Goblins Revenge (Spider-Man, No. 2) [Paperback]

Dean Wesley Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1996

When an evil culprit steals a deadly serum that causes anyone it touches to go violently insane, Spider-Man must recover the serum while outmaneuvering his arch enemy, Carnage, who has escaped from prison. Original.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157297172X
• ISBN-13: 978-1572971721
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #265,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining Spider-Man adventure, July 15, 2001

By 

MTJones (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Goblins Revenge (Spider-Man, No. 2) (Paperback)

Having been a Marvel comics fan for over a decade, and a Spider-Man fan for a bit longer, this character has been a regular presence in my life from childhood to present. His classic origin, major villains, and everyday struggles make him the flagship Marvel character, and it's hard to get bored of him.

But when I read the prequel to Goblin's Revenge, Carnage in New York (by David Michelinie and Dead Wesley Smith), I was disappointed. I thought it was lackluster in relation to Michelinie's own work on Amazing Spider-Man, and compared to Smith's solo novel, Venom's Wrath. So, seeing Smith cruising solo on this one again, I was anxious to see if he'd be able to hold my interest and perhaps even surpass the quality of Venom's Wrath.

I needn't have worried. Smith recovers from the pacing problems of Carnage in New York and does an excellent job of gradually introducing characters, elements, and antagonists for Spider-Man throughout Goblin's Revenge. The story picks up immediately where Carnage in New York left off - immediately after Spider-Man gave the vial of insanity-inducing serum to Reed Richards, someone stole it from him. And Spider-Man has to find out who (the Fantastic Four happen to be out-of-town during the adventure).

Meanwhile, Spider-Man has to deal with several enemies. For one, his fatigue: he can't sleep because he is plagued by horrible nightmares of New York City drowning in blood. Then, he begins to see the deceased Norman Osborn around town, and even spots the Green Goblin flying around. Naturally, this plays havoc with his mind, and he begins to torture himself with images of Gwen Stacy's death (in a very convincing psychological conflict, I might add). As if to make it worse, Lifestream Technologies (who created the serum) hires a group of soldiers to apprehend Spider-Man, making his maneuvering throughout the city extremely difficult. And finally, someone helps Carnage escape from the Vault, and the madman returns to New York City for a rematch. Each of these events occur in rapid succession, quickly building the opposition.

It's clearly shaping up to be a slaughter for Spider-Man, and that's how some of his best stories are written. He's the hero who works best as an underdog, coming back against unbeatable odds. But Smith makes sure to maintain realism by introducing chance elements and coincidences that take out some of his antagonists - thus making Spider-Man's inevitable triumph a bit easier to swallow.

However, since Norman Osborn was supposed to be dead, the revelation of who's behind the Green Goblin mask turned out to be a weak explanation. Nonetheless, it seemed like the real Goblin, and the dynamic between him and Carnage was actually pretty believable. I thought it was exactly how these two psychos would interact. I especially loved the Three Stooges-style fighting in the final battle.

I enjoyed Goblin's Revenge a great deal more than its prequel, Carnage in New York. Where I felt the first novel was acceptable but not necessary, I think this one is essential. Smith has a great handling on Spider-Man's character, and he knows the mechanics of pacing well enough to build suspense and maintain the reader's interest throughout the novel. I recommend Goblin's Revenge quite highly.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice way to Follow Up the Carnage In New York, January 18, 2001

By 

Kwadwo O. Burgee (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goblins Revenge (Spider-Man, No. 2) (Paperback)

This book is a pretty good read. First off, it starts as a mysterious foe watches Spidey's battle with Carnage from Carnage in New York (If you haven't read that book yet, read my review, it's pretty good....the book I mean, hehe). Then it ties in directly to the last pages of that book and into this one. I won't spoil it too much for you, but Spidey gets haunted when Doc Cattrall's serum - the very serum that could destroy entire countries - gets stolen! Yes, again! This kicks him almost over the edge! Plus, since Peter's obviously bored and lacking a challenge (and who wouldn't be, with being obsessed searching for a killer serum and all), we see the return of Norman Osborn!! He's dead! Or is he? To make matters worse (as if the return of one of your most powerful enemies on TOP of looking for a killer serum wasn't enough), Carnage has escaped! And he's coming to New York to rip Spidey into little bits! How'd he get free? Is there some connection? Should Peter have just stayed in bed? Plus Spidey tangles with even MORE folx, as you'll find out. Whoever thought sleeping near subway tracks could be so much fun? This book is well-written, and it'll keep you guessing as to what's going on, who's behind what, and how it ties together until the end. Best Spidey book I've read, by far.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling sequel you'll love!, September 27, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Goblins Revenge (Spider-Man, No. 2) (Paperback)

Before you read this, read Spider-man: Carnage in New York. In this story, Spidey learns that the deadly serum made by Dr. Catrall has been stolen from the Fantasic Four. This serum has the ability to make a man go insane with onbly one drop! Then we find that Carnage has escaped and is coming to New York to kill Spider-Man! And to make matters worse, Spidey sees the Green Goblin is back! Norman and Harry Osborn both died though, or did they??? And can Spidey take on both Carnage and the Green Goblin? Read this great novel to find out!