Released the same month as Sinister Spider-Man #1 came this, the beginning of a 3-issue Mr. Negative miniseries. This is probably a more valid publication than the Venom one, since unlike Venom, Mr. Negative could use a lot more panel time. A year and a half from his first appearance, we still barely know anything about him. Driving the car for this one are writer Fred Van Lente, penciler Gianluca Gugliotta, inkers Andy Lanning and someone credited as “Justice,” and colorists Ronda Pattison and Andres Mossa. That’s a lot of people. All this behind a Jae Lee cover. Lee made a splash in the 90s with a wild and exaggerated style, then slowly began contracting into this incredibly mannered, incredibly boring work, where he just does covers, and they all basically look the same, including having no backgrounds. I don’t see the appeal. Anyway. Let’s get negative.
Oh my stars and garters it’s the White Dragon. Not seen around here or anywhere else since Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 12 in 1992. And not missed in that time!
Well, you only have yourself to blame for that one, doofus. Why does Mr. Negative have a mullet? Cut to White (Black?) dragon at the Hood’s hideout, spreading the gospel of Mr. Negative as he beats on a truly stunning collection of jobbers. Speed Demon. White Rabbit. The Spot. Lightmaster. Bloodshed. The Squid. Then the Hood shoots him to death. He died as he lived, stupid. Hood gets the message, tho, so I guess we’re going to have a 2nd gang war kicked off in an ancillary Spider-Man title this month, sheesh.
Betty keeps being a reporter, and people keep acting like she just started trying to be a reporter. It’s almost funny. What’s up with Mrs. Li? Well, at the moment, her husband is calling Aunt May in traffic, asking if she can submit some names to run their new FEAST branch opening soon. What he doesn’t know is the Spot and Lightmaster are preparing to attack his car. Does the Hood know Li is Mr. Negative? The Hood has even gotten Osborn to send HAMMER goons to block the street and make the hit easier. Lightmaster does his thing, though it’s not super clear what his thing is, in this case…
I guess it’s a blackout?
White Rabbit is never a good sign. We see the Squid and even Scorcher, of all people, busting up other Mr. Negative-associated businesses as well, all in the name of the Hood. And then, somewhat to my surprise, Aunt May calls her favorite nephew to tell him it’s too dangerous to come to dinner tonight, and how she’s worried about Martin, and thus…
Spider-Man is on the case. I guess I just assumed this would be like the Venom one and Spider-Man wouldn’t be involved. I sure didn’t expect him to be so lumpy. Elsewhere, Mr. Negative arrives home, and I am reminded he’s brainwashed Hammerhead into being one of his goons, I forgot. He says he has a plan, but Hammy needs to hold the line against this assault til he gets ready.
Well, that seems bad! Did Mr. Negative ever do anything with Spider-Man’s blood? Remember that? Kinda feels like it got away from them. Hood’s goons make short work of Negative’s goons after the Answer instructs Spot to teleport most of them to Staten Island, but Mr. Negative has a brand-new goon…
This is at least much more enjoyable than the Venom one. Art is pretty weird, though.