Posted - June 18 & 19, 2014 | July 13 to 18, 2014 | Updated : August 27, 2015

Marvel Knights Spider-Man 5

The title might be "Venomous" but Eddie Brock only has a small cameo in this issue.

Not to worry though, Venom might be absent but we have two villains: One is absolutely terrifying, the other is just dangerous. Let's start with the terrifying one first. Here it is.

That's right it's credit card debt. That notice just came in the mail and is being held by MJ. As a further sign that I'm not far wrong to refer to credit card debt as a super-villain, the arrival of this notice activates Peter's spider-sense. No kidding. Not only "no kidding", but I totally agree. I have personal experience with credit card debt and it has palpitated my heart, caused me to break into sweats, tortured me mentally and I think struggling with the credit companies has aged me prematurely. I live cash basis these days but the memories, the terrible, terrible, memories.

Here are more (painful) details about the credit card debt.

The lawyers. For those of you who have experienced it. Remember the lawyers?

Because of her relatively more lucrative acting career, Mary Jane is the primary breadwinner of the Parker household. It's the classic example of being relied on for the finances, things are tighter then expected, and the whole house of cards starts to totter. Mary Jane would be able to explain it best . . .

By the way, the top panel background is just amazing isn't it? Central Park presumably? Art is by Frank Cho - very clean, lots of open spaces for Colorist Laura Martin to do her magic.

Peter's reaction to this financial "snowballing" is a typical reaction.

The "negotiate with them" reaction. Talk about commonality of human experience.

I wanted to see villains in this comic but this first villain is just too traumatizing. Let's move on to the next villain. But before that I think we all deserve - Peter included, I mean, Peter specially - a little "swing time" as Spider-Man.

Beautiful Spidey art by Frank Cho.

Ahh, that's better. Now for villain number two:

Otto Octavius I've never been happier to see you. Even this somewhat younger version of you they've cooked up for Marvel Knights Spider-Man. The Doctor is not himself, he's not talking, and, as Spider-Man noticed, he's uncharacteristically rampaging. He's also drooling.

Here's a beautiful - and beautifully rendered - save by Spider-Man.

A cultural history note: Girl in pink top is wearing a Discman.

This panel shows just how tough Doc Ock's arms are. To paraphase from Spider-Man, they (the arms) rips through the bus effortlessly.

Spider-Man saves the day but he is being accosted by a lot of police. And by a lot, I mean, really too much.

I know this panel is an aesthetic decision on the part of the writer and artist but its a dumbass move to gang up on someone with the proportionate strength of a spider. Spider-Man will simply throw the S.W.A.T. team members off and literally bounce away. They should've used their dart guns. In any case we won't know just yet because this is the last panel of the issue.

Some other worthwhile stuff, hmmmm, let's see . . . Oh, how about this one? Who's better looking slash sexier, MJ or Felicia?

Last issue, Peter got beaten up so badly his mask was almost totally ripped from his head. Leave it to J. Jonah Jameson to take advantage of the situation.

Lastly, let's end with some private thought about Mary Jane Watson-Parker from Peter Parker.

No she's not Peter, because you're Spider-Man!. On the other hand, she is the main breadwinner between the both of you so yeah, she is out of your league. That said, I kind of envy 'keeping the book collection in alphabetical order' thing.

Thanks for joining me for this breakdown of Marvel Knights Spider-Man #5! Have a great day!