First issue of FNSM hits the stands. Whaddaya think?
PAD
126 comments on “Out this week–Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1”
I thought it was pretty great. The pacing, humor and characterization were all spot-on. I can’t wait for your Marvel Knights issue. I’m happy that Morlun is back to mess with Spidey’s life.
Refreshing.
An exciting beginning to what I hope will be a very long and healthy run on this title!
I like Tracer’s moxy…from his GQ-smooth demeanor during the bank robbery to his stone-cold, kill’ya’dead look on page 6, panel one.
Favorite Line: You Bet Your Butt, “whoa.”
2nd Favorite Line: Well, this is just bad on so MANY levels…
Only question I have though…will there be any resolution to the storypoint Mark Millar began with JJJ believing that Spider-Man is his son?
If he really believed that Spidey was John, wouldn’t he abandon his media crusade? Especially, since it was Spider-Man who saved (or “interfered with”, if you believe Jonah)his son’s space capsule in Amazing Spider-Man #1? Just thought to ask.
Anyway, keep up the greatness, you have brought me back to collecting Spider-Man again!
-BMK!-
Not to sound contrary, but…what I think is that I think I’m waiting for #4. No interest in reading parts 1-3 of “The Other” if I won’t be reading parts 4-9.
(Letter sent to Messers Brevoort and Quesada to that effect, too.)
Nice script, although I’m a bit underwhelmed by the art. The sequence with Steve Rogers was very nicely done, as was the notion that Spidey could literally snag a pair of bullets out of the air if he really put his mind to it. Like the previous poster, I’m not all that sure I’ll sign on for a 12-part serial, but I’ll happily give the first three a shot and see what happens after that.
In a way, it’s sort of a shame that the debut issue has to be the first part of a multi-part epic, as there has to be so much set-up for things to come. It will be interesting to see how things shape up in issue five and beyond as Peter gives the book its own distinctive tone.
I already listed my favorite line in another thread, but I liked it, and if cash flow permits, I’ll be picking up the rest of the arc – if only to learn how Morlun arose from a pile of dust (or did he? Maybe there’s another one like him around, with similar tastes in haberdashery?).
Thought the bullet trick was good, especially the fact that the first attempt only half-worked. Also thought that Steve had a good point – sometimes, following your instincts will get you killed. That’s why the dominant species on this planet has the gift of reason…
I liked the first few pages, even if David Van Domelen did use it as an opportunity for a truly horrible pun.
The rest of it — I’m definitely intrigued, and I do plan on getting the rest of the arc (since I was reading JMS’ stuff anyway, it’s not that huge a stretch).
I agree with whoever said they were underwhelmed by the art, though — Wieringo’s work was okay in FF, but seems weaker here.
I also agree that I’m curious to see what you’ve got in store once this is really “your” book as opposed to a huge crossover.
TWL
I like it. Wish that it wasn’t part of a cro$$-over for the first three issues, but I can live with it. Good sequence with Steve and that MJ is there working with him.
My fave line (or exchange really)…
MJ “Yeah? What if you Die? What’re the odds of you getting better then?
Peter “Seriously? Suprisingly good.”
I know that Mike is still working on this interpretation of Spidey and I’m willing to let him work it out, since I trust what will come out on paper.
jeff
It was fun. I really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the interaction between Spidey and Cap. J. Michael Straczynski is showing Spidey be more reliable and a team player in the Avengers, this showed him having some growth. It’s feeling like the Avengers are a real factor in his life, not just a temporary marketing gimmick. He’s growing. That’s cool.
My one quibble was seeing MJ get unhappy when Peter went out injured. It’s a reasonable reaction, but I’m rather tired to Peter and MJ’s marriage problems. I’ve seen that so much in the last few years, and the same kind of stuff in Ultimate. It’s not a major problem, I’m just a little tired of them being unhappy.
Overall, a really great story. Fun and interesting.
Trust your instincts.
Man has only four—winking, blinking, sucking, and jerking. Without thoses four, we would never survive infancy.
Anything else is not instinct.
______________________________
I enjoyed the first issue except for two points: the bullets and Mary Jane’s attitude. A bullet is a projectile. It goes in one direction until it strikes an object. It has no propulsion after the initial explosion. A boomerang bullet?
Mary Jane is whining about Peter going off to fight a villain. Please, Marvel, make up your collectively lame mind. Either Mary Jane supports Peter or she leaves him. This playing it both ways depending on who is writing the book is getting old. This has been going on for over 5 years and is getting very tiresome.
_________________________
Even with all three of those comments, this is one of the best written Spider-Man stories in ages. Good job.
Overall, I liked it, too. I caught all the Morlun stuff the first time around in Amazing three years ago and have kept reading Amazing ever since. I agree that the characterization was spot on, especially the emphasis on how other heroes can be, um, overwhelmed sometimes by Spidey’s personality. Thought Tracer had a solid first appearance, and I agree the “success” of Spidey’s attempt at Zen and the art of bullet-catching was perfect.
I have to admit, though, that I thought the art was fine, but nothing spectacular (oh, sure, pun intended… why not?). The characters seemed a little more… cartoony than I’m used to seeing them in other titles. But this is more observation than a complaint; I couldn’t draw my way out of wet toilet paper, so don’t take my word for it.
