Review by Ian Keogh

Previous volume numerically Sins Remembered was an interlude that stands alone, and doesn’t impact on the continuity established by Paul Jenkins, so to all intents and purposes The Final Curtain continues from Disassembled.

The first and extremely welcome surprise is that Mark Buckingham draws much of this volume. Buckingham drew many great Jenkins stories over a previous Spider-Man series (start with Light in the Darkness), so it’s nice to see him back for Jenkins’ final volume. Unfortunately Jenkins isn’t greatly inspired. His mixing a prosthetics company, a corrupt congressman, Doctor Octopus and Fusion presents a mystery to be solved, but it’s competent rather than outstanding. What for quite some while seems an unlikely relationship does have a logical basis, and there’s a good finale, but the best of this story is Buckingham’s polished art.

It’s been established for many years that the Thing hosts a poker game attended by other superheroes, and that’s what Jenkins takes on next with Taylor Caldwell on art. There’s a surprise guest and a surprise offer, and the conversation is sitcom sharp.

We’re then back to somewhere earlier in the run just after Spider-Man’s run in with Ana Soria (see Disassmebled), and Peter Parker in downbeat mood befriending a homeless guy whom it turns out he knows from a previous life. Caldwell’s art lacks the downright attractive quality Buckingham provides, but he tells a story well and doesn’t shy away from background detail. He’s also able to convey the necessary feelings, as it’s a rare Jenkins plot that doesn’t feature some passing social commentary. The ending is emotionally button-pushing, but the set-up makes some interesting points.

Want to know how good Buckingham is? The title story closes the collection and opens with a sequence of Peter’s youth drawn by Buckingham channelling Calvin & Hobbes artist Bill Watterson. Cartoon sequences are coupled with Peter working a few things out via an imaginary conversation at his Uncle Ben’s grave. It’s a fantastic finale from a writer whose Spider-Man work should be remembered more fondly than it is.