| September's Spider-Man | Wednesday September 27, 2006 |
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
The dates are based on the official monthly solicitations are and incredibly subject to scheduling change.
 6th September 2006
Beyond! #3 – I have not been picking this up because I wasn’t sure how Dwayne McDuffie could blend so many different characters together but internet reviews give it a thumbs up so it may be well worth a look. I am a fan of Scott Kolins’ spacious and simple work, recently seen in Marvel Team-Up, as well but I think the TPB is in order.
 Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #12 – I love this book. Peter David is brilliant and handling the campest Spider-villain around (Mysterio) he can only get it right. Part of Spider-Man Unmasked, this issue introduces the second and third Mysterios into the mix!
 Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #19 – Again written by Peter David, and featuring Fin Fang Foom, this issue is just going to be plain fun as all of the Marvel Adventures seem to be. Buy this!
New Avengers VOLUME 3 – Secrets And Lies – I think this is the strongest Volume to date but there is not a lot of Spider-Man. It follows the New Avengers to Japan and uncovers the identity of their newest member Ronin. It also establishes what Spider-Woman is up to, who she is working for and why… Written by Bendis and pencilled by Finch and Cho, it’s a visual treat and a good mystery/crime/action arc. Collects New Avengers #11-15 and Giant-Size Spider-Woman #1
New Managaverse – Rings Of Fate – The Managverse returns in this TPB and I don’t really care. If you are a fan of serious manga (Japanese cartoon for those uncultured among us) however this may just be the thing for you. Manga-Spider-Man stars but this has been rushed to trade.... Collects New Managaverse #1-5
 Spider-Man Special: Black And Blue And Read All Over #1 – a on-shot tale set in Spidey’s past where he has to form an alliance with JJJ. I really like the sound of this and quite liked Drew Johnson’s art when it appeared in Spider-Man Unlimited #9. It’s a one-shot, away from Civil War, New Avengers, Spider-Man Unmasked, so why not pick it up if you hate all those things? Why not pick it up anyway?
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up Collection – So this is what started the whole Ultimate ball rolling. If you need to find out how Ultimate Spidey met The Lizard, Doctor Strange and a few other randoms that don’t really have any true effect on the main series then by all means get this. I’m not bothering, but this is the first time they have all been collected so it may be worth a look. If you have the cash. Collects Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #1-16 and The Ultimate Spider-Man Super Special
 13th September 2006
Civil War Files #1 – more info on Civil War if anyone wants it? This will just be another of those database type things and probably a slog to get through. It might tell you something new but is it really worth it?
 Claws #2 – To some extent I enjoyed the first issue but predict that this will just be a massive action scene with some smart banter between Black Cat and Wolverine thrown in. get this if you are looking for something a little quirky and a lot fun.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man VOLUME 1 - Derailed This is a mixed bag. Not because the stories vary in quality but because they are so different! Keeping things short is one of David’s strengths as he doesn’t muck around with filler. All of this volume is written with purpose; to delight, to inspire and to confuse fans! I still can’t figure out all of Jumping The Tracks – it’s great! Collects Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #5-10
Marvel Adventures Spider-Man VOLUME 4 – Concrete Jungle – A digest collection of old-school, innocent Spider-Man stories written by Zeb Wells featuring The Mad Thinker, Doc Ock, Black Cat and The Chameleon! This and the series are always well worth a look. Collects Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #13-16
New Avengers VOLUME 4 – The Collective (Premiere Hardcover) – With Brian Michael Bendis, Steve McNiven and Mike Deodato at the helm this should be a great collection. It isn’t. Building on House Of M, The Collective seems obsessed with resolving an X-Men plot left dangling and not playing to the artists talents. Get it if you want to know what happens, or read the overview on this very site! Collects New Avengers #16-20
 20th September 2006
Blade #1 – Guest starring Spider-Man as Blade begins afresh! Again! Helmed by Mark Guggenheim (who is doing some amazing work on Wolverine) and Howard Chaykin who was semi-impressive in New Avengers #22 this might be alright!
Civil War #4 – This should be worth the wait. Mark Millar, Steve McNiven, the return of Thor, someone dies and things continue in the Marvel event of the year! Plus it means we can finally read another issue of Amazing Spider-Man!
 Sensational Spider-Man #30 – Am loving this title at the moment! Aguirre-Sacasa is weaving in so many long-lost Spider-characters that it’s a fan boy’s dream! Spidey battles Electro this issue and MJ has to deal with Swarm as Spider-Man Unmasked continues!
Stan Lee Meets Spider-Man #1 – written by superstar Joss Whedon (Astonishing X-Men) and pencilled by Coipel and Gaydos this is just going to be fun. Well worth a few dollars – you won’t see an issue like this again!
 27th September 2006
Amazing Spider-Man #535 – About time! I feel that a delay in the schedule is indeed hurting the title but I know in my heart that it will be worth the wait as JMS seems to be weaving a solid arc that is bashing out so many character changes and new situations. The premiere title returns so… rejoice!
Heroes For Hire #2 – I didn’t bother picking up the first issue as it just seems to me that this is a simple Civil War tie in. Yes it has the Black Cat in but I don’t see this lasting much past 18 issues, even though I actually like Palmiotti and Gray’s style of fun, in-the-face writing.
 New Avengers #24 – This was originally going to be pencilled by Adi Gravnov and I was looking forward to it a little bit more (focused on The Sentry this was never going to be my favourite character issue) BUT NOW Pascal Ferry has been drafted in and I am not a fan of his glary work. Bendis claims this ties in Secret War, House of M, New Avengers and Civil War which will be good if it works.
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #10 – As ever, a nice flowery title that doesn’t mean anything but is well worth a look if all you are after is some old school entertainment.
Ultimate Spider-Man #100 – Ah the big one! I am loving this arc so far and cannot wait for this! Bendis and Bagley have hit the jackpot so far and I cannot see this being a let down at all. I have second guessed what is going to happen so many times that this cannot come soon enough!
 HIGHLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Not an easy one because of the return of Amazing Spider-Man and Civil War and the fact that Sensational Spider-Man is going from strength to strength but this month’s highlight has to be Ultimate Spider-Man #100. This is such a landmark issue: it is an achievement to get to 100 issues in today’s market; the title has really hit a quality stride; this arc has been completely opened up and makes me realise that every single plot possibility is open and Bendis can still use this title as a blank slate; visually this book is one of the best you will see on the shelves; and it often bubbles away in the background (especially to Civil War) but should be recognised as one of the greatest comic book achievements of the modern era.
Adam Rivett |
|