I liked it. I’m looking forward to the rest.
And here’s a SPOILER comment/question. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to change colors or whatever to make it highlight-visible only, so again, this is a SPOILER COMMENT – There will be SPOILERS here… BTW, if you continue reading this post, you will read a potential SPOILER…
Did I mention – SPOILER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS:
I’m hedging my bets on whether it’s really Morlun or not we see in this issue. Remembering some of the things we have seen since his original defeat, I think it’s something else entirely that’s taken the guise of Morlun because, well, Spidey didn’t really win over Morlun as much as Morlun got a bad beat, so he’s definitely one of those villians Spidey probably feels lucky to have gotten past, not one he feels he can beat anytime he wants. He fears him, a lot, and I think that’s important if the story dives into the mystical origins of Spidey’s powers.
It’s just a shame to me that the book has such a great, fun title, but it’s stuck at the very beginning in this “dark” crossover. With a name like FN Spider-Man, I was hoping for a colorful cover, maybe something like Mike Allred would draw. (Peter, get Mike Allred to draw this book and I will buy ten copies of it). I understand PAD’s reasons for participating in the crossover, but it definitely saps the fun out of it… Which is kind of a bad way to start out.
How does this book fit into INFINITE CRISIS?
I’m just kidding. Great book. Loved it.
Sorry, but I’m just not excited over this whole “The Other” crossover. I read this first part and was just so under whelmed. Hopefully things will pick up after this crossover event is over and FNSM will turn out to be a great Spidey title (the other two titles need help). As for the artwork, I thought it was okay. Wieringo draws a decent Spidey, but his villains don’t look all that formidable at all (too cartoony).
And hey, what was really going on there on page two? Did MJ have her mouth full or something?
Great issue, I especially liked how you’re basically ignoring the plot twist from Millar’s run where Jonah thinks Spider-Man is his son, John. It never made any sense.
One thing that I didn’t like; MJ complaining about Peter going out to find the Tracer. JMS has done wonderful things with the couple and I have no desire to see the bad old times return. I got a Byrne/Mackie flashback there, definitely not a good thing. 🙂
Other than that, it was good. Happy to see Morlun back.
Good first issue. The dialogue seemed pretty sharp throughout, especially Peter/Spidey’s wise-cracks.
Weiringo’s art didn’t stand out for me this issue, but that’s okay. At least I didn’t get any overstylized posing, like with most of the ‘hot’ artists being bandied around these days. The action sequences came off well, and there’s enough of a mystery here for me to come back for the next issue.
KET
Loved your writing on the first issue Peter…and ive never been a big fan of Weiringo…but i thought his art was much better than his first run on spidey…to the point where i had to go look back at the credits to make sure it was him! Storywise, im a little blah on where all this is going…as i just dont have much faith when it comes to these big storylines with spidey…but I will stick around to find out and try to reserve judgement until then.
I thought it was a well written and enjoyable issue … unless Spidey dies and comes back to life in the near future, in which case there was way too much foreshadowing.
Lynn
Well, if Diamond hadn’t screwed things up, and shorted several accounts (including MINE) I would have gotten to read it before all my customers snagged ’em up.
Okay, so we got our Marvel preview books in this morning, and among them was next week’s Marvel Knights Spider-Man. Those that aren’t pleased with Weiringo’s art (which I personally liked, but that’s me) are really gonna be upset next week. Two words.
Pat Lee.
Though the writing really is top notch. Those complaining about MJ’s attitude, give it a little. There’s a reason.
All I’m saying, except keep it up, PAD! I can’t wait to see where this story’s going.
Great first issue. I was unsure about this crossover, but my interest is definitely piqued. Wieringo’s art seemed off for some reason, but still enjoyable. Loved the bullet scene and training with Steve Rogers. Could it be that Peter has lieukemia from the spider bite? Can’t wait for Part 2!
The best parts; the scenes with Cap and Jonah.
All around nice art and funny dialogue.
Even though I’m not wild about JMS’ plots crossing over into this book, you handled it very well and even made it intriguing.
I dug the bullet gimmick, though not necessarily Tracer’s look… I suppose we’ll eventually learn why he dresses like he’s from “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”.
I’m surprised, though, that they let you put a sex scene (even in shadow) into the book, since it’s labeled all-ages. Doesn’t bother me, but I could see it raising some eyebrows.
It was alright. No idea who Modrun et al are, but then again, I haven’t read (non-Ultimate) SM for about a decade (Yes. Clones.) and it was still pretty understandable. Disappointed that the first story-arc kicks of a Xover instead of a standalone storyline.
Bullets that chase you slowly? Lame.
Training with Captain America? Kinda cool.
Peter scared ‘cuz he’s beat “Parker luck”? Well written.
Generic creepy stalker dude? Oh, we’re supposed to alread know him? Whatever.
JMS crossover? Annoying as hëll.
Overall I thought it was a very good issue, and Wieringo’s work was great except for Tracer’s costume design, which is horribly generic and boring (and that beard – wha??)
