Ultimate Spider-Man Vol. 2: Learning Curve

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

Spider-Man learns that he can get paid for taking photos of himself, and decides that the Kingpin is not a nice man. Perhaps confusing himself with Daredevil he decides it is more damaging if he can get information on him doing some crime, rather than just beating him up.

Also decides to come out to his would-be girlfriend.

real good spidey book.......2007-01-23

1. i don't like the ultimate universe idea at all. i dislike the infinite earths dc junk also. when you have iconic characters i don't think it's good to confuse the average non-comics fan (or even the average comics fan) with earth-2 superman, superboy prime, ultimates nick fury, etc. they water down the legacy and the impact of the great classic storylines and characters.
2. despite the above, this is a pretty nice comics collection. it's a good read, but just don't confuse the alternative ultimate universe with the real 616 universe.
ultimate spidey 1 was just like the first spider-man movie for the most part. this one is the rise of spider-man as a super-hero, getting acquainted with his powers and whatnot, and he faces off against the kingpin.

Spider-Man: Year One.......2006-07-08

In the wake of the radioactive spider bite that turned a geeky High School student named Peter Parker into a would-be superhero, the murder of his Uncle Ben, and Spider-Man's previous battle with evil businessman Norman Osborne (the "Green Goblin"), Peter now finds himself supporting his widowed Aunt May by taking up a job selling photographs to the Daily Bugle's grouchy chief editor, J. Jonah Jameson, with Uncle Ben dead. Having barley survived the attack by the Goblin, Spider-Man explores the more urban side of evil by infiltrating New York City's underworld, and it's large, muscle-bound boss Wilson Fisk, the ruthless Kingpin, whom the man who shot Uncle Ben had ties to.

As Frank Miller captured the essence of an amateur, inexperienced would-be hero in "Batman: Year One," BMB does the same to Spider-Man as the "Ultimate Spider-Man" saga continues. Here, Peter is still getting used to properly using his powers to do good and learns there is more to crime fighting than just swinging fists. In addition to getting his butt kicked by new bad guys, Spidey also has deal with cranky J. J. Jameson slandering his already bad name with false headlines. The unique thing about Spider-Man is he was always considered a criminal by the same general public he protects than a hero--unlike Superman or, to smaller extent, Batman. If you ever doubted superhero comics would ever pass the test of time, "Ultimate Spider-Man" is enough to convince newcomers to the genre. Keep working your way up the line, true-believers and newcomers alike, because in the next volume, Spidey locks horns with Doctor Octopus and Kraven the Hunter!

People have lost their MINDS!.......2005-09-24

I'm not Bendis-bashing. I like most of the guy's work. But this series is flat, campy (not in a fun way), and just all around poorly-written. I still can't figure out why everyone's going crazy over this book. The artwork is nice, if you like your Peter Parker looking like an anime character with a butt-cut.

I simply felt saturated with placated coolness while reading this. It's MTV and Disney Channel after-school sitcoms. It's those stores in the mall that play their music way too loud and only sell offensive t-shirts and stickers.

No, I'm not a geezer, but I'm getting this crap crammed down my throat in all other arenas of life. I'm not looking for it in my Spider-man. Like it or not, Peter Parker IS a dork. He doesn't dress like the other kids, he doesn't talk like the other kids. He doesn't get Mary Jane on his first try.

I haven't read the newer volumes in this line, but if it tells you anything, Bendis is writing like 4,000 books simulatneously. And as good as his other works are, that could only mean that he's writing this line in the ten minutes at night before he goes to bed.

Even better than vol. 1.......2005-07-13

This review refers to Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 2 Paperback edition, Learning Curve:

Bendis and Bagley proved they could do Spider-Man fans proud with their first volume, Power and Responsiblity. Now, Learning Curve grows and matures. This volume sees Peter gaining his job at the Bugle and battleing the Kingpin, who provides the plot for most of this book. It also conatins great chariterization moments for Parker, when he realizes that his being Spider-Man could potenitally harm the ones he loves.

Bendis's scripting is as delicious as ever, and in this edition he's grown into the chaacters. He's obviously more comfortable with the title than he was in the previous graphic. His sceen with Aunt May trying to talk to Peter about sex is worth buying the book for, alone.

Bagley's pencil work is still as fluid and flowing as before. It's a little rougher than I perfer in some places but it is still far ahead of most artists in the industry.

This is a great graphic for Spider-Man fans, young and old. Nothing in here should offend young readers, and it's enjoyable for all age levels. Highly recommended for young and old readers alike.

Spider-Man Legends Volume 2: Todd McFarlane Book 2 TPB (Marvel Legends)

Average customer rating:

Graphic SF Reader
Ideal for new Spider-Man readers

Spider-Man Legends Volume 2: Todd McFarlane Book 2 TPB (Marvel Legends)
David Michelinie
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785110372

Customer Reviews:

Graphic SF Reader.......2007-09-03

I was never a fan of McFarlane's art, or much of a Spider-Man reader, but he does go in for the more 'realistic' style of woman, maybe borrowing from some of the earlier X-types at the time.

