Spider-Man General Discussion

Sorry to change the subject here, but I've been reading Essential Spider-Man volume 3 lately. Lee and Romita had some cool stories at the end of Volume 2 (Green Goblin, Rhino), but it wasn't as addicting as Lee and Ditko.

I gotta say that this volume wasn't doing much for me. Yeah, the first appearance of the Shocker was cool, and it's neat seeing Peter's relationships with Flash, Harry, Gwen and MJ develop. Also, the return of the Lizard (really liked how Spidey beat him there), Kraven, and a new Vulture.

But...the soap opera stuff wasn't really doing it for me. And while Romita's a great artist, I much preferred Ditko's moody, film noir style. Also, Stan's dialogue is some of the most cringe-worthy Totally Radical I've ever read.

...Then, I got to Amazing Spider-Man #50. The first appearance of the Kingpin, and Peter Parker realizing that he should give up being Spider-Man. Lots of angst and the gangster villains were a nice throwback to Ditko's stuff, and the story was incredibly well-executed (many scenes were placed almost word-for-word in the second movie). It was amazing. Loved every panel. And even the second part of the story, with Spidey and JJJ trapped in a flooding basement, and Patch's involvement was awesome! Definitely worthy of all the praise I've heard given to it.

Also, like the best Spider-Man stories, it was relatable. My grandmother (whom I live with) is currently in the hospital (like Aunt May was), and I've had a lot of stress in my life this month, part of relating to college work and my new-found love life (just like Peter Perker). This 44-year old comic rang true to me now. And was very inspiring.

So, Stan and John, sorry for doubting you. Definitely can't wait to read more.

edited 28th Nov '11 9:22:59 PM by DrFurball

Weird in a Can (updated M-F)

Got issue 675 of Amazing.

The ending of that Great Heights storyline sure came on fast. I thought that it was going to last longer. It could have lasted longer actually.

The ending was a little anticlimatic with Spidey just using magnetic webbing to stop the young Vultures before Vulture scarpers off. Why does he even have that webbing? And Carlie seems to figure out the solution fairly out of nowhere. But, y'know. Comics. The Vulture was pretty badass though.

And Carlie and Peter are appropriately awkward around each other. The bit in the morgue where he tries to guilt trip her especially.

Don't think I'm too fond of the art style though.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

Looking for comics online - can anyone tell me of issues and such from when Aunt May, Peter, and Mary Jane were moving into Avengers Tower, and/or issues with interactions between them all living together?

I've got The Other and Feral from when they were already living there, but I really want to get more of both that situation and when they were adapting to the idea.

"The difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy, paraphrasing Mark Twain.

I think its an interesting sort of twist. I don't think he's ever done it before but a man can't be hands on all the time. He's got to learn to delegate.

Vulture actuall used to be more of a hands-off figure. He was a mob boss in the 70's for instance.

"No, the Singularity will not happen. Computation is hard." -Happy Ent

Ah. I hadn't realized. The earliest chronological appearance I'm aware of was an untold tales of Spider-Man comic and he was rocking the green suit and causing problems for the webswinger.

So, less of a development and more of a return to form? Its still kind of an interesting twist since he hadn't been mob bossy for a while. Also, his black boss outfit looks kinda cool.

edited 24th Dec '11 7:51:15 AM by Bocaj

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

I really dug the latest issue staring the Sinister Six. Partially because this is a great line up for the Six and partially because it is kinda rare these days to pick up a single issue and have a whole story contained within.

Y'know what I really love about Spiderman comics? They do dramatic very well, they do action very well, and they do comedy very well, and segway between them beautifully. As a whole Spidey's comics are more lighthearted than some others, but not in a stereotypically lighthearted way. Sort of like that Peter tries to keep the world light to deal with his life, and that extends to the comic and the universe as a whole. Even when people are (brutally) murdered on or just off panel (which tends to happen), things never quite leave the hep aura the series as a whole always seems to have, but at the same time that nature of angst, danger and drama never leaves either.

It's something I really like about Straczynski's run, and a big reason I've gotten into Spiderman in general. Little bits, like Spidey contemplating his on-the-rocks marriage and sneaking a panel to nab some guy's popcorn. Or Spidey and Dr. Strange exchanging some priceless Casual Danger Dialogue every time they team up. And the plots - just the right mix between "out there" and somehow grounded as well.

Tough to describe, I guess.