The moment with the bullets I liked but I do think was cheating somewhat. Spidey should not have been able to catch even one of them. He is not invulnerable and doesn’t have unbreakable skin. He doesn’t have Flash-style super speed. A bullet striking him dead on in the hands would – as we saw – blow bloody greatholes in them. The fact that one of them got through (the best moment in the issue, actually: “Ah, crap…”)kind of mitigated things but I think overall it was a bit of a cheat, PAD.
And I agree with the posters above: ignore whatever happened in Millar’s MK run. It was 90% posing and 10% bûllšhìŧ anyway.
I don’t read the Spider-Man books but thought of getting this one simply because you were writing it. I have no interest in picking up the other books either. Launching with a big crossover where you have no choice but to buy the other title made me decide to give this one a pass.
Maybe I’ll check it out with issue 5 once this mess is over.
I enjoyed this issue emmensely. In a single issue, it stood out as the best Spidey comics that I’ve read in years. Loved the humor, the angst, the Parker luck and your usage of symbolism in the dream. Nice touch using the frog, which is often associated with the power of resurrection and renewal. Death is dreams often implies change, rather than actual death. Tossing in a morgue, a body, Ben and and absurdly dressed Kravan was a nice touch. Based on this set-up, it seems we may see more of an evolution of the character, than the physical metamorphasis, death, clone, etc that we’ve seen in rumors and speculation across the internet.
Fred
I’m not a Spider-Fan because I don’t like Mr. Whiney Pants’ whininess. Keep keeping those thought balloons out and you’ll be keeping me as a reader!
I have to agree with several of the posters above, I was looking forward to a fresh new Spider-Man title written by Peter, but it’s part of some ridiculious 12 part crossover??? What, the House of SM??
Sorry. All I wanted to do was to read a solid Spider-Man comic not “part whatever” of yet again some needless “epic” crossover.
It’s kind of ironic that I got my CBG yesterday and it’s “But I Digress” has Peter’s article about the kids who don’t or never have read a Spider-Man comic and only know the character from the movies or video games.
Why don’t we just give them a copy of this new Spider-Man title, then they’ll see….. oh, right, it’s part of some mega cross title storyline.
Yeah, that’ll get them interested.
I’ve been waiting for this for so long, Peter David back on Spider-Man. And I wasn’t disappointed.
One of the best sequences was the training with Cap. It was great to see Mary Jane actually participating, which tells me MJ’s days of being the damsel-in-distress are numbered for any sorry mother’s son who messes with her.
It’s pretty fun reading, but I’ll have to repeat my comments that this is a pretty crummy marketing strategy on Marvel’s part.
I mean, this book is for All Ages. Marvel Knights, however, isn’t supposed to be.
So, you’ve just told any kid who isn’t supposed to be reading MK that they must miss 1/3rd of the story.
Why not just start up a Spidey title under MAX and make some even greater boneheaded publishing move, shall we?
It seems like Marvel has taken a few steps back these days, going back to the ol’ tried-and-helped-fubar-the-industry stuff from the 90’s, like the yearly massive crossover, multiple covers of just about everything in sight, and putting out alot of crap.
Not to mention ruining one of my favorite comics (New Warriors) with art not worthy of a Clifford the Dog book.
Anyways. I’m sure, given enough time, this book will do good things – you can’t go wrong with PAD at the helm.
My plan is to read all of PAD’s books this month, then just FNSM after that. I expect I’ll be able to endure Hudlin’s turn on it…the stuff I dislike about his writing of Black Panther would not be particularly bad on Spider-Man.
As for the tracing bullets, there’s two main possibilities. One, Tracer has superpowers, and the bullets aren’t special unless he wants them to be. Two, there’s been enough antigrav tech floating around in the Marvel U since day one (i.e. the Wingless Wizard) that a device to fire seeking bullets is plausible. They’d have to be slower, of course, to avoid shattering their own internal tracking circuits upon firing.
Finally, anyone wondering what my horrible pun was, I said in my review that the issue started with a bang.
Nice issue. But if the truth be told I would have prefered you to stay on Hulk. Spidey was already being done well, Hulk wasn’t. So now we’ve got lots of well written storys for Spidey and Hulk will be crap again.
Scrap one from my pull list.
Won’t touch SM books until the Sins of the Past are fixed. Made the Clone mess look like a Pulitzer winner. PAD, can you please fix that mess?
And hey, what was really going on there on page two? Did MJ have her mouth full or something?
Well, that’s one way of putting it . . .
Snowcrash, Morlun was a member of a race that feeds off of life energy, a la vampires, except that they just need to touch their victims. They seem to get the biggest rush off of those whose powers are similar to, or derived from, animal species. Morlun was fixated on Peter because he, like Ezekiel, was convinced that Peter had been chosen by some “spider totem” to receive his powers. From Morlun’s POV, that would have made him especially tasty, and kept Morlun going for another century. (Did I mention the immortality angle?) However, when they finally had their big fight, Peter had just injected himself with coolant water from a nuclear reactor – not the safe heat-exchange fluid, but the water from inside the chamber itself. This made him sufficiently radioactive that every time Morlun touched him, the energy-vampire took damage. (I know, I know – but this is comic-book physics. You swallowed Pym particles, didn’t you?) In the end, Morlun had been sufficiently weakened that his former slave, a man named Dex, was able to break Morlun’s control and shoot him. The body crumbled to dust (while Morlun whined, “I was just hungry…”).
