Fn Spidey #11 was one of the most enjoyable Spider-Man reads in some time. I’ve been fairly vocal about the fact that I have found the chararacter largely unrecognizable in the past 5 or so years and, with that in mind, I am excited to know that he is again in the good hands of a competant writer who understands the character as well as his basic history. Kudos on a solid, fun, and enjoyable story. I was dissappointed to heard that Ringo is off of the book and still am thrown that I hadn’t heard about it a day before I saw it announced in the letter’s page. I dig Nauck’s stuff and enjoyed a chat with him at a con a few years back. A good guy and solid artist.
I thought Fallen Angel was fantastic. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite books on my pull list these days.
I’ve wondered, though. Has the last couple of issues been delayed? It seems like each issue has taken longer to come out than the average monthly comic. There are times I’ll start to wonder if the next issue has come out, and then shortly after that, it’ll appear in my account. It’s always a pleasant surprise when I forget it’s next issue arrival.
I’ll actually be going into further detail on the latest issue of FA in my reviews this week (http://comicsnexus.insidepulse.com/). Shameless plug, I know.
MAVEL??? someone needs some more coffee. 🙂
Nahhh, Mavel is the Jewish Spider-Girl.
FNSM was reall good. I like Todd’s art a lot, though I too miss Ringo. Ah well.
In regards to the story, overall I liked it. I am still not fond of the idea of the outed Spider-Man, but, that being said, I thought you took it to interesting places and handled it well. I am very excited about the prospect of Peter resigning from the school… I only hope that he doesn’t change his mind over the course of the arc.
I’m also very interested in the Mysterio plotline. There HAVE been a number of Mysterios. I remember a couple of good minis about him (if I remember correctly, one by Dematties and one by Defalco?) and I’ve often hoped for a return to the topic. I hope it’s the real Quentin Beck, but then again, if not, I am sure Peter has a great idea to spin it around. I look forward.
Loved Fallen Angel. Adds more to the overall world that she lives in, the things that formed her. Is the plan to continue the flashback stories, or return to the current events line?
Thanks for the done in one issue of Marvel Adventures SM. I’m really liking all these MA books. Great stuff. People, at least pick up MA:S-M just for the PAD fix.
-Jeff
MA:SM->Swamp Pirates and Alligator Tossing? If it had Robot Ninjas, it would be perfect. I think I need to start checking this out more.
FNSM->Good solid issue where changes to the status quo came fast and early. These changes felt a little forced, but I think that’s because we could see them coming for so long. If I hadn’t been following Civil War, would have felt alright. DemoMysterio looks like he could have some potential. Showing the danger to the students instead of just always talking about it is just good storytelling, and I’m glad to see it.
PAD,
I’m a teacher, so I personally enjoyed FNSM #11. I also had an unrelated question…. I was walking through my local comics shop yesterday and saw a copy of a PPSSM Annual from the 1980s laying there… I want to say it was Annual #5. It had a Michael Jacksonesque character on the cover named Ace. I had some vague memories of reading that story (as well as a sequel the following year). My question to you is – did you create Ace and write these annuals? I know it was right around the time of the ‘Death of Jean DeWolf’ storyline.
Thanks
Garrett
Newsarama is reporting a new set of What If?’s later this year, with one from PAD!
What If? Spider-Man: The Other
Along with stories about Avengers Disassmbled, Wolverine: Enemy of the State, X-Men: Deadly Genesis, and Age of Apocalypse.
Sounds like an interesting group of stories, but I’m surprised that the focus is mostly on recent storylines (which makes AoA the odd one out).
Maybe the Deadly Genesis story will fully be “What if Deadly Genesis was actually based on a good idea?”.
Fallen Angel – Awesome, as always. PAD, I feel you are completely on the mark every time with this new incarnation of the series. I am a big fan of yours about 85% of the time, but FA has been 100% with IDW. I’m very glad this series has continued, and the most recent arc was fun to see. I liked seeing Lee’s predecessor and the beginnings of her attitude toward God.