Padded, these issues aren't, bad guys and action galore.

Some funny bits too: The Scorpion has a hostage, and makes Spider-Man get him a pizza!

Spider-Man takes a job from Silver Sable for cash, and wears a dinner suit over his costume while guarding royalty of one of those tiny comicbookland countries.

Ideal for new Spider-Man readers.......2004-06-18

In the late-80's, writer David Michelinie, known for his work on Iron Man, and super hot upcoming artist Todd McFarlane teamed up to work on a comicbook. Not any comicbook - Marvel's number one title, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Personally I'm very fond of this era. The stories are somewhat simpler and more straight forward than most of the 80's ones had been. They are more lighthearted, there's more humour (usually in the form of Peter being in an embarassing situation) and MacFarlane's art is of course, love it or hate it.

But I think it's an underated era. Michelinie's story style and writing is pitch perfect for McFarlane's art. Todd's caricature-like characters are given the proper note of humour, and Michelinie captures Spidey's self-depretiating, 'what-now?' attitude very well. I actually think Michelinie defined the character of Spidey somewhat for the 1990's.

Their stories are very readable and appealing, and IMO great to look at. The highlight of their run was of course the introduction of Venom, and they had a number of other noteworthy contributions. The first, and only proper Hogboblin vs Green Goblin (which was mediocre but atleast they did it), the creation of creepy Styx and Stone, Jonathan Ceasar kidnapping MJ and holding her prisoner only a few rooms away from her's and Peter's apartment. They also had Peter publish his Webs photography book, revamped the Prowler (very Spawn-esque), and had Spidey punch the Hulk....into space.

I think Michelinie/McFarlane's run was a perfect late-80's version of the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko stories. Michelinie writes the same well-paced, good humoured, traditional style stories as Lee, yet more streamlined and somewhat lighter. McFarlane has all the offbeat weirdness of Ditko, and is not afraid to make Spidey look weird and freakish.

If you are new to the Spider-Man comics after seeing the movies, this is the perfect volume to get into the series. Knowledge of the films is enough to understand these stories. The artwork is colourful and appealing, and you'll get to see the work of the most succesful and controversial comicbook artist of all-time. The stories are fun, full of action and of course, full of supervillains. You really can't go wrong.

Book Description

As the groundbreaking events of Civil War erupt across the Marvel Universe, the shockwaves are being felt everywhere! The consequences of Spider-Man's allegiances have culminated in the ultimate showdown... with Flash Thompson!? Plus: the shocking return of Mysterio! Collects Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11-16.

Average customer rating:

Essential is right!
an enjoyable trip down memory lane......
Spidey Rawks!
Companion piece for this great graphic novel
up up and a way

Essential Spider-Man Vol. 2
Stan Lee , Steve Ditko , and John Romita Sr.
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785109897

Book Description

Collecting Amazing Spider-Man #21-43; Annual #2, and 3.

Customer Reviews:

Essential is right!.......2006-04-05

Essential is right. This is 20 plus issues from the early days of Peter Parker's adventures as Spider-Man and some of the best. The storytelling by Stan Lee, the art by Steve Ditko...it's all here and it's all great. Memorable villians, fun stories, great artwork. This is a must-read for any Spidey-fan. I had a great time reliving old memories of the days I read these as re-prints in Marvel Tales.

an enjoyable trip down memory lane.............2005-10-27

I purchased this as a present for my grandson and ended up reading and enjoying it myself. This book brought back many childhood memories for me of carefree afternoons of reading adventures and comic book swapping with friends.
What a great and inexpensive way to regain your old comic book collection. I thought the black and white illistrations might take something away but it really doesn't. This is the second book in the series that I have purchased and would difinately recommend it to anyone looking for some nostalgia.

Spidey Rawks!.......2004-08-21

Stan Lee's, Steve Ditko's, and John Romita's "Essential Spider-Man, Vol. 2" is an awesome graphic novel of Spider-Man's original comic book series! This volume contains the exciting issues #21-43 and Annuals #2 & 3! This book introduces lots of new changes for Peter Parker. His love for Betty Brant changes to Gwen Stacy and Mary Jane Watson. It also brings lots of different villains to light for Spidey to battle, like:

- The Beetle
- The Clown, and his Masters of Menace
- The Green Goblin
- Mysterio
- The Crime-Master
- The Molten Man
- Xandu
- The Scorpian
- The Cat
- Kraven the Hunter
- Doc Ock
- The Looter
- The Rampaging Robots of Dr. Stromm
- The Rhino

What's really cool about this book is when you read the 3-part series of Spider-Man battling Doc Ock for the very life of his Aunt May, and when Spidey and the Green Goblin are both unmasked to each other! Another cool thing is the guest-appearances of The Human Torch, Dr. Strange, The Hulk, and the Avengers!

Even though the pages are all in black and white, I was still able to greatly appreciate Steve Ditko's and John Romita's art of drawing Spider-Man and his villains. I sped through this novel faster than I thought, wishing it wouldn't end! If you're a fan of Spider-Man, you'll love this great volume!

