review: It's not easy being red and blue.

January 20, 2000

ISSUE #15: Bring Me the Head of Spider-Man
You killed off Mary Jane for this? Click on the cover image to see a larger version. Writer: Howard Mackie, John Romita, Jr., Hanna Penciller: Mackie, Romita, Hanna Inker: Gregory Wright
	REVIEW: Yes, it's Spider-Man's "Hunt for Mary Jane World Tour." Somehow connecting her plane's explosion with Doctor Doom in last issue's Amazing Spider-Man, Peter's been stuck in Latveria, trying to foment a revolution against a Doom's robotic doppleganger. Sheesh. If this issue were a movie, it would a Roger Corman movie. Somehow, a robot Doom has managed to reinvent itself as the real monarch of Latveria despite the fact that the staff should be used to mecha-Dooms roaming the castle by now. Furthermore, the faux Doom has turned into the equivalent of Howard Hughes, blindfolding its staff, who has never once wondered why ol' Victor would institute the policy in the first place. Meanwhile, the girl seems pretty concerned about her father, but could care less about a wholesale massacre of Latveria. Other than one or two quibbles, this is a great issue. Seriously though, when Latveria finally comes to its senses and takes down the robot tyrant, it's a great, scene that brings the revolution to a neat close. But man, when you put a line in like, "I'm no closer to getting a clue about Mary Jane's whereabouts...to get me to travel halfway around the world because of a simple phone call," Mackie might as well just say, "this issue was useless. Remember to tune in next month!" Sigh. And I will, until Spidey wises up again. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

ISSUE #14: Denial
(Click on the cover image to see a larger version)
	REVIEW: Mary Jane's plane blew up. The Parkers are having a funeral. But Peter's not there. Peter's fighting the Hulk instead. And for the most part, these simple themes make up a strong issue. Watching all of Peter and Mary Jane's friends coming together to grieve is touching, because they're all characters we've grown to love over the years: Aunt May, Joe Robertson, J. Jonah Jameson, Flash Thompson, Better Brant, Liz Osborn, to name a few -- seeing their reactions humanizes the impact of MJ's spectacular death. On the other hand, Peter Parker's desperate fight against the Hulk is a more comic-booky way of dealing with it, but it's no less effective. A couple things bug me about the Hulk fight, though. First, why did the Hulk go to New York? If you're trying to stay isolated, New York ain't a good place. Even Spider-Man makes a note of it. Second, where the heck were the police? Last time Spider-Man fought Firelord, the police were all over the place. Sure, the Hulk's an effective punching bag, but it's awfully convenient to have an invulnerable punching bag to tear up New York with for twenty or so pages, uninterrupted. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

ISSUE #13: Living in Oblivion
(Click on the cover image to see a larger version)
	REVIEW: This issue isn't the best issue of Spider-Man, but it's one of the most emotionally-charged ones. As you know by now, Mary Jane apparently blew up with her plane in the last Amazing Spider-Man. This issue deals with the fact that Peter Parker doesn't know yet. So, we're treated to Peter Parker going about his daily business, fighting an escaped Carnage and dwelling on his relationship with Mary Jane while Aunt May and the rest of Peter Parker's extended family discover the huge loss. Obviously Mackie, Weeks, and Campanella are trying to set up the irony between Spider-Man's relationship problems and his real one, but it there's a bit too much pipe laid at the same time. I don't need to see the Kingpin or Venom or Carnage while the real story, Mary Jane's story, is happening in the background. On the other hand, the part where Peter finally finds out will give even the most cynical Spider-fan a little tug on the heartstrings. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BORROW IT!

ISSUE #12: Another Return of the Sinister Six
(Click on the cover image to see a larger version)
	REVIEW: OK, aside from the gratuitous Venom appearance, the return of the Sinister Six is exciting. Continuing from Amazing Spider-Man, the Sinister Six, now joined by Venom, prepare to take on Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus, and Senator Ward. Guess who wins? You will be surprised. Thanks to Howard Mackie's writing and John Romita's art, the Sinister Six look deadlier than they've ever been. Even Electro in his new costume isn't as goofy as I thought he'd be. As the Sinister Six snipe and fight among themselves, Mackie deftly moves the Senator Ward story along, and gives us a good warm-up issue before the main event. By the time you're finished with it, it almost starts to make sense. Meanwhile, the B-story is heating up nicely, too. The tension between Webhead and Mary Jane is so thick you need a machete, and the stalker finally strikes, Unabomber-style. At which point, you'd need a derrick to get MJ and Petey back together. All in all, after sticking with the Spidey books for so long, I'm ecstatic to see they're going somewhere. --Jeff Chen
	Recommendation:	BUY IT!

What's your take on Spider-Man? Is he better than Spider-Girl? E-mail us at letters@dailysci-fi.com and give us your two cents.

To see what other people are saying about Spider-Man and other comics, check out the letters.

For the latest in comic news, reviews, and information, check out our affiliate, ComicFan and Psycomics.

Castewar's Bottom-Shelf Video Reviews - feature - (1.20.00)

Fans Pull for Sulu - tv - (1.20.00)

Daredevil - comics - (1.20.00)

Trippin' the Light Fang-tastic - feature - (1.20.00)

Peter Parker: Spider-Man - comics - (1.20.00)

Roswell, The Toy House - tv - (1.20.00)

IGN Sci-Fi's Comic Index - comics - (1.20.00)

Batman: Gotham Knights - comics - (1.20.00)