The latest issues of two titles I write, both of which had the previous issues sell out.
Whad’ja think?
PAD
34 comments on “OUT TH IS WEEK: “FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #18,” “DARK TOWER #2””
Spidey’s changed his headwear AGAIN?! 😉
I liked ’em both. It’s interesting to see where the Ben Parker storyline is going, since I didn’t think we’d be seeing him again so soon.
I’m also enjoying learning about all the characters and aspects of Dark Tower, and Jae’s art continues to take my breath away.
Coming from someone who’s never read any of the Dark Tower novels (which is not to say I’ve never read Stephen King; I have), I’m really enjoying the comic so far.
At first, I was only going to pick it up because of Jae Lee’s art, not really caring too much about the story, Peter David’s writing notwithstanding, but now that we’re a couple issues in, I’m starting to get into the story and characters in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
I suspect that if (when?) King decides to reissue the novels, as he alluded to during the NY convention, I might have to pick them up.
Dave G,
All the dark tower novels are readily available in hardcover, paperback and trade paperback (larger paperback with illustrations) form. There’s been numerous reissues over the last few years with the series having (finally) come to completion and it shouldn’t take more than a visit to a local Borders or Barnes & Noble to find a set with ‘matching’ covers.
The books themselves take place many years after the Susan Delgado story. The major plot of the comics comes from an extended flashback from book 4,so you won’t be retreading any ground for a good 1050 pages.
My apologies if that’s apparent through the comics, I haven’t picked them up.
Well worth the read. The blend of fantasy, Cowboy western, science fiction and popular culture is hard to find anywhere else, PADs work excluded, of course. =)
“All the dark tower novels are readily available in hardcover, paperback and trade paperback (larger paperback with illustrations) form.”
Actually, I suspect that’s not what Dave was referring to. King mentioned during the panel that he was thinking of going back into the books and doing some rewriting, some updating, some improvement upon them. Certainly “The Gunslinger” is very different in tone and style from the later works and could do with some updating. So I think he was saying he was going to wait for that.
PAD
As I told you at your signing, I think you’ve done an excellent job on capturing the voice and idioms of Roland and his world. I also like that you’re expanding this familiar story with little details that add a lot of flavor to it all and feel like they explain more, such as showing the Crimson King and Marten speaking about the prophecy and showing the King’s wizard glass orbs. Very nice stuff. I’m interested to see what other additions and “hidden scenes” are revealed as it goes on.
FNSM 18:
Good issue PAD.
YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I THINK? HUH?
I think you are too awesome to be true.
Is there a Dark Tower collected edition? if I’m going to jump into the comic (or at least get the collected trade/hardcover), I’d like to read the rest without having to track ’em down individually.
RE: FNSM
Another solid installment that leaves me anxiously waiting until next month.
Since I didn’t get (or like) the ending that was recapped at the beginning of this episode, I am glad to see that I should have been more patient. Plus, now that the Civil War is over, it is nice to get back to this storyline.
The line about why Spidey couldn’t just stand like a normal person was priceless.
Iowa Jim
Haven’t picked up Spidey yet (long workday -short comic shop hours) but not to slide off-topic, but did you read about Richard Jeni’s apparent suicide?
Man, I’m gonna miss that Platypus Man’s humor! PAD, you and he had a similar style of humor.
RIP Mr. Jeni. You will be missed.
re: GUNSLINGER has already gotten a do-over from King, hasn’t it? If I remember correctly, the current prints are nominally different from the original, which I found to be unreadable. The newer editions of the first novel, while still the most difficult of the series to “get into,” are much more readable.
I have no problem with revisiting a previous work and expanding or changing things, although it helps when the originals are still readily available, such as DARK TOWER, unlike fighting tooth and nail that we had to do with George Lucas to get the original version of Star Wars out (taking so long that I no longer cared for the series).
As far as issue 2, it pretty much surpassed my expectations. I’m not a King fanboy, I just like lots of his stuff, but I went into this very cautious, as I felt the Dark Tower books might prove to be untranslatable to other media. I think this issue resolved those doubts, although it’s always a weird feeling to see another person’s interpretations on a character you built in your head (i.e. Rhea, but even though I went with a more traditional witch look when I read the books, I find a scraggly Goodwife to be nearly as good and sinister).
I’ve dropped Spidey titles a while back, so no opinion, although I’m sure it was good. I’ve just never been much of a Spidey fan.