Companion piece for this great graphic novel.......2004-03-16

As great as this graphic novel was by itself, I know of one helluva great companion piece in the form of a book entitled "The Adventures of Darkeye: Cyber Hunter" whose odd manner of having log-entries over chapters seems almost like the script for a graphic novel, even though it is in the science fiction/high-tech and cyberpunk genre along with books like "Cryptonomicon", "Snow Crash", "Prey", and "Altered Carbon". Very fast-paced and visual as well as being very exciting due to its action-packed pages.

up up and a way.......2003-08-28

It is no secret that Peter Parker is one of the best created characters in marvel histroy and he comes with a bounus a little nerdy kid has all the perks of a spider and none of the nasty qualities, or does he? the second eidition gets you closer to the characters and enters romatia who became the greatest spider man artist of all time, great book

Average customer rating:

something for relax
Marvel Vs. Reality
Impressive, read them all
The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2: Revelations (2002)
My favorite Spidey

Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2: Revelations
J. Michael Straczynski
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785108777

Customer Reviews:

something for relax .......2006-11-04

it's a story without violence tha start very slow but at the end you wanna keep reading it's diferent.
ok it's not the master pice but in these days you can`t ask for more hahaha for me it's ok.

Marvel Vs. Reality.......2006-07-05

When it comes to comic books, Marvel has the little breathes of reality that gives the reader a feeling that a world with superheroes would be like this. Unlike DC and other complete escapism comics, Marvel touches the soul of the hero. Heroes fail. Normally, they fail in more ways than one. Spider-Man lost the love of his life when he could not save Gwen Stacy.The X-Men are hated and hunted down just because they exist. This is what makes Marvel unique. The "What If" of our world reflected in their world. When 9/11 happened, Marvel had to incorperate it into their universe. New York is the base of many of Marvel's superhero and to just act as 9/11 never happened would be Marvel's lose of their uniqueness. In fact, it would have been an insult to those who suffered in 9/11. Marvel could have had a Superman-like character save the Twin Towers, but it would not ring true. Like everyday people, heroes fail, but like everyday people, they help where they can. In Marvel's interpetetion of 9/11, the heroes were all those who tried to help. Many of those heroes are those who really did save the day. To the Everyday Heroes and to America, the Marvel Universe feels the pain and fights to protect all freedom, even if they cannot save us in this reality, their fight lives within us all.

Impressive, read them all.......2006-06-12

Through reading these and other recent Spider-Man books (25 issues worth) one thing comes to mind: even through bad stories, Spider-Man is still the man. It may be controversial but I like the idea of Ezekiel, Morlun, the Spider totem, all of it. Spider-Man has to be changed up every once in awhile and this is a much better way to do it then killing people off, or a new costume. As Straczynski's run goes on he shows a new side to Spider-Man/Peter Parker, MJ, Aunt May, even Uncle Ben. Spider-Man is firmly in the Marvel Universe in this series, with random comings and goings from other heroes. On the other hand, Peter Parker is firmly in the real world during this run. Peter Parker in college has been tried before, but Peter Parker (as an adult of course) in high school? Well, that's different and incredibly entertaining. The new villains are memorable and the older cast reminds you why you loved them to begin with.

The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2: Revelations (2002).......2005-08-14

This volume begins with a 9/11 tribute that, while touching, seemed really out-of-place. If the sad truth is that comic book heroes aren't real and therefore can't actually save the world, then they don't belong in such serious situations in the first place. I do respect Straczynski taking a creative risk, but this was going a bit too far. Just one panel with Captain America silently standing helpless would've communicated the same message far more powerfully.

Other than that, this volume manages to be as compelling as the last. Aunt May, after collecting her thoughts, confronts her nephew about his true identity. When Peter admits that he could've saved Uncle Ben if not for his selfishness, he finally receives the forgiveness he's always wanted but has never been able to ask for. Sentimental stuff, and an interesting new direction for the Spidey mythos.

My favorite Spidey.......2004-11-30

I was in New York in 9/11. I was in the WTC on September 8th; I was buying a book from the book store that used to be in the mall. I, like millions of other Americans, feel very close to the events that took place that day. I tear up whenever I hear Tori Amos' "I Can't See New York." And I cried when I read this piece.

I am a big fan of Straczynski. I love Babylon 5, I think "Rising Stars" is brilliant, and I think his work on Spiderman is breathing fresh life into an old book about a teenager who in the wrong hands would have aged without grace. I think the "Happy Birthday" TPB is very, very good. But this is better. The single word, "God..." over a stunning rendering wide shot of the tragedy by John Romita, Jr. catches in your throat, and the rest of Peter's interior monologue is equally appropriate. Captain America's sadness, Magneto's willingness to help, and the respect paid to the firefighters are among the many highpoints of this unique issue.

Now, everyone has talked about how good this issue is, and I've just echoed that, but I would also like to point out how note-perfect the rest of the TPB is. The actual arc of this book is about how Aunt May finally finds out that her Peter is the reviled Spiderman, and how she comes to terms with that.

