| April’s Spider-Man | Tuesday April 5, 2005 |
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The dates are based on the official monthly solicitations are and incredibly subject to scheduling change.
06/04
Amazing Fantasy #7 - A brand new Scorpion! A female Scorpion having something to do with SHIELD. Covers look good… concept seems ok.
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #2 - A re-telling of The Sinister Six. Patrick Scherberger pencils - see Marvel Age reviews for my reaction to his work!
Marvel Team-Up #7 - Start of a new arc and well worth getting! The cover is astounding and the first thing that got me interested in this title. Get this and get the last trade!
New Avengers #5 - Wolverine joins the fray! Running a bit late but well worth the wait I suspect!
Spider-Girl #85 - Still not too interested in this, but might be worth a look if you are.
Spider-Man/Human Torch #4 - I love this cover and really want this issue! Good old Silver Age fun with the Black Cat thrown in for measure!
Ultimate Spider-Man #75 - Hobgoblin continues! Quality speaks for itself. This is one book you should be buying.
13/04
Marvel Knights Spider-Man #13 - The preview pages look good, seemingly coping with Peter, MJ and May’s new life in Stark Towers. Hudlin is untested so far - will be interesting to see how he follows up Millar’s arc.
Marvel Milestones: Venom - Um, get this if you love Venom. I think this is just a re-print though…
Mary Jane: Homecoming #2 (of 4) - Looks good and original. Someone nailing the innocent MJ on the head - classic characterisation.
Toxin #1 - I am unfamiliar with Venom vs. Carnage but this title ties in to the events of New Avengers #1. With Carnage dead (?) is there want for another symbiote?
20/04
Amazing Spider-Man #519 - New Avengers and Amazing cross! Bendis and JMS on the same project! This has got to be good! Lots of Spidey action please!
Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe: Spider-Man 2005 - If you want a re-cap or catch up then get this. Otherwise, probably not worth the money.
Spectacular Spider-Man #27 - “The best comic I have ever written” (Jenkins, March 2005)
Spider-Man: Breakout #1 - Another New Avengers tie-in that looks good because of Deodato’s covers and has some interesting potential. Writer Tony Bedard is working wonders on Exiles.
Ultimate Spider-Man #76 - Another month with two-issues! At the rate Bendis paces his issues, this timing is perfect! Expect a cracking cliff-hanger!
27/03
Arana #4 - Am not picking this up but I think Spidey actually appears in this issue. Should make interesting reading if nothing else.
New Avengers #6 - The conclusion of Breakout! I think this title has already reached “make” rather than “break”
TRADE PAPERBACKS
Fantastic Four/Spider-Man Classic - Always good for both the versus and team-up qualities! Thing, Torch and Spidey always steal the show. Perfect players together!
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 7 - Available in Hardcover also. Get this if you have the rest.
Marvel Visionaries: Steve Ditko - A legend! Buy this now! This man made Spider-Man and Spider-Man made him.
Spider-Man/Doctor Octopus: Year One - Another re-telling of origins. Have not seen the paints by Kaare Andrews but think I have had enough of Ock for a while.
Spider-Man India - I will pick this up. If nothing else, the pencils are tremendous and the story ties in plenty of classic elements with grace and a completely new and original slant.
HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Spectacular Spider-Man will do two things. It will (1) be Jenkins’ last Spider-Man comic for a long time and will close his Spidey-run and (2) will bring back Spectacular to what it should be! After Jenkins’ last few comics (Spec #21 and 22) were close to brilliant and then Spectacular took a suicidal dive into the realms of Sins remembered with the tragic creators of Sara Barnes and Scot Eaton, there is so much riding on this issue (including Jenkins’ reputation after he said that (see above)) that this MUST BE SPECTACULAR! What with the New Avengers tie-ins dominating the market this month, and next month, and for some time to come (half a year in Amazing and Knights terms) this issue could get swept under the carpet. It might, but it won’t in my house.
TRADE OF THE MONTH
Probably the Fantastic Four/Spider-Man Classic collection. Not to sure exactly what it has got in it, but they are always worth reading. The innocence and humour of the Golden and Silver Age is exactly that - simple stories and obvious hilarity. If this isn’t your cup o tea, get Ultimate: Superstars from last month! Easy!
Adam Rivett | SPYDER-25 Staff - Reviewer and columnist
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