Blogs Tagged “Spider-view”
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Spider-view: "The Trial of Venom" (Venom, Part 7)This "special" one-shot can be confounding at moments, despite being fueled by engaging central conflicts between enemies and allies
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Spider-view: "Spirits of Venom" (Venom, Part 6)This next chapter in the ongoing Venom saga allows Howard Mackie to nicely synthesize some ongoing plots
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Spider-view: "Invasion of the Spider-Slayers" (The Smythe Saga, Part 1)Though heavily action-oriented, this six-parter dials up strong characterization in back-up strips as a central mystery deepens
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Spider-view: "Spider-Man 2099" (Spider-Man 2099, Part 1)This three-issue narrative definitively introduces an amazing (if not spectacular) version of Marvel's famous web-headed hero
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Spider-view: Spider-Man/Dr. Strange: The Way to Dusty DeathThis graphic novel pairs two unlikely heroes in a fun continuation of older continuity by a classic writer
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Spider-view: Amazing Spider-Man: Soul of the HunterThis powerful graphic novel brings closure to a long-standing enmity between two fierce foes
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Spider-view: "Fathers and Sins"This four-parter introduces a controversial story arc, sidelining some surprise for genuinely intriguing character development
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Spider-view: "Spider-Man/New Warriors: The Hero Killers"These annuals provide Spidey a new character dimension, offering an entertaining main feature alongside some middling back-up narratives
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Spider-view: The Infinity WarThis sequel to Jim Starlin's famous crossover bolsters the stakes yet lacks the character-driven narrative which makes Gauntlet a classic
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Spider-view: "Carnage" (Venom, Part 5)A new villain is unleashed in this dark trilogy, capitalizing on the character differences between Carnage, Venom, and Spider-Man
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Spider-view: "Death Toy"Cardiac's second appearance is better constructed than his first, even if it is adorned with some 90s excess
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Spider-view: Spider-Man: Fear ItselfA perfectly suitable graphic novel, Fear Itself is a familiar story for those seeking some comfort in the Spidey standard
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Spider-view: “Revenge of the Sinister Six”Some poor characterization aside, this second return of the Sinister Six is an explosive, exciting first outing for new Spider-Man writer/artist Erik Larsen
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Spider-view: "Round Robin: The Sidekick’s Revenge"This team-up tournament tells an entertaining narrative with decent heart, despite some clunky coincidences and few connections to recent history
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Spider-view: "Sabotage"Todd McFarlane's time on Spider-Man ends disappointingly, an action-packed crossover with not enough story to keep it moving
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Spider-view: "The Three Faces of Evil"A basic story is constructed upon two strong pillars: powerful connections to recent Spidey history and the impressive work of penciler Mark Bagley
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Spider-view: Avengers: Deathtrap: The Vault (Venom, Part 4)Though not extraordinary, this graphic novel presents some engaging character moments in its study of captive criminals
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Spider-view: "Vibranium Vendetta"Three 1991 annuals tell a somewhat standard if not entertaining team-up between Spidey, Iron Man, and Black Panther, cementing a stronger story than the lackluster back-up strips
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Spider-view: "Sub-City"This two-parter is wonderfully illustrated yet lacks the space necessary for McFarlane to properly play with potentially engaging themes
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Spider-view: The Infinity GauntletThis famed limited series presents the culmination of Jim Starlin's Thanos arc in bombastic fashion, reshaping the then-current state of the Marvel Universe's cosmic corner
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Spider-view: “Doom Service”A simpler anniversary tale sees Doc Doom and Spidey go head-to-head while trying to offer a minor rogue some additional credence
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Spider-view: “Righteous Sand”An engaging premise for potential character growth and unique parallelism is damaged by a weak, construed ending
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Spider-view: “The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man”Though not a perfect series, Deadly Foes is a fun glimpse into how the villains of the Spider-Man universe operate
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Spider-view: “Elliptical Pursuit” (Venom, Part 3)This neat two-parter starts off a little ho-hum, but the second half ratchets up the action with clever combat between two arch-enemies
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Spider-view: “Perceptions”Though his characterization is imperfect, Todd McFarlane handles this five-issue arc with more tact and tenacity that his previous Spider-Man narratives
