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.