As a huge DT fan, am loving it. So do you now if they are going to go into the orbs more than they did in the books ?
You admit selling out?!?
Have you no shame?
I reviewed DT:TGB over on my livejournal. You’re welcome to check it out amidst my reviews of other titles I looked into last week at: http://defender75.livejournal.com/
The line about why Spidey couldn’t just stand like a normal person was priceless.
Ditto.
FNSM was a solid read and I’m looking forward to the conclusion. This follow-up arc is especially helpful for those of us who enjoy alternate storylines and were intrigued by the previous arc’s ending. FNSM #17 followed up on the repurcussions and now were about to have things come to a head. Or at least towards a head.
Thankee sai. Job well done.
i got it on sunday (my brother picks up my books for me as i am disabled and cant get to the shop easily) this was one of the first spidey books ive read in a long time that felt like spidey to me and ibe really missed that thoght the cross overs
Going to sound like an ášš I think engaging in too much hyperbole, but, having never read the Dark Tower series, the comics are some of the finest I’ve read in years.
Posted by: spiderrob8 at March 12, 2007 02:01 PM
Going to sound like an ášš I think engaging in too much hyperbole, but, having never read the Dark Tower series, the comics are some of the finest I’ve read in years.
Why would complimenting someone’s work make you sound like an ášš? Only you can judge what comics are “…the finest [you’ve] read in years.” After all, that’s pretty subjective.
Besides, from my admittedly subjective P.O.V., anyone who digs Peter David’s writing has impeccably good taste. 😉
I just thought it came off a bit too gushing and exaggerated.
But I was really blown away-concept, art, and writing/scripting.
Top notch work. Seemed like the utmost care was used here.
and this from someone who almost always reads superheroes by Marvel and DC. (and has never read Stephen King-though i’ve seen some movies).
Plus, rare for me today, but something that I enjoyed re-reading several times to take it all in.
The tone set so far in the Dark Tower books perfectly matches my idea of it. Richard is doing a phenominal job on top of Jae’s already awesome work and thank God they have you scripting it, because I shudder to think of someone elses handling of it. The dark tower books seem to be Mr. King’s most personal books and it shows a lot that he trusts you with the property and his trust is founded in your handling of it.
As far as FN Spidey, can we have Todd do the next Madrox solo so we can get more Todd Madrox while keeping Pablo drawing X-factor? Because Todd’s Madrox is hot! In all seriousness though, I hope Todd sticks with the book for the entirety of your run on the book because he adds a much needed element in his stable art.
I picked up FNSM 18 a day ago and I have to say, I love how you’re using the future Spider-Men that have been long forgotten (although I guess you did create them :p). I like where the Uncle Ben storyline is going but I felt a little deprived with this issue. Still, excellent writing. I’m eagerly waiting for April to come 😀
Hi Peter — What’s great for me right now is that while I’m reading and enjoying your Dark Tower comic, my nine-year-old’s reading and enjoying your FNSM, and we’re both reading and enjoying X-Factor. Thanks so much for your diverse output!
When I wanted to introduce my son to comics at the age of six, I was disappointed to discover there wasn’t much out there for him. He ended up reading Scooby-Doo and Powerpuff Girls, and now collects FNSM. It’s accessible to him without being pandering. And, heck, I enjoy it too.
It’s kind of neat how much mainstream publicity the dark tower books are getting.
“So far, the title has seen significant commercial success. More than 200,000 issues of the first issue were sold, by far the best-selling non-superhero comic in more than a decade.”
FNSM is good but I think the frequent status quo changes, all of which happen elsewhere, are hurting the book. Too frequent changing, and the knowledge that if you want to see where they happen, read Amazing, the flagship.
Also, I think the tone is great-at the same time, it doesn’t seem to match the Back in Black theme at all
(I’d written this in the comments for the Cap thing, but I’ll copy it in here)
As far as FNSM goes, did they ask you to tone it down or was the scene with Betty the same as the one you originally conceived? I have no doubt that I’d be screaming like a little girl if I had the same experience Betty did, but after your previous post mentioning the date I was bracing myself for much worse. When I saw it was in a restaurant my first thought was “oh šhìŧ,” because I thought there was gonna be something in the food.
(The rest of this was written tonight…)
Besides that, my curiosity is piqued as to what this Arrow bìŧçh is up to, and I’m happy to see Sandman displaying concern for somebody other than himself again. The character’s conscience is what separated him from all of the other Spidey villains, and what made me like him.
