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Essential Spider-Man Vol. 3

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John Romita (Sr.) took over the penciler chores for "The Amazing Spider-Man" with issue #39, the famous issue where the Green Goblin found out Spidey's secret identity. Volume 3 "The Essential Spider-Man" covers issues #44-68 as Romita and writer Stan Lee try to find a way to follow up that most memorable beginning. What you will find within these pages are more of the multiple-issue story lines that proved so successful in the previous year with Spider-Man taking on the Lizard (#44-45), Kraven the Hunter and the new Vulture (#47-49), the Kingpin (#51-52, 59-60), and Doctor Octopus (#53-56), the new and old Vultures (#63-64), and Mysterio (#66-67).

Looking back at these comic books from 1967-69 from the perspective of the 21st century, it becomes clear that there is a major changing of the guard regarding Spider-Man's main villain. Granted, the Green Goblin is always number one on the list, but he has that amnesia problem. But in this third volume we see what is arguable the last of the great Doc Ock stories (the good doctor takes a room with Aunt May and Spidey ends up with amnesia), and the big debut of the Kingpin, who is featured in five of these issues. Eventually the Kingpin would become the most formidable foe of Daredevil, but at this point in his evolution he is New York City's new crime boss. Stan Lee had come up with several wannabe crime lords for the Big Apple over throughout the Sixties but none of them really worked (remember Fearless Fosdick?). With the Kingpin, Lee and Romita strike the mother lode (and I whole heartedly look forward to see Michael Clarke Duncan play the Wilton Fisk in the Daredevil film).

Besides the standard fare of J. Jonah Jameson's pathological hatred of Spider-Man and Aunt May's continual frail health, the new element in the world of Spider-Man is the emergence of Gwen Stacy as Peter Parker's love interest. Of course, we know what happens to Gwen down the road and what ultimately happens with Mary Jane Watson, but that does not detract from all the soap opera fun this time around. I always think of this as sort of the Archie period for Spider-Man, with Peter as Archie, Gwen and Mary Jane as Betty and Veronica, Harry as Jughead and Flash as Reggie. Think about it, people, it is not that farfetched an interpretation. Note: Pay attention to the evolution of how Romita draws Gwen. There is a as big a difference from what you see of the rather severe looking Miss Stacy in issue #44 and mega-babe who feels weak as a kitten in Peter's presence by issue #68. When it came to drawing the ladies in the Marvel Universe, Gene Colan was always my favorite (especially when he did the Black Widow), but Jazzy Johnny Romita (Sr.) was always a close second.

Chronological reprints of Amazing Spider-Man from 1967-1969, when the artwork (by John Romita, Sr.) never looked better and the stories(by Stan Lee) were never more involving -- even the supporting characters and sub-plots are well-rounded and interesting. One minor criticism -- although the reprints seem complete (20 pps), some of the pages are obviously copied from Marvel Tales (a Spider-Man reprint book which printed EDITED stories). Also, the pages would look much better in color -- and some of the cover pages are sloppily reproduced bigger than the page can fit. Still probably the cheapest way to read these great comics.

I have really enjoyed these Essential Spider-Man books! Sure the originals are the best with the exciting colors, etc., but it is fun to read the continuing storylines in one book. My favorite is the introduction of The Kingpin. It is part of a long storyline running two to three individual comics, all set to the backdrop of the turbulent sixties. Mary Jane, for instance, is a "hippy chick!" If you like Spider-Man, you'll certainly enjoy the thought-provoking stories of Peter Parker's struggles that made this a beloved series.

A wonderful way to read Spider-Man in some of his most glorious stories. This volume captures Stan Lee and John Romita in their prime. A good way to cover some 20+ issues of continuity without breaking the bank.

So far, this is one of the greatest comic-book stories I have read. Stan Lee is quite consistent in the plot-complexity that he initiated from the very beginning. At this point, he is getting better at it. Peter Parker struggles with his own identity throughout most of these action-packed episodes. Peter asks: "Why do I do it? Why do I continue risking my life... causing a thousand unnecessary problems... a thousand heartaches and sleepless nights? Have I an insane lust for power... a need to feel more important than those around me?" (Spidey Smashes Out, February 1967) These questions will be the major thread in these issues as he battles with the Lizard, the Shocker, Kraven the hunter, two Vultures, the King Pin, Doctor Octopus, and Mysterio. He calls quit in issue 50, "Spider-Man No More" and makes a comeback as he struggles with the King Pin and goes through a "to be or not to be" moment.