There are some comically beautiful moments, like when Peter is trying to figure out why Aunt May sounds so upset (he thinks maybe she's dying), and when Aunt May says she is relieved to find out that Peter isn't gay.

JMS also needs some props for writing Aunt May so well. There's a very touching scene, where Peter admits that he could have saved Uncle Ben, and Aunt May forgives him. This scene was sort of in the movie (#2), but it works so much better in this book. In the movie, Aunt May gets mad, but you get the feeling that she's wrong -- she shouldn't be mad at him because scrawny Peter, as she knows him, couldn't conceivably stop a full grown man (a criminal!). In the book, she knows he is a superhero and she knows he could have, SHOULD have, done something, but because she is a wise and loving person, a traditional grand dame from the greatest generation, she gives him the forgiveness he has always wanted but has never been able to ask for.

In short, any self-respecting Spidey fan should own this book.

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Go Spidey!
If you're a Spider-Man fan, you MUST purchase this!
Ugh! Bad Colors, bad!
The genius of Steve Ditko
Lee and Ditko make Spider-Man's life much more complicated

Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2
Stan Lee , and Steve Ditko
Manufacturer: Marvel Entertainment Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785112642

Customer Reviews:

Go Spidey!.......2007-06-04

I buy these books for my husband. He loves them! They feature full color glossy pages. Nice hard cover books with colorful dustjackets. They are a wonderful way to "collect" these earlier comics without the heafty price tag. They look great on the bookshelf! Nothing messy like loose (yet valuable) comics. I don't know if these will ever become collectors, but if you want them for the joy of the story & the artwork, you certainly wont be dissapointed stepping back in comic time.

If you're a Spider-Man fan, you MUST purchase this!.......2005-08-10

Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man.

INTRODUCTION:
Circa 1962, comic book artist Stan Lee's publication Amazing Fantasy was not selling as well as he had hoped, and following its twelfth issue, it would be discontinued. In volume twelve, Lee introduced Spider-Man, a super hero who broke all the rules of super hero comics. Everyone ridiculed Lee's idea, saying he shouldn't create a teenage super hero who had to deal with everyday problems, and have a questionable reputation. Since Amazing Fantasy was going under anyway, Lee went against everyone else's views and featured the character in there. The result was NOT what any of those critics would have expected. The story did so well and got so much good feedback that Lee put Spider-Man in his own comic series! Over the years there have been a ton of Spider-Man comics, and needless to say, tracking down the older ones has become a difficult task. Not to worry. The Marvel Masterworks collection has taken several of the company's classic franchises, and rereleased the comics as "multi-pack" collections, reprinted in large books. So, how do these old stories measure up? Read on for my review.

OVERVIEW:
If you don't know the story behind Spider-Man, you've probably been living under a rock your whole life. But for those of you who don't know it for some strange reason, here it is (I'm not going to give summaries for the individual stories listed in this volume, the other reviewers have already done plenty of that.) Peter Parker was a typical nerdy teenager who was always an outcast in his school. But one day, he paid a visit to a laboratory and got bitten by a radioactive spider. Rather than killing him or giving him radiation poisoning, this spider's bite gave him extraordinary powers! He became stronger, faster, and much more agile than any human being. As he used his powers to gain some fame and quick cash, he let a robber escape from one of the venues, feeling that stopping this robber was not his problem. And then, one night, he arrived home to make a startling discovery - there had been an intrusion, and his Uncle Ben had been murdered. When Peter confronted his uncle's killer, he made a painful discovery - it was the same man he let go from his perfomance venue not long ago! This caused him to realize the depth of what his uncle once told him - With great power, comes great responsibility. And thus, he took up crimefighting, battling villains like the master-of-disguise Chameleon, the mad scientist Dr. Octopus, the flying menace known as the Vulture, and many others. With a colorful cast of heroes and villains alike, the series has remained conistently popular long after its 1962 conception.

REVIEW:
These stores are awesome, and it's great to get so many of them in one quick and convenient place. I'm sure plenty of fans were getting sick and tired of having to hunt down and buy these comics at radically-inflated prices. Each story is reprinted extremely well, and you get the cover for every book featured. Initially these Marvel Masterworks books were released in hardcover and rather expensive, but they've since gotten the paperback cover treatment, and are now considerably more affordable and accessable. Despite their age, these stories are still extremely entertaining. Some of the stories do seem a bit dated, but in my opinion, this just makes them more enjoyable. If you're a Spider-Man fan, you MUST read the comics that started it all, and ultimately made this franchise so successful. So what are you waiting for? With the release of these Marvel Masterworks books, you've no longer got any excuse for not checking the stories out!

EDITION NOTES:
There are only two versions of this collection that I am aware of - Hardcover and paperback. Rather obviously, I recommend getting the paperback edition since it is considerably less expensive that its hardcover counterpart.

