Before jumping into this issue, I just want to start with a little holiday thank-you. To everyone who’s been reading, following along, and sharing these reviews — thank you. It’s been a great year for Spider-Man, and honestly, comics and Spider-Man in particular have been a safe place for me all year long.
No matter what was going on, I always knew I could sit down, open a comic, and feel grounded again. Writing these reviews every week has been something I genuinely look forward to, and ending the year with an issue like this feels just right.
And Amazing Spider-Man #18 really is the perfect way to close out the year.
PROS
• A beautiful issue that honors Peter Parker
This issue doesn’t rely on nonstop action — instead, it takes time to honor Peter Parker as a person. And honestly, who better to do that than two of the most complicated figures in his life: J. Jonah Jameson and Norman Osborn.
• Jonah Jameson gets it — finally
Jonah’s conversation with Norman is the emotional core of the issue.
He explains that while Captain America may be the greatest hero to ever do it, Spider-Man is a very close second — and he did it while going through puberty.
But Jonah doesn’t sugarcoat anything.
Responsibility comes with a cost.
Peter has screwed up.
He’s made mistakes.
He’s sacrificed more than anyone should have to.
And yet, Jonah makes something very clear:
Peter must have seen potential in Norman.
That idea — that Peter believes people can be better tomorrow than they are today, even just a little — is pure Peter Parker. That philosophy alone explains why he never gives up on anyone.
• Two father figures looking up to Peter Parker
One of the most fascinating parts of the issue is watching Jonah and Norman — two older men, both burdened by their own failures — trying to draw strength from someone younger than them.
They used to be enemies.
Now they’re two of the most important figures in Peter’s life.
Seeing them wrestle with their own pressure while quietly admiring Peter’s resilience is incredibly powerful.
• A rising threat: all Goblins are being hunted
The larger arc really starts to take shape here.
Every Goblin is now being hunted — and that feels like the perfect threat for Norman Osborn as Spider-Man. This isn’t just physical danger; it’s deeply personal.
• Queen Goblin’s appearance — cool, but brief
It was great seeing Queen Goblin show up, and her presence reinforces how dangerous this storyline could become.
The only downside:
We don’t get enough screen time with her, and we don’t really see how she’s taken down. It feels like a missed opportunity.
• Ben Reilly’s world = Peter Parker’s reality
The lab scenes where Ben Reilly is dealing with office politics are a subtle but brilliant reminder of Peter Parker’s everyday struggles.
No masks.
No villains.
Just work drama, pressure, and responsibility.
It’s incredibly relatable — and very Spider-Man.
• The younger Spider-characters band together
Seeing the younger Spider-heroes group up to investigate Norman was genuinely fun.
They were confident… right up until Norman absolutely handled them.
Their attempt to brush it off afterward is both humbling and realistic — they’re learning the hard way.
• Peter Parker’s humor — even at his lowest
One of my favorite moments is Jonah acknowledging that Peter survives his screw-ups by cracking dumb jokes.
And honestly?
That’s Peter Parker.
The weight of the world on his shoulders.
The greatest superhero in my eyes.
Still trying to hold onto sanity with humor — even when it’s bad, even when it’s inappropriate, even in the darkest moments.
CONS
• Not enough Queen Goblin
That’s really it.
I just wanted more time with her and a clearer resolution to her role in this issue.
FINAL GRADE: A
Conclusion
The Amazing Spider-Man #18 is a thoughtful, heartfelt way to end the year. It’s less about punches and more about perspective — a character study of Peter Parker told through the people who know him best. Between Jonah’s unexpected wisdom, Norman’s internal struggle, the looming Goblin threat, and the quiet acknowledgment of Peter’s humanity, this issue reminds us why Spider-Man endures. It’s a strong setup for the “all Goblins hunted” arc and a great launch point heading into the new year for the mainline Amazing Spider-Man book.
A fitting end — and an exciting beginning.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY!!!
English (US) · 