And I read some Spider-Man comics last month.
Spider-Man 2099 #1-3
I have some stylistic quibbles, but the first three issues hold up really well. Peter David and Rick Leonardi do a great job in introducing the new Spider-Man, as well as the world of 2099. It’s just an exceptional pilot, and it’s no surprise that there’s still interest decades later.
The Adventures of Spider-Man #7-8
Because sometimes it’s worth checking out a comic book that wasn’t considered remarkable when it came out, and that hasn’t stood the test of time. Though it may be cruel to pick on one of the 99 cent comics from the 1990s. It’s a generic Spider-Man VS Kingpin story, with Savuik watering down his style to fit the 1990s cartoon, and a lot of plot induced stupidity.
Alpha: The Big Time #4
A step up from last issue, as Alpha’s superheroing interferes with his love life, and he finally gets a semi-interesting enemy.
Avenging Spider-Man #20-21
Good enough jailbreak/ Secret Avengers crossover as Superior Spider-Man’s plans go awry. The chaos at the Helicarrier is fun, with multiple sides after Chameleon, and Spider-Ock trying to manipulate everyone. The two-parter is probably Yost’s weakest story in the series.
Spider-Man 2099 #4-5
Builds on the opening arc nicely, even if Miguel O’Hara and Tyler Stone (the most interesting supporting character) don’t spend enough time together. The Specialist is a good enough bad guy, demonstrating how well developed PAD’s 2099 is, with his ties to a company obsessed with Japanese history.
Spider-Man 2099 #6-8
The new Vulture may be the most vicious villain in the series, although this arc is a tad padded. Still a solid exploration of new corners of the 2099 world.
Ultimate Spider-Man #22: Shows Miles’s new status quo well, in addition to his continual decision to not use his powers. Good take on Spider-Man no more.
Amazing Spider-Man #539-543:
Mixed bag. Some flaws, but it shows Spider-Man’s desperate circumstances well in the post Civil War era. And there are some really good moments.
One More Day
So, I reread these four issues. It’s a mixed bag. There are plot holes and narrative weaknesses, but the art is sometimes fantastic, and there are some great moments as well, with payoff to something in the first year of JMS’s Spider-Man, and Peter and MJ’s way of spending their last day together.
Amazing Spider-Man #638-641
I also reread One Moment in Time. Paolo Rivera’s art is quite good, and I think Quesada does a solid job of tying disparate continuity strands together, although it lags a bit at the end.
Spider-Man 2099 #9-10:
Epilogue issues exploring what makes Miguel O’Hara tick as well as religious movements predicting the returns of superheroes, with some foreshadowing of a big revelation later in the series. Probably the best issues yet.
Superior Spider-Man #10
A lot happens in this issue, as Spider-Ock picks up the war on crime, dodges MJ and gets a kiss, while the Green Goblin starts assembling an army. Beautiful art by Stegman. Great spinning the wheels issue. Among the best Spider-Man issues I read all month.
Scarlet Spider #17
Fun clash between Kaine and the X-Men, although I don’t care as much for the art. I’m sure there’s an out to all the bad things he does, but it’s still entertaining to see a guy with Spidey’s abilities and a different sense of morality.
Spectacular Spider-Man #191-193
I recently read Dematteis’s run on Captain America which introduced characters he brought into this run. Knowing where Black Crow came from doesn’t make the story much better. It seems like one too many stories of Spidey having life-changing mystical experiences, and I don’t care as much about Puma’s quest for freedom.
Web of Spider-Man #110-111
I decided to read a story that I really didn’t care for. It doesn’t disappoint, although there are some moments of wit. The main villain is a gung-ho bounty hunter, with a ridiculous willingness to endanger lives. Alex Savuik’s art comes across badly with the 90s coloring. And there’s a really bland take on my favorite villain. It remains one of my least favorite Spider-Man stories.
Spectacular Spider-Man #194-196
This is better as Dematteis reveals secrets of Kafka, while Vermin’s story reaches its conclusion, and a nasty Captain America foe makes his return.
Venom #35
The threat to Flash’s school works, and I like the interactions between Brock and Flash. But it is an underwhelming conclusion to a story with so much set-up.
Morbius #5
Manipulative crime bosses make things more interesting, but this book just isn’t working for me.
Spider-Man: Mutant Agenda #0 (With Newspaper Clippings)
The John Romita Sr retelling of the origin is pretty cool. But otherwise this just shows the problems of reading a comic strip serial all at once, with constant repetition. This may confirm that Larry Lieber (Stan Lee’s brother) was artist on the strip when I was introduced to the character, as it’s one of the first Spider-Man comics I remember reading.
Spider-Man: Mutant Agenda #1-3
The same story with a different creative team. At least it’s people I’ve heard of. Scott Kolins went on to have a great run on The Flash. Steven Grant’s worked on Spidey before. Kolins is often visually inventive, and I do like how the tale ties to a rarely seen part of the Beast’s history. It does lag in the middle, and it is rather inconsequential.
Spectacular Spider-Man #197-199
It gets a bit tiring with the third straight story of Dematteis focusing on obscure characters from his earlier Marvel runs, although the interactions between Spider-Man and the X-Men are fun, and there are some cool visuals with armies of villains inspired by Roman centurions, and floating castles. Peter’s conversations with his parents are poignant, even if that story ends badly. The set-up to Harry’s return works well. I do like how Peter tries to maintain his sense of a spiritual victory from 191-193, but it all just collapses.
Spectacular Spider-Man #200
Works as a fantastic single issue story, and the conclusion to Dematteis’s run.
Total: 1628 Comics Read So Far
What Would Spidey Do? 