OVERALL:
The only thing that there is really left to say is that this is a great collection. It's great to have these stories back in print, and all in one convenient location. With roughly ten comics in every collection, the Marvel Masterworks Spider-Man series is strongly recommended. If you're a fan of Spider-Man and you don't own this yet, do yourself a favor and add it to your collection. No fan should be without these classic stories.

Ugh! Bad Colors, bad!.......2003-12-26

Surely this is an important historical volume, along with the others comprising the first 100 issues of Spider-Man.

But the restoration is suspect. Especially BAD is the coloring job. It's not just that the different technology creates more-saturated colors; it's that the new colorists changed the colors. Sometimes they think they are "improving" upon the original, by using colors that blend subtly, and using more tones than were available to Marie Severin and the original Marvel colorists. But these effects put Steve Ditko's linework at a disadvantage: Ditko is well-known as a fastidious, thoughtful artist, and his line work in his Marvel era usually was done with the colors in mind. The very subtlety of the modern color work makes the linework here seem crude by comparison, which is certainly NOT the case in the original printing process.

It gets worse: the colorists here did a bad job. A brunette shows up as a redhead in a page or two, and she's a major character. A villain is colored as though his bare hands were gloves. And so on.

"The Essential Spider-Man" volumes, much cheaper, are in black and white, and do not contain these ugly, ill-chosen colors.

The genius of Steve Ditko.......2003-06-22

Stan Lee once described Steve Ditko as "the most unique genius".As a long time fan of Spiderman,(and everything else illustrated by Steve Ditko),I feel those words describe the man to a T. While I would not deny the quality of the artwork of all the other comic book artists that have tried their hand at drawing Spiderman,in particular,Frank Miller,the hand of Steve Ditko made us all believe that Peter Parker really was the SPIDER MAN.(with the emphasis on both words).

Lee and Ditko make Spider-Man's life much more complicated.......2003-04-14

The second ten issues collected in "Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2" are better than the first ten issues collected in Volume 1. Of course, you cannot appreciate the second ten issues without having read the first ten issues, so do not think that you should begin your appreciation of Spider-Man with this second volume. Unlike the "Essential Spider-Man, Volume 1," which combines all of the aforementioned comic book stories in a single volume, these reprints are in color. Either way one of the things that stands out in these issues is the outstanding artwork of Steve Ditko. I was never really a fan of the way Ditko drew people, but his compositional skills are absolutely first rate.

In these ten issues Stan Lee and Ditko consistently work in all of the familiar elements that made Spider-Man the most popular comic book superhero of the 1960s. Peter Parker loves Betty Bryant, but when her brother is shot during a fight she ends up blaming Spider-Man (#11), showing that when it comes to the romance department our hero rarely has any good luck. To add to his troubles Spider-Man is "Unmasked by Dr. Octopus" (#12), has to tangle with both the Green Goblin and the Incredible Hulk (#14), teams up with Daredevil to battle the Ringmaster (#16), has to deal with a supervillain created specifically by J. Jonah Jameson ("The Coming of the Scorpion," #20), has to worry about poor old frail Aunt May (#17), and even ends up seeing a psychiatrist because Mysterio is driving him crazy (#13). For Spider-Man, being a superhero is not all it is cracked up to be.

One of the improvements in this second collection is that we are dealing with the best of Spider-Man's villains: Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, and the Scorpion, with Dr. Octopus and the Green Goblin appearing in two issues apiece. This is a big improvement over the Terrible Tinkerer and crossover bad guys like Dr. Doom. Stan Lee is writing better stories about both Spider-Man and his secret identity, creating a situation that is more and more complex. The predictability of these stories is getting less and less as Lee goes out of his way to keep taking things in new directions. But keep in mind: this is not the best of ýThe Amazing Spider-Maný by Lee and Ditko; that is yet to come (that would be the Master Planner/Doctor Octopus trilogy in issues #31-33, which means you have to wait for Masterworks Volume 4).

Average customer rating:

everything was fine

The Ultimate Spider-Man takes on Doc Ock, Kraven and the Green Goblin

In the modern era, Spidey is still the best!

Inspired stuff

The Ultimate Collection

Ultimate Spider-Man, Vol. 2
Brian Michael Bendis
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785110615

Customer Reviews:

everything was fine.......2006-08-24

Except that I had asked for vol. 3 the same day, and still have not it yet...

The Ultimate Spider-Man takes on Doc Ock, Kraven and the Green Goblin.......2003-11-05

This second volume in the hardcover collection of "The Ultimate Spider-Man" brings together the third and fourth trade paper back collections, or, if you go back to the originals, issues 14-26 of the comic book. First up is "Double Trouble" (14-21). Just when I thought the game plan with regards to the love life of his alter-ego Peter Parker was to go directly to Mary Jane Watson, passing Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy, when scribe Brian Michael Bendis drops the latter into the action. This version of Gwen is big on the mascara and perfectly willing to pull a switchblade on a bully, both of which are completely valid reasons for Peter to have his eyes pop out of his head when he looks at her. Not even her police Captain father can reign in this blonde tornado.