Now we see either Morlun, or someone like him, back after Spidey. Presumably, whatever Peter’s current problem is, it’s related to either Morlun’s attack, or the insanity of dosing himself even more with radiation. That’s why I plan on buying the entire crossover – I want to see what they have in mind, and how they’ll resolve it (we know Peter will come out physically okay on the other end – Marvel would no more kill off Spider-Man than Wolverine. The suspense is in seeing exactly how they’ll pull it off).
BTW, Dave, I should have made it clear that using a horrible pun is not in fact a negative so far as your review was concerned. (Considering the individual whose site we’re both posting on right now, it would probably be a Really Bad Thing were I particularly pun-averse.)
TWL
I think I wish I got comics more than twice a month. I suppose that’s what I get for ordering comics online. And being cheap. That doesn’t help, either.
JAB
I thought as an issue it was great. The art reminded me of Romita Sr. a bit. As said above, I didnt like that it was part of a crossover story. At least it was part 1 and not in the middle of something. Marvel + crossovers still leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Oh, you were right Peter, it’s adult but totally exceptable for kids. Im going to re-read it a few more times and review it on my blog.
I’ll echo a few others here: I was not interested in buying the first part of a 12 part “epic”. I may come aboard as of #4, but right now it’s not likely. This “epic” definitely cost Marvel and PAD a reader.
Enjoyed it quite a bit. I think I would prefer a different inker over ‘Ringo’s pencils.
Looking forward to the next issues of MK and Amazing, REALLY looking forward to issue 4, highly bemused by people who don’t like the crossover and profess to enjoy PAD’s work not picking up the title with Issue 4. That’s a collector’s mentality, not a reader’s.
I enjoyed the story in the first issue. The fact that it is only the first part of a multiple issues crossover does not bother me. I know that the “marketing” purpose was to make sure that readers of the other two books buy this one.
The art was not impressive. This suprised me as I really enjoyed Ringo’s artwork in the past. Perhaps it was the inker’s fault? I am not sure. I just know that I am used to better from Ringo.
I agree that I’d rather this not be a crossover issue like others. (Issue #2 to start a crossover, but #1 to start the book with the pure PAD flavor).
My only quibble was the art. Not that it’s bad, but just not what I was expecting. (I really haven’t seen Ringo’s art since his Flash run, so I’m just not used to his new, more…classic, style.)
Tim: That’s pretty much how I took it, don’t fret. 🙂
“Oh, you were right Peter, it’s adult but totally exceptable for kids.”
Well, that’s what “all ages” means.
I wanted to have Peter and Mary Jane in bed together being loving in the very beginning, but knew perfectly well that the average seven year old would look at them kissing, go, “Ewww,” and put the book back. So I kept everyone–Peter, Mary Jane, the readers–in the dark, and wrote dialogue so vague that it could be anything. Everyone reads into it as little or as much as they want.
And guys, as for Mary Jane expressing concern: It doesn’t mean I’m going to depict them with their marriage in trouble. To me, quite the contrary: If she wasn’t concerned about an injured Spidey going out after Tracer, THEN their marriage is in trouble. A woman not caring is certainly the first sign of that, don’t you think?
PAD
PAD, I see your point about MJ showing concern and totally agree. Maybe it’s just that the way MJ shows concern in this book comes off as very similar to previous instances which were usually the first step down some “INIFINITE CRISIS OF MARITAL WOES” plotline so Spidey could truly be all angsty. Me personally, I think a lot of us like Peter and MJ living the good life for a while and are just waiting to see when the other shoe will drop. I know I definitely would not look forward to yet another relationship-problem angle; they’ve been together too long now to keep letting the same things drive them apart. I like the source of tension being the villains, and not some internal struggle with years-old stuff that shouldn’t be an issue now.
Actually, Jason, I think it’s quite possible that there won’t be another shoe, no matter how much the Parkers expect it. Remember, Peter’s just not used to things breaking his way, as PAD explored in this issue. In the past, his first true love was killed by his friend’s father/worst enemy, his second true love was almost killed by his second costume, and then there was that thing with her needing him to comfort her – and all those people in the explosion needing his help too, what with the FF and the Avengers being unavailable. He had no one to count on besides himself, and his life put everyone he loved in danger.
Now, he’s an Avenger, so he’s got teammates for backup. Since his apartment and his aunt’s house were destroyed, he’s moved into Avengers Tower with his wife and aunt. They have a great life together, May and Jarvis are apparently becoming involved, Peter’s bills are being paid – the entire pattern of the Parker existence has reversed itself. Is it any wonder Peter keeps expecting it all to blow up in his face at any moment?
Peter
I’m interested as to where you see this fit into ‘current’continuity? One of my major gripes is that (whether ultimately explained or not)the recent House of M: Spiderman titles don’t seem to have much in common with the continuity of the main House of M story – in fact they seem totally contradictory so far).
Does The Other take place after House of M? Around current New Avengers timing? Or doe those two time-frmaes contradict?
I likes me my good stories, but I gets a bit sick of stuff that could be chronologically explained with a bit of forethought, but often isn’t.
John
And apologies for the awful spelling. All fingers and thumbs tonight.
