Spider-view: "Emerald Rage"
A fine two-parter provides some decent action while Michelinie and Bagley take a break from larger narratives
—by Nathan on November 20, 2025—
Let's all take a collective breath, why don't we?
Circumstances have been hectic lately for our ever-amazing Spider-Man. As Peter Parker's heroic alter ego himself admits early in the first issue of this two-part tale, he feels good about taking some time to tackle small problems, like scaring off playground bullies. Considering how recently he's lost his best friend, had his mind hijacked by a golden-skinned Goddess, and dealt with "horror and bloodshed," as he calls it, during "Maximum Carnage," Spidey deserves a bit of a break.
Too bad he won't get one.
He's not the only superhuman who's dealt with a lot lately. A certain gamma expert, Doctor Robert Bruce Banner, is in the Big Apple, taking a break from working with the Pantheon. "I thought I'd spend some time relaxing," he tells associate Leonard Samson. The big guy–and I do mean "big," because we're dealing with the more civilized "Smart Hulk" at this stage–needs a vacation.
Too bad he won't get one.
That's just the way it goes with these super-types, isn't it? Even the routine, ordinary methods of living can be derailed by one hectic adventure or another. It's bound to make some of those pajama-wearing weirdos a little angry…maybe even a little green with, not envy, but rage.
"Emerald Rage"
Writer: David Michelinie
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inkers: Randy Emberlin and Al Milgrom
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Letterer: Rick Parker
Issues: Amazing Spider-Man #381-382
Publication Dates: September 1993-October 1993
Coming down off the cutthroat insanity that was "Maximum Carnage," David Michelinie provides readers with a bit of a welcome palate cleanser, a more fun two-issue story to put thoughts of rampaging symbiote monsters and other assorted killers and vigilantes out of our collective minds. Of course, that's completely dependent on if you find "giant green rage monster" more fun than "angry killer symbiotes."
And, heck, because this is the Marvel Universe, where "more" is sometimes equated with "better" (as I have pointed out before), why settle for one enraged gamma guy when you can plop two into the same story? Double the dudes, double the wacky action for Spidey to deal with.
Doc Bruce Banner (belted by gamma rays!) has just flown into New York for some much-needed "me" time, and since he's currently the big brain in charge of the big body, I guess it's a vacation for both Banner and the Hulk. He tells Samson he's there to take a load off, but Samson soon lets it slip he's attending a live gamma experiment. Bruce notes Samson be careful, messing with radiation and such, citing different times it's gone wrong–one only need to look at the lumbering Hulk or catch a glimpse of Samson's verdant tresses to know the inherent dangers in messing with gamma.
To make a long story short: something goes wrong…and our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man spends time fighting against or fighting with both green-haired PhD-holders in these two issues.
This isn't a deep story. If you're the kind of reader looking for a moral lesson in between the panels, the best you can probably discern is "don't mess with gamma radiation," though the average reader is probably aware of not only the real-world consequences of such tampering but also the comic-related mishaps which have happened across the decades. There are comments Spidey makes about Samson and Banner which are meant to linger a little longer–the gamma "virus" Samson and later the Hulk are afflicted with is intended to release pent-up anger, and both men are nothing if not textbook examples of rage unleashed. Imagine the Hulk's boundless frustration and strength enhanced by a virus pouring through his veins, making him all the more vengeful. If only a good shrink was around to help these guys work through their issues, y'know?
The star of the issue is clearly the art–this is a chance for Mark Bagley to draw a couple muscle-mound macho men, with Samson's biceps bulging even bigger and the Hulk's skin straining against his gamma-gotten gains. Much of the content here consists of a long battle between the three across New York City, with people fleeing and heroes being tossed hither and yon. With great punches comes even greater property damage! I'd liken these issues to the Roger Stern/John Romita Jr. classic "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut," in concept primarily. Spidey faces two seemingly overwhelming powerhouses, avoiding blows as often as he gets his licks in, working to use his intelligence to win a battle he can't possibly overcome with physical strength.
These issues don't have the staying power of "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut," of course. They don't feel like a rip-off or even an intentional homage to the Stern/Romita Jr. two-parter, but the general idea feels fairly similar. Sure, you can point to any number of "Spidey faces a threat way stronger than he is" stories–that time he fought Firelord, or his battles with Morlun, or even another Hulk/Spidey fight Howard Mackie would provide later in the decade–and see this as just another tale told within a general trend, but that makes these issues feel even less special. Again, they're a palette cleanser, clearing the taste of symbiote from the mouth.You get any clear-cut awesome moments like, for example, Spidey punching the Hulk into space (hypothetically, of course! Wouldn't want to bruise the big guy's green ego).
Michelinie takes some time to rope in some ongoing subplots, primarily creating forward momentum with the "Peter Parker's parents" plot he introduced several ASM issues ago. So far, Michelinie has juggled this idea of "who" Richard and Mary Parker say they are–are they Peter's real parents, genuinely back from their seeming death at the hands of the Red Skull? Or is something a bit more sinister afoot? Characters have pondered the sudden reappearance of these two, but in these issues, something actually does something. Aunt May turns to a private investigator to begin uncovering the claims Richard and Mary are making. It's good to see this subplot get some traction underway; Michelinie hasn't necessarily let it linger too long without any momentum, but having a character actively take steps to engage in the mystery is a positive foot forward.
Mary Jane receives a hint of an unfurling subplot herself…or maybe make that a "hit," as Michelinie continues to showcase her predilection towards smoking as a coping mechanism to deal with her own stresses as well as Peter's. This one has lingered a little longer, like the stink of smoke on someone's clothes, and it's begun rankling my nose a little. Giving MJ a relatable problem is a good move, I'd argue. It makes her more human and gives her something to worry about aside from whether Peter will get home safely after his latest adventure. This, coupled with career frustrations, allows her some growth. Problematically, this smoking struggle has gone a little flat, just mentioned or used periodically to remind us MJ has developed a habit and not turned into as much of an ongoing issue as it could be.
Smoking may be MJ's coping mechanism, but I wouldn't advise our gamma-powered geniuses to take it up to handle their own problems. Maybe some breathing techniques, some meditation. The action here is rampant, handled incredibly well by Bagley, but even with the quick pacing, these issues do represent a slight slowing down in the life of one Peter Parker. No crazed symbiotes, crazed ex-best friends, or crazed crusaders to be hassled by in these issues. In and out, Pete, in and out. Let's take it one issue at a time. There's nothing brilliant to write about in this two-parter–it is entertaining artistically, and we do receive a bit of decent subplotting. Otherwise, this is what the industry calls a "filler" story, a break between bigger storylines. Cause if I know my Spidey history, Michelinie will be ramping up the stakes soon enough for poor Peter, so the guy should take all the rest he can get.