Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #24 - Marvel

This is yet another chapter in the prelude to One More Day. Although the story seems like it's a long time in coming. I really hope it lives up to it's hype. Anyway this one is written by J Michael Straczynski with beautiful artwork by Joe Quesada. Which is really something, considering he's the editor in chief of Marvel now. He's got every Marvel quip on the cover of this also. Except for " . . 'nuff said!". But I'm sure he'll pull that one out of the closet soon enough. Anyways, Doctor Strange is in yet another Marvel book this month. Let's see . . . he just got done helping the Fantastic Four heal Eternity, he's taken Hank McCoy on a tour of the Omniverse, and now he's going to try to help Peter with May. He's a busy guy. Good thing he's an expert at multi-tasking. Basically, the Doc opens up all of eternity to Peter so that he can ask anyone anything, all at the same time, in his quest for information on how to help May. He sends him out in all directions, but he stops him from travelling in to the past. But Peter has plans of his own. While the Doc is distracted, Peter uses Doc's tools, and his familiarity with Latin, to try to cross the temporal rift. He's hoping he can warn himself or May. He doesn't do either, but it does seem that he's the one that got his attention outside the motel, that caused him to flinch for a moment, saving his and MJ's life. Which now he feels guilty about. So there's nothing else the Doc can do, but he does give Peter a speech about life, and the need for beginnings and endings. But after he leaves, a little girl confronts him on the street. "We all die Peter. You, me, and those we love most dearly. We cannot change that. . . . . he was right. You cannot change that. But I . . . can." So I'm not sure what that's all about. But, it's part 2 of 4 of the prelude. Overall I thought it was a good story. And a great way to end this series.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #23 - Marvel

Well this is it. Well . . . not quite the end of the book. But . . it's the last one for Peter David and Todd Nauck. I gave 'em some hell in the beginning. Mostly about that Green Goblin from the future story-line. But, other than that debacle, it's been a really nice run. I didn't know if I'd like Todd on the pencils. I mean he did Young Justice for so long, that's just what I associated him with. But . . I think he did a great job. This particular issue is mostly about wrapping up the Daily Bugle story-line. An issue or 2 ago, J Jonah fired Robbie. He was in a fit over Spider-man. Robbie stuck up for him, so he told him to get out. Well . . as it turns out this issue, he really only did that to draw out Spider-man. Which worked. I'd like to mention that it's nice to see Betty Brandt back in as a regular rotating cast member again. I mean, she's always been there. We just actually get to see and hear from her now. I've always liked her character. Anyways, Peter and J Jonah get together and they do a lot of verbal arguing. Finally he offers Peter a choice, " . . either I'll drop the lawsuit against you or rehire Robbie. You get to choose." He chooses, " . . drop the lawsuit." J Jonah thinks he's being selfish, but then Peter tells him that he knew that he never really had any intention of firing Robbie because he just did it to get to him. Long story short, J Jonah agrees to drop the lawsuit, and then he goes to tell Robbie the story of what he's just been through, and to ask him to come back to work. This was actually a nice wrap up to some of these story-lines. We do have one more issue though. Next issue is actually going to be part 2 of the One More Day story-line. It'll be by Straczynski and Quesada. I'm sad that this book is leaving the shelves. But . . . whatta' way to go out.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #22 - Marvel

This chapter finally wraps up the Ero storyline. It was beginning to drag on a bit. At least that's what I thought. We're also at the beginning of another storyline with Robbie getting fired by J.Jonah last issue. Everybody seems to think it's his lucky day. Except for him that is. Also his son seems to have some anger towards Peter. He thinks that it's all his fault. So I'm sure something's going to happen there. Anyways, Ero has Peter pinned down and is ready to shove her egg-sac down his throat. Not nearly as erotic as it sounds. But then Betty Brandt shows up with a shot-gun ready to kick ass and take names. She has silver bullets with crosses in them inside. "I'm a reporter for the Daily Bugle. I've seen stuff that would freak out Kolchak. Girl's gotta be prepared." Not to mention she seems to have a serious hard-on for Ero. She's pissed because she's messing with both her men. Peter and Flash. So she messes up Ero big time. She makes a run for it, but Peter knows if he doesn't end this now, he might not ever get a chance again. So he chases her down, and just as they're swinging over the zoo, he drops her in the Aviary. "Look on the face of your natural predator, you monster. The birds may be feasting on you . . but I'm the one who served you up on a platter." So is this truly the end of Ero? Well . . . you know how that goes. She may be back, she may not. Anyways, on a more somber note, #24 will be the last issue of this book. As part of the "One More Day" thing, Peter's going down to 1 book, Amazing. But the good news is that it'll be coming out 3 times a month. I'm not sure who the creative team is yet, but Peter David and Todd Nauck are moving on to something different.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #21 - Marvel