Of course I’m also eager to see what the deal with this other Uncle Ben is. The exchange between Baker and Peter where they talk about the psychological effects of being a fugitive for an extended period of time was also good reading, and for as long as Marvel decides to keep Spidey on the run I’ll be watching to see what effect his new status has on him.
If you don’t mind a request, if this “Flash Thompson acting like the jerk he used to be in high school” thing is not editorial edict, could you perhaps make him less of a douche? He really has no reason to look down on Peter anymore, now that he knows “Puny” is, in fact, his hero and has been since day one. Flash seemed like a decent enough guy in #18 on his date, and I just hope that continues, instead of having him go back home and treat Peter like crap.
I loved Friendly a lot, even if I didn’t and still don’t care much about the Ben Parker storyline.
But the interaction with Sandman was wonderful and I love to see more Flash. Just wish that we’ll get back good guy Sandman, I really hate how his character was ruined just to make him a bad guy again.
My comic dollar isn’t what it once was. Plus knowing there would be two, count them TWO books each with three stories all set in the mirror mirror Trek universe…and more importantly that one of them would focus on the NF characters… well the choice for me was easy. So far some pretty amusing stories. Just started reading the NF one.
I had one thought as I started to read the story. As much of the NF books seem like a Trek series ( BTW Loved the “season opener” moving the players around a bit very nice) One thing I would love to see somehow with NF, perhaps in an omibus a ‘director’s/ writers’ commentary. Just an idea.
The latest issue of FNSM was my favorite to date.
The conversations between Sandman and Spider-Man were so well constructed throughout the issue. By the end of the issue, Sandman is Spidey’s shrink. I just loved it. The exposure of their common ground was done so well that I saw it coming.
Thanks for the great read PAD. A beautiful run on FNSM.
Just got Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born #2 today. I read the main tale, but I haven’t read the backups yet! The series is excellent so far, PAD!Though I suspect this is going to be even better then it goes to TPB. I liked #2, but it was just over too soon. lol. I really wanted to see Susan and Roland meet! lol. Oh well. Next issue! 🙂
DF2506
As a reader of both the Dark Tower comics and FNSM, I’m amazed. Originally the tone of the DT comic threw me (I’m a big King fan) but I’ve settled with that since #2 came out, and can now let a new voice (other than sai King’s) tell me the stories of the Gunslinger.
As for the Webslinger, I’m always reading ASM, but as good as it is, it misses the heart of Spidey occasionally, which PAD doesn’t, he still has the humour and fun, even in the darkest of times for our boy in red and blue. So for me, it’s Dark Tower and FNSM all the way.
Thanks Peter, for keeping the Dark Tower up in reader’s minds, and the web (and new weird spikes) in our wrists.
p.s. I like the good side of Sandman too – he’s more interesting as a confused guy than pure villain.
#18 was my favorite FNS-M issue in quite a while, PAD! Not that the previous issues haven’t all been good, but this one ended up being (even with the awful actions of Ms. Arrow) even more enjoyable for me.
One bit I liked which hasn’t been mentioned yet was the “re-appearance” of Agent Madrox. His cameo in the Vulture story kept this appearance from being too out-of-the-blue, and even had me thinking “Hey, maybe he’ll be a recurring crossover character,” even as a voice in the back of my mind said “Wait, is that Madrox even still around…?”
It also occurred to me that you’ve probably come as close with this story as comic Spidey is going to get to tying Sandman into “Uncle Ben’s death”…
Again, a great read, and I, too,eagerly await next issue!
I am loving your writing on Friendly Neighborhood, it has been a great balance between the quality of dialogue and drama that ASM features and the fast-paced action and adventure that SSM features. Truly the best of both worlds.
The only thing that leaves me flat is the art. That’s not to say it’s poorly drawn — quite the contrary — but the style seems to be at odds with your voice. That is to say that the tonality of this book seems to tell stories of dire situations with an entertaining, occasionally humorous voice.
I wish I could see Vatche Mavlian return to Marvel, specifically on this title. I thought his work with Brett Matthews was outstanding and he demonstrated an adeptness with a style that is compatible to both the serious and irreverent qualities of your book. (I’ve never seen anyone draw the spider-emblem or costume webs as well as this guy!)
