With one look at the cover, you know serious business is going to be involved. This issue won't be a walk in the park for Kaine.
The Good
Somehow I completely missed that Ryan Stegman was still doing this final issue. Each time I see his work, I become a bigger fan. Sadly this will be his final issue as he prepares for his move to FANTASTIC FOUR but he makes sure it's an issue that won't let him be forgotten. Seeing the first page with Kaine (third page in the comic), I immediately was wowed by the way he looked. It felt like there was a crazy amount of detail for a non-action scene. It turns out that Stegman did his own inks here and holy crap if it doesn't look amazing. I dug his previous issues of SCARLET SPIDER but this really caught my eye.
Of course Chris Yost is knocking it out of the park as well with the story. The idea of Kaine, a huge thorn in Spider-Man and Ben Reilly's side, trying to be a hero, even though he doesn't necessarily want to be, is spectacular (and seriously, I'm not purposely using the Spider-Man adjectives but they keep happening). We keep getting little tidbits with Kaine's progression along with the mystery of Aracely, the girl Kaine saved in the first issue. And the encounter Kaine has here was unexpected and absolutely wonderful.
Along with all that, we're still seeing the reaction and acceptance of Kaine/Scarlet Spider as a hero in Houston. This is another angle that goes against the norm. Rather than have him operate in New York City or even the West Coast, Kaine is making a name for himself in Texas. This adds a new element to the series and helps to keep it all fresh.
The Bad
Ryan Stegman is leaving.
The Verdict
This issue was a little bittersweet. Yost and Stegman have made a great team but sadly the day has arrived where Stegman is moving on. His art here is extraordinary as he does his own inks. This adds a new layer to it and you really see the detail explode off the pages. Even with the majority of the action being Kaine out of costume, the scenes are just so dang nice to look at. Yost is making the idea of a Spider-character in Texas work. We've been getting a nice mix of new and familar foes for Kaine to deal with. The notion of him having the Scarlet Spider name thrusted upon him is hilarious and also helps to humanize him. He doesn't see himself as a hero despite all the good hes' been doing. Yost is evolving the character and each month I'm amazed how much I love this series despite Ben Reilly still being dead. It won't be the same without Stegman but as long as Yost is still on board, this series is in safe hands.