Spider-man's Tangled Web #11

Snap Judgment: Awesome

So, I should have posted this review about 3 days ago as it is a Valentine's Day story; but, this last couple days have been filled with fevers and a throwing up 2 year old.


Well, happy belated Valentines Day.

In this issue, it's Valentine's Day and Spider-man is spending it with the Vulture high above New York.  Spidey gets his butt kicked and passes out in a alley.

Back at the Bugle, the staff is making plans for their evening.  Turns out Peter Parker has 2 dates for the night.

There's more to it, but I don't want to spoil this one.  Needless to say, hilarity ensues.

I love this issue - another gem in this series.  Wonderful art, just look at the cover; there's one scene where Cooke emulates 70's style Marvel art that  made me smile.  The story is unassumingly sweet without being artificial.  The way character's lives all intertwine by the end of the issue shows a real handle on plotting; and there are lots of laughs. 

Poor Peter Parker just can't seem to win.

Go out, get this issue (and the one before it) and have a nice night with our friendly neighborhood Spider-man.

Until next time, happy reading.

Credits

Darwyn Cooke - Writer & artist

Spider-man's Tangled Web #10

After the last 3 disappointing issues of Spider-man's Tangled Web, we come to an issue I consider a modern masterpiece of comic book story telling.  Blows me away every time I read it.

The story opens with two brothers in their apartment, the older one on the phone, the younger watching Insectman cartoons ( in a nice touch Insectman is a parody / homage to Spider-man).  The older brother is ticked off because their life kind of sucks: Mom's always sick, Dad's not around, and he's stuck watching his little brother.  They get in a fight over whether Spider-man's really a hero when the wall crashes in.

Lying on the floor, in a red and blue ball, is our titular hero and standing above him is Electro.  The younger brother tries to stop Electro from hurting Spider-man, and finds himself on the receiving end of a little shock.  Big brother steps in and sticks up for his sibling.  Electro talks to the boy about being an outcast - and Spider-man webs up Electro's hand and kicks the snot out of him.

The older brother yells at Spider-man for breaking their wall and, in one of my favorite scenes ever, Spider-man hands the boy an envelope labeled "Rent" and tells the boys to never lose hope and swings away.  The two boys then sit down and watch TV together.

Everything about this issue is perfect.  The art is painted, the faces show genuine emotion.  The panel framing is brilliant.  This is what happens when an artist has a clear vision for the story he wants to tell - and is given the freedom to do it.

This is a gem in my collection - not because of the monetary vale, but because of the sheer joy this story brings me.

Well, enough gushing over this issue - until next time, happy reading!


Credits

Kaare Andrews - story and art

Spider-man's Tangled Web #9

This issue opens with the heist being carried out, some jewels are stolen, and our gangster friends are promised their other pay off - Spider-man.

In a clever twist, Charlie (our cabbie hero, who knows who Spider-man really is) leads the gangsters to a Spider-man convention.  Swimming through a sea of web-heads, the gangsters eventually run out a fire escape and get caught in a well placed web.

Our cabbie gets way w/ enough money from the heist for the surgery.  But it's not his surgery Charlie risked his life to fund, it's a surgery for his son.

The issue ends with Charlie in a coma - which flashes back to the day Spider-man saved Charlie's son.

Now, the pay off is nice.  It's a well crafted story are, but it's too long.  This story could have been told in a single issue.  And it's boring.  The flash backs to the flipped car incident just didn't draw me in enough to make me care about any of these characters.  The art is static and at times even cold.  There is no life about it - like the artist was just going on autopilot. 

This 3 issue story was probably the weakest entry in this title so far.

Don't worry - Tangled Web is like this, hit or miss.  And on this one, it was a epic miss.

Until next time (soon, I swear) - happy reading!


Credits

Bruce Jones - Writer

Lee Weeks - Artist

Spider-man's Tangled Web #8

I really wish I had something good to say about this issue...it's not bad, but it's nothing to write home about either.

Charlie, our cabbie who knows who Spider-man is, gets a new job as a security guard in a jewelry store, calls Spiderman to save a man on ledge, and visits his son.  He has a attack and his estranged wife starts to get concerned.