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Spider-view: “Cardiac”A new anti-hero makes his dramatic debut, pushing Spidey to the side in a tale that weaves great combat with mediocre philosophical conflict
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Spider-view: “Masques”McFarlane's second Spider-Man arc fares as well as his first--wonderful visuals straining to carry a thematically lackluster story
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Spider-view: “Powerless”This arc's dive into deeper philosophical notions ends up shallower than intended, even if some of the premise's more practical applications are engaging
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Spider-view: The Amazing Spider-Man: Spirits of the EarthSome odd narrative decisions do little to take away from the illustrated beauty of this original graphic novel
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Spider-view: “What If…Kraven the Hunter had Killed Spider-Man?”This alternate version of "Kraven's Last Hunt" toys with an engaging concept but fails to provide equally compelling characterization
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Spider-view: “Torment”The first arc in Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man title is gorgeously visualized yet narratively underwhelming
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Spider-view: “Spidey’s Totally Tiny Adventure”A main narrative stronger than prior annual stories is only the appetizer for several powerful back-up strips from acclaimed writers and artists
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Spider-view: “The Return of the Sinister Six”This six-part saga gloriously resurrects the Sinister Six, relying on nostalgia a bit too much even as it crafts a compelling arc
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Spider-view: “Sunday in the Park with Venom” (Venom, Part 2)Venom becomes a force to be reckoned with in a tale that's also a delightful return to good old-fashioned Spidey basics
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Spider-view: “The Powder Chase”This little two-parter plays with some fascinating concepts but fails to plumb the depths in exploring the ramifications
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Spider-view: “Power Prey” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 9)David Michelinie's conclusion to the "Cosmic Spider-Man Saga" is somewhat rocky, somewhat satisfying
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Spider-view: “Dragon in the Dark” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 8)This issue tries hard to string along some engaging ideas, tripping over a potentially engaging finale as it struggles to bring in some cathartic closure
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Spider-view: “Amazing Spider-Man: Skating on Thin Ice”This short two-part tale isn't perfect, but a surprisingly engaging narrative makes this story's message effortlessly impactful
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Spider-view: “The Fear and the Fury” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 7)Gerry Conway does his best to inject some unique, thoughtful concepts into this messy, meandering crossover arc
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Spider-view: “Shaw’s Gambit” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 6)A visually stunning brawl is slightly hindered by a narrative straining at its limited potential
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Spider-view: “The Harder They Fall” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 5)Some wonky philosophizing can't discredit an issue that ends up being one of the stronger "Cosmic Spider-Man" entries
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Spider-view: “These Shattered Senses” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 4)A paint-by-numbers battle scene creates a weaker issue, with some interesting character development attempting to offset the action
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Spider-view: “Cunning Attractions” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 3)This issue looks great, but while Michelinie toys with some loftier notions, his concepts remain buried beneath a pile of gimmicky
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Spider-view: “With Great Power” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 2)Gerry Conway wrestles with the editorially-mandated "Acts of Vengeance" crossover, valiantly struggling to keep control of his growing narrative
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Spider-view: “The Paste and the Power” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Part 1)Spidey receives a bizarre power upgrade in this opening chapter of a somewhat controversial arc
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Spider-view: “Gravity Storm” (Cosmic Spider-Man, Prologue)This issue starts a small arc with promise, obscuring the quality of future issues with well-written character moments between action sequences
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Spider-view: “Atlantis Attacks”Though an improvement over Marvel's 1988 crossover, this event arc still struggles to find solid footing as it bobbles some important plot points
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Spider-view: “Guilty”An intriguing standalone issue is somewhat mired by the fact it's only one chapter in an ongoing arc I'm unable to review fully
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Spider-view: The Amazing Spider-Man: Parallel LivesThis graphic novel by Gerry Conway carefully intertwines Peter and MJ's history, despite some rocky attempts at injecting original material
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Spider-view: “What About Carrion?”Conway unnecessarily complicates his own legacy as he tries adding more depth to "The Night Gwen Stacy Died"