• 
I thought it was pretty great. The pacing, humor and characterization were all spot-on. I can’t wait for your Marvel Knights issue. I’m happy that Morlun is back to mess with Spidey’s life.
Refreshing.
An exciting beginning to what I hope will be a very long and healthy run on this title!
I like Tracer’s moxy…from his GQ-smooth demeanor during the bank robbery to his stone-cold, kill’ya’dead look on page 6, panel one.
Favorite Line: You Bet Your Butt, “whoa.”
2nd Favorite Line: Well, this is just bad on so MANY levels…
Only question I have though…will there be any resolution to the storypoint Mark Millar began with JJJ believing that Spider-Man is his son?
If he really believed that Spidey was John, wouldn’t he abandon his media crusade? Especially, since it was Spider-Man who saved (or “interfered with”, if you believe Jonah)his son’s space capsule in Amazing Spider-Man #1? Just thought to ask.
Anyway, keep up the greatness, you have brought me back to collecting Spider-Man again!
-BMK!-
Not to sound contrary, but…what I think is that I think I’m waiting for #4. No interest in reading parts 1-3 of “The Other” if I won’t be reading parts 4-9.
(Letter sent to Messers Brevoort and Quesada to that effect, too.)
Nice script, although I’m a bit underwhelmed by the art. The sequence with Steve Rogers was very nicely done, as was the notion that Spidey could literally snag a pair of bullets out of the air if he really put his mind to it. Like the previous poster, I’m not all that sure I’ll sign on for a 12-part serial, but I’ll happily give the first three a shot and see what happens after that.
In a way, it’s sort of a shame that the debut issue has to be the first part of a multi-part epic, as there has to be so much set-up for things to come. It will be interesting to see how things shape up in issue five and beyond as Peter gives the book its own distinctive tone.
I already listed my favorite line in another thread, but I liked it, and if cash flow permits, I’ll be picking up the rest of the arc – if only to learn how Morlun arose from a pile of dust (or did he? Maybe there’s another one like him around, with similar tastes in haberdashery?).
Thought the bullet trick was good, especially the fact that the first attempt only half-worked. Also thought that Steve had a good point – sometimes, following your instincts will get you killed. That’s why the dominant species on this planet has the gift of reason…
I liked the first few pages, even if David Van Domelen did use it as an opportunity for a truly horrible pun.
The rest of it — I’m definitely intrigued, and I do plan on getting the rest of the arc (since I was reading JMS’ stuff anyway, it’s not that huge a stretch).
I agree with whoever said they were underwhelmed by the art, though — Wieringo’s work was okay in FF, but seems weaker here.
I also agree that I’m curious to see what you’ve got in store once this is really “your” book as opposed to a huge crossover.
TWL
I like it. Wish that it wasn’t part of a cro$$-over for the first three issues, but I can live with it. Good sequence with Steve and that MJ is there working with him.
My fave line (or exchange really)…
MJ “Yeah? What if you Die? What’re the odds of you getting better then?
Peter “Seriously? Suprisingly good.”
I know that Mike is still working on this interpretation of Spidey and I’m willing to let him work it out, since I trust what will come out on paper.
jeff
It was fun. I really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed the interaction between Spidey and Cap. J. Michael Straczynski is showing Spidey be more reliable and a team player in the Avengers, this showed him having some growth. It’s feeling like the Avengers are a real factor in his life, not just a temporary marketing gimmick. He’s growing. That’s cool.
My one quibble was seeing MJ get unhappy when Peter went out injured. It’s a reasonable reaction, but I’m rather tired to Peter and MJ’s marriage problems. I’ve seen that so much in the last few years, and the same kind of stuff in Ultimate. It’s not a major problem, I’m just a little tired of them being unhappy.
Overall, a really great story. Fun and interesting.
Trust your instincts.
Man has only four—winking, blinking, sucking, and jerking. Without thoses four, we would never survive infancy.
Anything else is not instinct.
______________________________
I enjoyed the first issue except for two points: the bullets and Mary Jane’s attitude. A bullet is a projectile. It goes in one direction until it strikes an object. It has no propulsion after the initial explosion. A boomerang bullet?
Mary Jane is whining about Peter going off to fight a villain. Please, Marvel, make up your collectively lame mind. Either Mary Jane supports Peter or she leaves him. This playing it both ways depending on who is writing the book is getting old. This has been going on for over 5 years and is getting very tiresome.
_________________________
Even with all three of those comments, this is one of the best written Spider-Man stories in ages. Good job.
Overall, I liked it, too. I caught all the Morlun stuff the first time around in Amazing three years ago and have kept reading Amazing ever since. I agree that the characterization was spot on, especially the emphasis on how other heroes can be, um, overwhelmed sometimes by Spidey’s personality. Thought Tracer had a solid first appearance, and I agree the “success” of Spidey’s attempt at Zen and the art of bullet-catching was perfect.
I have to admit, though, that I thought the art was fine, but nothing spectacular (oh, sure, pun intended… why not?). The characters seemed a little more… cartoony than I’m used to seeing them in other titles. But this is more observation than a complaint; I couldn’t draw my way out of wet toilet paper, so don’t take my word for it.
I liked it. I’m looking forward to the rest.