FNSM – Meh. I generally like your Spider-Man work, but this title has been very hit or miss for me. It feels like the entire book “doesn’t matter” to the Spider-Man mythos, as though a combination of editorial mandate and an overall attitude toward the book has made all of its stories “throwaway” stories.
– Magic wrestler guy? He and his story seem doomed to the same limbo as the Jack Rabbit from the early 300’s of Amazing.
– Spider-Man 2211 and Hobgoblin 2211? Interesting concepts and story that felt cramped by only three issues. Also, these characters are PAD-creations that I doubt any other writer will ever use. (That doesn’t make them bad, and I’m glad to see them–I was a huge fan of Spidey 2099–but the story felt so rushed that it seemed like these characters didn’t have the impact on the PAD-verse as they should have.)
– Mysterio? Ah, yes. Another attempt to make him a worthy adversary again. I’m a big fan of old Spidey villains, and I’m not giving up all hope that your take will be the one to revitalize the character, but the character has been jerked around so much in the last few years that I have trouble investing myself in any story featuring him.
In any case, I hope that your run on FNSM is lengthy and given some more attention from TPTB, especially once all of this “Civil War” nonsense is over.
Eric
Totally missed FNSM at the comic shop, but isnt the Mysterio the new one from Spider-Man/Black Cat? The teleporter guy whose brother abused him?
Enjoyed the books.
Now, to move on a bit of a tangent, we’ve seen the reaction of most of the earliest supporting cast members to Peter’s reveal, namely May, Jonah, and Flash. But there are two more whose reaction I’d really like to see/find out about.
Namely Betty Brant, Peter’s first love interest, and Liz Allen Osborne. Normally Liz’ reaction wouldn’t be that significant, save of course that later on she married Harry Osborne. Her reactions to Peter and MJ now would be interesting to see.
Any plans for these two?
The slight problem I have with this FNSM story is the suspension of disbelief I have to employ in regards to Flash.
First, I have to believe that his injuries have left his body completely healed, but his personality regressed to his earlier, jerk days. Meh. It’s not an improvement on the character; it’s a rehash, and an uncomfortable one at that.
Second, if Peter wanted to convince Flash that he was Spider-Man…why not hop on the school wall or web up Flash? Is it really that hard to convince Flash that he’s Spidey?
I liked Nauck’s art, and Ringo’s cover was pretty dámņ cool.
Hmmm. I did not mind the Flash regression. In a way, I suspect that Peter Parker does not either. It must be kind of fun to have a circumstance that Peter can handle as his world is being torn apart by the recent developments in CIVIL WAR. As you can tell, I am really enjoying FRIENDLY.
I also got a kick out of FALLEN ANGEL. Frankly, this book has some of Peter’s best writing.
As for MARVEL ADVENTURES, while it was worth reading due to Peter’s writing, I have to wonder what is the point. If you want to read about Peter during his high school days, there is the ULTIMATE book.
Loved everything (Even found issue 4 of ‘Spike Vs. Dracula’ that I missed)
But dámņ it if Collector’s Kingdom yet again didn’t have ‘Fallen Angel’. I was told it would be in NEXT Wednesday. Oh, well. Off to Fourth World again.
The point of Marvel Adventures is that young children can read it, something that can’t really be said about the Ultimate line.
That said, I also think PAD’s Marvel Adventures is the best Spidey on the market today, surpassing FNSM by leaps and bounds. I’m an old fart, but I love his take on the pure, no armor or mystical powers, Spider-Man.
Fallen Angel is one of the best titles on the market, period.
P.S. Maybe I’m missing info on another thread, but is PAD leaving X-Factor? That would be a shame.
In addition to young children being able to read the Marvel Adventures line, it’s also good for casual readers, as it requires no knowledge of continuity and has a self-contained story in every issue.
To be honest, I think they’re a wonderful breath of fresh air–upbeat, light-hearted, self-contained stories, why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?–and the only bad thing about them is that Marvel isn’t promoting them more. (For example, they should make slightly cheaper versions of the trades, on cheaper paper, and sell them in super-market checkouts next to the Archie digests.)
