By Eric Drumm
Since Cap's death in CAPTAIN AMERICA #25, the beating heart of the Marvel Universe has come to sudden stop. The last glint of hope and innocence has been snuffed out, and heroes on both sides of the Super Human Registration Act are dealing with it in their own ways. For the amazing
Spider-Man, it's more than he can take.
FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA has been putting the spotlight on those close to Cap and how they are coping with losing him. With each issue written by master scribe Jeph Loeb, we have seen a different stage of grief. So far we have seen
Wolverine's denial, the anger of the
Avengers, and the bargaining of
Clint Barton, formerly Hawkeye. Each one dealt with Cap's death in their own way. The fourth issue progresses to the next stage: depression. For Peter Parker, depression is an emotion he has become quite familiar with.
Having fought side by side countless times, Cap and Spidey were on the same side but never the same team. Always an outsider, Spider-Man looked up to Cap as the rest of the world did, seeing him as more than a man, but a legend that walked among them. It wasn't until Cap extended Peter an invitation to join the New Avengers that he felt like he could hang with the big boys. Acting like the older brother that Peter never had, the two grew close, Peter being loyal to Cap and respecting him as an elder hero. However, CIVIL WAR brought this to an abrupt end. After Peter jumped ship from
Tony Stark to join Cap's Secret Avengers, he was embraced with Cap's open chain mail-ed arms. However, Peter knew that his betrayal of Cap would be something he could never take back, and with his death Peter has fallen into a state of grief-burdened disarray.
FALLEN SON shows us a Spider-Man racked with guilt, disbelief and sorrow. Visiting a very familiar grave, Peter doesn't think he has the strength to go on, and quite possibly he doesn't. He may be no stranger to loss, but he knows all too well that doesn't make it any easier. He feels as if his friend
Steve Rogers will be added to the list of people couldn't save, right next to
Gwen Stacy, Uncle Ben,
Harry Osborn and more recently his Aunt May. Peter is at the end of his rope, and feels as if he has no where to turn, until a familiar face offers condolences. This mystery guest knows a thing or two about pain, and wants to give Peter the support he so desperately needs. Deep in depression, Spider-Man's world is as black as the symbol he wears.
Feel Peter's pain in FALLEN SON: SPIDER-MAN by Jeph Loeb and art by superstar artist David Finch on sale June 13.
FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA—SPIDER-MAN (MAR072057)
Written by JEPH LOEB
Pencils and Variant Cover by DAVID FINCH
50/50 Variant Cover by MICHAEL TURNER
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC—5/24/07, On Sale—6/13/07
