kelly tests that conviction when Peter confronts the true nature of the forces that sent him here.
We open with Peter and the crew crash-landing on a strange planet, beautifully brought to life by artist Pepe Larraz. While Rocket throws around accusations of sabotage, Peter and Raelith go exploring and encounter the mysterious Nikodimu character. They’re from a world called Kailo, which turns out to be Raelith’s home as well. She’s earned her “Wretched” nickname due to her class status, with Nikodimu even referring to her as an “it.” Surprisingly, Hellgate is the champion and hero of this world, while an unknown enemy named Avarice appears to be the true threat. When Raelith falls to her knees, unable to rise above her class status, Peter refuses to accept it and confronts Nikodimu. Seeing Peter regrow his backbone has been a highlight of Kelly’s run, and he earns his defiant moment here. Soon, Nikodimu unleashes the planet’s monster on Peter to “correct” his behavior.
Why Kelly’s Peter Parker Works
There’s something to be said for an action-packed story that lets Peter do what he does best. We see him standing up for his friend, battling endless waves of alien monsters and an otherworldly being to protect her. This is the Peter we know and love. He’s confident and resourceful here, a stark difference from his characterization during the Wells’ run. He defeats enemies while using his own past failure to inspire those around him. It’s what makes him comics’ most iconic character; he gets back up every time the world knocks him down and learns from his mistakes. We need more of that inspiration in today’s storytelling, and Kelly nails this aspect of Peter’s personality.
This issue also delivers answers without overexplaining. Learning that Hellgate and Raelith hail from an alien world corrupted by a rigid caste system is an unexpected swerve. We now understand why Hellgate and Nikodimu want Peter stronger. There’s a larger threat in Avarice looming, and it may take the combined might of Peter, Ben, Norman, and even Hellgate to overcome them.
Hellgate, Raelith & Questioning Authority
What doesn’t fully land is Peter’s candy store story. Kelly has been implementing more of Peter’s past into his run, but this new information feels abrupt. The implied childhood trauma is serious, and using it as a quick rallying speech for Raelith undersells the implications. That said, the story makes an important thematic point: authority figures don’t always have your best interests at heart. Just as Nikodimu subjects Raelith to a twisted social order, authority should be questioned and not blindly followed. It’s when we surrender critical thought that we find ourselves on our knees, so it’s a real cathartic moment when Raelith internalizes this and stands up for herself. Her final panels cement her as one of the standout characters of this book.
Though Raelith and her dynamic with Peter have been a breath of fresh air, I struggle to invest in their relationship. Marvel editorial has long been against Peter having any long-term situation (anyone remember Shay?), and Raelith seems destined to join the list. It makes sense, as it’s hard to imagine her settling in Queens and hitting up bodegas, but knowing their relationship is doomed makes their interactions bittersweet rather than exciting.
Larraz and Gracia’s Alien Aesthetics
Larraz’s art remains the standout whenever he works on the book. He renders characters and environments in rich, alien aesthetics, while Peter’s new suit with Glitch is one of the best-designed alt costumes he’s had in years. The fight scenes are fast and hard-hitting, with each new foe presenting another terrifying threat. He nails the monster designs too, combining the viciousness of a Xenomorph but with the pack instincts of Velociraptors. It’s a fist-pumping moment on page twelve when Peter leaps into action, striking a classic hero’s pose while blanketed by these freakish enemies.
Marte Gracia is the perfect person to handle colors in this book. The alien planet comes alive in a palette of purples, greens, and yellows. The monsters mix muted browns with sickening greens, while the planet itself feels like a fully realized world. VC’s Joe Carmagna handles each character’s unique voice with care. His choice to portray Glitch’s dialogue in yellow boxes with a technical font perfectly fits the character and makes his POV stand out among Peter’s crew.
Final Verdict
The space storyline continues to be the stronger half of Kelly’s run, and The Amazing Spider-Man #17 proves why. We get action-packed sequences alongside meaningful character moments that showcase Peter’s strengths. Even in space, he’s still just a man doing his best while standing up for the powerless and downtrodden. Peter may have said he needed to return home, but no reader would be disappointed if we got a few more months of this. Kelly, and especially Larraz, have so far earned our trust, and I can’t wait to stick with them to the finale.
‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ #17 Review: Spidey’s Lost in Space
The space storyline continues to be the stronger half of Kelly’s run, and The Amazing Spider-Man #17 proves why.