• 
Spidey’s changed his headwear AGAIN?! 😉
I liked ’em both. It’s interesting to see where the Ben Parker storyline is going, since I didn’t think we’d be seeing him again so soon.
I’m also enjoying learning about all the characters and aspects of Dark Tower, and Jae’s art continues to take my breath away.
Coming from someone who’s never read any of the Dark Tower novels (which is not to say I’ve never read Stephen King; I have), I’m really enjoying the comic so far.
At first, I was only going to pick it up because of Jae Lee’s art, not really caring too much about the story, Peter David’s writing notwithstanding, but now that we’re a couple issues in, I’m starting to get into the story and characters in a way that I wasn’t expecting.
I suspect that if (when?) King decides to reissue the novels, as he alluded to during the NY convention, I might have to pick them up.
Dave G,
All the dark tower novels are readily available in hardcover, paperback and trade paperback (larger paperback with illustrations) form. There’s been numerous reissues over the last few years with the series having (finally) come to completion and it shouldn’t take more than a visit to a local Borders or Barnes & Noble to find a set with ‘matching’ covers.
The books themselves take place many years after the Susan Delgado story. The major plot of the comics comes from an extended flashback from book 4,so you won’t be retreading any ground for a good 1050 pages.
My apologies if that’s apparent through the comics, I haven’t picked them up.
Well worth the read. The blend of fantasy, Cowboy western, science fiction and popular culture is hard to find anywhere else, PADs work excluded, of course. =)
“All the dark tower novels are readily available in hardcover, paperback and trade paperback (larger paperback with illustrations) form.”
Actually, I suspect that’s not what Dave was referring to. King mentioned during the panel that he was thinking of going back into the books and doing some rewriting, some updating, some improvement upon them. Certainly “The Gunslinger” is very different in tone and style from the later works and could do with some updating. So I think he was saying he was going to wait for that.
PAD
As I told you at your signing, I think you’ve done an excellent job on capturing the voice and idioms of Roland and his world. I also like that you’re expanding this familiar story with little details that add a lot of flavor to it all and feel like they explain more, such as showing the Crimson King and Marten speaking about the prophecy and showing the King’s wizard glass orbs. Very nice stuff. I’m interested to see what other additions and “hidden scenes” are revealed as it goes on.
FNSM 18:
Good issue PAD.
YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I THINK? HUH?
I think you are too awesome to be true.
Is there a Dark Tower collected edition? if I’m going to jump into the comic (or at least get the collected trade/hardcover), I’d like to read the rest without having to track ’em down individually.
RE: FNSM
Another solid installment that leaves me anxiously waiting until next month.
Since I didn’t get (or like) the ending that was recapped at the beginning of this episode, I am glad to see that I should have been more patient. Plus, now that the Civil War is over, it is nice to get back to this storyline.
The line about why Spidey couldn’t just stand like a normal person was priceless.
Iowa Jim
Haven’t picked up Spidey yet (long workday -short comic shop hours) but not to slide off-topic, but did you read about Richard Jeni’s apparent suicide?
Man, I’m gonna miss that Platypus Man’s humor! PAD, you and he had a similar style of humor.
RIP Mr. Jeni. You will be missed.
re: GUNSLINGER has already gotten a do-over from King, hasn’t it? If I remember correctly, the current prints are nominally different from the original, which I found to be unreadable. The newer editions of the first novel, while still the most difficult of the series to “get into,” are much more readable.
I have no problem with revisiting a previous work and expanding or changing things, although it helps when the originals are still readily available, such as DARK TOWER, unlike fighting tooth and nail that we had to do with George Lucas to get the original version of Star Wars out (taking so long that I no longer cared for the series).
As far as issue 2, it pretty much surpassed my expectations. I’m not a King fanboy, I just like lots of his stuff, but I went into this very cautious, as I felt the Dark Tower books might prove to be untranslatable to other media. I think this issue resolved those doubts, although it’s always a weird feeling to see another person’s interpretations on a character you built in your head (i.e. Rhea, but even though I went with a more traditional witch look when I read the books, I find a scraggly Goodwife to be nearly as good and sinister).
I’ve dropped Spidey titles a while back, so no opinion, although I’m sure it was good. I’ve just never been much of a Spidey fan.
As a huge DT fan, am loving it. So do you now if they are going to go into the orbs more than they did in the books ?
You admit selling out?!?
Have you no shame?