Our gangsters try to rob a bank, get cold fee and go and mug some teenagers on make out point.  They get interrupted by Charlie - who has a proposition.  He asks for their help in robbing the jewelry store.

Now, I know this seres is supposed to be more about how Spider-man affects the lives of those around him, but this issue is just plain boring.  It's all build up to the next issue, where hopefully this story will come to an end.  The art and story are both just so-so.

All in all a totally forgettable issue of a forgettable story.

Well, next time we'll see the end of this mediocre story - until then, happy reading.

Credits:

Bruce Jones - Writer
Lee Weeks - Artist

Spider-man's Tangled Web #7

What is the true value of a secret?  Are we honor bound to keep certain things that we learn to ourselves if it puts someone else at risk?

That's the premise of this 3 issue story - this first issue sets the stage rather well, giving enough hints to leave the reader wondering where this story is going.

It opens with a gunshots and a man pinned under a flipped car.  We then are introduced to a cabbie named Charlie, who has brain cancer - and keeps having flashbacks to that shoot out.

He goes to see another doctor, who mentions the procedure would cost half a million.  Later that day, our cabbie witnesses a robbery and makes a phone call...to the Daily Bugle!

We are then shown a poker game with some low-lifes, and Charlie talking to a priest about his secret and how, if he told it, it would destroy one man's life but save someone else's.  The issue ends with Charlie getting in his cab and driving off.

This is a decent issue, but an all together forgettable story from this anthology title.  There are way better one's further down the road.  And why this story takes 3 issues to be told is beyond me.  But, I'm getting ahead of myself...this is a good first introductory issue - it sets up all the players very nicely.  The art is typical late '90/ early '00 Marvel art.  Not terrible, but not terribly exciting either.  I actually think the cover is the best part of this issue.

More on this story in the coming days.  Until then - happy reading.

Credits:

Bruce Jones - Writer
Lee Weeks - Artist

Spider-man's Tangled Web #6

The last issue ended with the Rhino, after being spurned by his newest infatuation - a mob boss's daughter named Stella - undergoing a treatment to enhance his brain power.

Brains and brawn you say?  All in one package?  What could happen?

Well, in short, Rhino wins Stella back, breaks out some of his buddies, and goes on a crime spree.  And is surprisingly successful!

He goes on to live a life of wealth, culture and luxury - and eventually all the things that brought him joy (Stella, the theatre, poetry...weird to think of the Rhino reading Yeats or Elliot) have lost their luster...the world, it seems to the Rhino, is now an extremely boring place.

Stella, claiming the passion of their relationship has faded, leaves the Rhino, and he sets up a meeting with his long time enemy, Spider-man.  The Rhino revels to Spider-man that he's discovered Peter's secret.  Cut to the Brooklyn Bridge, where a revelation occurs.

He needs to be dumb again.  So, he goes back to the Doctor, has the operation reversed and by the end of the book, he's happily running through walls again.

This is a great little two part story about a villain who is mainly used as a punching bag for either Spider-man or the Hulk.  The art is a bit odd - it treads a line that is at times very realistic and at times very stylized.  But it can't quite seem to make up its mind.  I'll admit, a very cartoony portrayal of these events would not have worked, as the subject matter necessitates a more true to life feel.   It really shows the potential Rhino has...but on the other hand, just how unhappy that potential can make us.  Is ignorance really bliss?  Are we better off being dumb and joyous or smart and miserable?

But - hey - it's just a comic book...they can't possibly illicit these kinds of deep questions, right?

Until next time - happy reading.

Credits:

Peter Milligan - Writer
Duncan Ferredo - Art

Spider-man's Tangled Web #5

Did you ever wonder how the Rhino sleeps or how he spends a Saturday night?  I mean, the guy is covered in enhanced rhino skin and has a horn on his head.

Ever wonder what it takes to really get under that thick skin?

This issue (along with the next) help to shed some light on the man known as the Rhino.

We open with a girl being held hostage.  There's a rumbling in the distance and the Rhino breaks through the wall.  He scoops up the girl and runs off.  She smiles at him, the Rhino's heart melts.  Then he realizes she's not smiling at him, but at Spider-man - who just happened be there w/ a full camera crew.  Rhino takes Stella (the girl he rescued) to a waiting limo, then proceeds to get his butt kicked on camera.