And here’s a SPOILER comment/question. Unfortunately, I don’t know how to change colors or whatever to make it highlight-visible only, so again, this is a SPOILER COMMENT – There will be SPOILERS here… BTW, if you continue reading this post, you will read a potential SPOILER…
Did I mention – SPOILER IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWS:
I’m hedging my bets on whether it’s really Morlun or not we see in this issue. Remembering some of the things we have seen since his original defeat, I think it’s something else entirely that’s taken the guise of Morlun because, well, Spidey didn’t really win over Morlun as much as Morlun got a bad beat, so he’s definitely one of those villians Spidey probably feels lucky to have gotten past, not one he feels he can beat anytime he wants. He fears him, a lot, and I think that’s important if the story dives into the mystical origins of Spidey’s powers.
It’s just a shame to me that the book has such a great, fun title, but it’s stuck at the very beginning in this “dark” crossover. With a name like FN Spider-Man, I was hoping for a colorful cover, maybe something like Mike Allred would draw. (Peter, get Mike Allred to draw this book and I will buy ten copies of it). I understand PAD’s reasons for participating in the crossover, but it definitely saps the fun out of it… Which is kind of a bad way to start out.
How does this book fit into INFINITE CRISIS?
I’m just kidding. Great book. Loved it.
Sorry, but I’m just not excited over this whole “The Other” crossover. I read this first part and was just so under whelmed. Hopefully things will pick up after this crossover event is over and FNSM will turn out to be a great Spidey title (the other two titles need help). As for the artwork, I thought it was okay. Wieringo draws a decent Spidey, but his villains don’t look all that formidable at all (too cartoony).
And hey, what was really going on there on page two? Did MJ have her mouth full or something?
Great issue, I especially liked how you’re basically ignoring the plot twist from Millar’s run where Jonah thinks Spider-Man is his son, John. It never made any sense.
One thing that I didn’t like; MJ complaining about Peter going out to find the Tracer. JMS has done wonderful things with the couple and I have no desire to see the bad old times return. I got a Byrne/Mackie flashback there, definitely not a good thing. 🙂
Other than that, it was good. Happy to see Morlun back.
Good first issue. The dialogue seemed pretty sharp throughout, especially Peter/Spidey’s wise-cracks.
Weiringo’s art didn’t stand out for me this issue, but that’s okay. At least I didn’t get any overstylized posing, like with most of the ‘hot’ artists being bandied around these days. The action sequences came off well, and there’s enough of a mystery here for me to come back for the next issue.
KET
Loved your writing on the first issue Peter…and ive never been a big fan of Weiringo…but i thought his art was much better than his first run on spidey…to the point where i had to go look back at the credits to make sure it was him! Storywise, im a little blah on where all this is going…as i just dont have much faith when it comes to these big storylines with spidey…but I will stick around to find out and try to reserve judgement until then.
I thought it was a well written and enjoyable issue … unless Spidey dies and comes back to life in the near future, in which case there was way too much foreshadowing.
Lynn
Well, if Diamond hadn’t screwed things up, and shorted several accounts (including MINE) I would have gotten to read it before all my customers snagged ’em up.
Okay, so we got our Marvel preview books in this morning, and among them was next week’s Marvel Knights Spider-Man. Those that aren’t pleased with Weiringo’s art (which I personally liked, but that’s me) are really gonna be upset next week. Two words.
Pat Lee.
Though the writing really is top notch. Those complaining about MJ’s attitude, give it a little. There’s a reason.
All I’m saying, except keep it up, PAD! I can’t wait to see where this story’s going.
Great first issue. I was unsure about this crossover, but my interest is definitely piqued. Wieringo’s art seemed off for some reason, but still enjoyable. Loved the bullet scene and training with Steve Rogers. Could it be that Peter has lieukemia from the spider bite? Can’t wait for Part 2!
The best parts; the scenes with Cap and Jonah.
All around nice art and funny dialogue.
Even though I’m not wild about JMS’ plots crossing over into this book, you handled it very well and even made it intriguing.
I dug the bullet gimmick, though not necessarily Tracer’s look… I suppose we’ll eventually learn why he dresses like he’s from “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”.
I’m surprised, though, that they let you put a sex scene (even in shadow) into the book, since it’s labeled all-ages. Doesn’t bother me, but I could see it raising some eyebrows.
It was alright. No idea who Modrun et al are, but then again, I haven’t read (non-Ultimate) SM for about a decade (Yes. Clones.) and it was still pretty understandable. Disappointed that the first story-arc kicks of a Xover instead of a standalone storyline.
Bullets that chase you slowly? Lame.
Training with Captain America? Kinda cool.
Peter scared ‘cuz he’s beat “Parker luck”? Well written.
Generic creepy stalker dude? Oh, we’re supposed to alread know him? Whatever.
JMS crossover? Annoying as hëll.
Overall I thought it was a very good issue, and Wieringo’s work was great except for Tracer’s costume design, which is horribly generic and boring (and that beard – wha??)
