Month: December 2021

Written by (See Below)

Art by (See Below)

Cover Art by Patrick Olliffe; Livesay; & Lee Loughridge

SUMMARY:

Marvel Comics released this 96-page one-shot for October 2006.  Included are two new comedies in homage to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends animated TV series, along with three reprints.  The contents are:

Opposites Attack!  (32 pages).  Writer: Sean McKeever, with Art by: Patrick Olliffe; Casey Jones; Kano; Nick Dragotta; Livesay; Vince Russell; Alvaro Lopez; Lee Loughridge; & Art Monkeys’ Melanie Olsen.  Set prior to Web of Spider-Man # 75, Spider-Man casually starts an alliance with Bobby “Iceman” Drake & Angelica “Firestar” Jones.  To ward off media speculation (and, more importantly, his wife’s annoyance) that he’s now involved with Firestar, a happily married Peter Parker tries setting up his two elementally opposite and quarreling pals as a romantic couple. 

Appearances include Video Man; the Beetle; Shocker; and Spidey’s wife, Mary Jane, who is skeptical of his matchmaking scheme.

The Mini-Marvels in “Spidey and His Amazing Friends (6 pages).  Writer: Sean McKeever, with Art by: Chris Giarrusso. Thanks to J. Jonah Jameson, Lil’ Spidey gets unexpected help with his Daily Bugle paper route from an eager-to-please Firestar & Iceman.  Yet, will a manipulative Spidey’s video gaming cost him their friendship?

Castles in the Air (21 pages) {from Untold Tales of Spider-Man # 2}.  Writer: Kurt Busiek, with Art by: Patrick Olliffe; Al Vey; Pam Eklund; Steve Mattson; Richard Starkings; and Comicraft.  Seeking to collect New York City’s offered bounty, a rookie Spider-Man pursues a nocturnal threat dubbed the ‘Batwing.’  He soon discovers Batwing’s heartbreaking secret.  Meanwhile, there’s an unexpected complication, as young Peter Parker must retrieve his math notes from a school bully.

Nothing Ventured … (24 pages) {from Spider-Man 2099 # 2).  Writer: Peter David, with Art by: Rick Leonardi; Al Williamson; Noelle Giddings; & Rick Parker.  Miguel O’Hara’s horrific origin as the new Spider-Man continues, as he becomes prey for Alchemax’s determined hunter-for-hire.    

Hydra and Go-Seek! (6 pages) {from Untold Tales of Spider-Man # 1).  Writer and Artist: Fred Hembeck.  Retrieving a wrapped package for Mrs. Watson at a toy store, young Petey Parker contends with schemes from Baron von Strucker … and Flash Thompson.     

REVIEW:

Along with their terrific visuals, both of Sean McKeever’s kid-friendly homage tales serve up delightful nostalgia.  Reminiscent of DC’s Man-Bat tales in the 1970’s, “Castles in the Air” is a poignant Spider-tale worthy of the Stan Lee & Steve Ditko era.  In particular, Kurt Busiek’s scripting and the art team’s retro-style visuals simply mesh well together.  Though the Spider-Man 2099 story is a mostly blah read, Fred Hembeck’s mini-caper delivers a light-hearted finish for fans young at heart.  Overall, this one-shot is well-played!   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Full-page cover reprints of Untold Tales of Spider-Man # 2, Spider-Man 2099 # 2, and a spoofy Untold Tales of Spider-Man # 1 are included.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:               8 Stars

Written by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Art by Angel Medina; Scott Hanna; Avalon’s Dan Kemp; & VC’s Cory Petit

Cover Art by Angel Medina; Scott Hanna; & Matt Milla

SUMMARY:

Entitled “The Strange Case of …, Part One of Three,” Marvel Comics released this Back in Black tie-in for April 2007.  Now a high-profile fugitive, Spider-Man busily probes a bizarre series of Spider-impersonators.  An unknown culprit is costuming abducted young men like Spider Man and somehow providing them a seeming replica of his spider-powers.  These would-be Spider-Men are then set loose late at night. What’s even worse is that one of them, Ethan Myers, is mutating into some spider-like creature.    

Another imitator tragically suffers the instant loss of his artificially-generated powers.  Trying to help cure Ethan’s horrific metamorphosis, Spider-Man recruits Reed “Mr. Fantastic” Richards and Dr. Curt Connors for help.  The police sense an opportunity to finally snare the elusive Peter Parker.  As another victim is forcibly recruited for more Spider-experimentation, a familiar villain is revealed.

Note: Marvel Knights 4 # 28 is referenced, as the previous time Reed Richards met Nurse Christine Palmer under tragic circumstances.       

REVIEW:

In homage to Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde, writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa’s first installment takes some intriguing twists.  The art squad’s interior visuals are excellent, but they’re also appropriately grotesque considering this particular storyline.  Furthermore, the cover image is an excellent asset. 

