Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* Superheroes in re-imagined worlds don't necessarily have a proud tradition. For every smashing success (Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, 1986; Mark Waid's Kingdom Come, 1996), there are many silly, commercially driven failures. Hine, who has been in the business since 1980 with popular characters such as the X-Men and the Teen Titans, and his collaborator, Sapolsky, score a resounding success here. The first of Marvel's new Noir line, which places familiar heroes into pulp-inspired 1930s narratives, throws young Peter Parker into a world of gangster-run streets and crusading newspapermen, as the young man steps into the role of a fearsome vigilante in the tradition of the Shadow. Even as the story spins familiar characters and motivations in a slightly different direction and melds the pulp sensibility with an accurate and detailed historical depiction, Di Giandomenico's art displays a fluid depth and is drenched in shadow, creating an atmosphere entirely appropriate to noir. Along with a surprising complexity in supporting characters like Aunt May and Ben Urich (here a heroin addict) comes a moral shading that will offer older readers something to chew on, though rest assured that the heroic themes of integrity, courage, redemption, and idealism come through loud and clear. Features fun, illuminating bonus materials, too.--Karp, Jesse Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