At this point in the comic book the stage is merely being set for the impending love triangle, but I have to tell you that what is happening here is clearly a take off on "Dawson's Creek." Seriously. Peter is Dawson, Mary Jane is Joey, and Gwen is Jen (No, Flash is not Pacey; Kong is closer to being Pacey than Flash, but Peter Parker does not have a friend, which means Harry is not Pacey either). This should prove to be interesting, especially given that Mary Jane already know's Peter's big secret. But at this point the main problem is that Aunt May has an over inflated opinion about her nephew's love life. Yes, things might actually be worse for our hero this time around.

The title of "Double Trouble" has to do with the fact that Spider-Man has not one but two villains after him (I was going to say two super villains, but that would not be the case). The new and improved bad guys this time around are Doctor Octopus, who has come out of his coma to discover his tentacles are fused to his skin, and Kraven the Hunter, who is now a reality television star from Down Under. Clearly, the more you know about the original Spider-Man comics and his various foes the more you will enjoy Bendis's refinements and provocative changes. At the end of this collection Spider-Man enjoys his biggest moment in the sun since the spider bit him, which quickly follows with a particularly low moment for Peter. Even when we think we know the rules of the game, Brian Michael Bendis continues to surprise us.

"Legacy" (#22-26) and continues the "re-imagining" of the character, this time with the new and evolved Green Goblin and the question of Peter Parker's secret identity. It is the latter that is becoming one of the defining features of "Ultimate Spider-Man." The recreation of the Green Goblin in the mode of the Hulk makes sense to me; I always had a bit of a problem with the idea that insanity and a costume could allow the Goblin to slug it out toe-to-toe with Spidey (note the armor upgrade of the Goblin's costume in the blockbuster film version). But even more impressive is the way Bendis reworks the whole secret identity issue between the two; a lot of super villains have found out the secret identity of their arch enemy, which almost always involves an attempt to kill the superhero in question. However, the Goblin has a different plan, of sorts, for Peter. At the end of "Double Trouble," the Volume 3 collection, Spider-Man actually enjoyed a moment of glory. Of course it is all going to get dashed big time in this collection.

As is the case with the previous collections, "Legacy" plays off of our knowledge of what happened in the first ten years or so of "The Amazing Spider-Man." The result is what might be the biggest shock he is ever going to throw our way and if you every think Bendis has gone too far this may well be the point. While your jaw is dropping at that point do not neglect to pay attention to the double look at a pivotal conversation between Spider-Man and the Green Golbin that Bendis creates; that was a nice little replay he threw into the mix.

Mark Bagley continues to provide the distinctive pencils for the series with Art Thibert's inks (sometime aided by Erik Benson); hopefully this partnership with last longer than the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko partnership. For those of us who have a comprehensive understanding of the Spider-Man mythos it is impossible for "Ultimate Spider-Man" to really stand on its own terms because we can also see the additions, deletions, and alterations. But if your familiarity of the good old days comes mainly from the movie, then I can certainly see where you could enjoy this all at face value.

At this point in the series Peter has told Mary Jane Watson that he is Spider-Man, but Norman Osborn knows the big secret, the Kingpin and Electro have seen Spider-Man unmasked, and Doctor Octopus is mumbling Peter Parker's name in his unconscious state. In "Legacy" we discover that somebody else knows the secret as well and that this has some rather significant implications for our hero when he turns eighteen (Peter is still about sixteen at this point). One thing you have to say for the story Bendis is spinning here is that he is always on the edge in terms of his re-imaginings. You might accuse him of going too far, but you cannot dismiss this series as a pedestrian reinterpretation of the Spider-Man saga. To date, I like it a lot.

In the modern era, Spidey is still the best!.......2003-10-20

Having been a huge fan of Amazing Spider-man since the age of 6, (1967 and still read it today!) I wasn't sure about the Ultimate series. I was pleasantly surprised! The story of Peter and his alter-ego has never been better. The artwork is outstanding. The stories stay true to the spirit of Spidey and still adapt it to the modern world that teens reside in today. It may sound incredibly strange, but Spider-man was the hero and inspiration that got me through the tough high school years. If I was a teen today, Ultimate Spider-man would provide the same service. This is a must for any true Spidey fan.

Inspired stuff.......2003-08-19

When I decided to pick up the Ultimate Spider Man compilations, I did so with reservations. So many friends had praised the book, but it was hard to believe the old, tested Peter Parker could be modernized in an effective, refreshing way.

Leave it up to writer Bendis...the guy can do no wrong.

This is a spectacular (no pun intended) update on a classic hero and worth every penny. A great book for old fans and new readers, who will both be absorbed after few pages. Good stuff.

The Ultimate Collection.......2003-03-11

This book showcases 14-27 and has spideys battle with Doc Ock(my favorite villan,kraven the hunter(if your a fan of his beware). It shows a sneak peek of ultimate sandman.Then there is the return of the green goblin and a great fight that includes nick fury and a history of Osborn. when gobby throughs M.J over the bridge you think its Gwen stacy all over again. Buy this book.

Spider-Man 2(tm): The Game Official Strategy Guide

Average customer rating:

Helpful, but could have been better
Great and Very Helpful Guide.
This guide is a must if you want to master this game.

