| Strange Days Indeed | Monday January 30, 2006 |
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I look at the message boards and see the controversy’s flourishing. A lot of the readers are complaining that Spider-Man’s gone to the dogs, but I disagree. 2004 soured with Mark Millar’s ‘Mystery Villain’ saga in ‘Marvel Knights: Spider-Man’, arguably the best Spider-Man story the decade’s seen; it boasts all of the long lost charms that fans recall from the wall-crawler’s earliest days as well as the urban rawness and craft that’s become trademark in Millar’s works..
2005 has seen both Millar’s departure from the books and the coming of ‘The Other’. Where one epic ends, another begins. We’ve witnessed the enigmatic return and death of Morlun, the death of Spider-Man, and his Christ-like resurrection. (It’s safe to say we’re not in Kansas anymore) ‘The Other’ storyline has helped bring Spider-Man and his loved ones to extremes that may never been experienced again. It isn’t every day that our beloved protagonist dies. The story’s now ended, but its tidal waves are still drifting.
Marvel delivers; two tales for the ages, back-to-back. I can’t recall the last time the stories have been this good. I trust the future’s bright, with the addition of Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa to the books and Peter David being able to let loose on ‘Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man’. The only thing I have to worry about is the new costume, but I don’t think I’m alone in saying it’s not going to last. Spidey’s doing good right now.
William Gerrard |
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