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

Marvel Knights Spider-Man 10

This issue starts with the intricacies of being Peter Parker and ends with the intricacies of being Spider-Man. It's an exciting issue which promises an even more exciting next issue. Let's get to it shall we?

Here's the deal: Peter is being blackmailed to break-out Norman Osborn from Riker's Prison. Of course, he has to tell his wife and, because this isn't something that he's familiar with, he has to consult an expert. This turns out to be the Black Cat - Peter's ex-girlfriend. Get the picture? No? Here it is.

We all know MJ is used to Peter facing danger. She's cool with that. I mean who wouldn't be? It's not like Peter is Daredevil going out to the wide world protected by a solid grounding on Criminal Law. Peter has super-powers. When you've got the powers of the Spider, how dangerous could danger get? So MJ's cool with that. She's definitely not mad because of the danger factor.

That leaves two suspects. Is MJ mad that Peter is going to cross a "line" by breaking the law (you know, aside from the law making Vigilantism illegal)? Or is she mad because he's going out with his ex? Everybody who thinks its the "ex situation" raise your hand. Everybody else, c'mon, isn't it obvious? It's not sexism. Its just the way I think a woman's mind works.

Am I an expert on the female mind? No, in fact, I'm the exact opposite. How could MJ think that just because Felicia is sexy, naughty, beautiful - did I already say "sexy" - that Peter has got things in mind other than the job at hand or rescuing Aunt May? I'm a man, so I know, the ONLY thing on Peter's mind is rescuing Aunt May - and the Black Cat's tits, but strictly just as a passing thought-really. So there's nothing to be jealous about MJ.

And off they go, the brilliant pair - silhouettes in the moonlight.

Art by Terry Dodson.

More great art from Terry Dodson? How about this patrol Tug going around Riker's Island.

Beautiful light show don't you think? Colors by Ian Hannin.

Inside Riker's, Black Cat makes herself immediately useful

A few issue's back it was revealed by the Green Goblin to Spider-Man that he. the Goblin, did a very cruel thing: On the guise of helping one of his guard's wife, he was actually prescribing something that killed her. Well, the wife has died and the guard is out for revenge. His fellow guards are with him on this. The plan is simple: Go to Osborn's cell and kill him. Simple. Here they are talking about it.

The thing on my mind is the word "consequences". Isn't anybody thinking about what happens next after you murder an inmate inside a prison? Aren't these guards with lives and families thinking about what will happen to them AFTER they get their revenge? Apparently not. It's the pure heat of the moment typified by the phrase "... doesn't matter what happens to me afterwards ...". Yes it doesn't. Until it does. Good, well-meaning people have actually flushed the rest of their lives away because their current emotion about things were so strong they mistook these feelings for the truth. Those ancient tales about sirens with their irresistible songs leading sailors to come too close to shore? Those sirens symbolized emotions. Live a life where you act on your emotions exclusively, you will have a shipwreck of a life.

In the great Comics Recommended tradition of drooling over location panels here's a great one of Riker's.

Talk about an oddball trio.

Spidey in the lead, his costume hidden under the baggy "stealth" clothing given him by the Black Cat. A whiny Norman Osborn follows still in handcuffs. Those cuffs must be strong to resist the strength of the Green Goblin. Black Cat brings up the rear. Look at the expression on Norman's face, it's perfect for his dialogue.

Things get crazy really fast. Before long, Peter is being pursued by guards with guns and he gets separated from the Goblin and Felicia. Diving under the water, this is a beautiful shot of the Spider swimming among the bullets.

Here's a curious panel.

It seems that Spider-Man can swim exceedingly fast - superhumanly fast. Wow, that's great.

A little suspense with this panel as Spider-Man - coming to shore - is hit by what appears like a column of water.

Guess who?

Hydro-Man.

Sandman has Black Cat captive.

The excitement is really building up with these latest developments but Millar and Dodson really up the ante with this.

They call themselves the Sinister Twelve. Let's see . . . Goblin is the leader. The Lizard leftmost. The Vulture flying overhead. The Vulture?! I thought he was held captive by the Owl? Anyway, I see Shocker there then Hydro-Man. Electro . . . again wasn't Dillon held by the Owl? Boomerang. Sandman on the rightmost. I can't place the rest. According to the Green Goblin he's missing the Scorpion. Ohmigod! Here he is . . .

Mac Gargan is the new Venom.

So its the Sinister Twelve vs. the Spider and the Cat. Something tells me the next issue is going to be stupendous.