With “100 pages of web-slinging action,” SPIDER-MAN FAMILY is the kind of one-shot reprint anthology that comic-book publishers used to do a lot more of. Unfortunately, it often resulted in titles like DC’s SUPER-HEROES BATTLE SUPER-GORILLAS special from 1975.
But this one isn’t bad, anchored by one all-new story featuring Spider-Man doing battle with Jack O’Lantern (she of the flaming pumpkin head), with Spider-Girl and Araña also joining the fray. Then the reprints begin, with SPIDER-WOMAN #20 from 1979, marking her first meeting with Spider-Man. It’s a quick tale of corporate downsizing, employee theft and hero vs. hero, with Spider-Woman’s origin thrown in for good measure.
Next is the 1983 funny-animal one-shot, MARVEL TAILS STARRING PETER PORKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-HAM. It’s a kidcentric take on the superhero comic, with Spidey as a pig (hence the name), joining forces with Captain Americat against the raging foe known as Hulk Bunny. It’s silly, sure, but since I actually had this as a kid, it was a blast to see it again (even if the secondary “Goose Rider” story is not included).
Issue 1 of SPIDER-MAN 2099 follows. As the title suggests, it’s a futuristic version of Spidey, complete with flying cars and holographic assistants. It’s not Peter Parker, but one Miguel O’Hara. There must be a reason I’d never heard of this character before, because it’s not very good, although he has a cool skull-emblazoned costume and part of the plot holds echoes of THE FLY.
Fred Hembeck’s brief but amusing “Petey: The Adventures of Peter Parker Long before He Became Spider-Man” follows, from 1997. And finally, there’s the first issue of UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN, which is the most basic and generic piece of the collection. All in all, there’s enough variety and entertainment in this special to recommend it at its low price.
Related posts:
- Free preview of new PLANET OF THE APES comic online
- Underworld
- Showcase Presents Jonah Hex: Volume 1
- Swamp Thing: Love in Vain
- Get THE GOON for two bits today
{ 2 trackbacks }
{ 0 comments… add one now }