Another cover with some indication of what’s inside, what a concept! Well, we’re back, and on a 2-page, 3-panel spread, we see Spider-Man and Harry both reacting to the Goblin runnin’ off with MJ. Then…
As Harry comes up, he clearly has no idea he’s spending most of his “therapy sessions” being programmed to love his dad and not know various things. Dr. Warren then reports to Norman that the suggestions are holding, and is clearly not sure it will stay that way, but is dismissed as Norman is informed by phone that Peter refused the limo. So he goes it his office, picks up a syringe of Goblin Juice and gets out his favorite purple cloak. Why he would continue to wear a purple cloak is hard to explain, but as we see on the next page…
…the guy ain’t all there anymore. Then we replay Norman and Spider-Man’s confrontation, only with weird little ghost guys jibbering in Norman’s ear the whole time. We see Norman’s view of Spider-Man, who is an ever-changing spider-monster with mandibles and the whole deal. The ghosts tell Norman to tell Spider-Man about the circles, and he does. Then we finally catch up to him snatching MJ. Spider-Man streaks across the sky, screaming for someone to help MJ, Nick Fury, anyone, but he’s still on his own here.
And people thought the last page of the previous issue was unbearable! I recall this issue being the first to garner some dissent from folks on Bendis’ message board. Most of the issue being flashback, and a good bit of that, a complete scene from last issue didn’t sit well with everyone. I can see that. I think getting Norman’s crazy perspective is an interesting choice, and it wouldn’t have worked as the only version of the scene, but it does take up a big chunk of real estate. After the previous 24 issues, I was willing to let all that slide. But, like basically everyone, I sure wasn’t excited about that last page.