So far, I have only read FNS #11. It is a very enjoyable issue. More than once I had to smile, even laugh a little. I welcomed the humour a lot.
I always liked the idea of Peter being a teacher but what happened here was what I expected, unfortunately. Being a Harry Potter fan I immediately felt reminded of Lupin who was a great teacher but because it became public that he was a werewolf, he was forced to give up his job. As seen in this story, for the most part the children wanted him to stay but not the majority of the parents.
It is an understandable reaction and if Lupin or Peter would teach my child, I would have very mixed feelings about it. FNS is certainly very realistic here.
I am hoping that I would find the inner strength to do what is right and not join the crowd of demanding a good teacher to leave because, like Peter, he could attract trouble. Because if you start that road, no employer would be willing to give a person with super powers a job, no institution would allow such a person to become a student or kick the ones out who is revealed to have some.
There are laws against all kinds of negative “-isms” (like sexism or racism). This is no different.
Therefore, in spite of all problems, I am hoping against hope that Peter will keep his job after all and that, eventually, the majority of parents will support him. But that is a faint hope because from what I have seen so far in Civil War, it doesn`t look good.
Another reason is, I think it is important to show a Spider-Man who has his own career, earns his own money and doesn`t have to rely on handouts from Iron Man as well as money from the government, which are people who draft super people for all kinds of jobs, if they want them or not.
FNSM: Yep, a very solid issue. I particularly like how quickly Peter is coming around to the fact that he can’t be a teacher anymore. It works well under the circumstances, but is also a nice bit of a “twist” coming from the recent storyline about how he will be there for that kid in his science class.
Oh, and I loved the bit where Flash thinks that Parker was “just covering for Spider-man”… a nice shot at the past there.
Looking forward to the next one!
Maybe this could result in an interesting discussion: Assuming you are living in the Marvel Universe, what would you do if you find out that a teacher of your child is a super hero or that one of the students in that school is one?
Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves? PAD?
>Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves?
I don’t know that I’d call for his resignation, but I’d either petition for some sort of additional safeguards to be put into place or consider moving for my kid to be placed in a different local school…. praising my belief of Spidey’s history as a hero all the way, to ensure that my motivations weren’t misinterpreted or twisted for someone else’s agenda.
I’m expecting that the former love interest that will show up is Deborah Whitman.
About Spider-Man: I bought this issue (as I have not done since the Straczynski take on the character) mostly on Mr. D’s name. It was okay, I guess, but I can see the next step in Marvel continuity will be to kick Peter Parker to the curb again.
He’s currently an Avenger, and supposedly getting a stipend off that, plus quasi-secure housing for Aunt May and Mary Jane. That can end at a moment. Peter no longer has a secret identity and lacks the capability of making a living without Avenger support. In many ways I think he has more honor in the Marvel Universe than he ever had, but in the cynical mood of the times, honor doesn’t count for doody when you can’t pay the rent.
So, I guess I won’t be staying. Sorry, Mr. D., but most of what you’re writing for Spidey is controlled by Marvel’s editorial direction, and we all saw where that direction led with your famous run on the Hulk. Call me a coward, but I’d rather not go through the s-and-m game with Peter Parker again.
On the other hand, I will always buy “Fallen Angel.” Even this issue, which didn’t have a lot of unexpected events, touched on what is currently going on in the Middle East. It wasn’t planned that way, of course, but religious and racial intolerance has been a constant there for centuries. This story lucked into current events. (A terrible thing to say, with the real deaths of those current events, but true.)
>Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves?
I’d either call for him to leave or pull my kid out. It’s not like a volunteer fireman. When a fire is called in, the fireman leaves to go fight it. Superheroes have a history of supervillains coming to them. It’s just not reasonable to paint a big, fat target on the school.
But that’s what I’d do if super heroes existed in the real world, which doesn’t always line up with an established comic book world. Civil War itself doesn’t completely make sense in the real world, since super powered vigilantism would have sparked something like the registration act long ago in the real world.
