In this review of The Amazing Spider-Man #19, Peter and Hellgate meet face to face once again!
The Amazing Spider-Man #19
Writer: Joe Kelly
Art and Main Cover: Pepe Larraz
Variant Covers: Lee Bermejo, Lee Garbett, Sara Pichelli
Page Count: 22 pages
Release Date: January 7, 2026
This review contains spoilers
Despite having a plan with the crew of the Beacon, Peter decides that he wants to go to the stargate that can get him home and take on Hellgate by himself. Along with him, he takes the genetic re-coder that Xanto made that will make him stronger, though Peter is warned that it could change his personality.
Peter finds Hellgate at the stargate, and they fight, with Hellgate tearing through space again and again to throw Peter from place to place. Hellgate hurts Peter to the point that he considers taking the re-coder. But, before he does, the crew of the Beacon arrives to save him, leaving Hellgate in need of recovery.
Analysis
The Amazing Spider-Man #19 has phenomenal art. This is another issue that uses lighting and shadow in creative and interesting ways. They’re used across the background and scenery to set the mood of each panel. But, more interestingly, it’s used to highlight the details of the characters’ expressions, especially Peter’s. The colors in this issue are also sharp and clear, particularly in moments where Hellgate tears through space to toss Peter through portals to different places, which makes it easy to see as they battle across the pages.
The Amazing Spider-Man #19 highlights the relationship between Peter and the crew of the Beacon. Peter leaves them to try and protect them from Hellgate, doing what he’s always done: putting himself in danger to protect the people he cares about. But they come to rescue him just in the nick of time, putting their lives at risk to save him and try to get him home. Peter’s relationship with Raelith gets more defined, and he offers to share things from his world with her. Even his relationship with Xanto has deepened, with Xanto finally completing their initial goal of creating the genetic re-coder and taking the opportunity to admit that he has respect for Peter as more than just a test subject, but as a person.
These highlights are the culmination of the last few issues of their intergalactic travel, and it works well as we come to the end of this portion of the arc.
The battle with Hellgate is visually stunning, but Hellgate’s motives are still confusing. Nikodimu said that Peter would aid Hellgate, and yet Hellgate still insists on fighting him nearly to death without explanation. At this point, so close to what feels like a conclusion, the fact that his motives haven’t been revealed feels out of place among the deepening relationships between Peter and the other characters in this arc.
Final Thoughts
The Amazing Spider-Man #19 is a strong issue with fantastic art and a focus on character that pushes relationships forward, but the lack of motive behind Hellgate’s actions feels out of place in comparison and leaves the issue feeling like it’s missing something.
