Customer Reviews

Spider-Man: Goblin Moon

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

 

 

Kurt Busiek and Nathan Archer provide a fast paced enjoyable thriller pitting Spider-Man against one of his greatest foes. This time Norman Osborn presents perhaps a greater threat to Spider-Man than his alter ego, the Green Goblin. Osborn has managed to convince everyone that his prior unmasking was erroneous. Armed with the knowledge that the public will never believe he is the Goblin, Osborn proceeds to use this to his advantage against Spider-Man. This renders Spidey's knowledge of the Goblin's identity practically useless while maximizing the fact that Osborne knows Peter Paker is Spider-Man. Perhaps Busiek and Archer's greatest accomplishment is suceeding to make Osborn a bigger problem for Spidey than the Goblin. On the negative side, the plot involving mayorial politics echos that of "Wanted Dead or Alive," although this is the better book. The authors construct a prolonged action packed and satisfying climax. All in all a pleasurable read but not quite in the league with the best Spidey novels, "Venom's Wrath" and "The Gathering of the Sinister Six."

There is a note at the beginning of this novel indicating that this story takes place before "The Gathering of Five" and "The Final Chapter." Knowing this, I didn't have much hope for a suspenseful or interesting story (after all, the "end" of the Spidey/Goblin conflict is detailed in those stories, so how could this novel add anything of any importance?). Well, as I read the book, I became increasingly impressed with what was attempted and accomplished here. As a born-and-bred Spidey fan, I can honestly say that this was a great story which was well told. The characterizations of both Spider-Man and the Goblin captured their comic-book essence while enhancing them with the details that become possible only in a novel format. The manipulations of Osborn are frightenly real and well thought-out. Spidey himself is in great form in a tale that manages to become a milestone in his career. I was completely satisfied with the story and its ending. I believe that the target market for this novel will consider it a "must-have" and find it highly enjoyable. P.S. I did have a problem with the name "Rat Pack." I kept thinking of Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.!

While the comics themselves, lately, have been disappointing, the Marvel Novels have never failed to surpass all expectations, outdoing their 32 page counterparts. I can't help but believe that Kurt Busiek, the writer of the critically acclaimed Iron Man, Avengers, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, and more, can make this story into what the comics should have been. Spinning straw into gold is what the man does. On the novel itself, it is too soon to actually say, but I look forward to seeing how it all turns out.

I, like a lot of Spidey fans, think Peter Parker is a pretty smart guy. But, up until the very end, Parker is made out to be a no-brain super-hero who can't stand up to the intellect of his opponents. But hey, Norman Osborn ain't no fool, and he is depicted in the book as one of Spidey's greatest foes. And in this, I think Busiek is right on the button. But still, I think Peter is depicted all wrong for most of this book, but I guess he comes out alright in the end.

Something as played out as the Spider-man/Goblin wars has always been a plotline for novels, and this one is no exception. The problem is that sometimes they get stupid. How could the Green Goblin get unmasked as Norman Osborn, "come back from the dead," and all he does to get away with it is lie? Oh, come on, how stupid are the people in these books? Note: the last two sentences don't tell anything about the book, just the history before it. Now as for the book itself, it does okay with the plotline. The story begins as a group of terrorists called the Rat Pack spring a reign of terror, not even Spider-Man can stop it. Meanwhile Norman Osborn is running for mayor and his Green Goblin persona seems to have resurfaced, leaving Spider-Man on edge. But that's only the begining of this attempt at a thriller. I say this because one big problem is the plot is way too predictable. You know what's going to happen before it does. Plus, another problem is that it's not very thrilling; Spidey stays on edge the hole book and doesn't actually fight the Goblin until near the end. They also add extra little parts here and there, which have nothing to do with the overall story. Yes, despite all I said, I still give it 3 stars, but only because the writing quality is pretty good and I like Spider-Man novels. Otherwise, the plot just isn't that good.

Spider-Man has always been my most favorite comic-book super hero (in the Marvel universe). This book has confirmed for me just why he's my favorite. This time, the web-slinger is against an implacable foe who can't be so easily disposed of because he's successfully convinced nearly everyone that he never was the Green Goblin. Worse, he strikes at Spider-Man and his alter ego with impunity, given that if Spidey tries to do anything about him, then he'll be seen as a criminal and Norman Osborn will get away clean. The dilemma he presents Peter with is diabolically clever: Either take the opportunity for financial security and leave behind his responsibilities, or continue being Spider-Man and possibly jeopardize his current position at the Daily Bugle. I was really rooting for Spidey to take down Osborn after he secretly poisoned Mary Jane. All in all, this is a very satisfying novel.

I really enjoyed this book. The story wasn't earth-shattering, but what really made the book for me was the writing. Busiek and Archer made the characters very real and interesting. For the first time I felt that I really had a sense of what it would be like to swing through New York on web lines or see the world through Spidey's mask.

True to Spider-Man's legacy this book wasn't about the hero as much as it was about Peter Parker. Also, I thought it brilliant that the villian in the book was Norman Osborn and not really his alter-ego, the Green Goblin.

I enjoyed the detective-type efforts that Peter went through to figure out the case. The books seemed as much of a mystery as it was an action story. I'm glad that I read it and would definitely recommend it.

The book was very good. But if you knew anything about Spidey than you would know Norm's behind the Rat Pack...

I thought this book was a very good.I am glad that they brought back the Green Goblin.It is one of the best Spider Man novels out there right now.Go get it now.

Marvel made a terrible mistake by brinig back Norman Osborn. They did not have to use him in the novels too! If you hated the Spider-clone saga,then stay away from this book,