Rhino goes to jail, breaks out and goes to see a doctor.  Rhino wants his skin off; he can't find happiness.  He sleeps on a bed of cinder block and spends money on women who don't care whether he lives or dies.  The dude from the limo shows up while Rhino's drowning his sorrows and offers him another job protecting Stella.  He accepts and takes down the thugs holding Stella and thinks he'll get a hero's welcome.

He receives a tongue lashing; basically, Stella calls him an idoit.

So, Rhino goes to his doctor to get a procedure done - one that will give him the one thing he lacks: smarts.

Now, this is the beginning of a nice little 2 part story - the art is okay, but nothing to write home about.  It tries to be realistic, but it's kind of hard to make a guy in rhino skin look believable.  Also. at times, the line weight is way to heavy.

But, the pay off comes in the next issue.  Until then, happy reading!

Credits:

Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Duncan Fegredo

Spider-man's Tangled Web #4

After the 3 issue "The Thousand" story, Marvel offers this wonderful one-off issue called Severance Package. 

It's late at night, and a phone rings at Tom Cochrane's house and tells him to turn on the news.  It's a story about how Spider-man has foiled a delivery of illegal guns.  Tom breaks out in a could sweat and his wife starts weeping.  The phone rings again and a voice tells Tom to be ready in an hour.

Turns out Tom set up the deal that went bad and the Kingpin is pissed.  Tom puts on his nicest suit and, after contemplating taking the easy way out, leaves his family and gets in the car.

The drive is a young lackey named Richie, who recently botched a Chinatown deal.  Outside of the Kingpin's building, Tom clocks Richie, steals his gun and shoots him in the head.

In the elevator, Tom heads up to the penthouse, where the Kingpin waits.  After telling the Kingpin about Richie, Tom asks about his family.  The Kingpin tells Tom he was a reliable man and tell Tom to attack him.  Tom shots at the Kingpin, misses on purpose, and the Kingpin chokes him to death.  We close on a scene with the Kingpin on the phone telling his associate to leave Tom's family alone.

What an awesome issue.  Spider-man is in one panel, but he can be felt through out the entire story.  Does Spider-man realize his actions cause harm no matter what he does?  Had he not stopped the guns, Tom would have lived - but he kept guns off the streets, so a man died.  Heavy story.  The art is good - not great.  There are a couple stand out panels where the subtlety is the high light.

All around a satisfying read.

Well, time to go Christmas shopping.  Until then - happy reading!

Credits:

Written by - Garth Ennis
Art by - Eduardo Risso

Spider-man's Tangled Web #3

Last issue ended on a cliff hanger: Spider-man was paralyzed, tied to a chair and spiders were pouring out of his former co-worker's mouth.

This issue opens with a new kind of hero: the landlord.  He walks in just as the Thousand (what the spiders call themselves) are about to consume Spidey.  They then turn their attention toward the unfortunate guy and wear his skin like a suit.

This issue is pretty much just an extended rooftop fight scene.  The Thousand's jealous of Spider-man's life and Spider-man says he's got nothing to envy.  We then get a glimpse of how the Thousand came to be.  He ate the spider that bit Peter that fateful day.

So,the paralyzing venom wears off and they fight; the Thousand ends up getting electrocuted and falling off the roof.

One spider of the Thousand survives and is promptly stomped on in the street.  Nice ending.

The art is a touch to static - the 2 previous issues felt much more fluid.  This was a fitting ending for this story and I put the book down feeling satisfied.  Guess the moral here is the grass is aways greener on the other side.  Spidey's life to an outsider looks like a good time, but in truth it is filled with little but loss.

Might keep going w/ this series for a time - we'll see what I feel like doing when I get a free minute to read.

Until then, happy reading!

Credits:

Written by - Garth Ennis
Art by - John McCrea and James Hodgkins

Spider-man's Tangled Web #2

Last issue introduced Carl King, a bully from Peter's past who attacked a secretary at the Bugle.  After the attack, we see the secretary walk out w/ the bully's skin hanging in the closet.  Creepy.