I agree that in the real world, super powered people would have been registrated pretty much since their discovery. But I don`t think that everything else surrounding that topic in Civil War is unrealistic.
You never know unless you really experience certain situations but most probably I would not pull my child out of the school BUT only with stronger safeguards in place.
I think it is a good question how super people are supposed to earn a living in the Marvel universe in future, unless they are living in self contained environments like the Baxter Building. This is not just about the protection of children at school – in any other work place, colleagues could become victims either as innocent bystanders or even hostages as well.
If the only real option those people have is becoming a drafted soldier for the government, that is bad!
The main problem I’ve had in regards to the Civil War business is that, if this happened, the first thing to occur after the registration became law would not be supers picking sides and preparing to fight but one or more of the law’s opponents going to a lawyer or the ACLU and arguing whether this is constitutional or not.
That said, if my children were in a school with a known super on staff in any capacity, my gut reaction would be to pull him out or demand special protections, lots of them. It’s not a matter of how honorable or noble or virtuous or powerful the hero is, it’s all the collateral damage from the ordinary super-powered fight.
Not to mention -for specific example- some idiot with a rifle who decides to make a name for himself by shooting Spider-man as Peter walks up into the building. Or sets off a bomb when he’s supposed to be teaching class.
Sure, we know his spider-sense would warn him, but will that save my kid if he stops to discuss a problem with his homework at just the wrong moment?
Really enjoyed FNSM sir, that is all.
Loved Fallen Angel. It is my number one must read title.
Thomas E. Reed,
“So I guess I won’t be staying. Sorry, Mr.D, but most of what you’re writing for Spidey is controlled by Marvel’s editorial direction, and we all saw where that direction led with your famous run on the Hulk.”
Sorry, Thomas. It’s your decision, but it seems rather silly. First, PAD’s run on the Hulk lasted over TEN YEARS so he definitely had time to tell his stories, which is why his run is considered classic. Second, there are a whole bunch of new editors, now, and they seem determined to let writers tell their stories, almost to a fault. third, you seem to be enjoying the book. It IS fun.
So why stop reading based on what MIGHT happen?
Haven’t read FNSM yet, but I liked Fallen Angel quite a bit. I think I prefer the more painted style of art JK was using in the first five issues, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the book either way.
To answer someone’s question up above —
My question to you is – did you create Ace and write these annuals?
I’m fairly sure he created Ace, and I know he wrote both stories.
And in what may be a first, I agree almost completely with what Jerome just wrote. 🙂 I’m wary of where things might go as well, but to me that doesn’t become a reason to drop things until the worries actually come to pass.
TWL
And by “just wrote”, I actually mean “wrote last night.” Really. Honest.
TWL
FNS #11 was good. It had a lot of “in” jokes (nice way of working in all of the Spidey title names), a funny line about Peter going Republican, but I have to draw the line at a serious take on Global Warming (though it is a comic book so it can’t be taken seriously).
The book felt like a good intro into something more. I was a little disappointed at the dodgeball incident since I think Parker could have done something that hurt a little less, but it was obviously provoked.
But I am very, very, very upset that there was nothing about the end of last issue (not counting the summary on the 1st page that clearly was aimed at people like me who didn’t get it!).
Keep up the good work, because I want to read more!
Iowa Jim
I was most disappointed at the SFX (“Whack!”) that the dodgeball makes when it hits Flash. Anyone who’s played a real game of murderball will always be haunted by that bizarre mix of “Spoint!” and “Smack!” those little red terror devices make when they connect.
Why no thread for Spike vs Dracula #5? I just picked it up Wednesday. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t think it was the “funniest thing I’ve ever written” as PAD claimed.
1 What did I think? I think it’s time I had words with my local comic shop. I had not a clue that Fallen Angel was out until I found this site, and they have a open draw from me for anything Peter David.
How about “PONGK!” for the dodgeball sound? It gets that weird metallic quality across.