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Spider-view: “Demon Night”This "Inferno" crossover allows Gerry Conway the chance to inventively create tie-in issues that aren't weighed down by the event's unfolding narrative
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Spider-view: “The Boomerang Return”This short two-parter is a breath of fresh air as Conway crafts an amusing version of the boisterous Outback baddie Boomerang
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Spider-view: Cloak and Dagger (vol. 3) (Cloak and Dagger, Part 13)Old ideas jostle for supremacy with new plots, often winning out against these jumbled original concepts
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Spider-view: “The Evolutionary War”Strong standalone issues don't add up to an excellent narrative overall, but several backup stories weave together for a fantastic background tale
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Spider-view: “The Tombstone Testament”This nicely-paced, multi-part thriller enables Gerry Conway to ratchet up the stakes by introducing a new villain to the fold
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Spider-view: Predator and Prey (Cloak and Dagger, Part 12)Unbalanced characterization from a few principle players hurts the strong plot developments Bill Mantlo injects into this graphic novel
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Spider-view: “Venom” (Venom, Part 1)One of Spidey's worst enemies debuts in this anniversary issue, which holds up wonderfully over three decades later
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Spider-view: “Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide”An exceptional Spider-Man writer returns to kick off a brand new run with an intriguing narrative
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Spider-view: “Return of the Sin-Eater”Peter David's sequel doesn't enthrall as much as the original, but it stands on its own by continuing an enticing story arc
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Spider-view: “Life in the Mad Dog Ward”This "crossover" arc toys with a clever concept, yet the subsequent narrative can't sufficiently support the oddball idea
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Spider-view: “The Honeymoon”A decent first half can't save the rest of this annual as a master storyteller tries too much with too little space
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Spider-view: “The Secrets of Spider-Man”A handful of interesting facts can't cover over this biographical annual's many weak points
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Spider-view: “Kraven’s Last Hunt”This J.M. DeMatteis-penned classic remains a deep, engaging exploration of one of Spider-Man's original enemies
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Spider-view: “The Wedding”Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson say "I do" in an ASM annual that lovingly defies the current status quo
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Spider-view: “Foreign Affairs”Peter David's two-parter narrative connects nicely to the recent past, weaving in multiple pieces in a largely cohesive manner
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Spider-view: Strange Tales (Cloak and Dagger, Part 11)Cloak and Dagger's third series proves their most character-driven outing yet, even if missing plot details obscure some of the narrative
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Spider-view: Spider-Man vs. WolverineThis fantastic one-shot sees Spidey and Wolverine duke it out for the very first time, an engaging tale that has stood the test of time
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Spider-view: “Man of the Year”A genuinely entertaining annual that uses wit and imagination to craft fun takes on old tropes
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Spider-view: “Ace II”The sequel to Peter David's original annual fares a tad better than its predecessor, but that still isn't saying much
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Spider-view: “Wake Me Up, I Gotta be Dreaming”A strong central story helps wash down a somewhat disjointed backup strip that fumbles an interesting premise
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Spider-view: The Amazing Spider-Man: HookyAn unsatisfying conclusion, fortunately, does not wholly detract from an engaging, original Spider-Man graphic novel
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Spider-view: “Fun’n’Games”A new villain and kooky plot make for an entertaining annual, boosted by some nice references to recent continuity
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Spider-view: “The Death of Jean DeWolff”Narratively and artistically, this classic Spidey story remains as strong and accessible today as it did in 1985
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Spider-view: “Ace”Peter David presents a somewhat unabalanced narrative as he tries fashioning a stand-out, gripping main character
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Spider-view: “Give Me a Hand, Future Max”Ann Nocenti's standalone contribution is well-executed, even if some of the details get overshadowed by the narrative
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Spider-view: Cloak and Dagger (vol. 2) (Cloak and Dagger, Part 10)Despite a few narrative bobbles, Bill Mantlo crafts a strong overarching story in this second Cloak and Dagger series
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Spider-view: Secret Wars IIThe sequel to Jim Shooter's fantastic crossover has its moments, but fails to be the engaging philosophical powerhouse it tries being
