Review by Ian Keogh

This third and so far final Edge of Spider-Verse collection follows the formula applied to the opening volume and the subsequent Bleeding Edge as a bunch of creators are let loose on the assorted Spider-Men bopping about the multiverse. As ever, established writers and artists mix with relative newcomers, and if the latter is lucky they might be teamed with an industry veteran, such as Alex Segura with Salvador Larroca (sample art) over two stories starring Spider-Man 2099 and Araña.

The other well known name featured is Spider-Woman, but the spotlight is on her lesser known, but very capable motorcycle riding African-American counterpart. She stars in one of four longer stories, written by Nilah Magruder, with Marcus Williams on art, starting out very impressively, but requiring Eric Gapstur to finish the job. Gapstur has more of a chance to shine drawing the digital world of Spider-Byte, also written by Magruder. Her dialogue conveys personality well, with Spider-Byte’s virtual world being more imaginative overall.

Established writing team Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing take a look at Weapon VIII with Travel Foreman drawing a tale with an emotional heart leading to a good payoff for a tragic creation. Kaare Andrews is also a known name, and he provides an origin for Spooky-Man, a sort of Nightmare Before Christmas version of Spider-Man ambitiously conceived and appropriately drawn by Bob Quinn.

The art is good throughout, although a couple of artists could do with prioritising the story being told rather than the single image. Quinn is excellent, but Pete Woods is the best artist, a veteran who’s the complete package, although it’s servicing the least distinctive character in Star Spider. Justina Ireland provides the threats – an alternate Doctor Octopus again – but the technology driven Spider-Man substitute lacks substance. Gay alternate Web Weaver and Cyborg Spider-Man are two others who fail to hit the spot.

Spider-Rex is a dinosaur version of Spider-Man, immediately benefitting from Pere Pérez on art, and after Spooky-Man it’s the most off the wall concept. Karla Pacheco only has five pages to develop the concept, but makes Pérez pack in the panels while going for all out wackiness.

Segura and Larroca’s pair of contributions both lead toward Spider-Society, an entirely separate graphic novel. They’re short tasters for what’s to come, but do their job in ensuring readers want more.

As with the previous Edge of Spider-Verse collections, this is up and down, but the better contributions make this worth buying cheap. If you’re really enthusiastic, though, Spider-Verse: Across the Multiverse combines all three outings.