• 
Fn Spidey #11 was one of the most enjoyable Spider-Man reads in some time. I’ve been fairly vocal about the fact that I have found the chararacter largely unrecognizable in the past 5 or so years and, with that in mind, I am excited to know that he is again in the good hands of a competant writer who understands the character as well as his basic history. Kudos on a solid, fun, and enjoyable story. I was dissappointed to heard that Ringo is off of the book and still am thrown that I hadn’t heard about it a day before I saw it announced in the letter’s page. I dig Nauck’s stuff and enjoyed a chat with him at a con a few years back. A good guy and solid artist.
I thought Fallen Angel was fantastic. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite books on my pull list these days.
I’ve wondered, though. Has the last couple of issues been delayed? It seems like each issue has taken longer to come out than the average monthly comic. There are times I’ll start to wonder if the next issue has come out, and then shortly after that, it’ll appear in my account. It’s always a pleasant surprise when I forget it’s next issue arrival.
I’ll actually be going into further detail on the latest issue of FA in my reviews this week (http://comicsnexus.insidepulse.com/). Shameless plug, I know.
MAVEL??? someone needs some more coffee. 🙂
Nahhh, Mavel is the Jewish Spider-Girl.
FNSM was reall good. I like Todd’s art a lot, though I too miss Ringo. Ah well.
In regards to the story, overall I liked it. I am still not fond of the idea of the outed Spider-Man, but, that being said, I thought you took it to interesting places and handled it well. I am very excited about the prospect of Peter resigning from the school… I only hope that he doesn’t change his mind over the course of the arc.
I’m also very interested in the Mysterio plotline. There HAVE been a number of Mysterios. I remember a couple of good minis about him (if I remember correctly, one by Dematties and one by Defalco?) and I’ve often hoped for a return to the topic. I hope it’s the real Quentin Beck, but then again, if not, I am sure Peter has a great idea to spin it around. I look forward.
Loved Fallen Angel. Adds more to the overall world that she lives in, the things that formed her. Is the plan to continue the flashback stories, or return to the current events line?
Thanks for the done in one issue of Marvel Adventures SM. I’m really liking all these MA books. Great stuff. People, at least pick up MA:S-M just for the PAD fix.
-Jeff
MA:SM->Swamp Pirates and Alligator Tossing? If it had Robot Ninjas, it would be perfect. I think I need to start checking this out more.
FNSM->Good solid issue where changes to the status quo came fast and early. These changes felt a little forced, but I think that’s because we could see them coming for so long. If I hadn’t been following Civil War, would have felt alright. DemoMysterio looks like he could have some potential. Showing the danger to the students instead of just always talking about it is just good storytelling, and I’m glad to see it.
PAD,
I’m a teacher, so I personally enjoyed FNSM #11. I also had an unrelated question…. I was walking through my local comics shop yesterday and saw a copy of a PPSSM Annual from the 1980s laying there… I want to say it was Annual #5. It had a Michael Jacksonesque character on the cover named Ace. I had some vague memories of reading that story (as well as a sequel the following year). My question to you is – did you create Ace and write these annuals? I know it was right around the time of the ‘Death of Jean DeWolf’ storyline.
Thanks
Garrett
Newsarama is reporting a new set of What If?’s later this year, with one from PAD!
What If? Spider-Man: The Other
Along with stories about Avengers Disassmbled, Wolverine: Enemy of the State, X-Men: Deadly Genesis, and Age of Apocalypse.
Sounds like an interesting group of stories, but I’m surprised that the focus is mostly on recent storylines (which makes AoA the odd one out).
Maybe the Deadly Genesis story will fully be “What if Deadly Genesis was actually based on a good idea?”.
Fallen Angel – Awesome, as always. PAD, I feel you are completely on the mark every time with this new incarnation of the series. I am a big fan of yours about 85% of the time, but FA has been 100% with IDW. I’m very glad this series has continued, and the most recent arc was fun to see. I liked seeing Lee’s predecessor and the beginnings of her attitude toward God.
