In Review: Amazing Spider-Man (2025-) #7 – The Hellgate is Open

Synopsis: THE HELLGATE IS OPEN! Spider-Man is fighting for his life – literally – as he tries to keep Hellgate from destroying Manhattan. But what does this strange new foe want? And can Peter figure it out before his day gets a whole lot worse?!

The Story

Picking up from the last issue, Spider-Man was enjoying some rare personal time with Black Cat when they were suddenly interrupted by Hellgate, who claimed he had come to talk. However, when Spider-Man asked him to wait, the villain responded by murdering a group of innocent bystanders to make his point—forcing Spider-Man into action. Meanwhile, elsewhere in New York, a mysterious stranger arrives. He’s been trying to contact the Avengers and the Fantastic Four to warn them about a looming evil.

Artwork

John Romita Jr. delivers some solid artwork in this issue, staying true to his distinct style while bringing a strong sense of energy to the action scenes. The panels depicting the fight between Hellgate and Spider-Man are especially well-rendered, with dynamic layouts, fluid motion, and a strong sense of impact that helps convey the chaos of the battle. I especially enjoyed the sequence where Spider-Man unleashes his newest web-based attack, which he’s humorously dubbed the Web-Bab-Omb. It’s a fun and inventive moment that perfectly fits Peter Parker’s flair for mixing humour with heroics. This confrontation cleverly builds into a second fight sequence set in Central Park, which offers a striking contrast to the earlier urban chaos. The park’s open space and lighter population allow for a different kind of visual storytelling, giving Romita room to play with wider shots and more strategic movement between the characters.

Overall

Joe Kelly continues to strike a solid balance between action and humour in this series, delivering some absolute zingers that feel true to Spider-Man’s character. His dialogue crackles with energy, especially in the scenes featuring Spider-Man and Black Cat. It’s genuinely fun to see the two of them working together again—their chemistry is undeniable. There’s clearly something brewing between them in this run, which feels like history repeating itself, considering their romantic past. Whether it’s rekindled love or just flirtatious teamwork, Kelly keeps their dynamic engaging and fresh.