Ok, I like this story with Arrow . . . or Eros. Whatever! But it's starting to drag out to long. They really need to wrap it up in the next issue or two. Somehow Eros came to life when Spider-man came back to life. So she's not actually a women, well . . . not a human one anyways. She's actually made up of a thousand or so spiders whom, I guess, can all come together to make her human form. Anyways, she wants to mate. Well . . . not in the sense that we're all thinking. Actually she's already laid her eggs. She has them in an egg sac. All she needs to do is shove it down a males throat, preferably Flash's or Peter's, and then when the eggs hatch they will devour the male, so that they can survive. She's about to give Flash the honors, but then Spidey shows up to break up the nuptials. She ends up trouncing him pretty badly, and now it looks as if he's going to get to play father. While this is happening, Robbie is fighting with Jonah over how they've treated Spider-man for the last few years. He's fed up with it, especially since now he knows that it's been Peter all along. Jonah doesn't agree with him and fires him. I actually do like the story. It's just that it needs to be wrapped up so we can move on. There's so much more going on in Peter's life, that we shouldn't be spending so much time on this. But . . . that's just my opinion.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman - Annual #1 - Marvel

I have to say that I actually, thoroughly enjoyed this issue. We've seen Sandman lately in the Friendly title, well, this issue gives us his true origin. He didn't really have a bad life. He just had a lot of bad breaks. And most of them were his own fault. Of course he doesn't see it that way. He sees it as the world always trying to keep him down. As unfortunate incidents happening at the most inopportune time. But really . . . it's mostly his own doing. Sure he had some let-downs happen that pushed him in a certain direction. But it was he who made the wrong decision on how he reacted to them. And who he decided to place the blame on. Billy Baker is actually his real name. Flint Marko was a name he came up with as he went along. So this story tells us about the ups and downs in his life. About the way he reacted to things before he even became the Sandman. And a lot about the relationship, or lack of, that he had with his mother and absent father. But the latter grew as he became incarcerated with him several times over the years. But the final straw, I think, was the accident that turned him in to the Sandman, and that his girlfriend and best friend betrayed him. Now he has a new place to focus all of his anger on . . . Spider-man. And it seems that he's only happy when he has a way of getting that anger out. So overall . . . a pretty decent annual. Peter David did a great job with the story. And I was really impressed with Ronan Cliquet's pencils. I think there was a few spots where they were over inked. But overall, I really liked his style. I think this is only the second Marvel Annual that I've even liked this year. Good job Peter.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #20 - Marvel

This issue seemed to revolve mostly about giving us more information about our elusive Ms. Arrow. Peter finds out this issue, with the help of Betty Brant, " . . . they were there . . in Stark towers . . they . . they ate the skin of my old body . . . and I realized what they were . . . Pirate spiders . . . mimetidae family . . . genus: Ero . . . also called Cannibal spiders, since they feed on other spiders . . . and there was this creature . . this thing made entirely of spiders . . spiders of the genus: Ero . . . Ero . . . which sounds a hell of a lot like . . ." So besides her trying to disrupt Peter's life, it's also time for her to mate. And her chosen mate . . . is Flash Thompson. "By this time tomorrow, Flash Thompson shall be my mate . . . and my host . . . and after that . . . my sustenance." Kind of . . uh . . Hannibal Lecturish there. Eeeww! So now Peter has to stop Arrow, or Ero, and save Flash. Just a typical day in the life . . right? This book has come a long way from whence it first started. I was a little hard on the first couple story-arc's. Especially that one about the Green Goblin from the future. Don't get me started. Anyways, I like the book a lot better now. And in particular I like this story-arc. So my advice? Keep up the good work.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #19 - Marvel

