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