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Spider-view: “Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham”Peter Porker isn't exactly the best parody of Spider-Man, but he works hard to try to become endearing
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Spider-view: “Treasures” (Alien Costume Saga: Epilogue)Louise Simonson provides one final glance into the "Alien Costume Saga" as she wraps up some plot points from her previous stories
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Spider-view: “‘Til Death Do Us Part” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 32)This inaugural issue ends the "Alien Costume Saga" on a high note, a fantastic "final" conflict between Spidey and the symbiote
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Spider-view: “The Spectacular Spider-Kid” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 31)A nice palate cleanser, this single story juggles certain elements neatly while fumbling some characterization
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Spider-view: “Breakin’!” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 30)A long-running subplot culiminates in fascinating fashion in this celebratory 100th issue of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man
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Spider-view: “Trade Secret” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 29)This standalone narrative wobbles in places, an interesting concept weighed down by mediocre execution
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Spider-view: “Such Sweet Sorrow” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 9)Bill Mantlo presents an engaging, somewhat cliche standalone issue, including proper characterizations of Cloak and Dagger
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Spider-view: “Spider on the Spot” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 28)As Milgrom builds towards issue 100, he follows a shaky path in a rather unbalanced penultimate issue
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Spider-view: “'Tis Better to Give” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 27)Marvel Team-Up comes to a bittersweet ending with a Spidey/X-Men pairing that successfully builds upon the past
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Spider-view: “The Scorpion Takes a Bride” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 26)Stan Lee's brief return to Spidey-dom is a celebratory blend of old and new
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Spider-view: “Shadowman” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 8)Chris Claremont successfully blends mutant heroism with Cloak and Dagger's ongoing narrative
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Spider-view: “The Incandescent Man” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 25)Some crammed backstory and a forced moral hinder an issue that would otherwise spell an entertaining team-up
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Spider-view: “True Confessions” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 24)Al Milgrom's latest issue is a step backward for the writer, an unbalanced menagerie of events and faces
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Spider-view: “The Challenge of Hobgoblin” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 23)Tom DeFalco unleashes the Hobgoblin and deepens the mystery of one of Spidey's zaniest story arcs
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Spider-view: “Hermit-Age” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 22)Al Milgrom paints a relaxing standalone issue buoyed by subplots which compensate for a weak main narrative
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Spider-view: “All My Pasts Remembered” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 21)Tom DeFalco explores Mary Jane Watson's past in a genuinely engaging and deep issue
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Spider-view: “A Child Shall Lead Them” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 20)A fun, frantic Human Torch/Spidey team-up isn't burnt too badly by a less impactful Thor/Spidey pairing
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Spider-view: “The Final Answer” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 19/Cloak and Dagger, Part 7)With the alien costume seemingly gone, Al Mlgrom wraps up another plotline in an issue that reads better that some of his past work
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Spider-view: “The Sinister Secret of Spider-Man’s New Costume” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 18)Tom DeFalco reveals the alien costume's true nature in an issue filled with wit and wonder
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Spider-view: “Memory Lane” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 17)A fun standalone issue hones in on the hitherto unknown childhood years of one Aunt May
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Spider-view: “Hero Worship” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 16)This Marvel Team-Up issue tells a winning story about herosim without coming across as heavy-handed or preachy
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Spider-view: “The Collected Spider-Man” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 15)A frantic team-up tale holds only a small candle to a well-developed, surprisingly relatable backup narrative
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Spider-view: “Beware the Claws of Puma” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 14)New villains and new revelations await our stalwart hero as Tom DeFalco ratchets up the stakes