Spider-Man 2(tm): The Game Official Strategy Guide
Doug Walsh
Manufacturer: BRADY GAMES
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0744003938

Book Description

Part of BradyGames' Signature Series, this essential guide combines compelling features with exclusive content to provide the ultimate Spider-Man 2 experience. The Spider-Man 2: The Game Official Strategy Guide provides indispensable features including: a highly detailed New York City map, to help players navigate through the game's incredibly immersive world, a comprehensive walkthrough for every Story Mission, expert boss tactics, and intriguing character bios.

In addition, this collectible resource contains bonus coverage of every voluntary mission, a mini-walkthrough of Spider-Man 2: The Game for the PC, tips to thwart every petty crime, and much more! Plus, an exclusive two-sided poster featuring gripping Spider-Man art and a complete city map, is also included in the guide.

This product is available for sale worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

Helpful, but could have been better.......2006-03-20

Excellent guide. No question. The only flaw (reason for 4 stars and not 5) is the secret tokens. The guide writer isn't very specific on the token locations. (I.E. behind the building by the trash can).....Where? There are SEVERAL of those locations. Other than that, very helpful on the challenges (tells you tips on how to improve) and missions. a Good buy (not excellent because of the secret token descriptions)

Great and Very Helpful Guide........2004-08-14

This Guide is very helpful to a person who is bad at games. It does a step-by-step walkthrough of the game. Has a poster of the game, and map that tells were each tokens and markers are! If you are stuck on this game, get this guide. You will be further in the game before you know it. Only covers PS2, XBox and GameCube.

This guide is a must if you want to master this game........2004-08-04

This guide like many is unnecessary for this game, but it is extremely helpful if you want to master everything in it. The maps are extremely helpful and help keep you oriented on your track across New York. Boss strategies are nicely detailed for those challenged by them. Every time challenge, pizza mission, and Mary Jane mission are detailed in the book to help you get your tasks done without trouble shooting yourself for hours. This is a nice strategy guide and it's well organized. Bradygames does another good job. If you'd like help mastering the game this works as an excellant guide to keep you from having to run back and forth online for information and the pictures go a long way to helping you in your tasks. Online text guides can be a bit confusing.

Marvel Knights Spider-Man Vol. 2: Venomous

Average customer rating:

This is the sequel?
Venom is back!
Venom....oh wait, this isn't Venom, this is A FAKE
JJJ offers $5 million for Spider-Man's secret identity
Millar is still amazing

Marvel Knights Spider-Man Vol. 2: Venomous
Mark Millar , Terry Dodson , and Frank Cho
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785116753

Book Description

As Spider-Man continues to search for Aunt May, things go from bad to worse for the wall-crawler! Everyone's favorite symbiote, Venom, is back - as only Millar and Dodson could envision him. Hold on to your spit, there's a beatdown coming for at least one guy with a spider on his chest! Featuring Black Cat, Venom, Doctor Octopus, and the X-Men.

Customer Reviews:

This is the sequel?.......2007-01-12

This story did not seem realistic to me, there were too many things in it that I could not believe would ever happen. While the artwork was good, I didn't like the way Venom was designed. For the most part it didn't feel like it belonged in the whole May being captured saga, but many graphic novel trilogies seem to do that.
As a side note, if Spiderman's so hated by the general public, where do these people get all the Spidey outfits from?

Venom is back!.......2005-11-21

The cool thing about Mark Millar is that he never gives you the same old thing the same way as everyone else has. In The Ultimates he gave us the Avengers, different and flawed. In Wanted, he gave us a group of super-villians, at war with each other. And in the second volume of Marvel Knights Spiderman, he gives us Venom. But this is a Venom that's vastly different and flawed and amazing.

Millar just keeps the story flowing and really knows how to knock your socks off.

Trust in Millar and all will be well.

Venom....oh wait, this isn't Venom, this is A FAKE.......2005-08-02

I am a HUGE venom fan. I have a shelf of nothing but venom comics. I have Venom Action Figures, Shirts, heck I even have a Mask of him!!!!!

So when I saw this storyline I was excited. However, the very first thing that turned me away was the artwork. I don't like the new way Venom is drawn, so that's not appealing. He just doesn't....feel right this way.

Next is the storyline. The REAL Venom, with the symbiote/eddie brock is no more. That right there is also another turn off for the story. When I say "VENOM" I mean Eddie Brock and the Venom Symbiote, not somebody else and the symbiote. Eddie/Venom just have one of the coolest combined minds ever, and they're so much fun to watch in action they way they act together.

Personally, the storyline, art, and characters I thought were all bad. The REAL Venom's gone, and I didn't enjoy watching him leave. 1 Star, and that's being GENEROUS.