FNSM – Meh. I generally like your Spider-Man work, but this title has been very hit or miss for me. It feels like the entire book “doesn’t matter” to the Spider-Man mythos, as though a combination of editorial mandate and an overall attitude toward the book has made all of its stories “throwaway” stories.
– Magic wrestler guy? He and his story seem doomed to the same limbo as the Jack Rabbit from the early 300’s of Amazing.
– Spider-Man 2211 and Hobgoblin 2211? Interesting concepts and story that felt cramped by only three issues. Also, these characters are PAD-creations that I doubt any other writer will ever use. (That doesn’t make them bad, and I’m glad to see them–I was a huge fan of Spidey 2099–but the story felt so rushed that it seemed like these characters didn’t have the impact on the PAD-verse as they should have.)
– Mysterio? Ah, yes. Another attempt to make him a worthy adversary again. I’m a big fan of old Spidey villains, and I’m not giving up all hope that your take will be the one to revitalize the character, but the character has been jerked around so much in the last few years that I have trouble investing myself in any story featuring him.
In any case, I hope that your run on FNSM is lengthy and given some more attention from TPTB, especially once all of this “Civil War” nonsense is over.
Eric
Totally missed FNSM at the comic shop, but isnt the Mysterio the new one from Spider-Man/Black Cat? The teleporter guy whose brother abused him?
Enjoyed the books.
Now, to move on a bit of a tangent, we’ve seen the reaction of most of the earliest supporting cast members to Peter’s reveal, namely May, Jonah, and Flash. But there are two more whose reaction I’d really like to see/find out about.
Namely Betty Brant, Peter’s first love interest, and Liz Allen Osborne. Normally Liz’ reaction wouldn’t be that significant, save of course that later on she married Harry Osborne. Her reactions to Peter and MJ now would be interesting to see.
Any plans for these two?
The slight problem I have with this FNSM story is the suspension of disbelief I have to employ in regards to Flash.
First, I have to believe that his injuries have left his body completely healed, but his personality regressed to his earlier, jerk days. Meh. It’s not an improvement on the character; it’s a rehash, and an uncomfortable one at that.
Second, if Peter wanted to convince Flash that he was Spider-Man…why not hop on the school wall or web up Flash? Is it really that hard to convince Flash that he’s Spidey?
I liked Nauck’s art, and Ringo’s cover was pretty dámņ cool.
Hmmm. I did not mind the Flash regression. In a way, I suspect that Peter Parker does not either. It must be kind of fun to have a circumstance that Peter can handle as his world is being torn apart by the recent developments in CIVIL WAR. As you can tell, I am really enjoying FRIENDLY.
I also got a kick out of FALLEN ANGEL. Frankly, this book has some of Peter’s best writing.
As for MARVEL ADVENTURES, while it was worth reading due to Peter’s writing, I have to wonder what is the point. If you want to read about Peter during his high school days, there is the ULTIMATE book.
Loved everything (Even found issue 4 of ‘Spike Vs. Dracula’ that I missed)
But dámņ it if Collector’s Kingdom yet again didn’t have ‘Fallen Angel’. I was told it would be in NEXT Wednesday. Oh, well. Off to Fourth World again.
The point of Marvel Adventures is that young children can read it, something that can’t really be said about the Ultimate line.
That said, I also think PAD’s Marvel Adventures is the best Spidey on the market today, surpassing FNSM by leaps and bounds. I’m an old fart, but I love his take on the pure, no armor or mystical powers, Spider-Man.
Fallen Angel is one of the best titles on the market, period.
P.S. Maybe I’m missing info on another thread, but is PAD leaving X-Factor? That would be a shame.
In addition to young children being able to read the Marvel Adventures line, it’s also good for casual readers, as it requires no knowledge of continuity and has a self-contained story in every issue.
To be honest, I think they’re a wonderful breath of fresh air–upbeat, light-hearted, self-contained stories, why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?–and the only bad thing about them is that Marvel isn’t promoting them more. (For example, they should make slightly cheaper versions of the trades, on cheaper paper, and sell them in super-market checkouts next to the Archie digests.)
