Written by Peter David
Art by Todd Nauck; Robert Campanella; Lee Loughhridge; & VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Art by Mike Wieringo; Mike Manley; & Paul Mounts
SUMMARY:
Entitled “I Hate a Mystery, Part 2 of 3,” Marvel Comics released this Spider-Man Unmasked issue for November 2006. Trapped inside a booby-trapped Midtown High School, the New Avengers’ Peter Parker/Spider-Man is separated from Flash Thompson, school nurse Ms. Arrow, and a group of students by a villain claiming to be Mysterio.
Also claiming to be the original villain, another Mysterio enters the school to confront the supposed impersonator. While Flash & Ms. Arrow struggle leading the frightened kids outside to safety, Spider-Man finds uneasily himself caught between these rival Mysterios — both insisting that he’s the one and only. Ms. Arrow is stunned to face another ghoulish surprise: a third Mysterio.
REVIEW:
Writer Peter David is on his game, as he pitches some unpredictable curveballs in this wildly entertaining Spider-caper. Impressively, he conjures up the right measures of action, mystery, and wacky humor in a polished update on Stan Lee’s brand of Silver Age storytelling. Including the cover image, the art team’s visuals are pitch perfect. Best of all, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man # 12 is the kind of treat to read where adults can rediscover the Spider-Man magic.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Including an image of Issue # 11’s cover, the first page is a helpful summary-to-date of this Mysterio storyline. The single-page “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Mail” letters-and-answers column offers a thumbnail cover reveal of the next issue.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