We finally wrap up our SandMan story this issue. SandMan and Spider-man are trying to prove that Sandy's father is innocent of killing Uncle Ben. Peter recently came in to possession of one of the Spider-helmets from Spider-man 2211. It's a long story, so I don't really want to explain it all here. Suffice it to say, that since the Corps members are all descendants of Peter's, the helmet bonded with him automatically and is following all of his instructions. The thing they're trying to do now is find this person that's posing as Uncle Ben. He ends up being at Peter's school, and he ends up being Roger the Principal. Actually, since there's a Spider-man in the future, and a HobGoblin, it turns out that there's also a Chameleon. And he knocked off the principal months ago, so that he could pose as him and keep an eye on Peter. Earlier the helmet asked Peter how he wanted to punish the person when they found him, and Peter replied "poetic justice". So the helmet lands on the Chameleon's head, and just as SandMan's father is to be electrocuted, the helmet decides to serve justice, and swaps the Chameleon with Floyd Baker, SandMan's dad. Meanwhile, our nurse Arrow has been following Betty and Flash. My guess is that she's jealous because she doesn't understand the relationship that these 2 share. So she's been tormenting Betty, making her think that she's going crazy. She also is in the Principal's office shortly before Peter and SandMan get there. Peter asks the helmet how many life-forms are in the room, and it replies "eleven thousand two hundred and five". Like I said we're getting bits and pieces of info about her each issue. But I have a feeling that things are going to come to a head pretty soon. This is a nice book by Peter David and Todd Nauck.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #18 - Marvel

Last issue, Flint Marko, aka Sandman, came to Peter for help. I guess that's one of the advantages, or disadvantages, of the public knowing who the face behind the mask is. Anyways, Sandman's dad has been accused, actually arrested for, the murder of Ben Parker. You remember, that story in the beginning of this series that I ragged on. It was about the Spider-man and Hobgoblin from 2211. Anyways, there was a Ben Parker that came back with them also, but he stayed here. Remember, he freaked out May one time when she saw him. Anyways, he ended up murdered and Sandman's dad happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. So Peter and Flint go to the Police Station to ask some questions of the arresting officer. With the image inducer, Peter looks like a SHIELD agent. Specifically, Jamie Madrox. But now Flint's really upset, because he found out that his fathers going to be executed in 2 days. In the beginning there was a flashback to when Ben killed the future Spider-man, and after he left some kid came along and took his helmet. Well, later on Peter and Flint catch up to the kid, and get the helmet. Surprisingly the helmet works for Peter, because all the members of the Spider-Corps, in the future, were descendants of his. He sees video images of Ben, and the helmet offers to lead them to him, after it scanned a 200 mile radius looking for him. So next issue we should be able to wrap this up. Also this issue we see a little interaction between Flash Thompson and Betty Brandt. They're having a delightful evening, but then our Miss Arrow, the school nurse, does some weird stuff and freaks Betty out. We're getting bits and pieces about this lady all the time, but I think her story is going to be dragged out for a while. Overall, a very enjoyable book. I really like the feel that this book has.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #17 - Marvel

This book has really turned around in the last few issues. Peter David is doing a much better job at the story-lines. Maybe it was just that one story-arc, but I like what he's doing now. And Todd Nauck, with his style, is great on this book. This is the first part of the Back in Black stories that are running through the Spider-man books. He really looks great swinging around town in the black costume. To bad there's 2 helicopters chasing him. A police helicopter, and a news helicopter. I know there's a lot of descension out there, but to me, the black costume was a huge improvement over the old one. I'm just as nostalgic as the next guy. But to me, I always voted for the black look. Anyways, remember that Ben Parker that came from that other time line? Well when he was murdered, it was made to look like Floyd Baker did it. But the Sandman found out that he was set up. Why is the Sandman so worried about it? Well, Floyd Baker is his dad. So when he can't break him out of prison, he goes to Spider-man, or rather Peter, for help. He didn't want anything to do with it, until he found out the homeless guy that Floyd killed was Ben. I really like this book now. It's come a long way. I know, how far is a long way when it's only on issue #17? Well, in my book, is has improved drastically in the last 4 or 5 issues. That's just my opinion.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #16 - Marvel

This series is getting better. We're still getting some of the fallout from Peter going public. Deb Whitman wrote a tell all book about what is was like to be Spider-man's girlfriend. The problem is that it turned out to be a Peter bashing book. Well, last issue Peter decides to go and confront her at her book signing. Turns out a lot of people wanted to go and stick up for Peter. Betty Brandt and Flash showed up also. As did the Vulture, knowing that Peter couldn't pass this up. Well we ended up last issue with the Vulture dosing Spider-man, and Spidey falling to his death. Well of course he swings out of it, but on the way back up he runs in to, literally, the Vulture. He had a cardiac arrest while in the air. Spider-man takes him to the hospital, but all the Vulture wants to do is die. He says he would rather die than live as half a man. I gave Peter David some shit during the Goblin storyline. But ever since that arc, this book has been on a definite upswing. This book may still be able to join the ranks of the other esteemed Spidey titles. Congratulations.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #15 - Marvel

