Guest Star Month in Spidey

Amazing Spider-man # 203 (April 1980)

(writer Marv Wolfman; Art Keith Pollard)

Guest Star: The Dazzler

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man #41 (April 1980)

(writer Tom DeFalco; Art Jim Mooney)

Guest Star: Giant-Man

April 1980 was obviously guest-star month in the Spidey titles an either of these issues would have felt at home in Marvel team-Up.

Amazing Spidey #203 was actually only the 2nd appearance of The Dazzler (following Uncanny X-Men 130) and Marvel were clearly introducing her to a wide audience in preparation for her own title. This wasn't a bad issue - but it wasn't great either - as the story was over very quickly. I thought the connection between the Dazzler and the villain Lightmaster was nice and I also enjoyed the pop-culture reference with Pete and the gang going to see the first Star Trek Movie. Goodness that was a long time ago!

Overall another 6/10 issue.

PPSM # 41 was definitely more of a filler issue. Although I enjoyed Tom DeFalco's run on Amazing (ASM 251 - 280 ish) this issue seemed rushed on all accounts. There were probably a number of reasons for this, but in the end it's the reader who suffers.

This should have been a Team-Up issue with no sub-plot development or any of the regular supporting cast making an appearance. I also don't don't like the cover much. Rating 4/10.