Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3) [Paperback]

Stan Lee (Author), John Romita (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

When Peter Parker was bitten by a radioactive spider, he became much more than the shy, introverted high school student he had always been! Now possessed of the proportionate strength, speed, and agility of a spider, he sought to use his newfound abilities to achieve wealth and fame. But after his beloved Uncle Ben was murdered, the grief-stricken youth soon realized that with great power must also come great responsibility. Now, Peter wages a one man, web-slinging crusade against all evildoers in the costumed identity of...the Amazing Spider-Man!

Product Details

• Paperback: 592 pages
• Publisher: Marvel; New edition edition (September 28, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785118640
• ISBN-13: 978-0785118640
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 1.8 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic Stan Lee/John Romita issues in black & white, June 10, 2007

By 

K. W. Schreiter (Conshohocken, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3) (Paperback)

This volume collects Amazing Spider-Man issues 44-65 and Annual #4. Lee's plots span two to four issues each and feature supervillians The Lizard, The Shocker, Kraven the Hunter, The Vulture, Kingpin and Doctor Octopus. Peter Parker's friends Gwen Stacy, Mary-Jane Watson and Harry Osborn also emerge in this run. Amazon's current listing of Steve Ditko as illustrator is incorrect. John Romita (Sr.) drew all monthly issues in this collection (Stan Lee's brother Larry Lieber drew the one annual). As testament of Romita's skill the artwork impresses despite the removal of his coloring.
I prefer the Amazing Spider-Man DVD-ROM for its complete collection of the entire ASM run in full color PDFs. However, the Marvel Essentials series offers convenient, inexpensive access to these 40-year old Spider-Man comics without needing a computer. The flow of these issues encourages sequential reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars BE ADVISED!!!, June 22, 2008

By 

Ralph Prince (Lansing, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3) (Paperback)

Despite the cover having the same "ESSENTIAL" banner along the left edge, this volume does not seem to follow the sequence of the other Essential volumes. Volume #2 covers issues #21-#43 (plus annuals #2 & #3); Volume #4 covers issues #69-#89 (plus Annuals #4 & #5). According to the cover scan of this one, it covers issues #44-#65 (plus Annual #4). Issues #66-#68 seem to be missing, and Annual #4 is in both this volume and in volume #4.
There is another Essentials Volume #3 that is out of print and seems to be the one that goes with the essential set. Essential Spider-Man Vol. 3

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The cover shows it all..., November 25, 2008

By 

Mark A. Domeier "Grammar Freak" (Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 3) (Paperback)

The cover of this edition of Essential Spider-Man encapsulates our hero throughout this collection of stories. Everything that happens to Peter Parker as Spider-Man makes his life miserable. Spider-Man saves Gwen Stacy and her father, but she's mad at Peter for something he did because of his secret identity. Because Peter is missing for awhile (due of course to being amnesiac as Spider-Man), Aunt May gets worried and ends up in the hospital. Thus, there are some really cliched and ongoing repetition, but these are still good stories.
The Kingpin is introduced and is formidable from the start. Also, in a quiet fashion, we see the introduction of Joe Robertson at the Daily Bugle. There is a good Doc Ock storyline as well.
Even though it wasn't revealed back then that Mary Jane knew Peter was Spidey almost from the start, I keep looking for clues and little things she says and does which could be brought back now and show she knew all along. The tension between MJ and Gwen is well done.
Finally, John Romita's artwork is fabulous. It's interesting to see the differences based on the inkers who help out, but his style shines through no matter what.