Amazing Spider-Man #33 Review – Family Drama In The Big Apple

Amazing Spider-Man #33 (Marvel, 7/22/26): Writer Joe Kelly and Artist Ed McGuiness push Spidey into a crossroads when Aunt May gets to know her long-lost son, and a new branch of Damage Control comes online to clean up NYC. This issue has a collection of cool moments that continue the soap opera of Peter’s life, even if it is a transition issue. Verdict: Not great, but not bad.

• Writer: Joe Kelly
• Artist: Ed McGuinness, Mark Farmer
• Colorist: Marcio Menyz
• Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
• Cover Artist: Ed McGuiness (cover A)
• Publisher: Marvel Comics
• Release Date: July 22, 2026
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: $4.99
• Page Count: 28
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

Analysis of Amazing Spider-Man #33:

First Impressions:

Well, Amazing Spider-Man #33 is fine. It won’t blow you away, and there’s nothing particularly terrible about it. The issue is just okay, which can either be praise or condemnation, depending on your PoV.

Recap:

In Amazing Spider-Man #32, Spidey infiltrated an illicit auction house run by the Vulture, where super-criminals fought for the right to bid on confiscated weapons and illegal goodies. The action, however, was just an excuse to give the issue some energy. The real plot centered on Aunt May explaining how it was possible to have a long-lost son.

Plot Analysis (SPOILERS):

In Amazing Spider-Man #33, Aunt May’s long-lost son, Cormac Crane, rents a limo to invite Peter, Aunt May, and Aunt May’s boyfriend, Ricardo, for lunch at his mansion. As the gang loads up in the limo, Peter gets an alert that Spider-Man is needed. He makes his excuses to Cormac, who knows Peter is Spider-Man, and heads off to help.

Spidey swings into action to stop Jack O’ Lantern from killing a corporate executive on behalf of a rival company. During the fight, Agent Griffyn and his team arrive via jet pack to assist in the capture. Spidey learns Griffyn is part of a new branch of Damage Control, contracted by the city to mitigate damage before it starts. The crime fighters part on friendly terms, with Griffyn offering an invitation to Spidey to witness a raid later in the evening to capture Tarantula.

Meanwhile, Cormac explains how he came by his fabulous wealth while raised by a family who ran a successful business. As a show of faith to Aunt May, he gifts her a large donation to FEAST. When they return home, Peter sees Aunt May and Cormac part with a loving hug that stirs uncomfortable feelings in Peter.

The issue ends with Damage Control about to commence the raid on Tarantula, only to find that Spider-Man got there first and was locked in a heated battle with Tarantula, Grizzly, and the Kangaroo.

How is the story in Amazing Spider-Man #33?

Technically, Joe Kelly’s latest issue isn’t a story. It’s bits and pieces of ongoing threads that come off like a daytime soap opera that could resolve next week or next year. The individual pieces are fine, but you’ll find yourself either frustrated at the decompressed plot or completely bored by the weightless action.

To be fair, you could argue that Amazing Spider-Man #33 is a transition issue that sets up things to come. Sure, that’s a possibility, but whatever is being set up needs to pique some interest or anticipation. If Kelly is planting seeds, he’s planting grass.

How is the art in Amazing Spider-Man #33?

As expected, Ed McGuinness and Mark Farmer do their best to make a mountain out of a molehill. The one bit of action concerning Jack O’ Lantern is well done, and the artwork looks bright and vibrant. There’s no issue with the visuals in Amazing Spider-Man #33. The art team simply doesn’t have much of a script to work with.

Characters

Peter Parker is still the central focus of the series, as he should be, and he’s given a new emotion to play with – familial jealousy. Here, we get the first inkling that Peter is not completely comfortable with the idea of sharing Aunt May as a mother figure. His reaction is still consistent with his personality as a hero, but it’s plain to see that he’s being challenged emotionally.

Originality & Concept Execution

Sibling rivalry is the one unique spark in Joe Kelly’s script. As noted above, we’re not used to seeing Peter grapple with the thought of sharing Aunt May’s affection, so that’s a new twist in the Spider-Man mythology. The rest of the issue is forgettable.

Pros and Cons

What We Loved

• Excellent art
• Peter has a new emotional challenge.
• The Jack O’ Lantern fight is solid.

Room for Improvement

• There’s no follow-up to the super-criminal auction.
• Kelly’s script is mostly forgettable.
• The plot takes too long to get to the point.

Art Samples:

The Scorecard:

Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): 2/4
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): 3.5/4
Value (Originality & Entertainment): 0.5/2

Final Thoughts:

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Amazing Spider-Man #33 confronts Peter with a new challenge to his relationship with Aunt May, while a new branch of Damage Control comes online. Joe Kelly’s mostly forgettable script at least gives Peter a new wrinkle in his personal life, and the issue is partly saved by excellent art.

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