Issues 50 to 52, which start with "Spider-Man No More", are probably the best in this collection, and the cover with Spidey and J Jonah Jameson, is probably the most memorable of all. Lee shows his ability of mixing action, drama, and humor. It is in issue 52 where we see the demise of the star journalist Foswell as he gets killed while trying to save Jameson. And as Foswell walks out, Robertson, the city editor of the Bugle, steps in as a regular black character in this comic-book opera.

Lee keeps weaving webs as Spidey has to meet Doctor Octopus in his own home, and later, readers will see him suffering amnesia for several episodes (53 to 56) and becoming a bad guy temporarily. "The Impossible Escape" (October, 1969) is equally exciting. In this issue Spider-Man has the wind knocked out of him after he fights against the Vulture, and while he lies unconscious on the streets, the common people want to unmask him. Only the intervention of Gwen Stacey's father saves him. Later on in this episode, Stacey and Spidey will share some action together in an exciting adventure.

As Spidey battles other foes repeatedly, his love life gets more entangled with Gwen Stacey. During the last episode it is certain that these two have made up their minds. MJ, in the meanwhile, stays in the background. It seems as if Lee doesn't know what to do with her. In the previous volume she was a mystery girl, then she turned into a bubbly, dynamic woman. But in this volume, she becomes a shallow character. She reminds one of the eighty's song "all she want to do is dance!" Whereas readers can feel Gwen Stacey's feelings, MJ's character has nothing to offer in terms of substance, acting aloof and disengaged with other people's problems. Her change of appearance in the last episode just shows how distant MJ is from the problems affecting Peter Parker, Aunt May, and Osborne. While in the first 2 volumes, Lee worked hard to make MJ into a significant character in PP's life, in this volume it seems that she is running out of steam.

Also, before the last episode we know that Mr. Osborne struggles with his dark side, while the Green Goblin struggles to come out. In addition to this, the King Pin is on the loose again. I don't know why, but the King Pin is the only villain who never gets arrested, making him the most challenging foe.

It seems that at the very end, Spider-Man has made up his mind that he will not give up as a superhero.

With these issues, Lee lends to his creation the literary qualities that make his plot worth following by anyone at any age.

It's cheap, it's more than 20 issues, and most importantly, you'll love it. You'll speed through this thing faster than you thought possible. The sub-plots, mainly Peter Parker's relationship with Gwen Stacy, is absolutely invigorating. You'll read every last page of this, I guarantee it. John Romita, Sr.'s gorgeous art doesn't hurt, either. Buy it.

Ah, volume 3 of Essential The Amazing Spider-Man. The Spider-man comics keep getting better and better. In volume 3 you will find The Amazing Spider-Man titles:

"Where Crawls the Lizard"
"Spidey Smashes Out"
"The Sinister Shocker!"
"In the Hands of the Hunter"
"The Wings of the Vulture"
"From the Depths of Defeat!"
"SPIDERMAN No More!"
"In the Clutches of... The Kingpin!"
"To Die A Hero!"
"Enter: Dr. Octopus"
"The Tentacles and the Trap!"
"Doc Ock Wins!"
"Disaster!"
"The Coming of Ka-Zar!"
"To Kill A Spider-Man!"
"The Brand of the Brainwasher!"
"O, Bitter Victory!"
"What a Tangled Web We Weave...!"
"Make Way For... Medusa!"
"Wings in the Night!"
"The Vulture's Prey"
The Impossible Escape!"
"The Madness of Mysterio!"
"To Squash A Spider!"
"Crisis on Campus!"

Spider-Man battles Doc Ock, The Lizard, Mysterio, The Vulture, The Kingpin, Kraven the Hunter and many other minor villains in this volume. Stan Lee knew how to write classic comic book story-lines.

If you love classic Spider Man this book is for you. I cant wait for volume 4

I have read every one of these book collections that I can get my hands on, and I have only one dissapointment, THIS ONE!! I bought it because I had read #1, #2 ,and #4 and thought their was alot missing. Boy was I wrong, the only reason I am giving it what I am giving it what I'm giving it is because of 2 or 3 of the fights and Osborn's struggles (his amnesia (see last volume) is causing him to become confused about himself). Other than that Nothing doin'!