Now, this bully know all about the dual life Peter lives, but we do know he's super jealous and super pissed.

Pete ticks off his current girlfriend, Skye, at a party and ends up walking home alone, soaked by the rain with every step.  He gets home and Miss Patton (the secretary) is waiting on Pete's door step.  She tells him some sob story and our hero invites her up to dry off.

Miss Patton - who by now we know is somehow really Carl King - off handedly says she knows Peter is Spider-man, and Pete - frozen with surprise / fear - watches as miss Patton's hear turns a full 180 degrees.  Once again: Creepy.

Carl (or Miss Patton of The Thousand) and Spider-man fight on the roof top and Pete find out that Carl's been watching him for a while - like ever since the day he was bitten on the field trip.  Carl bites Spider-man, paralyzes him, and ties him to a chair.

Upon regaining consciousness, Spider-man finds out what exactly The Thousand is - a bunch of spiders inhabiting the skin of Miss Patton and with Carl's consciouses.  They pour out of Miss Patton's mouth and creep toward our bound hero.  One last time: Creepy.

This is a nice issue of Spider-man, a little trip into the more grotesque side of things.  The scene where the spiders come out of Miss Patton's mouth is bound to give me nightmares.  Once again, I have to say do not judge this issue by its cover.  I really like McCrea's pencils - they are both sparse and chilling.  I really can't do them justice.  Guess I'll have to start posting some interior art on my posts.   This is a solid story.

The Thousand wraps up in the next issue - and who knows, maybe we'll read more of the Web Head.  Until then - happy reading.

Credits: 

Written by - Garth Ennis
Art by - John McCrea and James Hodgkins

Spider-man's Tangled Web #1

After a couple of weeks with Grendel, I need a bit of a break.  So, enter our friendly neighborhood Spider-man to tangle with the villain called the Thousand.   


This issue opens with a man sitting in a diner, sulking.  He's obsessing over Spider-man, who is fighting the Rhino outside.  Spidey cracks some jokes, hits Rhino with an armored car, and generally saves the day.

But who is this man in the diner?  And how does he know that Spider-man is really Peter Parker.

Pete tries to do some laundry and fails.

In a flashback, our mystery man bets up on a young Peter Parker.

Pete tries to sell some pictures and fails.  Miss Patton (a feature's editor, I guess) takes Pete's picture and we cut to the evening.  The Bugle is empty - except for Miss Patton.  Our mystery man shows up and attacks Miss Patton.  The last page of the issue shows the mystery man's skin hanging in a closet like a wrinkled suit and Miss Patton strutting out of the building.

First, let me say one thing: do not judge this book by its hideous cover.  The interior art is head and shoulders above the cover.  It's got a clean feel to it, polished and refreshing.  The fight scene at the beginning with the Rhino is a joy to read.  I'm kind of a novice reader of Spider-man, but this is the beginning of a good 3 part story that is just that: a story - complete with a beginning, middle and end.  Tomorrow - the middle chapter of the Thousand.

Until then - happy reading.

Credits:  Written by - Garth Ennis
               Art by - John McCrea, James Hodgkins,
                            and Steve Buccellato

Mutant X #12

Written by: Howard Mackie
Art by: Cary Nord and Andrew Pepoy

Well, its finally here - the showdown between the Goblin Queen and Havok. I went into this expecting good things...but this is the Mutant X universe where nothing in what you expected.

Basically this issue consists of gathering of the forces of good to fight the Goblin Queen. Lots of self doubt on Havok's part, as usual. He makes it to New York to face the Goblin Queen and... he remembers dying. Turns out we're transported into his mind (or maybe the astral plain) where Scotty is hanging out. There is a lot of dialogue and the Goblin Queen is defeated in a tiny panel. Havok wonders how and the rest of the world starts to pick up the pieces of the Goblin Queen's mess.

What a piece of crap ending. No grand 12 page fight scene, no death of heroes and villains alike, just a big stinking fart of a deus ex machina. What a waste of time and paper. Trees died to print this drivel.

Well, I think we'll shelve this series for a bit (there are 20 more issues plus 2 annuals) - be back here tomorrow to find out what the long box holds.