The moment with the bullets I liked but I do think was cheating somewhat. Spidey should not have been able to catch even one of them. He is not invulnerable and doesn’t have unbreakable skin. He doesn’t have Flash-style super speed. A bullet striking him dead on in the hands would – as we saw – blow bloody greatholes in them. The fact that one of them got through (the best moment in the issue, actually: “Ah, crap…”)kind of mitigated things but I think overall it was a bit of a cheat, PAD.
And I agree with the posters above: ignore whatever happened in Millar’s MK run. It was 90% posing and 10% bûllšhìŧ anyway.
I don’t read the Spider-Man books but thought of getting this one simply because you were writing it. I have no interest in picking up the other books either. Launching with a big crossover where you have no choice but to buy the other title made me decide to give this one a pass.
Maybe I’ll check it out with issue 5 once this mess is over.
I enjoyed this issue emmensely. In a single issue, it stood out as the best Spidey comics that I’ve read in years. Loved the humor, the angst, the Parker luck and your usage of symbolism in the dream. Nice touch using the frog, which is often associated with the power of resurrection and renewal. Death is dreams often implies change, rather than actual death. Tossing in a morgue, a body, Ben and and absurdly dressed Kravan was a nice touch. Based on this set-up, it seems we may see more of an evolution of the character, than the physical metamorphasis, death, clone, etc that we’ve seen in rumors and speculation across the internet.
Fred
I’m not a Spider-Fan because I don’t like Mr. Whiney Pants’ whininess. Keep keeping those thought balloons out and you’ll be keeping me as a reader!
I have to agree with several of the posters above, I was looking forward to a fresh new Spider-Man title written by Peter, but it’s part of some ridiculious 12 part crossover??? What, the House of SM??
Sorry. All I wanted to do was to read a solid Spider-Man comic not “part whatever” of yet again some needless “epic” crossover.
It’s kind of ironic that I got my CBG yesterday and it’s “But I Digress” has Peter’s article about the kids who don’t or never have read a Spider-Man comic and only know the character from the movies or video games.
Why don’t we just give them a copy of this new Spider-Man title, then they’ll see….. oh, right, it’s part of some mega cross title storyline.
Yeah, that’ll get them interested.
I’ve been waiting for this for so long, Peter David back on Spider-Man. And I wasn’t disappointed.
One of the best sequences was the training with Cap. It was great to see Mary Jane actually participating, which tells me MJ’s days of being the damsel-in-distress are numbered for any sorry mother’s son who messes with her.
It’s pretty fun reading, but I’ll have to repeat my comments that this is a pretty crummy marketing strategy on Marvel’s part.
I mean, this book is for All Ages. Marvel Knights, however, isn’t supposed to be.
So, you’ve just told any kid who isn’t supposed to be reading MK that they must miss 1/3rd of the story.
Why not just start up a Spidey title under MAX and make some even greater boneheaded publishing move, shall we?
It seems like Marvel has taken a few steps back these days, going back to the ol’ tried-and-helped-fubar-the-industry stuff from the 90’s, like the yearly massive crossover, multiple covers of just about everything in sight, and putting out alot of crap.
Not to mention ruining one of my favorite comics (New Warriors) with art not worthy of a Clifford the Dog book.
Anyways. I’m sure, given enough time, this book will do good things – you can’t go wrong with PAD at the helm.
My plan is to read all of PAD’s books this month, then just FNSM after that. I expect I’ll be able to endure Hudlin’s turn on it…the stuff I dislike about his writing of Black Panther would not be particularly bad on Spider-Man.
As for the tracing bullets, there’s two main possibilities. One, Tracer has superpowers, and the bullets aren’t special unless he wants them to be. Two, there’s been enough antigrav tech floating around in the Marvel U since day one (i.e. the Wingless Wizard) that a device to fire seeking bullets is plausible. They’d have to be slower, of course, to avoid shattering their own internal tracking circuits upon firing.
Finally, anyone wondering what my horrible pun was, I said in my review that the issue started with a bang.
Nice issue. But if the truth be told I would have prefered you to stay on Hulk. Spidey was already being done well, Hulk wasn’t. So now we’ve got lots of well written storys for Spidey and Hulk will be crap again.
Scrap one from my pull list.
Won’t touch SM books until the Sins of the Past are fixed. Made the Clone mess look like a Pulitzer winner. PAD, can you please fix that mess?
And hey, what was really going on there on page two? Did MJ have her mouth full or something?
Well, that’s one way of putting it . . .
Snowcrash, Morlun was a member of a race that feeds off of life energy, a la vampires, except that they just need to touch their victims. They seem to get the biggest rush off of those whose powers are similar to, or derived from, animal species. Morlun was fixated on Peter because he, like Ezekiel, was convinced that Peter had been chosen by some “spider totem” to receive his powers. From Morlun’s POV, that would have made him especially tasty, and kept Morlun going for another century. (Did I mention the immortality angle?) However, when they finally had their big fight, Peter had just injected himself with coolant water from a nuclear reactor – not the safe heat-exchange fluid, but the water from inside the chamber itself. This made him sufficiently radioactive that every time Morlun touched him, the energy-vampire took damage. (I know, I know – but this is comic-book physics. You swallowed Pym particles, didn’t you?) In the end, Morlun had been sufficiently weakened that his former slave, a man named Dex, was able to break Morlun’s control and shoot him. The body crumbled to dust (while Morlun whined, “I was just hungry…”).