So far, I have only read FNS #11. It is a very enjoyable issue. More than once I had to smile, even laugh a little. I welcomed the humour a lot.
I always liked the idea of Peter being a teacher but what happened here was what I expected, unfortunately. Being a Harry Potter fan I immediately felt reminded of Lupin who was a great teacher but because it became public that he was a werewolf, he was forced to give up his job. As seen in this story, for the most part the children wanted him to stay but not the majority of the parents.
It is an understandable reaction and if Lupin or Peter would teach my child, I would have very mixed feelings about it. FNS is certainly very realistic here.
I am hoping that I would find the inner strength to do what is right and not join the crowd of demanding a good teacher to leave because, like Peter, he could attract trouble. Because if you start that road, no employer would be willing to give a person with super powers a job, no institution would allow such a person to become a student or kick the ones out who is revealed to have some.
There are laws against all kinds of negative “-isms” (like sexism or racism). This is no different.
Therefore, in spite of all problems, I am hoping against hope that Peter will keep his job after all and that, eventually, the majority of parents will support him. But that is a faint hope because from what I have seen so far in Civil War, it doesn`t look good.
Another reason is, I think it is important to show a Spider-Man who has his own career, earns his own money and doesn`t have to rely on handouts from Iron Man as well as money from the government, which are people who draft super people for all kinds of jobs, if they want them or not.
FNSM: Yep, a very solid issue. I particularly like how quickly Peter is coming around to the fact that he can’t be a teacher anymore. It works well under the circumstances, but is also a nice bit of a “twist” coming from the recent storyline about how he will be there for that kid in his science class.
Oh, and I loved the bit where Flash thinks that Parker was “just covering for Spider-man”… a nice shot at the past there.
Looking forward to the next one!
Maybe this could result in an interesting discussion: Assuming you are living in the Marvel Universe, what would you do if you find out that a teacher of your child is a super hero or that one of the students in that school is one?
Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves? PAD?
>Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves?
I don’t know that I’d call for his resignation, but I’d either petition for some sort of additional safeguards to be put into place or consider moving for my kid to be placed in a different local school…. praising my belief of Spidey’s history as a hero all the way, to ensure that my motivations weren’t misinterpreted or twisted for someone else’s agenda.
I’m expecting that the former love interest that will show up is Deborah Whitman.
About Spider-Man: I bought this issue (as I have not done since the Straczynski take on the character) mostly on Mr. D’s name. It was okay, I guess, but I can see the next step in Marvel continuity will be to kick Peter Parker to the curb again.
He’s currently an Avenger, and supposedly getting a stipend off that, plus quasi-secure housing for Aunt May and Mary Jane. That can end at a moment. Peter no longer has a secret identity and lacks the capability of making a living without Avenger support. In many ways I think he has more honor in the Marvel Universe than he ever had, but in the cynical mood of the times, honor doesn’t count for doody when you can’t pay the rent.
So, I guess I won’t be staying. Sorry, Mr. D., but most of what you’re writing for Spidey is controlled by Marvel’s editorial direction, and we all saw where that direction led with your famous run on the Hulk. Call me a coward, but I’d rather not go through the s-and-m game with Peter Parker again.
On the other hand, I will always buy “Fallen Angel.” Even this issue, which didn’t have a lot of unexpected events, touched on what is currently going on in the Middle East. It wasn’t planned that way, of course, but religious and racial intolerance has been a constant there for centuries. This story lucked into current events. (A terrible thing to say, with the real deaths of those current events, but true.)
>Would you demand that the teacher and/or the student leaves?
I’d either call for him to leave or pull my kid out. It’s not like a volunteer fireman. When a fire is called in, the fireman leaves to go fight it. Superheroes have a history of supervillains coming to them. It’s just not reasonable to paint a big, fat target on the school.
But that’s what I’d do if super heroes existed in the real world, which doesn’t always line up with an established comic book world. Civil War itself doesn’t completely make sense in the real world, since super powered vigilantism would have sparked something like the registration act long ago in the real world.