We get some flashbacks this issue, into what made Toomes who he is today, the Vulture. He's out to get some revenge on Peter, for what he's put him through in the past, and also because he was dispatched to do so by the govt.. You know. He's a refugee now. Anyways he figures he'll show up at Deb Whitman's book signed. The tell all about how Peter screwed her over when they were younger, lied to her, and took advantage of her. Boo frickin' hoo! And he's right, Peter does want to confront her. He doesn't understand how they could once date, and now she's going to stab him in the back. But he can't go as himself, he has to use his new secret id of Ben Reilly. But before he can get there, Betty Brant has showed up to confront Deb herself. We also see a little of Flash and Arrow, the secretive school nurse, this issue. There's something about her, but we don't know what it is just yet. But before Peter gets a chance to say anything, the Vulture shows up and takes Deb hostage. Well, for a couple of minutes anyways, until Peter gets in costume and takes the fight to the air. Well, the Vultures fighting smarter now, and pegs Peter with a strong hallucinogen. Peter's falling to his demise, and just then something strikes the Vulture. So you see what's going to happen next issue. Peter's going to have to save him too. Anyways, nice book, and good art by Scott Eaton.

Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman #14 - Marvel

Ok, as much grief as I've given Peter David over this book, and his other Fantastickly Frivolous one, I have to admit that I really liked this issue. I really am a huge Spider-man fan. And I'm really digging what they're putting him, and the rest of his family, through right now. Which in the end is what I really like about this character, because, they just shake him up every now and then. Peter's worried about his rogues coming after the high school, and it's students, that he works at, so he issues a warning to the underworld figures, "Midtown High is off limits!". The Punisher tells one of the goons, in a recent attempt, "There's a squad of us guarding it 24/7. Any moths who get drawn to it's flame are going to get burned badly." Turns out though, that it was an image inducer that Peter borrowed from Hank. Anyways, Peter still worries about the students, but he also knows that he can't keep working there and putting them in danger. So, he goes undercover. He himself quits, but then he goes back in disguise and gets a job as an asst. coach, to make sure that he can still keep an eye on them. Also the Vulture is up to something, but we don't know what it is yet. By the way, I liked Scott Eaton's pencils on this issue also. Overall, a very good book.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #13 - Marvel

This issue wraps up the story of the multiple Mysterio's. It had all the usual Mysterio stuff. Daniel Berkhart and Francie Klum, the latest 2 Mysterio's, battle it out over who they think is better. Of course Spidey beats them, and with Flash's help save the school, the kids, and difuse the bomb. But, the real point of this story is two-fold. First we are being introduced to a new sub-plot that is going on. Appararently there are two sides fighting over something, we don't know yet, but it obviously revolves around Peter. Quentin Beck, the dead Mysterio, is on one side of the fence. The second reason for our story, the introduction of the school nurse Miss Arrow, and her alterego which we aren't privy to yet, is on the other side of the fence. In fact Miss Arrow doesn't even know yet what her role is or who's calling the shots. But she does have powers. I'm wondering if she's going to be some kinda' Spider-girl, or Spider-woman or something. The spikes that come out of her forearms look an awful lot like Peter's. But we'll just have to wait and see. I do have to admit though that this storyline was better than the last convuluted one. This is turning out to be a fun series. Let's see where it goes from here.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #12 - Marvel

Ok I know I've been giving Peter David hell over the last couple of issues,but I have to admit, this one is better. By the way Todd Nauck is on pencils. Anyways we're dealing with Mysterio this issue. Last one also, but it's a 3 part story. And actually we're dealing with 3 different Mysterios. How? Well they haven't explained it entirely yet. But one of them is the original, Quentin Beck. You thought he committed suicide? Well aparently he did. And he's still dead. And he still has half his head blown off. How? Your guess is as good as mine. But they'll have to sort it out next issue, as there's only 1 more left in this story arc. But the first one attacked Peter's school last issue. The second one showed up to assist the police. The enemy of your enemy is my enemy, and all that. And Quentin shows up at the end of this issue. We really don't even know yet what the first one was after. Other than to cause general mischief in Peter's life. On a personal note, the scene where Peter is doused with Mysterio's gas was especially funny as my wife was laying next to me and farted at the exact same time. His commentary on how his suit would help him handle the gas and it's effects, struck me as particularly funny. Anyways, I will admit that this storyline seems to be better than the last one. I'll give you credit where it's due. But if your stuff stinks . . . . I'll call you out on that also. So keep up the good work, and I'll see you next issue.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #11 - Marvel