JJJ offers $5 million for Spider-Man's secret identity.......2005-04-17

With the success of the "Spider-Man" movies there has been a marked increase in the number of Marvel comic books featuring the web-head. From "The Amazing Spider-Man" and "The Spectacular Spider-Man" in the main time stream and "Ultimate Spider-Man" going back to the beginning to start anew, we then had "Marvel Age Spider-Man" retelling the original Stan Lee & Steve Ditko stories, with "Marvel Knights Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man Unlimited" doubling the contemporary adventures of our hero. Now we can throw in "Marvel Adventures Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man/Human Torch," and that is without getting into all the mini-series, guest appearances, and team appearances. Although the artwork is not the most compelling I have seen, it is Mark Millar's writing on "Marvel Knights Spider-Man" that stands out among the new crop.

"Venomous" presents issues #5-8 for the second volume of the "Marvel Knights Spider-Man" trade paperback collections. The problem is that Aunt May is missing having been kidnapped by an old foe who has learned Spider-Man's secret identity and is out to get him and get him good. Following a wild goose chase engineered by the Owl that had him tangling with both the Vulture and Electro, Spider-Man ended up in the hospital where a picture of him with the lower half of his face exposed by his tattered mask is on the front page of the "Daily Bugle." Smelling blood in the water, J. Jonah Jameson is offering $5 million to anyone who identifies the man in the picture and reveals Spider-Man's secret identity. The Black Cat is helping Spider-Man, but Mary Jane does not like the Felicity Hardy hanging around her husband.

As you can tell from the title Venom is going to show up in this one, but first Spider-Man has to tangle with a drug-addled Doctor Octopus, a NYPD SWAT team, and Norman Osborn. This requires a visit to the Xavier Institute for some psychic help in finding Aunt May, but the news is not good. Add to that the Parkers's money problems and the fact that somebody is experimenting on his old foes, Spider-Man is about ready to crack (and this is before Venom actually shows up). Fortunately a coffee break can help clear the webs, but the next thing you know Peter Parker's old classmates are trying to give him a wedgie at his high school reunion and then things get really bad.

Millar and artists Frank Cho and Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson are heaping a lot of bad times on Spider-Man but in an intricately structured way. Consequently, things do not start spiraling out of controlling but just keep pilling on Spider-Man. Aunt May's fate still being on the back burner is the only significant weakness, because he really would crack under all that pressure by the time we get to the end of this four-part story. But overall "Venomous" delivers a nice on-going nightmare for the web-head and a solid story. Plus, there is a nice punch-line as Peter Parker comes up with a way to get JJJ off of Spider-Man's back. Okay, it would not really work once JJJ stops to think about it, but it is still a nice little joke.

Millar is still amazing.......2004-11-16

Collecting the four part storyarc, Venomous continues Mark Millar's run on the newly launched Marvel Knights Spider-Man, but for those looking for some sort of closure after the cliffhanger ending of the first storyarc (Down Among the Dead Men), you're going to be left hanging again. Picking up right after the end of the first arc, Peter Parker finds that a million dollar reward has been offered by J. Jonah Jameson to anyone who reveals the identity of Spider-Man. As if that weren't enough, Aunt May is still missing, and after paying a visit to X-Men telepath Rachel Summers, is feared dead. But, there is something else going on as well. What are the police doing working with Doctor Octopus? What is Norman Osborn hiding and why is he in danger? And just who is the mysterious assaillant who knows everything there is to know about Peter? In the thick of it all, Eddie "Venom" Brock has auctioned off his alien symbiote, and now there is a new, sadistic individual wearing the costume and pushing Spidey past his limits. Millar's writing is just plain awesome (is it me or is he having Spidey say "What?" a lot?) and his characterizations of the villains and various in-jokes are refreshing to longtime web heads. The art by Frank Cho (in issues 5 and 8) is superb, while the art by Terry and Rachel Dodson (issues 6 and 7) is as great as it was on the first arc. All in all, this is definitely worth picking up for longtime Spidey fans, and it will leave you salivating for the next chapter.

Spider-Man 3: Spider-Man Versus Sandman (I Can Read Book 2)

Average customer rating:

Should have been better
A Poor Choice

Spider-Man 3: Spider-Man Versus Sandman (I Can Read Book 2)
Harry Lime
Manufacturer: HarperTrophy
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060837225
Release Date: 2007-03-27

Book Description

Sandman is a dangerous villain. Spider-Man has never fought anyone made of sand before, and Sandman is very strong. It's up to Spider-Man to save the city from this new bad guy, but first he'll have to catch him!

Customer Reviews:

Should have been better.......2007-07-18

My 4 1/2 year old son was so excited to get this book. He loved the new movie and looked forward to reading about it. The story itself goes in different directions and leaves you hanging at the end. Even my son asked why Spiderman never caught him and understood the book doesn't really finish. If you're just looking for a new spiderman book, it's okay. But others out there are better. It's short enough for a bedtime read, which is a plus for me and why I gave it the 3 stars.

A Poor Choice.......2007-05-12

This book was not up to the usual standard of I-Can-Read Books. Not on target with other Level 2 books as far as reading level. The words and story were very simplistic. Story line was boring and had an unsatifactory, to-be-continued type of ending. My boy loves Spiderman but was bored and unsatified with this story.

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