Read happy!

Mutant X #11

So, it's been a while since I posted here. Best to get right back on that horse...

Written by: Howard Mackie
Art by: JJ Kirby, Mike Miller, and Andrew Pepoy

Wow. Let me just say that this series was kind of a nail in the coffin of my 2010 run of comic reviews. But I'm back with renewed vigor. Still, this series is threating my new found strength. It's kind of like a train wreck... I want to look away, but realize I can't.

If I had any real followers out there, I'm sorry for the delay in posting. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things.

So, this issues opens with a meeting of the X-Men and Havok to discuss what should be done with the Goblin queen. Scotty sits at the top of the stairs at the X-Mansion and listens as the super powered adults decide his mother soon to be fate. Cut to Maddie talking to her Goblin Queen reflection in a pond, who tells Maddie it's time to get Scotty back. Bloodstorm shows up at the X-Mansion, fights the X-Men, wins and takes Scotty back to the Six's HQ.

After a less than warm reunion with his mother, Scotty is sent to bed without dinner. Brute goes to see Scotty, who "talks" him out of the Queen's control. The two of them proceed to try and escape, only to be hampered by the Fallen. Brute and the Fallen fight, brute loses and the Fallen winds up the killing blow. Scotty's eye glow and the room bursts with blue energy which send the Fallen flying against a wall. Enraged, the Fallen tried to strike Scotty, but Mommy steps in and reminds the Fallen who is the boss.

Mattie seems to return to her senses and tells the Brute to take Scotty back to the X-Men and all is back to where it was at the beginning of this issue.

I like Kirby's (or possibly Miller's) Maddie - and as is par for this book, the art is stylized in a decent way that isn't terrible to look at. The story is about in line too. Not a terrible read, but definitely not the best book I've got it the long boxes.

Mutant X #10

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Cary Nord and Andrew Pepoy

So, Magneto showed up at the end of last issue and surveys the scene - Maddie and friends on one side, Havok and his pals on the other. He then messes up the Sentinels (on the Goblin Queen's side, in case you're keeping score) and her Majesty and friends high tail it out of there.

Magneto and Polaris try to take Alex to the mansion when an explosion occurs behind them. The turn and go into the city. They are hounded by Sentinels and eventually find themselves face to face with Maddie and her newest convert - Nimrod

So by now, everyone has pissed their pants - but who else should come to this party but the rest of the X-Men: Nightcrawler, Rogue, Quicksilver and Mystique. So both sides again are set to rumble at the close of this issue.

Not a horrible read, some good action scenes and banter between Magneto and Polaris. The art is the same as it has been on this series. Maddie looks good, everyone has beards. Not the worst issue of this series.

Mutant X #9

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Mike Miller and Andrew Pepoy

Havok returns to New York City after his adventure in the swamp to find in completely in his wife's (the Goblin Queen) clutches. Some Sentinels show up, corner Alex in an alley and the ground breaks open and swallows Alex.

Turns out it is the underground freedom fighters led by Ben Grimm, the Mole Man and Calypso; they live in the tunnels under New York. They show Alex around and he says " I need to find my wife." They take him up a tunnel where who should be waiting but the Goblin Queen and the rest of her goons. They trade blows until who should show up but...Magneto.

What a steaming pile of junk. Nothing happened in this issue. Havok when on a tour of the tunnels - I could have gone to Crystal Caverns and done the same thing. Yawns all around. This is just an awful title. I can't really remember if I enjoyed it the first tie I read it, but I kind of can't stand it right now.

Mutant X '99 Annual

Written by: Jay Faeber

Art by: Paschalis Ferry and Andrew Pepoy

Ever wonder how the Defenders formed in the crazy world that is Mutant X's everyday? Yeah, neither did I. But Jay Faeber sure does want to tell us and I'm just masochistic enough to want to read it.

So, Alex got cold cocked through a plate glass window (not a cool as I make it sound) by Maddie at the end of last issue sending him falling to his supposed death. Well he's saved at the last minute by the remaining Avengers - a female Yellowjacket and some dude named Stingray. They call in Doc Samson to help over throw the Goblin Queen.

