When A Cobra Comes Calling

Amazing Spider-man issues 231 and 232 was yet another excellent two-part story by Stern, Romita Jr. and Mooney.

Stern again features the Cobra who was last seen in PPSM #46 and this time Spidey also has to tackle Cobra's partner the gruesome Mr Hyde.

Again the characterisation of the villains adds a great deal to this story. We actually see the Cobra relaxing in his hideout before Mr Hyde looking for revenge on his partner for leaving him for dead.

There is also a more than usual dollop of soap opera with the supporting cast and in this issue includes Ned Leeds, Betty, Dr. Marla Madison and Deb Whitman. It's also worth noting that the co-ordination between the two main Spidey titles has improved a great deal at this point. References are made to both Pete giving up his teaching assistant role and Deb suspecting that he's Spidey. As these have only just occurred in PPSM it's nice to see and make you believe that you are reading about the same character.

As usual with Stern the action scenes are entertaining and, of course, the whole thing is well drawn by JR JR.

Rating 8.5/10

Mixed Mantlo Spidey Stories

Two issues of Spectacular Spider-man to review tonight. These appear to demonstrate why Bill Mantlo never became a big fan favourite.

Issue # 67 with art by Ed Hannigan and Al Milgrom was a great issue.

Lots of things happen in Pete's life, Boomerang makes a great villain, the epic war with the Kingpin begins slowly and the action scenes are entertaining.

Nothing to complain about at all. In fact, Hannigan and Milgrom put in a good art job and make this a well above average issue.

Rating 8/10

But Mantlo can't seem to maintain any consistency.



The best thing about issue #68 was the cover - which is a really nice one by Hannigan and Milgrom again.

Although the interior art in this issue by Luke McDonnell and Jim Mooney can't be blamed for the poor comic, it's only an average job.

However, I found the story really silly. From the daft villain, to Pete jumping to the wrong conclusions yet again and the Foreign Secret Agents it was all rather dull and silly.

The only good bit was that Deb Whitman begins to suspect Pete's secret identity.

How can Mantlo produce such contrasting issues is beyond me. Not a great on in the run.

Rating 5/10

Nothing Can Stop The Juggernaut

Amazing Spider-man #229 & #230 by Stern/ Romita Jr./ Mooney

This is another fantastic 2 parter by this creative team.

Spidey comes face to face with Juggernaut and soon discovers that he's (almost) impossible to stop. After failing to stop the Juggernaut from getting to Madame Web he vows to stop him getting away.

There's not much to add as the story and art are top notch.

Rating 9/10 for both.

Electro!

Amazing Spider-man #228 (May 1982) ws a fill-in issue by Jan Strnad and Rick Leonardi.

As fill issues go it was one of the better ones certainly helped by a better than normal art job by Leonardi. Perhaps it was Dave Simons' inks that raised the standard. The art certainly created the mood of this offbeat tale. (The cover was right for once!)

And as the cover states it was an unusual tale of Murders being carried out by thousands of Spiders. Of course, of hero, gets involved, to sort things out.

I enjoyed this, but am looking forward to more Stern/JR. Jr. work next issue!

Rating 7/10

Spectacular Spider-man #66 was by Mantlo, Hannigan and Mooney.

This was a good issue as Electro goes a bit mad after escaping from Ryker's Island. There was some nice touches with Jonah reminiscent of early Amazing issues and Hannigan's art had a bit of early Ditko feel to it as well this issue.

A great cover - one of my favourites on this title for quite some time.

Rating 7/10. So not a bad month for Spidey comics back in 1982.

Cloak and Dagger

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-man #64 by Mantlo/Hannigan/Mooney

Cloak and Dagger are two of Mantlo's most successful creations. They went on to have their own series and everything. This was their first appearance and I can't believe that I haven't read it before.

They are certainly original characters, very dark and purposeful in their attitude. Mantlo does a nice job in detailing their motivations and background. He also never really states clearly whether they are bad guys or not. There are certainly worse depicted but C & D do end up killing them - despite Spidey's protests.

In my opinion, C & D have always been reasonable supporting characters and it was good to read their origin at last.

Hannigan's art seemed quite inspired on this particular occasion and, I don't know if he did the cover or not, but it's really good.

Rating 8/10


Issue 65 by Mantlo and Hall was not so good. Mainly because it featured Kraven and his stories can be hit or miss. This is certainly more of a miss.

He does defeat Spidey but with the help of his girlfriend Calypso- so it's not good enough for a man with his pride or ego.

The most interesting bit about this issue was the soap opera bit concerning Pete's love life. Marcy Kane?!

Not bad but certainly not great. Don't like that cover either.

Rating 6/10

The Black Cat Came Back

Amazing Spider-man # 226 and 227 by Roger Stern and John Romita Jr

I love these issues. Stern takes the Black Cat and really makes something of her. The potential was hinted at in the previous stories but Stern (again) takes the time to develop the villain and shows that, although she's attracted to Spidey, she finds it difficult to give up her life of crime.

Pete shows his character of always giving a person the benefit of the doubt and gives her a chance and the last two panels in #226 where he eventually gives in and kisses the Cat just show he's "human".

But of course, this being the Amazing Spider-man, things can't last or go smoothly.

The Black Cat decides that if she can't give up a life of crime because it's so exciting then, as Spidey is already considered a masked menace, then he could join her. Pete can't go for that and they fight as Pete tries to get the Cat to turn herself in. Tragedy strikes as the Cat falls into the East River after being webbed up and a wounded Spidey couldn't save her.

One of the main reasons I loved this issue, besides the great script and art, is the feeling that something major is happening in Spidey's life. This is a story that means something and will have repercussions.

In in all, top stuff. Rating 9/10

Comics On TV

BBC4 have just finished showing a number of comic related programmes as part of a Comics Britannia season.

The Search For Steve Ditko.

To be honest, I didn't learn very much. The main thing that I picked-up about Ditko himself was how right wing his politics were. Mr A was a new character to me.

The other things I learnt were how to pronounce everybody's name. Hmmm...not quite as I thought for some. I also learnt that Alan Moore has go very strange tastes when it comes to jewellery. You couldn't miss all those rings and other strange devices on his hands. Bizarre!

I quite enjoyed it as it was nice to see a TV documentary on the creation of my favourite character. All those Spidey covers (many of which I own) were cool.

I enjoyed the art in Moebius documentary and he seems far more level headed than some of the other creators interviewed on some of these programmes. Mind you some of the other geezers they interviewed were a bit mad. I hadn't realised that he'd done the set and costume design for Alien. Obvious really when you look at it.

On the three part Comics Britannia documentary itself.

The first two were alright – but as they were looking at the Beano, Dandy etc and war and girls comics in the 1950’s

I agree that there was a bit too much Viz on Comics Britannia which looked at British comics since the 1970’s. The highlight was certainly Alan Moore reading Watchmen. It somehow was really good and really bad at the same time. Nice voice though! (I will have to re-read Watchmen soon.)

In conclusion, thanks to BBC for these. Most of the programmes were probably only watched by fans – but it was nice to see some serious discussion of this form of entertainment for once.