For fans of Spider-Man in horror-themed adventures, The Sensational Spider-Man # 35 provides a welcome read.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                   7½ Stars

Main Feature Written by Bill Mantlo, with Chris Claremont & Bonnie Wilford. Main Feature Art by Sal Buscema; Mike Esposito; Jim Novak; & Hugh Paley.

Back-Up Feature Written by and Art by Alan Kupperberg, with Bob Sharen & Rick Parker.

Cover Art by Todd McFarlane.

SUMMARY:

Entitled “The Lords of Light and Darkness!,” the first half of 1976’s Marvel Team-Up Annual # 1 is reprinted in Marvel Tales # 235.  Reprinting the story’s second half, Marvel Comics released this issue for April 1990.  In a remote section of the Nevada desert, Spider-Man and the X-Men (Professor X; Cyclops; Phoenix; Storm; Nightcrawler; Wolverine; Colossus; & Banshee) probe the irradiated disaster zone that was once the top secret government facility dubbed ‘The Nest.’ 

Upon their abduction by unstable cosmic beings, the heroes’ fate lies with Jean Grey/Phoenix, as her vast powers are sought by their captors.  For Spidey and his allies, it’s soon desperation time to save Earth from destruction.  An epilogue for this tale subsequently appears in Issue # 262 (as its original source would be Marvel Team-Up # 53). 

In a five-page back-up feature, Peter Porker the Spectacular Spider-Ham becomes the all-mighty Captain Zooniverse.   

Note: An image of artist Dave Cockrum’s cover image for Marvel Team-Up Annual # 1 isn’t included.

REVIEW:

As contrived as the plot is, it’s still a fun read, mostly due to Spidey’s likable chemistry with the X-Men.  The visuals are far closer to sufficient than anything remarkable.  Like the previous issue, Todd McFarlane’s cover image is the artistic highlight.  Re: the Peter Porker tale, the artwork is far better than its eye-rolling bore of a script.  Overall, for a good Spider-Man/X-Men crossover, Marvel Tales # 236 is a likely keeper. 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes a profile on Marvel assistant editor Danny Fingeroth.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       6 Stars

Note: Marvel Tales # 234 is also recommended, as Spidey’s guests are the original X-Men (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, & Angel, as the Beast makes a cameo appearance). 

Main Feature Written by Bill Mantlo, with Chris Claremont & Bonnie Wilford. Main Feature Art by Sal Buscema; Mike Esposito; Jim Novak; & Hugh Paley.

“Slay Ride!!” Written by and Art by Fred Hembeck, with Paul Becton.

“Spill the Beans!” Written by and Art by Fred Hembeck, with Bob Sharen.

Cover Art by Todd McFarlane.

SUMMARY:

Reprinting the first half of 1976’s Marvel Team-Up Annual # 1, Marvel Comics released this issue for March 1990.  It’s entitled “The Lords of Light and Darkness!”  In a remote section of the Nevada desert, a top secret government base dubbed ‘The Nest’ suffers a catastrophic radiation-related disaster.  At least eight scientists present are presumed dead. 

Sometime later, The Daily Bugle’s Peter Parker and the undercover X-Men (Professor X; Cyclops; Phoenix; Storm; Nightcrawler; Wolverine; Colossus; & Banshee) are present aboard a jet passing overhead to monitor a week-long, airborne scientific conference.  A mid-air emergency forces the heroes to save the jet’s other passengers.  Now stranded, their predicament leads them to investigate the irradiated slag heap once known as ‘The Nest.’  The story’s conclusion is reprinted in Marvel Tales # 236. 

Notes: It’s Spider-Man first-team-up with this generation of X-Men.  An image of artist Dave Cockrum’s cover image for Marvel Team-Up Annual # 1 isn’t included. An epilogue later appears in Marvel Tales # 262 (as its original source is Marvel Team-Up # 53).    

In two three-page comic strips, Marvel humorist Fred Hembeck depicts ‘Petey, the Adventures of Peter Parker Long Before He Became Spider-Man.’  First up is “Slay Ride !!”  Armed with snowballs, Flash Thompson and his pals intend to ambush an unsuspecting Petey at Thrill Hill.  Unbeknownst to the bullies, Petey and a chauffeur come into the crossfire pulling an injuring J. Jonah Jameson to work on Petey’s sled.  In “Spill the Beans!!,” Flash & Liz scheme to use Petey’s math wizardry to win a bean-counting contest.  

REVIEW:

Though Bill Mantlo’s script struggles to give its large cast all something to do, this storyline is still an entertaining read.  In particular, his prologue’s noir-like narration is well-played.  Re: the visuals, the art squad deliver reasonably good work considering how many characters are involved.  As this issue’s highlight, Todd McFarlane’s cover image adds some extra Marvel magic. 

Re:  the two back-up comic strips, suffice to say, they’re mildly amusing.  Above all, the chemistry between Spidey & the classic X-Men is well-played, making Marvel Tales # 235 a welcome find.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes a profile on Marvel assistant editor Marie Javins.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:             7 Stars

Note: Marvel Tales # 234 is also recommended, as Spidey’s guests are the original X-Men (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, & Angel, with the Beast in a cameo appearance).   