I reviewed DT:TGB over on my livejournal. You’re welcome to check it out amidst my reviews of other titles I looked into last week at: http://defender75.livejournal.com/
The line about why Spidey couldn’t just stand like a normal person was priceless.
Ditto.
FNSM was a solid read and I’m looking forward to the conclusion. This follow-up arc is especially helpful for those of us who enjoy alternate storylines and were intrigued by the previous arc’s ending. FNSM #17 followed up on the repurcussions and now were about to have things come to a head. Or at least towards a head.
Thankee sai. Job well done.
i got it on sunday (my brother picks up my books for me as i am disabled and cant get to the shop easily) this was one of the first spidey books ive read in a long time that felt like spidey to me and ibe really missed that thoght the cross overs
Going to sound like an ášš I think engaging in too much hyperbole, but, having never read the Dark Tower series, the comics are some of the finest I’ve read in years.
Posted by: spiderrob8 at March 12, 2007 02:01 PM
Going to sound like an ášš I think engaging in too much hyperbole, but, having never read the Dark Tower series, the comics are some of the finest I’ve read in years.
Why would complimenting someone’s work make you sound like an ášš? Only you can judge what comics are “…the finest [you’ve] read in years.” After all, that’s pretty subjective.
Besides, from my admittedly subjective P.O.V., anyone who digs Peter David’s writing has impeccably good taste. 😉
I just thought it came off a bit too gushing and exaggerated.
But I was really blown away-concept, art, and writing/scripting.
Top notch work. Seemed like the utmost care was used here.
and this from someone who almost always reads superheroes by Marvel and DC. (and has never read Stephen King-though i’ve seen some movies).
Plus, rare for me today, but something that I enjoyed re-reading several times to take it all in.
The tone set so far in the Dark Tower books perfectly matches my idea of it. Richard is doing a phenominal job on top of Jae’s already awesome work and thank God they have you scripting it, because I shudder to think of someone elses handling of it. The dark tower books seem to be Mr. King’s most personal books and it shows a lot that he trusts you with the property and his trust is founded in your handling of it.
As far as FN Spidey, can we have Todd do the next Madrox solo so we can get more Todd Madrox while keeping Pablo drawing X-factor? Because Todd’s Madrox is hot! In all seriousness though, I hope Todd sticks with the book for the entirety of your run on the book because he adds a much needed element in his stable art.
I picked up FNSM 18 a day ago and I have to say, I love how you’re using the future Spider-Men that have been long forgotten (although I guess you did create them :p). I like where the Uncle Ben storyline is going but I felt a little deprived with this issue. Still, excellent writing. I’m eagerly waiting for April to come 😀
Hi Peter — What’s great for me right now is that while I’m reading and enjoying your Dark Tower comic, my nine-year-old’s reading and enjoying your FNSM, and we’re both reading and enjoying X-Factor. Thanks so much for your diverse output!
When I wanted to introduce my son to comics at the age of six, I was disappointed to discover there wasn’t much out there for him. He ended up reading Scooby-Doo and Powerpuff Girls, and now collects FNSM. It’s accessible to him without being pandering. And, heck, I enjoy it too.
And he loved the latest issue.
Thanks again!
http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/books/03/12/books.stephenking.ap/index.html
It’s kind of neat how much mainstream publicity the dark tower books are getting.
“So far, the title has seen significant commercial success. More than 200,000 issues of the first issue were sold, by far the best-selling non-superhero comic in more than a decade.”
FNSM is good but I think the frequent status quo changes, all of which happen elsewhere, are hurting the book. Too frequent changing, and the knowledge that if you want to see where they happen, read Amazing, the flagship.
Also, I think the tone is great-at the same time, it doesn’t seem to match the Back in Black theme at all
(I’d written this in the comments for the Cap thing, but I’ll copy it in here)
As far as FNSM goes, did they ask you to tone it down or was the scene with Betty the same as the one you originally conceived? I have no doubt that I’d be screaming like a little girl if I had the same experience Betty did, but after your previous post mentioning the date I was bracing myself for much worse. When I saw it was in a restaurant my first thought was “oh šhìŧ,” because I thought there was gonna be something in the food.
(The rest of this was written tonight…)
Besides that, my curiosity is piqued as to what this Arrow bìŧçh is up to, and I’m happy to see Sandman displaying concern for somebody other than himself again. The character’s conscience is what separated him from all of the other Spidey villains, and what made me like him.