I agree that in the real world, super powered people would have been registrated pretty much since their discovery. But I don`t think that everything else surrounding that topic in Civil War is unrealistic.
You never know unless you really experience certain situations but most probably I would not pull my child out of the school BUT only with stronger safeguards in place.
I think it is a good question how super people are supposed to earn a living in the Marvel universe in future, unless they are living in self contained environments like the Baxter Building. This is not just about the protection of children at school – in any other work place, colleagues could become victims either as innocent bystanders or even hostages as well.
If the only real option those people have is becoming a drafted soldier for the government, that is bad!
The main problem I’ve had in regards to the Civil War business is that, if this happened, the first thing to occur after the registration became law would not be supers picking sides and preparing to fight but one or more of the law’s opponents going to a lawyer or the ACLU and arguing whether this is constitutional or not.
That said, if my children were in a school with a known super on staff in any capacity, my gut reaction would be to pull him out or demand special protections, lots of them. It’s not a matter of how honorable or noble or virtuous or powerful the hero is, it’s all the collateral damage from the ordinary super-powered fight.
Not to mention -for specific example- some idiot with a rifle who decides to make a name for himself by shooting Spider-man as Peter walks up into the building. Or sets off a bomb when he’s supposed to be teaching class.
Sure, we know his spider-sense would warn him, but will that save my kid if he stops to discuss a problem with his homework at just the wrong moment?
Really enjoyed FNSM sir, that is all.
Loved Fallen Angel. It is my number one must read title.
Thomas E. Reed,
“So I guess I won’t be staying. Sorry, Mr.D, but most of what you’re writing for Spidey is controlled by Marvel’s editorial direction, and we all saw where that direction led with your famous run on the Hulk.”
Sorry, Thomas. It’s your decision, but it seems rather silly. First, PAD’s run on the Hulk lasted over TEN YEARS so he definitely had time to tell his stories, which is why his run is considered classic. Second, there are a whole bunch of new editors, now, and they seem determined to let writers tell their stories, almost to a fault. third, you seem to be enjoying the book. It IS fun.
So why stop reading based on what MIGHT happen?
Haven’t read FNSM yet, but I liked Fallen Angel quite a bit. I think I prefer the more painted style of art JK was using in the first five issues, but I’m thoroughly enjoying the book either way.
To answer someone’s question up above —
My question to you is – did you create Ace and write these annuals?
I’m fairly sure he created Ace, and I know he wrote both stories.
And in what may be a first, I agree almost completely with what Jerome just wrote. 🙂 I’m wary of where things might go as well, but to me that doesn’t become a reason to drop things until the worries actually come to pass.
TWL
And by “just wrote”, I actually mean “wrote last night.” Really. Honest.
TWL
FNS #11 was good. It had a lot of “in” jokes (nice way of working in all of the Spidey title names), a funny line about Peter going Republican, but I have to draw the line at a serious take on Global Warming (though it is a comic book so it can’t be taken seriously).
The book felt like a good intro into something more. I was a little disappointed at the dodgeball incident since I think Parker could have done something that hurt a little less, but it was obviously provoked.
But I am very, very, very upset that there was nothing about the end of last issue (not counting the summary on the 1st page that clearly was aimed at people like me who didn’t get it!).
Keep up the good work, because I want to read more!
Iowa Jim
I was most disappointed at the SFX (“Whack!”) that the dodgeball makes when it hits Flash. Anyone who’s played a real game of murderball will always be haunted by that bizarre mix of “Spoint!” and “Smack!” those little red terror devices make when they connect.
Why no thread for Spike vs Dracula #5? I just picked it up Wednesday. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t think it was the “funniest thing I’ve ever written” as PAD claimed.
1 What did I think? I think it’s time I had words with my local comic shop. I had not a clue that Fallen Angel was out until I found this site, and they have a open draw from me for anything Peter David.
How about “PONGK!” for the dodgeball sound? It gets that weird metallic quality across.