Scarlet Spider #16

After the disappointing last couple of issues where the series seem to loose its sense of fun for a far darker turn things pick up when Kaine is dragged to the rodeo against his will by Aracely and his new friends and the new Scarlet Spider is forced into action against a giant drunken lovelorn hero who shows up win back his girlfriend. It's every bit as awesome as it sounds.

Christopher Yost has terrific fun with Kaine's narration here as his day gets more and more unbelievable. Hell, he's even forced to ride a horse and try and lasso the out-of-control Armadillo, and he's left speechless when the scene plays out far differently than he expected.

Aside from the ridiculously awesome circumstances, Scarlet Spider #16 continues laying groundwork for ongoing stories including Kaine finally giving into his feelings for Annabelle, and a dire warning to Kaine to leave Houston which the hero never receives. Hopefully the foreboding won't infringe too much on the glorious insanity the comic delivers when it is at its best. Must-read.

[Marvel, $2.99]