Spider Man

I've taken my week or so of rest, recreation and celebration and so for this week's issue, may I refer you to IGN's Dan Philip's excellent (click)? I am doing so because there are so many comics to post and so little time until this Wednesday's new releases. Suffice it to say that I completely agree with the reviewer and his IGN Editor's Choice Award although I think it merits more than the "Great" 8.5 stars out of 10 rating it got. Fred Van Lente and Javier Pulido have made this series their own. An 8.9 at least.

Pausing just a tad to show the emotional consequences of the previous issue, Fred Van Lente and Javier Pulido, in their start of the new story arc of the storyline, immediately settles down into a radically different atmosphere and feel from that of Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta. It's like switching into higher gear. You've got a mystery with Peter Parker doing real detective work; a rare glimpse into J. Jonah Jameson's heart; the Sandman, reinvented; all those touches from artist Pulido who I think is just perfect; and a cliffhanger that promises you're in for one heck of a thrill ride in the succeeding issues. A big three thumbs up!

Spider-Man first appeared in the comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962). The series was canceled with that issue, but response to the character was so positive that a solo title, The Amazing Spider-Man, was launched with a March 1963 cover-date. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Steve Ditko, and the pair produced 38 issues from 1963 to 1966. title is the character's flagship series. Most of the major characters and villains of the Spider-Man saga have been introduced here, and it is where key events occur. The title was published continuously until 1998 when Marvel Comics relaunched it with a new issue #1 (Jan. 1999), but on Spider-Man's 40th anniversary, this new title reverted to using the numbering of the original series, beginning again with issue #500 (Dec. 2003) Issue #607 is part 2 of the story arc began last week, "Long-Term Arrangement" where perhaps for the first time ever, we have four--repeat, four-- gorgeous babes fighting over ol' webhead.

"The first piece of Amazing Spider-Man's "Gauntlet" storyline, featuring the return of Spidey's more notorious foes like Rhino and the Lizard, continues this week. This initial arc features Electro, and the presence of a more recognizable villain, coupled with a stellar creative team, results in one of the best issues of this series in some time." That's a quote from IGN editor Bryan Joel's review of issue #613. He immediately notes that one of the things he loves most for this issue is the artwork of Paul Azaceta, as having a palpably Silver Age influence to it. Don't look now but last ish I did mention it as strikingly reminiscent of vintage Jack Kirby with a dash of Steve Ditko going through a dark, moody phase--and I believe my description is the more accurate. Mark Waid also brings a rare credible core to Electro as he imbues this erstwhile two-dimensional villain with heretofore unrealized flesh and character, even as he manages to seamlessly introduce granularity and atmosphere from the very start of his work on the title. IGN gave this issue an "Impressive" 8.3 out of 10 rating. I disagree. You may say I'm biased, but, going by IGN's ratings system, it is at least a "Great" 8.9 for me.

After the inter-title, crossover event, Marvel Comics' entire imprint has been relaunched under the "Ultimate Comics" brand; in my (posted in Avaxhome by yours truly), is this brand's very first title to be released. With Eisner Award-winner Brian Michael Bendis on board to set the tone and guide the title to newer and bolder directions, apparently all the recent efforts have come to fruition. There's more balance in the presentation and portrayal of Peter Parker's dichotomous life, the characters are more believable and cast interaction is livelier than ever. As with other current Spider-Man titles, notably Web of Spider-Man, there's genuine added depth to the villains, unlike before where they are at most two-dimensional gloating punching bags for Spidey. An interesting and strong series.

Spider-Man first appeared in the comic book (Aug. 1962). The series was canceled with that issue, but response to the character was so positive that a solo title, The , was launched with a March 1963 cover-date. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist and co-plotter Steve Ditko, and the pair produced 38 issues from 1963 to 1966. The Amazing Spider-Man title is the character's flagship series. Most of the major characters and villains of the Spider-Man saga have been introduced here, and it is where key events occur. The title was published continuously until 1998 when Marvel Comics relaunched it with a new issue #1 (Jan. 1999), but on Spider-Man's 40th anniversary, this new title reverted to using the numbering of the original series, beginning again with issue #500 (Dec. 2003). Issue #610 concludes the three-part story arc, "Who Was Ben Reilly?"

first appeared in the comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 (Aug. 1962). The series was canceled with that issue, but response to the character was so positive that a solo title, The , was launched with a March 1963 cover-date. The is the character's flagship series. Most of the major characters and villains of the Spider-Man saga have been introduced here, and it is where key events occur. The title was published continuously until 1998 when Marvel Comics relaunched it with a new issue #1 (Jan. 1999), but on Spider-Man's 40th anniversary, this new title reverted to using the numbering of the original series, beginning again with issue #500 (Dec. 2003). is the conclusion to the 2-part story arc entitled "Face Front" co-starring the .

Collects Edge of Spider-Verse #1-5.
Peer over the edge of the Spider-Verse, at five different realities – and five daringly different spiders! Spider-Man Noir returns, as the Peter Parker of the 1930s finds himself up against Mysterio and knee-deep in the biggest Spider-Man event of all! What is the secret of Dr. Aaron Aikman, the Spider-Man? Who are the villainous Red Eye and Naahmurah, and can Aaron live through Morlun's arrival? In a universe where the story you know becomes as horrific as possible, a radioactive spider bites a high-school nerd who is already something of a monster. Then, what or who is the incredible SP//dr? And finally, the breakout character of Spider-Verse makes her exciting debut – in a world where the radioactive spider bit Gwen Stacy!

Collects Superior Spider-Man #17-21. Back by popular demand, Spider-Man 2099 returns! But when the future Spidey and the Superior Spidey clash, who will be the most superior Spider-Man in the multiverse? It may not matter, because the end of the battle brings about a moment that will alter the world of Spider-Man - and the Marvel Universe - for years to come! But which Spider was responsible for this shocking change? Then, from the ashes of battle come the first team-up between the Superior Spider-Man and the Black Cat. Felicia Hardy always cared for the Spider more than the man…but what happens when that man is Otto Octavius? And as an Osborn we haven't seen in a while returns, Otto celebrates a milestone! Is the world ready for "Dr. Peter Parker"…or what he plans to do next?