This is a direct continuation of the story set up in the first issue. I wasn’t sure if this particular series was going to tell isolated stories about Spider-Man throughout the decades or if there would be a continuing narrative. I was delighted to see that in this case it is the former.

Having a “What-If” or “Elseworlds” styled story that tracks some real ramifications in Peter’s life is quite fascinating. A blend of real world events and elements harvested from Peter’s storied history is the makings of a good narrative. What we are seeing is a Peter dealing with issues in his life with even more gravitas, if that could even be possible for Peter and the stories we’ve seen him deal with in canon.

This issue picks up in Peter’s life when Gwen Stacy has learned that he is Spider-Man, the escalation of the Vietnam War with Iron Man’s involvement, and Captain America having gone rogue by not siding with the government in the conflict. Now taking place throughout the 70s, we see a Peter married to Gwen, working for a version of the Future Foundation with Reed Richards and Doc Ock, and having a falling out with Mary Jane and Harry Osborn. The key to making this narrative work is keeping just the right amount the same from Peter’s previous exploits and mixing it up just enough by introducing locales like Studio 54 and touching upon major events (let’s just say it involves clones).

If this was a title that you were on the fence about checking out, I think it is absolutely worth jumping on now before the next issue. The world building that has been done thus far has been spot on. The next chapter is taking place in the 80s and involves the black suit. I am keenly intrigued as to how the tumultuous 80s will play into that dark time for Peter and what spin they will have on the symbiote.