Now we see either Morlun, or someone like him, back after Spidey. Presumably, whatever Peter’s current problem is, it’s related to either Morlun’s attack, or the insanity of dosing himself even more with radiation. That’s why I plan on buying the entire crossover – I want to see what they have in mind, and how they’ll resolve it (we know Peter will come out physically okay on the other end – Marvel would no more kill off Spider-Man than Wolverine. The suspense is in seeing exactly how they’ll pull it off).
BTW, Dave, I should have made it clear that using a horrible pun is not in fact a negative so far as your review was concerned. (Considering the individual whose site we’re both posting on right now, it would probably be a Really Bad Thing were I particularly pun-averse.)
TWL
I think I wish I got comics more than twice a month. I suppose that’s what I get for ordering comics online. And being cheap. That doesn’t help, either.
JAB
I thought as an issue it was great. The art reminded me of Romita Sr. a bit. As said above, I didnt like that it was part of a crossover story. At least it was part 1 and not in the middle of something. Marvel + crossovers still leave a bad taste in my mouth.
Oh, you were right Peter, it’s adult but totally exceptable for kids. Im going to re-read it a few more times and review it on my blog.
I’ll echo a few others here: I was not interested in buying the first part of a 12 part “epic”. I may come aboard as of #4, but right now it’s not likely. This “epic” definitely cost Marvel and PAD a reader.
Enjoyed it quite a bit. I think I would prefer a different inker over ‘Ringo’s pencils.
Looking forward to the next issues of MK and Amazing, REALLY looking forward to issue 4, highly bemused by people who don’t like the crossover and profess to enjoy PAD’s work not picking up the title with Issue 4. That’s a collector’s mentality, not a reader’s.
I enjoyed the story in the first issue. The fact that it is only the first part of a multiple issues crossover does not bother me. I know that the “marketing” purpose was to make sure that readers of the other two books buy this one.
The art was not impressive. This suprised me as I really enjoyed Ringo’s artwork in the past. Perhaps it was the inker’s fault? I am not sure. I just know that I am used to better from Ringo.
I agree that I’d rather this not be a crossover issue like others. (Issue #2 to start a crossover, but #1 to start the book with the pure PAD flavor).
My only quibble was the art. Not that it’s bad, but just not what I was expecting. (I really haven’t seen Ringo’s art since his Flash run, so I’m just not used to his new, more…classic, style.)
Tim: That’s pretty much how I took it, don’t fret. 🙂
“Oh, you were right Peter, it’s adult but totally exceptable for kids.”
Well, that’s what “all ages” means.
I wanted to have Peter and Mary Jane in bed together being loving in the very beginning, but knew perfectly well that the average seven year old would look at them kissing, go, “Ewww,” and put the book back. So I kept everyone–Peter, Mary Jane, the readers–in the dark, and wrote dialogue so vague that it could be anything. Everyone reads into it as little or as much as they want.
And guys, as for Mary Jane expressing concern: It doesn’t mean I’m going to depict them with their marriage in trouble. To me, quite the contrary: If she wasn’t concerned about an injured Spidey going out after Tracer, THEN their marriage is in trouble. A woman not caring is certainly the first sign of that, don’t you think?
PAD
PAD, I see your point about MJ showing concern and totally agree. Maybe it’s just that the way MJ shows concern in this book comes off as very similar to previous instances which were usually the first step down some “INIFINITE CRISIS OF MARITAL WOES” plotline so Spidey could truly be all angsty. Me personally, I think a lot of us like Peter and MJ living the good life for a while and are just waiting to see when the other shoe will drop. I know I definitely would not look forward to yet another relationship-problem angle; they’ve been together too long now to keep letting the same things drive them apart. I like the source of tension being the villains, and not some internal struggle with years-old stuff that shouldn’t be an issue now.
Actually, Jason, I think it’s quite possible that there won’t be another shoe, no matter how much the Parkers expect it. Remember, Peter’s just not used to things breaking his way, as PAD explored in this issue. In the past, his first true love was killed by his friend’s father/worst enemy, his second true love was almost killed by his second costume, and then there was that thing with her needing him to comfort her – and all those people in the explosion needing his help too, what with the FF and the Avengers being unavailable. He had no one to count on besides himself, and his life put everyone he loved in danger.
Now, he’s an Avenger, so he’s got teammates for backup. Since his apartment and his aunt’s house were destroyed, he’s moved into Avengers Tower with his wife and aunt. They have a great life together, May and Jarvis are apparently becoming involved, Peter’s bills are being paid – the entire pattern of the Parker existence has reversed itself. Is it any wonder Peter keeps expecting it all to blow up in his face at any moment?
Peter
I’m interested as to where you see this fit into ‘current’continuity? One of my major gripes is that (whether ultimately explained or not)the recent House of M: Spiderman titles don’t seem to have much in common with the continuity of the main House of M story – in fact they seem totally contradictory so far).
Does The Other take place after House of M? Around current New Avengers timing? Or doe those two time-frmaes contradict?
I likes me my good stories, but I gets a bit sick of stuff that could be chronologically explained with a bit of forethought, but often isn’t.
John
And apologies for the awful spelling. All fingers and thumbs tonight.