Fury and Maddie show up in some swamp, Alex follows them, The fight Dr. Strange and lose. Strange teleports our heroes away and destroys the nexus of reality (which Maddie was trying to control and Dr. Strange was trying to protect) and ends up absorbing it into himself. Stingray, Yellowjacket and Doc Samson decide to team up as the - you guessed it - Defenders.

Oh, and Reed Richards (who turned on our heroes a issue or two ago) is now President.

Compared to the previous issues in this series, there is some action, some psyco babble, and this story actually moves the overarching story forward. In short, this issue has a beginning, a middle and an end - something mister Mackie seems to have a problem with. The art is standard 90's fare, not terrible to look at but nothing to write home about. One of the better issues this stinker of a series has turned out.

Can't wait until I hit issue 12 - I'll start Promethea or Behold the Devil to wash the foul taste out of my mouth left from reading this series.

Mutant X #8

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Cary Nord and Andrew Pepoy

Wow, another issue where absolutely nothing happens. Maddie and friends take over the White House and the Sentinels, Alex and Electra take Scotty to the X-Mansion, Alex leaves for New York City to confront Maddie. They argue and she kicks him out a window.

Reading this series is like watching a train wreck in slow motion. It's building to something that will probably be just as big of a let down as this series has been so far.

Again, in my defense, this series felt cool and new when I first read it. I guess my tastes have changed. Learn from me; stay away from this title. No good can come of it.

The art is pretty though...

Mutant X #7

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Cary Nord and Andrew Pepoy

So, this series is still kind of a stinker. Believe me, I'm trying to find some redeeming value in it, but I just can't. This issue focuses on the Goblin Queen gathering the Six around her so she can carry out her goblin invasion.

Havok, Elektra, and Scotty are on the run, the Brute has been executed and Bloodstorm is under the Goblin Queen's control.

There is a cross country road chase involving Havok and friends and some workers at the local drive in who are controlled by the Goblin Queen. The (newly resurrected) Brute shows up and tries to take Scotty. Alex won't let him and the Brute warns him that Maddie will be pissed.

There really aren't many good things to say about this issue. Simple filler that could have been done in 2-3 pages but is stretched out over a whole issue. I'm really getting tired of this series. When it came out, it felt fresh; but now it has gone flat.

Mutant X #6

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Cary Nord and Andrew Pepoy

The Brute stands trial for the death of Norman Osborn and Spider-man in the latest issue of this series (I swear it gets better). This is an issue where the story really starts to take off. We see Havok stand in the Brute's defense, and a surprise witness shows up - Spider-man!

Turns out the version that the Brute killed was just a clone.

Bullseye and the Hand show up too, as everyone is pissed off at the mutants for the destruction that occurred in New York City. Maddie and the Fallen continue to berate the Brute and Maddie does something weird that allows the Brute to be smart again...and he wants to be tried to the fullest extent of the law.

Cary Nord is what makes this series good. His art is like nothing I've ever seen. I love to hate some panels, others I just love. His Goblin Queen is haunting. The stage is being set for some cool things down the road. After some miss steps in the earlier issues, this one marks an upswing in artistic and narrative style. I'm actually starting to care about these characters. Good stuff.

Mutant X #5

Written by: Howard Mackie

Art by: Tom Raney and Andrew Pepoy

The world of Mutant X get over run by (cloned) Goblins and everyone's favorite neighborhood Spider-man shows up to help the Six. There is a big fight scene, the Six split up and Madelyne goes off with the Fallen after the Green Goblin, who is in control of the clones. Spider-man (who has six arms, weird right?) follows, and is captured along with Gobby. The Brute shows up just in time to hear Madelyne tell the Fallen to kill them.

He does and Havok and friends show up and blame the Brute. He's dumb and can't defend himself - so he runs off. Havok trails him and the cops take the brute down and arrest him for the murder of the Goblin and Spider-man.

Not really sure why I'm still reading this title. The story is kind of lack luster and I remember it being a abetter read. Maybe my tastes have changed. Before this was like a nice pice of guilty candy. But now I think I have a cavity from it. I'll stick with it until the faux Inferno story line finishes up, then I'll reevaluate whether this warrants further reading.