For what was supposed to be a one-shot, SPIDER-MAN FAMILY is publishing awfully frequently. And here’s the third collection: SPIDER-MAN FAMILY FEATURING SPIDER-CLAN, another giant-sized issue containing one original story and a slew of reprints, all dealing with various incarantions of comics’ famous webslinger.

C.B. Cebulski’s lead “Legend of the Spider-Clan” story is interesting, in that it turns the entire Spider-Man origin into a martial-arts-styled tale of epic revenge. Aunt May is killed by a band of supernatural-powered warriors called The Four, and Spidey goes under the tutelage of his enemy, Venom, in order to get schooled in the ways of vengenance. It has an epic scope, one unfortunately done a disservice by Skottie Young’s often-impenetrable art.

The rest of the 104-pager is comprised of three previously published pieces, two of which are full issues. First, the origin of Peter David’s futuristic SPIDER-MAN 2099 is concluded complete with sexy holograms and killer cyborgs. (Previous pieces were doled out in the first SPIDER-MAN FAMILY and the SPIDER-MAN FAMILY: AMAZING FRIENDS follow-up.) A shorter story, “The Date,” would be your fairly standard Spidey number – Peter Parker is a nerd, et al. – except that, for whatever reason, it’s entirely in black and white.

And bringing up the rear is 1984’s issue of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #252, known to comic-book geeks everywhere as the debut of his black costume – the one that later would be co-opted by the aforementioned Venom, not to mention a centerpiece (conveniently enough) of the upcoming SPIDER-MAN 3 feature film. Now that’s foresight! I actually own #252, and it was perhaps the best 60 cents I ever spent, as its value was about 50 times that, last I checked. Regardless, it was nice to revisit it and see how dated it is. And I didn’t have to crack the plastic on my original to find out.

This is the weakest of the three FAMILYs, but worth a purchase for those who like a lot of variety in their wallcrawler. –Rod Lott

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OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS SERIES:
• SPIDER-MAN FAMILY
• SPIDER-MAN FAMILY: AMAZING FRIENDS