Main Feature Written by Marv Wolfman. Main Feature Art by Keith Pollard; Mike Esposito ‘& Friends’; Jim Novak; & Bob Sharen.

Back-Up Feature Written by Danny Fingeroth. Back-Up Art by Alan Kupperberg; Joe Albelo; Rick Parker; & Bob Sharen.

Cover Art by Todd McFarlane.

SUMMARY:

Reprinting 1980’s The Amazing Spider-Man # 203, Marvel Comics released this issue for November 1989.  Entitled “Bewitched, Bothered, and Be-Dazzled!,” Spider-Man encounters a rookie Dazzler (Alison Blaire) for the first time.  Initially suspecting Will-O-The-Wisp, Spider-Man soon deduces that Lightmaster intends to escape his extradimensional prison. 

Worse yet, for a captive Dazzler, Lightmaster is siphoning her light-generating energies as a recharging source.  Battling a mind-controlled Dazzler, Spidey must find a way to save her and still thwart Lightmaster’s scheme.   

Meanwhile, Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham stars in the first half of a two-part cliffhanger entitled “Cult of Dolts.”  Attempting to rescue his friend, Betty, from a villainous cult, Spider-Ham risks becoming its next mesmerized recruit.

Note: A reprint of Frank Miller’s cover image for The Amazing Spider-Man # 203 isn’t included.

REVIEW:

If Marvel hadn’t mentioned the story’s actual source, one would have thought this is an old Marvel Team-Up.  The script is average, but the art squad does a nice job illustrating Marv Wolfman’s formulaic storyline.  The only gaffe in Todd McFarlane’s eye-catching cover is the lame humor identifying Dazzler as a ‘mutant’ and Spidey as ‘non-mutant,’ as if that topic even matters here. 

Re: the four-page Spider-Ham caper, for non-fans, consider it a shrug.  If anything, Spidey team-up fans (and/or fans of Dazzler’s original persona) will find Marvel Tales # 230 delivers a solid, kid-friendly read.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

The full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column includes a profile on Marvel editor D.G. Chichester.        

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     6 Stars

Written by J.M. DeMatteis

Art by Sal Buscema; Joe Rosen; Bob Sharen; & Rob Tokar

Cover Art by Sal Buscema

SUMMARY:

Entitled “Falling!,” Marvel Comics released this issue for April 1993.  After playtime with the original X-Men (Cyclops; Jean Grey; Beast; Iceman; & Angel) aboard a secret base plummeting out of orbit, Spider-Man hitches a train ride back to New York City. 

Peter Parker’s day deteriorates after an argument boils over with his newly-returned ‘parents’ in Aunt May’s presence.  Returning home, Peter is stunned to find his wife, Mary Jane, chatting with their new downstairs neighbors: Harry Osborn and his young family.  Heavily sweating, an unsteady Harry’s reassurances that all’s well after his unexpected release from prison creeps Peter out. 

Despite Peter’s good intentions, another ugly argument sends Mary Jane storming out for fresh air (ironically, she’s chain-smoking cigarettes).  Peter, suspecting the worst of his ex-best friend, fails to find a sickly Harry resting at home.  Simultaneously, a déjà vu cliffhanger leaves Mary Jane in a dangerous predicament.        

REVIEW:

Aside from the brewing ‘Peter’s parents’ angle, this issue is a mostly blah updating of much better 1970’s Spider-plots, i.e. teasing the Green Goblin’s imminent return.  Punctuated by Spidey & the Beast’s eye-rolling quips, the tiresome X-Men sequence is actually as likable as Issue # 199 gets.  At least, the X-Men’s guest spot concludes with a nice send-off by Jean Grey thanking their longtime Spider-friend. 

As a whole, though, neither the middling script from J.M. DeMatteis nor the art squad’s adequate visuals (i.e. the cover image) merit a second look.  Especially distasteful is depicting Mary Jane casually puffing away in close proximity to Harry & Liz Osborn’s young son, as not even Peter bothers to reprimand her.  Though perhaps it’s meant to demonstrate her occasional vice, Issue # 199 sure doesn’t illustrate an oblivious Mary Jane (facially resembling Jean DeWolff’s chain-smoking) in a responsible light.  While the Peter/Mary Jane argument is tensely played, it’s also one of their most unappealing appearances together as a married couple. 

Another oddity is that neither Peter nor Mary Jane express concern (even if only in a thought bubble) re: little Normie Osborn II bashing around his Spider-Man toy, as if he’s a future super-villain in early training.  Whatever chuckle DeMatteis may have meant by this inference only exacerbates an awful sequence.        

Suffice to say, as far as terrific Spidey/X-Men crossovers go, The Spectacular Spider-Man # 199 isn’t one of them.            

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s a full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column.  The “Spectacular Spider-Mail” letters-and-answers column include a half-page cover reveal for Issue # 200.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                  3½ Stars