Of course I’m also eager to see what the deal with this other Uncle Ben is. The exchange between Baker and Peter where they talk about the psychological effects of being a fugitive for an extended period of time was also good reading, and for as long as Marvel decides to keep Spidey on the run I’ll be watching to see what effect his new status has on him.
If you don’t mind a request, if this “Flash Thompson acting like the jerk he used to be in high school” thing is not editorial edict, could you perhaps make him less of a douche? He really has no reason to look down on Peter anymore, now that he knows “Puny” is, in fact, his hero and has been since day one. Flash seemed like a decent enough guy in #18 on his date, and I just hope that continues, instead of having him go back home and treat Peter like crap.
I loved Friendly a lot, even if I didn’t and still don’t care much about the Ben Parker storyline.
But the interaction with Sandman was wonderful and I love to see more Flash. Just wish that we’ll get back good guy Sandman, I really hate how his character was ruined just to make him a bad guy again.
My comic dollar isn’t what it once was. Plus knowing there would be two, count them TWO books each with three stories all set in the mirror mirror Trek universe…and more importantly that one of them would focus on the NF characters… well the choice for me was easy. So far some pretty amusing stories. Just started reading the NF one.
I had one thought as I started to read the story. As much of the NF books seem like a Trek series ( BTW Loved the “season opener” moving the players around a bit very nice) One thing I would love to see somehow with NF, perhaps in an omibus a ‘director’s/ writers’ commentary. Just an idea.
The latest issue of FNSM was my favorite to date.
The conversations between Sandman and Spider-Man were so well constructed throughout the issue. By the end of the issue, Sandman is Spidey’s shrink. I just loved it. The exposure of their common ground was done so well that I saw it coming.
Thanks for the great read PAD. A beautiful run on FNSM.
Just got Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born #2 today. I read the main tale, but I haven’t read the backups yet! The series is excellent so far, PAD!Though I suspect this is going to be even better then it goes to TPB. I liked #2, but it was just over too soon. lol. I really wanted to see Susan and Roland meet! lol. Oh well. Next issue! 🙂
DF2506
As a reader of both the Dark Tower comics and FNSM, I’m amazed. Originally the tone of the DT comic threw me (I’m a big King fan) but I’ve settled with that since #2 came out, and can now let a new voice (other than sai King’s) tell me the stories of the Gunslinger.
As for the Webslinger, I’m always reading ASM, but as good as it is, it misses the heart of Spidey occasionally, which PAD doesn’t, he still has the humour and fun, even in the darkest of times for our boy in red and blue. So for me, it’s Dark Tower and FNSM all the way.
Thanks Peter, for keeping the Dark Tower up in reader’s minds, and the web (and new weird spikes) in our wrists.
p.s. I like the good side of Sandman too – he’s more interesting as a confused guy than pure villain.
#18 was my favorite FNS-M issue in quite a while, PAD! Not that the previous issues haven’t all been good, but this one ended up being (even with the awful actions of Ms. Arrow) even more enjoyable for me.
One bit I liked which hasn’t been mentioned yet was the “re-appearance” of Agent Madrox. His cameo in the Vulture story kept this appearance from being too out-of-the-blue, and even had me thinking “Hey, maybe he’ll be a recurring crossover character,” even as a voice in the back of my mind said “Wait, is that Madrox even still around…?”
It also occurred to me that you’ve probably come as close with this story as comic Spidey is going to get to tying Sandman into “Uncle Ben’s death”…
Again, a great read, and I, too,eagerly await next issue!
I am loving your writing on Friendly Neighborhood, it has been a great balance between the quality of dialogue and drama that ASM features and the fast-paced action and adventure that SSM features. Truly the best of both worlds.
The only thing that leaves me flat is the art. That’s not to say it’s poorly drawn — quite the contrary — but the style seems to be at odds with your voice. That is to say that the tonality of this book seems to tell stories of dire situations with an entertaining, occasionally humorous voice.
I wish I could see Vatche Mavlian return to Marvel, specifically on this title. I thought his work with Brett Matthews was outstanding and he demonstrated an adeptness with a style that is compatible to both the serious and irreverent qualities of your book. (I’ve never seen anyone draw the spider-emblem or costume webs as well as this guy!)
http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images/smwolv_01_03.jpg
http://www.comicon.com/pulse/images/smwolv_01_05.jpg