Customer Reviews

Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1 (Marvel Essentials) (v. 1)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the third version of the "Essential Spider-Man, Volume 1" trade paperback collection and the fact that it did not come out until March 1 of this year has given me a lot of headaches this semester. This is the one "textbook" in my Introduction to Popular Culture class and Spider-Man is usually the second unit and I had to shift it at the last minute to being the fourth unit to make sure everybody has copies. The cherubs are turning in their essays this week in which they argue what are the five most significant defining elements of Spider-Man comic books (e.g., spider-powers, JJJ out to get him, bookworm, worried about Aunt May), and it is always interesting to see how many of them were convinced they would hate having to read comic books and how much they end up loving Spidey.

When Spider-Man first appeared in "Amazing Fantasy" #15 (which now provides the cover art for Volume 1) the promise was that we would find the character to be "just a bit...different." Although there were similarities to those who had come before (e.g., the motivation of a loved one's death just like Batman, the use of radioactivity to provide superpowers), it was ultimately the difference that made Spider-Man so popular. However, the key element of that difference did not not emerge until issue #1 of "The Amazing Spider-Man," when J. Jonah Jameson begins his public crusade against the Spider-Man menace Ultimately, what made Spider-Man "different" was that he was considered to be a menace rather than a hero by the public, and usually neither Peter Parker nor his web-slinger alter-ego had any luck other than bad. Here was the comic book superhero as underdog.

What is amazing as you re-read these stories is how well these comics stand up (with the glaring exception of "Spider-Man" #1 where they drop a net to try and capture John Jameson's errant space capsule and Spidey catches a ride from a jet fighter using his webbing). I was never a big admirer of Steve Ditko's artwork, especially the stuff he did after he left Marvel, but in going over these early Spider-Man comics I am very impressed with his compositional skills. Maybe it is because these are in black & white rather than in color that this strength of Ditko's artwork really emerges, but Ditko deserves a lot more credit than I had given him the first time around. There is also a "Spider-Man" tackles the Human Torch story that is drawn by Jack Kirby and inked by Ditko, which only goes to affirm the choice of the latter to draw Spidey (Kirby does bulk him up too much).

As for Stan Lee's writing, well, I do not remember if he actually wrote "Millie the Model," but the soap opera elements of "Spider-Man" are superb as we go back to the ancient days of Liz Allen and Betty Bryant, well before the time of Gwen Stacy, and when Mary Jane Watson (sometimes "Watkins") was just the niece of Aunt May's best friend. Then there are the subtle twists on Superman, where the "Daily Bugle" is out to get Spider-Man and Spidey's biggest fan "Flash" Thompson is always picking on puny Peter Parker (cf. "Daily Planet" and Jimmy Olson), as Lee continued to play with the superhero genre. Finally, there is Aunt May, the beloved little old lady who was arguably the more unique and important supporting character Lee ever created at Marvel. No other superhero ever had a white-haired aunt who could never know the truth, who was terrified by the mere thought of Spider-Man, and who showed almost as much gumption during all those stays in the hospital on death's door as she did heart every day of her life. She was always Peter's best girl until the day she died.

Volume 1 collects "Amazing Fantasy" #15, "Amazing Spider-Man" #1-20, and "Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1" (with some Ditko artwork added at the back for this new edition). In these stories we have Spider-Man's first encounters with the Chameleon, the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, the Sandman, the Lizard, Electro, Mysterio, Ka-Zar the Hunter, the Scorpion, and, of course, the Green Goblin. Part of the fun in reading these stories is knowing what lies ahead for Spidey and some of these characters (the Green Golbin and Ka-Zar clearly heading that list). The lesson, as we all know, is that with great power comes great responsibility and once you start here you have to keep going because as good as this collection is I think you will find that the Volumes 2 and 3 of "The Essential Spider-Man," where Ditko is replace by John Romita (Sr.), represent the pinnacle of the series. However, you definitely have to start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

I've read the Ultimate Spidey comic. Don't get me wrong it was a smart move by Marvel to "refresh" their dated comic titles for the younger generation but c'mon you cannot re-write history. While I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the Ultimate Spider-Man comics it feels wrong somehow.

Go back and get the real story on Spidey with these awesome collections. Call me an old fashion comic geek but I'll take my heroes they way they started dated history and all.

I had never read these original stories before. They are great and it was a wonderful experience to read them. Besides the fantastic elements in this story, Lee is able to add some soap opera elements with Peter's romantic relationship with Betty Brant. It gets quite dramatic when Betty makes Spiderman responsible for killing her brother, just when Peter is about to reveal to her that he is Spiderman. Later on, other obstacles will be on the way between the two, like Liz Allan's sudden change of heart for Peter Parker.
I'm also impressed by the compositional skills of Lee. considering that these comics were meant to be sold to a young audience, 8 to 12, the vocabulary is varied and demanding. When compared to the texts of The Ultimate Spiderman, the language has a higher standard.