Ok, I was a little rough on Peter David the last couple of issues. This one, on the other had shows some promise. This time we're dealing more with the ramifications of the outing of Peter Parker. We get to see some more of how this event with affect the parts of his life that overlap, like his teaching. This part of the story Peter writes extremely well. The reaction of the students parents, and of fellow teachers and administration, is very believable. And frustating, as it should be. The reaction from MJ and May is also believable. It's not what Peter expected, but it is believable. I also like the way the kids are behind him, even though no one else appears to be. The only part of the story I think is hoaky, is the Mysterio thing. This time Mysterio is the son of the original, I guess. And he's going after Peter for what he did to his father. But in the end, the original gets involved also. And the next issue blub says that next issue, there's 3 of them. What is it lately with books having 2 or 3 of the same characters coming face to face with each other? It's been done about 1/2 a dozen times in the last 6 months. Is it some new trend? So far none of them have been handled successfully either. We'll see if Peter can pull it off, but somehow I doubt it. Stick to the human interest part of the story. That's where the stories at now, anyways.

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #10 - Marvel

I don't get it. They bring back this Hobgoblin, from 2211, make us go through all this messed up confusing history, for what? So that Spider-man can throw her pumpkin bomb, or whatever, back at her and BOOM!! she's wiped from the face of history. Kind of anticlimactic, right? Oh, and we also have an Uncle Ben roaming around from another dimension. Who runs into another version of himself, though he doesn't know that, and convinces himself to take matters in to his own hands and he shoots Spider-man. Well, the Spider-man from 2211 anyways. Because he wants to stay on our world and get back together with Aunt May? Or maybe he just wants to stick around so he can kick Jarvis' butt. Either way, WHO CARES??!! This issue and last is a convoluted mess. Don't get me wrong, I love Spider-man. I think Peter David is great. And I really like Mike Wieringo. But this story, SUCKS!! I feel like I completely wasted my time buying and reading the last 2 issues. Thanks guys. Thanks for nothing!!!

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-man #9 - Marvel

First of all, if you've read any of my stuff, you know that I'm a huge fan of Spider-man. I'm also a fan of Peter David (writer), and Mike Wieringo (artist). However, with that being said, this story is just muddled. When I started reading this, I skipped the recap page, because you all know how much I hate 'em. I got 5 or 6 pages into the book, and had no idea what was going on. This is, as I mention in another review, a forced history or continuity. But with this one, maybe not so much forced, as jammed down my throat. They're trying to explain the Hobgoblin from . . . . 2211? How he, sorry she, had abducted the Spider-man from 2099, in an otherwise completely forgettable Spider-man special from 1995, and brought him back to meet the original Spider-man, for some forgettable reason. That was the first and only time that Hobgoblin 2211 was seen. Never seen again in Spider-man 2099, or anywhere else. Now, his, or her, history, which really hasn't happened yet, is being shoved down our throat so that this HG can be forced into Peter's continuity. It's also going to force a bunch of Spider-man geeks, unfortunately myself included, to jump on E-bay and start looking for this special that probably wasn't worth the $2 or $3 it cost the first time it came out. Which is going to make us pay $5 - $10 for a book that the only reason we want it is to have a complete continuity. Thanks!!
Thanks, for that headache. And, to top it off, I really do like time travel stories. This one, is just way to muddled. It leaves a lot more questions than it answers. It also muddies it up by, somehow, having HG cross some other dimension and not only come back to our time himself, err herself, but somehow, for some reason, dragging Ben Parker back with her from some other dimension. Did that make sense? Now, add to that, what looks like a "Spider-corps" from the future are actually "timespinners" whom "the universe owes for our efforts, a thousand times over." And after a long drawn out dramatic scene with the "spinners", where basically we get a whining version of what their job is, why they do it, and everyone's reason for questioning their viability, someone finds HG in the past and one of the "spinners" remarks, "That's a relief. Five more minutes of mea culpas, I would've been ready to change time myself." I couldn't have said it better myself. If I could change time I'd go back and erase this story from our history.