Written by Tom DeFalco
Art by Ron Frenz; Josef Rubinstein; Joe Rosen; & Christie Scheele
Cover Art by Ron Lim
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Beware the Claws of Puma!,” Marvel Comics released this issue for March 1993, as it’s a reprint of The Amazing Spider-Man # 257 (from 1984). Already coping with his enigmatic Secret Wars black costume and a shaky romance with Felicia “Black Cat” Hardy, an injured Spider-Man is now the Puma’s prey. Seeking The Rose’s mob bounty to kill Spidey only, Puma isn’t inclined to add Black Cat’s death as a freebie.
Irritated by his masked subordinate’s actions, Wilson “The Kingpin” Fisk, sets The Rose straight re: who will authorize Spider-Man’s extermination, if anyone. While Puma awaits a rematch, another prospective Spider-foe makes his presence known to The Rose and his goon squad.
Holding her tongue, a distinctly unimpressed Black Cat splits upon viewing an unmasked Peter’s blue-collar apartment. Forced to ignore an uninvited Mary Jane Watson, a hobbled Peter must defend himself from Puma’s abrupt home invasion. Surviving a fast-paced slugfest, Spider-Man wearily returns home to be shocked by a franchise-changing revelation.
REVIEW:
Sporting sufficient artwork, this mid-80’s Spidey adventure delivers solid entertainment. With writer Tom DeFalco on his game, multiple sub-plots intertwine well making sure that nothing’s rudimentary in Spider-Man’s life. For Spider-fans, Marvel Tales # 271 is a fun blast-to-the-past setting up a pivotal moment in the franchise’s history.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a full-page “Bullpen Bulletins” column. Also included is a full-page reprint of Frenz & Rubinstein’s original Amazing Spider-Man # 257 cover. The “Marvel Mails” column sports a full-page ad for Spider-Man Classics # 1 (featuring a Spidey cover image by Tom Lyle drawn in 1992).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
