Written by Paul Jenkins
1-10 pencilled by Humberto Ramos
11-13 pencilled by Damion Scott
14 painted by Paolo Rivera
15-16 pencilled by Michael Ryan
17-18 pencilled by Humberto Ramos
19-20 pencilled by Paco Medina
21-22 pencilled by Talent Caldwell
23-26 pencilled by Scot Eaton
27 pencilled by Mark Buckingham

A focus on the more classic side of Spider-Man story telling, mainstream villains can be seen within this title more often than not. Jenkins has introduced his own villainous creation into the Spidey-verse, known as The Queen, but his main focus is on bringing back villains such as Doctor Octopus, Venom, The Lizard, Morbius and (in the future) Carnage, Hobgoblin, The Big Wheel, Electro and The Grizzly into the limelight. The visuals on the book tend to lean towards the unique and unconventional Ameri-Manga style, which may not appeal to everyone. Saying this, the visuals are of a high quality with both Ramos and all fill-in artists offering some stunning examples of the Spider-verse.

Issue highlight - Issue #14 is one of the most beautiful and emotional comics I have ever read.

Volume highlight - The Final Curtain contains two of the best feel-good and emotional Spider-Man stories ever written. Jenkins excels at single issue stories and here are his best. The added bonus of the Peter Parker Spider-Man Doctor Octopus story is also Jenkins at his Spidey peak. Enjoy!

Volume One - The Hunger - Issues 1-5
The Hunger (Parts 1-5)
Peter Parker moves into his new apartment and we are introduced to some new supporting cast (Big John Anderson included!). Breaking this idyllic scenario is the creature known as Venom - an alien symbiote attached to the now unwilling host body of Eddie Brock. Eddie is an empty shell, his dying cancerous body is drained of adrenaline and the symbiote wants Spider-Man as its new host, a new source of energy. Meanwhile, Flash Thompson, still in a coma, moves into Peter’s apartment block. Spider-Man is ambushed by the symbiote and is only able to remove it with the help of the Fantastic Four. Alone, he then tracks Eddie down and learns of his medical condition. Eddie passes away and Spider-Man tricks the symbiote into merging with his dead body. This is the symbiote’s final and desperate merger and Venom leaves a hurt Spider-Man with the news of its pregnancy. Rating - 4/5

Volume Two - Countdown - Issues 6-10
Countdown (Parts 1-5)
An enhanced and plotting Doctor Octopus kidnaps the visiting Palestinian Ambassador and announces that unless Spider-Man reveal his face to Times Square then the Ambassador dies, sending the Middle East into uncontrollable conflict. Spider-Man goes to Detective Garratt and the Israeli Secret Service for help, as well as the Kiwi Kid (Big John!) to create a plan to bring Octopus down. At the centre of Times Square, Spider-Man reveals another mask under his and explains to Ock that his plan has failed. The Ambassador is escorted from his holding place and the fight between Ock and Spidey rampages. Under the sewers of New York Spider-Man succeeds in overcoming an enraged and animalistic Ock and packages him for the police. Rating - 3½/5

Volume Three - Here There Be Monsters - Issues 11-14
The Lizard’s Tale (Parts 1-3) & Untitled
When Curt Connors fails to win a grant his life once more becomes full of fear and resentment. An explosion at The Richardson Institute, the place which won the grant from Connors, causes Peter to interfere and take Connors under his protection. Unbeknownst to Peter, Connors has always had control of The Lizard and releases him in an attempt to feel more emotionally powerful and physically strong again. The Lizard kidnaps Billy Connors, his son, and Spider-Man gives chase. The Lizard eventually gives him up and, the following day, Connors turns himself into the police.
On a New York rooftop Joey Beal sits alone. He suffers from cerebral palsy and spends his days being cared for by his family. After an encounter between Spider-Man and Morbius involves him, Joey learns that there are real heroes all around him - real people, his family included. Rating – 4/5

Volume Four - Under My Skin - Issues 15-20
Royal Flush (Parts 1-2) & Changes (Parts 1-4)
The Queen arrives on the scene and takes a skyscraper as her base of operations. She has mental control over certain members of the population, including Spidey-Man who is compelled to the scene to fight her. She kisses him, infecting him. Captain America and Spidey manage to subdue her and her drones. The Queen disappears over the side of the building.
The Queen begins building her Hive, beneath Manhattan. Spidey (and MJ) is troubled by the kiss which begins to have mutative affects on him. He starts growing hair, his eyes split in to four and he convulses violently, spurting fangs, four more legs and ultimately transforming fully into a spider. Meanwhile, Captain America tells Nick Fury the story of The Queen; she was tested on during WWII, which is where her insect-gene was mutated, giving her the powers she has now. She also has a bomb that will kill all those without this insect-gene within 400 miles. The search for The Queen and Spider-Man begins! Peter’s mutation is too violent and the spider collapses. From it, Peter Parker arises and he succeeds in taking out The Queen, seemingly destroying her. Due to this re-birth Peter has a few changes - he is stronger, his spider-sense is enhanced and he now has organic webbing… Rating - 3½/5

Volume Five - Sins Remembered - Sarah’s Story - Issues 23-26
Read ‘Em ‘An Weep, The Infernal Triangle, Sins Remembered - Sarah’s Story (Parts 1-4)
After the events of Sins Past (Amazing Spider-Man #509-514) Sarah Osborn calls for Peter’s help after she tries to kill herself. Peter travels to Paris to see her and the two begin to build a very tense relationship. Sarah relies on drugs to keep her inner voices at bay and has to deal with Gabriel’s $1.5m debts and dealings with the French criminal underworld that puts her and Peter in danger. At Sarah flirts dangerously with Peter, MJ flies over and catches the two as she kisses him. MJ leaves and Sarah goes to a maddened Gabriel, who is hidden in the house. Sarah leaves for more drugs, Peter leaves to find Sarah and when MJ arrives to apologise she runs into Gabriel who, in his feverish state believes her to be Sarah. Peter goes to Interpol who figure out where she is. Peter rescues MJ from Gabriel (The Gray Goblin) but he escapes. Peter then stops Sarah before she kills someone and manages to get her a job working with Interpol. Rating – 2/5

Volume Six – The Final Curtain – Issues 21, 22, 27 and Peter Parker Spider-Man Issues 39-41
Read ‘Em ‘An Weep, The Infernal Triangle, The Final Curtain, Operation: Octopus, Codename: John Hancock and Mission: Uncomfortable
- Peter Parker joins in Ben Grimm’s super-hero poker night (with The FF, Black Cat, Angel and Doctor Strange). When the Kingpin joins and ups the pot, Spidey succeeds in beating him on the final hand and the money goes to charity.
- Mindworm used to be a formidable foe, but he now sits on a street corner alone and lost in his thoughts. His powers affect the whole area, but when Peter decides whether or not to do anything about him, his powers freak out and he is attacked by a gang. Even though Spidey intervenes, Mindworm is left in a vegetative state.
- Peter visits the grave of Uncle Ben and talks to him about his life with MJ, May and the memory of Gwen. Uncle Ben reaffirms Peter’s life as Spider-Man and tells him what his dreams are all about.
- This three-part story involves Fusion (a villain created by Jenkins) and the return of Doctor Octopus. Rating - 4½/5

Reviewed by Adam Rivett

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