You’ve Never Read Spectacular Spider-Man by DeMatteis and Buscema?! Part 2

Part II: Funeral Arrangements

Spectacular Spider-Man #186 by J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema.

A hallmark of the J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema run on Spectacular Spider-Man is the use of characters with fantastic abilities to tell deeply personal and human stories. Peter Parker is less defined by his amazing powers as Spider-Man as he is by the relationships he has formed (both positive and negative) throughout his life. This extends to his large cast of supporting characters as well. Characters like Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Harry Osborn, Ashley Kafka, and Aunt May get almost equal time spent on their characters as the eponymous Spider-Man. “The Child Within” story from last week split time between Peter Parker, Harry Osborn, and Vermin. “Funeral Arrangements” (the next multi-issue arc) does the same thing with Peter Parker, Aunt May, and Vulture. It’s another mature, thoughtful, and introspective look at characters dealing with grief, guilt, and forgiveness.

Before we jump into that three-part arc, DeMatteis and Buscema treat us to a bit of a palate cleanser with Spectacular Spider-Man #185. This lighthearted issue features the fabulous Frog-Man (Eugene Patilio) much to Spider-Man’s chagrin. It’s a fun issue as Spider-Man helps Eugene (who recently made his MCU debut) deal with the Alice in Wonderland-themed villains White Rabbit and Walrus (goo-goo-ga-joob). It’s an issue that’s perfectly situated between two pretty heavy and serious arcs. It also features some great Buscema action despite the silliness.

A true clash of the titans.

After that is the aforementioned “Funeral Arrangements” arc stretching across Spectacular Spider-Man #186-188. The story is fairly straightforward. Vulture has learned that the tech he uses to fly has given him terminal cancer. Confronted with his own mortality, Adrian Toomes has decided to use his remaining time to murder all of his enemies while also seeking forgiveness from Aunt May Parker for killing her boyfriend Nathan Lubensky.

For being one of Spider-Man’s oldest enemies, there aren’t many iconic Vulture stories. Most of the most memorable Vulture stories are ones where he is part of the Sinister Six. “Funeral Arrangements” is a notable exception. Vulture is truly terrifying throughout this story as he works his way through his enemies one by one. First he catches up to a man named Frankie Fillmore who had once ratted out one of his hideouts to police. His punishment? Taking him up above the New York City skyline and dropping him to his death. Next he captures Gregory Bestman, his former business partner who had embezzled money. Vulture savagely beats him before snapping his neck and killing him. This is brutal stuff from a character not frequently treated very seriously.

Vulture is not messing around.

The rest of the story essentially alternates between battles between Vulture and Spider-Man and Vulture repeatedly confronting Aunt May to try to convince her to forgive him. I love how DeMatteis writes the Vulture here. He’s so desperate to get Aunt May’s forgiveness, but he doesn’t know of any other way to get it other than constantly accosting her. He also stupidly takes Peter Parker hostage at one point to escape arrest. You know what might not be a great move when trying to get someone to forgive you? Kidnapping that person’s nephew!

More dynamic action illustrated by Sal Buscema.

The story concludes with Spider-Man and Vulture having a massive fight where Vulture attempts to kill himself while taking Spider-Man with him. Unsurprisingly, Spider-Man manages to save them both. He then drags the defeated villain to Aunt May’s home to apologize to her face for all of the pain he has caused her. Aunt May responds by telling him that she hopes his death is long and full of suffering. Brutal!

Eventually Aunt May visits Vulture in jail for some closure. In a very powerful moment, she tells him that she will not spend the remainder of her life hating him. She still won’t forgive him, but she won’t allow herself to be consumed with hatred like he has. This is not something I was expecting from a superhero comic. Usually virtuous characters are made to show their moral superiority by forgiving those who have harmed them. Not here. Aunt May shouldn’t have to forgive such a monstrous villain to be considered a good person. It’s a very nuanced take, and it makes me like Aunt May even more than I already did.

Incredible moment for Aunt May.

The comic ends with our old pal Harry Osborn giving a wrapped present to Aunt May before giving himself the goblin formula that once granted his father superhuman strength and invulnerability. It’s also the same formula that exacerbated his father’s mental illness. This last page reveal sets things up for one of my favorite single issues in Spider-Man history.

Uh oh.