| March's Spider-Man | Thursday March 2, 2006 |
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The dates are based on the official monthly solicitations are and incredibly subject to scheduling change.
01/03
Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man #5 – I cannot wait for this! The first issue where these superb creators are not constrained by The Other and this promises to be a self-contained and highly original story from Peter David.
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #13 – A story featuring Chameleon that doesn’t really sell itself well. This is a comic for younger readers and is probably worth waiting for the digest format for older readers who just might want to hark back to simpler times. Like I do!
Spider-Girl #96 – A return of a classic villain that hasn’t been seen for years in this, or any other Universe… Hobgoblin! Say no more!
08/03
Ultimate Spider-Man #91 – This title is on a roll. Over the last few months it has been superb and is building perfectly to #100! This issue begins a new arc entitled Deadpool
Spider-Man Unlimited #14 – featuring Black Cat, Doctor Doom and the wonderful David Finch’s pencils.
Sensational Spider-Man #24 – Last issue was a little disappointing but lets see what happens when Black Cat joins the fray and the creative team of Angel Medina and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa settle in a little.
15/03
Friendly Neighbourhood Spider-Man #6 – Beginning a two-part story where Spidey is forced to return to his wrestling roots!
22/03
Amazing Spider-Man #530 – Part 2 of 3, this issue features the pencils of Tyler Kirkham which look amazing! Peter continues to test his new costume and his new working (and public) relationship with Tony Stark.
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #4 – Well worth the look but I am waiting for the digests to see what the fuss is about. Good clean entertainment, this issue
New Avengers #17 – The Collective begins with Bendis on words and Amazing Spider-Man penciler Mike Deodato Jr. on visuals. The prologue to this was good, the previews look stunning and I can’t wait to see how this one pans out!
TRADE PAPERBACKS
Secret War – This sets off the events of New Avengers and is definitely worth a read. The entire series is beautifully and powerfully painted by Gabrielle Dell’Otto who is destined for mighty things and involves Nick Fury going over the president’s head to deal with a threat to national security. A good read and well worth picking up. Collects Secret War #1-5 and Secret War: From The Files Of Nick Fury
New Avengers VOLUME 3: Secrets And Lies (Hardcover) – This is a good Volume, a very good Volume. Featuring the pencils of the wonderful David Finch and the stunning Frank Cho who produces some of his best work to date. Bendis writes a nice couple of stories that involve mystery Avenger Ronin and begin to unravel Spider-Woman and her relationship with the Avengers, SHIELD and HYDRA! Collects New Avengers #11-15 and the lead story from Giant-Size Spider-Woman #1
Essential Spider-Man VOLUME 1 (New Edition) – A reprint of the classic stories. These never age and if you don’t own these in some shape or form you cannot call yourself a Spider-Man fan. Collects Amazing Fantasy 15, Amazing Spider-Man #1-20 and Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1
HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Ultimate Spider-Man has never been better. If you are not buying this, you are seriously missing out on action, intrigue, awesome characterisation, stunning visuals and a plot that is ever-evolving and gripping. Nuff said.
TRADE OF THE MONTH
I don’t like giving Bendis the double every month but I have to this month. Yes, the Essential Collection contains the defining moments in Spider-man history, but this is now and the most important thing out this month is Secret War, which in fact leads into New Avengers so you might as well get both. Secret War is so stylish, so intricate and so important to the status quo of the New Avengers and Spider-Man that it is a must. Plus, and this is a big plus, every page is painstakingly painted and looks gorgeous. Find fault with the visuals and I salute you… I can’t!
Adam Rivett |
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