Behind the Mask of Spider-Man: The Secrets of the Movie [Paperback]

Mark Vaz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 19, 2002

An all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the amazing Hollywood blockbuster

In 1962, when Spider-Man first appeared in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, the response was so electrifying the web-spinner was given his very own comic book series within a year. Now, on the 40th anniversary of that fateful beginning, Marvel Comics’ most popular superhero stars in his own spectacular feature film!

Here for the first time all the juicy details of Spider-Man’s journey to the silver screen are revealed. From script to soundstage, from costumes to visual effects, the book captures the creative energies of those responsible for this supreme act of illusion. Behind the Mask of Spider-Man features:

• Hundreds of never-before-seen photos, costume sketches, storyboards, and set design illustrations
• Candid reflections and delicious anecdotes from cast members, including Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, and Kirsten Dunst
• Fascinating revelations from director Sam Raimi (The Gift, Evil Dead, For Love of the Game) on how he sought to capture the outcast hero who is the essence of Spider-Man
• The magic behind the film’s dazzling visual effects and digital wizardry
• Scenes that never made it into the movie

A movie like this comes along once in a lifetime–a story of good and evil, love and cruelty, awesome powers that become both blessing and curse . . .

It is the marvelous story of Spider-Man.

Go for the ultimate spin at www.sony.com/spiderman

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School-An intriguing glimpse into the genesis of both the character and the movie. In the foreword, Stan Lee explains how he made an end run around his editor to get the first "Spider-Man" story published. Vaz then segues into the tumultuous history of bringing Spidey to the screen amid bankruptcy and competing claims before moving on to the details of movie production. Some of this information will be familiar to anyone who has been reading magazines or watching television specials, like the story of the last-minute trip to Europe to audition Kirsten Dunst for the role of Mary Jane Watson. But there's plenty of behind-the-scenes information, too, and plenty of F/X information for those fascinated by wall-crawling, web-slinging CGI. The book is packed with photos and production drawings, including early takes on the Green Goblin, who evolved considerably in style from his comic-book origins.
Susan Salpini, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

An all-access, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the amazing Hollywood blockbuster

In 1962, when Spider-Man first appeared in the pages of Amazing Fantasy #15, the response was so electrifying the web-spinner was given his very own comic book series within a year. Now, on the 40th anniversary of that fateful beginning, Marvel Comics? most popular superhero stars in his own spectacular feature film!

Here for the first time all the juicy details of Spider-Man?s journey to the silver screen are revealed. From script to soundstage, from costumes to visual effects, the book captures the creative energies of those responsible for this supreme act of illusion. Behind the Mask of Spider-Man features:

? Hundreds of never-before-seen photos, costume sketches, storyboards, and set design illustrations
? Candid reflections and delicious anecdotes from cast members, including Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe, and Kirsten Dunst
? Fascinating revelations from director Sam Raimi (The Gift, Evil Dead, For Love of the Game) on how he sought to capture the outcast hero who is the essence of Spider-Man
? The magic behind the film?s dazzling visual effects and digital wizardry
? Scenes that never made it into the movie

A movie like this comes along once in a lifetime?a story of good and evil, love and cruelty, awesome powers that become both blessing and curse . . .

It is the marvelous story of Spider-Man.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Del Rey; 1st edition (March 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345450043
• ISBN-13: 978-0345450043
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,702,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mark Cotta Vaz is the author of over twenty-one books, including four New York Times bestsellers. His recent works include Mythic Vision: The Making of Eragon, The Spirit: The Movie Visual Companion, and the biography Living Dangerously: The Adventures of Merian C. Cooper, Creator of King Kong, which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING BEHIND THE SCENES INFORMATION!, May 28, 2002

By 

M. Grant "MacGyver of the Books" (Detroit, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Mask of Spider-Man: The Secrets of the Movie (Paperback)

BEHIND THE MASK OF SPIDER-MAN by: Mark Cotta Vaz is one of the best "making of" movie books I have ever read. Fair warning though, this book is so thorough that if you have not already seen Spider-Man then DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Upon viewing some of the great color photos and reading the indepth information, you'll be completely robbed of any true movie surprises.

With that said...

In 205 pages, Vaz manages to provide tons of background on the characters, history, and production stages of Spider-Man. You'll find everything from pictures of original comic page art to step-by-step photos on the various concept sketches of both Spider-Man and the Green Goblin (Goblin in particuar is all over the place in the various designs). Vaz clearly did his homework as there are numerous interviews and sound bytes from everyone from Stan Lee to Sam Raimi to Willem Dafoe to producers, stunt people, and FX coordinators.

Rarely do "Behind the Scenes" books read as fast and as enjoyable as this one. Now granted, I am a HUGE Spider-Man fan, but I believe that anyone who enjoyed the movie will find lots of insight to be gained from this informative and entertaining book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Cotta Vaz does it again with Spider-Man 2, June 17, 2005

By 

Kristy M. Ross "Kristy" (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Behind the Mask of Spider-Man: The Secrets of the Movie (Paperback)

Mark Cotta Vaz is the best "Making Of" author in the world and Behind the Mask of Spider-Man: The Secrets of the Movie has everything a discerning film fan could ask for. Without the material entering the annoying world of overkill, this pleasing and informative book breezes along with its fascinating insights into how Spider-Man went from comic to silver screen. With enough inside info and graphic content to satisfy the most info-hungry geek, this is extremely satisfying and also is possibly one of the best film books ever written. It's that simple. Vaz has so many impressive book-writing credits under his belt already, but this is surely his best work. Containing info on the cast and crew, this never fails to interest and Vaz thankfully differs from other authors with a pre-determined un-pretentious standpoint. The early chapters focus on abandoned ideas about a team up of the Green Goblin and Doc Ock, and numerous costume changes for the first movie, where every little detail is spread out in a well-plotted format. Candid interviews with comic and film boys wraps up a nice package that keeps a very special place on my bookshelf. Highly Recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SPIDER-MAN RULES!, May 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Behind the Mask of Spider-Man: The Secrets of the Movie (Paperback)

I dont know about you but when I heard that Spider-man was coming to theaters I went crazy. But I wasent about to wait that long to get a little bet of info on the movie so I got this book it tells you just the right amount of info without spoiling the movie I suggest you get this book!!!!!
SPIDER-MAN SPIDER-MAN DOES WHATEVER A SPIDER CAN!