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Spider-view: “How Ya Gonna Keep ‘em Down at the Morgue After They’ve Seen N.Y.C.?” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 13/Cloak and Dagger, Part 6)Largely freed from the constraints of recent continuity, Al Milgrom crafts an engaging two-parter that sees his storytelling abilities at the forefront
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Spider-view: “Hometown Boy” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 12)A supervillain character study gets surprisingly deep in this one-off Spidey/Iron Man issue
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Spider-view: “My Sword I Lay Down” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 11)This standalone issue raises and explores some engaging questions, yet only scratches the surface in answering them
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Spider-view: “A Hot Time in the Old Morgue Tonight” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 10)Tension flits through this issue, some of it decently inserted, some of it misplaced, as Milgrom wrestles with the Spidey/Cat dyanmic of the series
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Spider-view: “Even a Ghost Can Fear the Night” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 9)Interwoven subplots take a back seat to a one-off filler issue that ends up being more fun than it appears at first glance
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Spider-view: “And the Answer Is…” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 8)Al Milgrom's chronology might still be broken, but he works to make up for it with the addition of a great new villain
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Spider-view: “With Great Power…” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 7)Spidey's most famous mantra powerfully hangs over him in this DeFalco/Leonardi issue
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Spider-view: “Foiled!” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 6)Good and poor characterizations abound in this David Michelinie two-parter, creating an unbalanced but entertaining tale
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Spider-view: “If It Wasn’t for Bad Luck…” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 5)A well-told Spider-Man/Black Cat tale is hampered only by chronological inconsistencies
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Spider-view: “By Myself Betrayed” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 4)Tom DeFalco gives Peter, and readers, ideas to mull over even as a supposedly impactful revelation falls flat
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Spider-view: “Where, Oh, Where has My Spider-Man Gone?” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 3)This Secret Wars tie-in tells a fun tale about the Black Cat but suffers from some chronological and character issues
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Spider-view: “Blind Justice” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 2)"How" Christopher Priest crafts this team-up between Spidey and Daredevil ends up far outweighing "Why"
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Spider-View: “Homecoming” (Alien Costume Saga, Part 1)Our first look into the "Alien Costume Saga" displays promise for an entertaining premise
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Spider-view: Marvel Super Heroes Secret WarsMarvel's classic crossover event, though not flawless, remains a genuinely rewarding series over thirty years later
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Spider-view: Marvel Tails #1Tom DeFalco sucessfully creates an amusing and humorous 80s parody of the Wall-Crawler
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Spider-view: “The Hunters and the Hunted” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 5)Founded on familiarity, this Marvel Team-Up annual nonetheless dovetails nicely with Cloak and Dagger's limited series
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Spider-view: Cloak and Dagger (vol. 1) (Cloak and Dagger, Part 4)The vigilante duo's first standalone series broadens their world and establishes Cloak and Dagger as people, not just heroes
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Spider-view: “Stalkers in the Shadows” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 3)In a story that nicely develops Cloak and Dagger, the regression of Frank Castle is an unfortunate downside
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Spider-view: “Switch Witch”A medicore Spider-Man narrative is overshadowed by a delightful back-up story by Roger Stern
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Spider-view: “In Darkness Seldom Seen” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 2)Cloak and Dagger return, their characters given more nuance...but not all the new pieces fit perfectly
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Spider-view: “Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaut”Roger Stern's beloved two-part tale ratchets up the intensity in one of Spidey's toughest battles to date
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Spider-view: The Death of Captain MarvelMarvel's first-ever graphic novel is a gorgeous tribute to a fallen hero
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Spider-view: Marvel Fanfare #1-4Chris Claremont kicks off a 1980s series with a near perfect take on Spider-Man
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Spider-view: “Cloak and Dagger” (Cloak and Dagger, Part 1)Bill Mantlo introduces two important characters to the Spider-Man mythos
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The Spider-Man Chronology ProjectUntangling Spidey's history, one tale at a time