I became a fan of the Essentials Compilations since it allowed me to re-read these incredible issues without damaging the integrity of my sealed collectibles, that being said. I know that periodically the publishing houses do some strange things (example..the addition of clothes to characters in the Tomb of Dracula Essentials). I purchased this issue used and it is missing issues #11 and #12. Since the original bindings were pretty cheesy I can see how someone might misplace pages while rebinding, unless for some reason the volume actually is supposed to be missing these issues. If someone has there copy can they add a comment to my review so I know if my copy is defective vs. publishing house error. Thank You

Amazing Spiderman: Essential Vol. 1 shows the beginning of the still ongoing series, from Peter Parker making history and being bit by that radioactive spider, to Spiderman battling The Sinister-Six for the first time. Throughout this book you will definitely find something that will grab your attention.

Although not being a fan of the co-creator's (Steve Ditko) artwork, it symbolizes a sort of landmark in the comic book industry. The style is very cartoonish, but believable. He put's everything in perspective and you will always know what is going on in the story. Ditko's work also includes issues in the Incredible Hulk, Dr. Strange, and Iron Man. With the help of Jack Kirby, there is a nice balance in this collection.

Accompanied by Stan Lee's legendary narration, this comic is one of the many reasons Stan Lee is so influential in the comic book world. Not only being the creator of Spider-Man, but also Daredevil, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, and Thor.

Personally, I really enjoyed this collection. Being a long time comic book fan myself, I really respect where they came from and where they went with the story. It is very fast paced and moves along quite well. With well deserved villain breaks in between, it gives you time to understand Pater parkers love interests (in this case Betty Brant). This is obviously the beginnings of Spider-Man and takes place in Earth 616 in the Marvel Multiverse. With new remakes slowly coming out, it's always good to know the real story beforehand, and especially to know the differences.

Overall, I would positively give these comics 5 stars. It's entertaining and suspenseful. With crossovers and multi story arcs coming out left and right, it's difficult to get into comic book nowadays. I would definitely recommend this for anyone interested in comic books.

Yes, it is somewhat of an annoyance that these books arent in color but I think fans should be grateful we have access to so much content for so little money. Marvel Essentials are a HUFE blessing to comic fans. Especially young ones who want to experience comic books from their very first run up until the present. The only thing I can see fans complaining about is that the binding is rather poor, but I've only experienced this a few times considering I have numerous Essentials volumes and DC showcase books. I have about 25 overall and I've only had binding problems with 2 of them.

This collection of the original 22 magazine appearances of Spider-Man* is awesome. I'm not an experienced Spider-Man fan; I mostly know him from the recent Tobey Maguire films (good, better, bad). Spider-Man is a great character: trying to do the right thing and beat criminals while struggling to make financial ends meet (at one point he tries to convince a sports card manufacturer to make Spider-Man trading cards - to no avail), trying not to lose his temper with kids at school (remember he's just a teenager), and seeking to maintain a relationship while constantly disappearing (to turn into Spider-Man). His adolescent arrogance often gets the better of him and his luck turns sour as often as sweet (except in a fight, in which it turns sour less often :) ).

The dialogue in these comics is hilarious, often because of its clunky exposition. I'd say "unintentionally," but Stan Lee - the writer - seems savvy enough to see the joke. Here are a couple of lines I loved:

Dr Doom, in a thought bubble: "When one is a master of science, as I am, there is nothing which cannot be accomplished!"

Mysterio, in the midst of a battle with Spider-man: "I might as well tell you the whole story - for I shall see to it that you never tell anyone else!" [followed by the whole story**]

The book is full of visits from other superheroes: the Fantastic Four appear most prominently, but we also see the Hulk, and have cameos from the X-Men, Giant-Men, the Wasp, Dr Strange, Iron Man, and many more. The villains are endless and creative: my favorite is the oh-so-dated leopard skin pants-wearing Kraven the Hunter. And there isn't a period in the whole book: all exclamation points and question marks.

This is first-class entertainment.

* Includes Amazing Fantasy #15, The Amazing Spider-Man #1 - 20, and The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1.

** Reminiscent of that scene in The Great Muppet Caper when Miss Piggy asks her new employer why she just told her all about her personal life, to which the employer responds, Exposition!

If you are interested in the origins of Spider-Man, his friends, Aunt May, and several of his oldest foes then this is a great book. Obviously some might be turned away by the lack of color, but the content of the book makes up for that to me. If you like stories that can be completed in one issue instead of the normal six issues these days, or you just like a good Lee/Kirby story. This is the book for you!

Even oh so many decades later these stories are still astounding for the complexity of character they have. Sure, some of the portrayal of the teenagers will seem naive now due to cultural changes over the years but the depth of story-telling is really superb.

We see the creation of Spiderman of course, as well as many of his premier rogues gallery, though to be fair we also see some pretty weak villains as well. Montana and Fancy Dan anyone?

What is interesting about the art is, excepting for the Annual, the complete lack of splash pages. This gives a general panel count of 6-9 per page which really allows the depth of story-telling that is the strength of this collection. There is ample room for exposition and character development. The strength of which is Peter Parker dealing with his real life, his relationships with Aunt May, Betty Brandt and the fellow students at his school. This is where the stories are elevated above bam-pow superhero action.

Though the lack of color is unfortunate, you get a really fair number of issues for the price. The lack of color also allows one to see the pencilling and inking better which may or may not be of interest to you.

On the whole a really good run of issues introducing a new archetype of superhero.

This is an awsome collection of some of the early spiderman. It is the wed slinger in amazing action comics including his run in with the sinister 6 and the creation of SPIDER-MAN.