The Spider-Man Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual Quirk Books [Bargain Price] [Paperback]

Seth Grahame-Smith (Author), Stan Lee (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2006

With great power comes great responsibility—so if you want to be like Spider-Man, you'd better read the instructions first. The Spider-Man Handbook describes everything you need to live theSuper Hero life. You'll discover: • How to Crawl up a Wall • How to Design and Build a Costume • How to Swing from Building to Building • How to Stop a Getaway Car • How to Negotiate the Release of a Hostage • How to Take On a Gang of Henchmen Plus a few skills that would benefit all the Peter Parkers of the world (such as How to Deal with a Nightmare Boss, How to Live on a Meager Income, and so on). Complete with colorful step-by-step illustrations by a top Marvel artist, The Spider-Man Handbook is essential reading for all your web-slinging needs!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Why do we like Spidey? According to Spider-Man creator Lee in this volume, the latest so-you-want-to-be-a-superhero guide from the publisher of The Batman Handbook and The Superman Handbook, it's because he's "a guy who's not that different from you." If Peter Parker can do it, the idea goes, so can anyone; as such, this entry is more practical than its predecessors, but still "a work of fiction" that warns readers up front, "don't try this at home." But with clever comic-book illustrations from Barberi, a wry, self-referential sense of humor and a real commitment to the material, this is a great addition to any fan's library. Amid fanciful strategies for "How to Escape When You're a Prisoner in the Enemy's Secret Headquarters" ("he'll leave you with the dimmest guard on the payroll" soon enough) and "How to Tell the Clone from the Original" ("examine their teeth"), there's Worst Case Scenario-type entries like "How to Withstand a Savage Beating" and The Incredibles-style concern over the minutiae of the superhero lifestyle (costumes "fall short in the pockets department," so "a compartmentalized belt or vest is a must"). In addition, Grahame-Smith doesn't skimp on historical trivia, detailing "The Many Looks of Spider-Man," profiling enemies and highlighting his career-making moments in comics. Illustrations.
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About the Author

Seth Grahame-Smith is a freelance writer based in Los Angeles. Stan Lee is the cocreator of Spider-Man and one of the most celebrated comic book writers in the world.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Quirk Books (October 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594741255
• ASIN: B000W8UWZI
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #431,775 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Seth Grahame-Smith is a film and television writer/producer, semi-frequent blogger, and bestselling author. His first novel, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," debuted at #3 on the New York Times bestseller list. Since its release in April 2009, it has sold over a million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. Seth is also the Co-Creator/Executive Producer of the upcoming MTV comedy series, "The Hard Times of RJ Berger." He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and son.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars BECOME SPIDER-MAN...SORT OF..., May 10, 2007

By 

Tim Janson (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Spider-Man Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual Quirk Books (Paperback)

The Spider-Man handbook won't give you super powers or make you a hero, but it is a fun, quirky read (appropriate since it is from Quirk Books) that does have several bits of practical information for the hero wannabe. The book is part fantasy, part survival guide, and part Spider-Man mythology, all rolled into one. Having read Quirk's Superman handbook, the Spider-Man handbook seems quite a bit more on the fantastic side.

The first chapter covers your Spider-Man basics such as how to crawl up a wall (quite possible for the experienced rock climber but don't try that at home!), how to design and make a costume, building a web shooter (ohhhh kay), developing your Spider sense, and maintaining a secret identity. Now I don't truly suppose that anyone is going to be making their own web-shooters and go out swinging from buildings, but there are some inventive notions here, still. Such as when you wear your costume underneath your regular clothes, make sure the sleeves of your costume are a couple of inches shorter so they don't stick out and give you away. And yes, you can develop your spider sense, or more accurately, heighten your other senses with some useful techniques such as sitting on a park bench, closing your eyes, and listening to all of the sounds you hear and then try to identify them.

The Spidey Skills section is really the most fantastic of all as you'll be instructed how to survive a pumpkin-bomb attack, build and fly a web glider, defeat a shape-changing foe, and stopping a getaway car. I did find the section on surviving a fall from a tall building rather interesting as there are several examples of people falling from great heights and surviving. Still, no matter how you try and land, you fall from 500' and you're going to be road kill!

Sections three and four deal with combat and law enforcement skills that are less outrageous than the previous two sections. There are some dubious ideas about how to take on a gang of henchmen but also some sensible advice on following a criminal (or the guy making time with your girlfriend!) without being detected and also for losing a tail. The most useful, real-life advice comes in the final chapter and includes one that a lot of people can relate to...how to live on a meager income!

In addition to all of this great info, you'll meet some of Spidey's top villains such as Doctor Octopus, The Sandman, and Venom, learn about the women in his life, and all of his powers and equipment, including the long-lost Spider-Man dune buggy. The Spider-Man handbook isn't to be taken too serious, hopefully. Leave the superheroes to the comics and the movies. The book is pure entertainment, mixed with a few solid bits of common sense for the right occasion. Hopefully the right occasion is not an attack by the Green Goblin. Great book for the Spider-Man fan! Stan Lee provides the Foreword.