But in short, this was all just filler so I could say I just read an issue where Spiderman and Loki chill on the top of a building at share some hot dogs, and it made my day. Gotta love it.

edited 25th Dec '11 1:02:08 AM by KnownUnknown

"The difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy, paraphrasing Mark Twain.

Absolutely. This is why I think Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's original run works so well. Ditko's plot and art is creepy, moody, and serious (think Film Noir), but Stan's dialogue and characterization lightens things up, striking a perfect balance. It's genius!

Weird in a Can (updated M-F)

Yeah, it looks like 2012 Spidey is really going somewhere, especially with the new Sinister Six. I like how effective it was at humanizing a good deal of the villains who are way too often just dumb muscle.

Slott gets a lot of crap but honestly I don't think there's anyone I'd rather have writing Spider-man.

Okay... maybe Mark Waid.

"Everyone wants an answer, don't they?... I hate things with answers." — Grant Morrison

There better be something really good coming up. I mean, it was an enjoyable enough issue but it felt like it was just establishing "guys this time the Sinister Six is really srs! Look how they beat those guys that killed those random fourth-string heroes!"

Also, what the hell happened to Doc Ock?*

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

Dude's dying from radiation poisoning. That costume is keeping him alive be threads.

In any case, I'd agree if villain-only intros were common in Spider-man except they're not and it's establishing them as characters rather than going 'look at how badass they are! Spidey sure is in trouble!'

"Everyone wants an answer, don't they?... I hate things with answers." — Grant Morrison

The final page where Ock said that they saved the world in 2011 so they could take it over in 2012 is what led me to my interpretation. We still got some nice humanizing/characterizing out of it so I'm not really complaining.

I liked Mysterio chilling with his Angry Birds. That was a nice touch.

And Sandman's interaction with the Wizard. I just bought and read two volumes of Essential Fantastic Four where they were always working together and Sandman had a terrible costume so that little acknowledgement really worked for me.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

Well that and Rhino's new darker turn, Electro generally being tired of being a small time crook and out to prove himself, and the Sandman trying to get his kid back and looking out for the other six. But yeah looking forward to whatever big thing they've been building up to for the past year or so.

Malk - and he's been dying from getting tossed around by superpowered folks over the years. As neat as his tentacles are, Doc Ock is really just a really smart guy at the end of the day.

Has the recent run on Daredevil been any good? I figure I might have to check it out since there is the upcoming Spider-man/Daredevil crossover.

edited 5th Jan '12 6:47:33 PM by Alkthash

Speaking of the Sinister Six, has anyone read Adam Troy-Castro's Sinister Six novels? They were pretty good.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

^HOLY SHIT. So I'm not the only one whose read those! :D They are fantastic; I've always wished Marvel had given Amazing to Troy-Castro. Anyway, it's nice to see Spidey's villains finally (apparently) hitting the big leagues; I'm very interested to see what they have in store for this year.

I'll turn your neocortex into a flowerpot!

-fistbunp-

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

<first reaction> Wait... Sandman has a kid now? Is it the kid from Reign? Tell me it's the kid from Reign.

<looks it up> Not the kid from Reign, but I still like what they're doing with Keemia.

edited 6th Jan '12 2:50:21 PM by KnownUnknown

"The difference between reality and fiction is that fiction has to make sense." - Tom Clancy, paraphrasing Mark Twain.

I also read the Sinister Six novels (well, the second and third ones, anyway). Really enjoyed them, despite never being a big fan of the "Peter's parents were spies" thing. Although the ending of the third book (with Pity joining up with Mystery Inc...Y'know, the main cast of Scooby Doo?) was a really big WTF moment for me. I had to dust the book off and reread the ending just to make sure I didn't misunderstand it.

Weird in a Can (updated M-F)

Yeah, that part was weird. I think it was supposed to just be a joke, like he needed some group to pick up Pity so decided to make a reference for fun.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

That said, Mystery Inc. going up against Mysterio could be awesome.

There's a boatload of in-jokes like that scattered throughout the books, though that one really threw me for a loop when I first read it.

I'll turn your neocortex into a flowerpot!

Off the top of my head, I also caught a Die Hard joke among others.

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

Wait, wait, wait; Mystery Inc. as in the group from Scooby-Doo?

I'm not sure how to react to this.

You are not alone, and you are not strange. You are you, and everyone has damage. Be the better person.

Run out and read the book?

Forever liveblogging the Avengers

Yeah, do that. Aside from the ending and the fact that Peter's parents were spies playing a part in the story, the books are a really good read.

Weird in a Can (updated M-F)