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
