Customer Reviews

Spider-Man: Wanted Dead or Alive

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked up this book with very high hopes. Since almost every other Spider-Man novel i've read were great, my expectations were to high for Wanted Dead or Alive. The plot is pretty lame at times, even darn right confusing. The Rhino shouldnt have even been brought into the story at all, since he served almost no pourpose to keep the action going, well, whatever little action you actually get to read. This is a poor excuse for a Spider-Man novel, it's collecting dust in my closet right now.

Call it a personal foible, but I have a strong preference for novels -- especially media novels -- written by authors with three names, or at least two names and an initial. Thus, I'm more likely to purchase a STAR WARS novel by Roger MacBride Allen than by Timothy Zahn, and I steer clear of Marvel novels by folks like Diane Duane and Peter David, and direct my dollars instead to books by authors such as Dean Wesley Smith and Adam-Troy Castro. Three names just has more class! (Collaborations between two-name and three-name writers -- such as CARNAGE IN NEW YORK -- drive me crazy!) At any rate, Craig Shaw Gardner's WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE easily meets my first criterion (three names!) and also delivers a whole bunch of pages of good reading!

Fans of Spider-Man supporting characters J. Jonah Jameson (two names and an initial!) and Mary-Jane Watson-Parker (four!) will be pleased to know that both get plenty of screen time in this taut crime thriller, as a Donald Trumpish development mogul tries to manipulate public opinion against Spider-Man and in support of his political candidate confederate! Naturally, J. Jonah Jameson signs on for the program, having forgotten his disastrous support of Winston Cherryh (back in the Frank Miller Daredevil)! Mary-Jane doesn't, though, because she knows that she's married to Spider-Man! Pretty soon, a complex web of intrigue has sprung up, and it takes master super hero Spidey to untangle it!

One question: What's with this John Garcia guy? His name has popped up in several Marvel novels, but he's always a different character! Are they running out of names or something?

But don't let that minor point sway you -- this is one fine book! I bought both editions -- the paperback to lend and the hardback for my personal, permanent library.

My sister picked this book up for me about a week back, and I was interested to check into it, it being my first Spider-man novel. And boy, I was pleasently surprised. There is only so much one can do, with taking a comic-book character, and bringing it into a 300 page book. But Gardner really did a nice job of taking the usual characteristics of Spider-man, and adding some interesting new ideas.

This book has a solid plot, revolving around a mayoral candidate's tie-ins with a big crime-boss. When the mayoral candidate's infamous campaign manager Michael Luce is violently sleign in a dark alley in the company of Spider-man, Spider-man is quickly thrown into the hat of suspects for his murder. Meanwhile, the man behind it all has also hired Spider-man foes Electro and Rhino to add some extra trouble to the mix.

All-in-all, the book has it's minor flaws. Namely Rhino's entire spot in the book. He is kind of just 'there.' He never really ends up having any relevence, or even a big part, in the book. But the book evolves the plot from cover to cover, and offers a very nice ending.

Any hardcore Spidey fans will enjoy this interesting tale of Spidey on the run from some underground wrong-doings, and any 'beginner' fans are sure to enjoy it as well.

Well i have always read the comics and i am a big fan of spidey, and i was wondering how well a book could do and i was shocked to find it's better then a comic. you are not limited to the art they choose because you have your mind to make them come alive, and the story telling does just that , the writer knows spider-man very well and writes a story worthy of him, and any fan will jump on this book (i have read it a few times i liked it so much).

so if your a fan of spidery then do get this book.

This book captures all the excitment of "Spider-Hunt" and features two of Spidey enemies; Electro and Rhino. Usually these two can be considered lame at best but Gardner makes them cool. Also look out for special appearnces by Green Goblin, Prowler, and a certain 6-clawed rodent!

This is a great book. I read it before and it still held my attention. Very difficult to find a gem like this anymore. I got my second book from Wildflowercat.They even wrapped in in plastic wrap to protect my book. And they sent a thank you note with it. I put it all back together and now I am going to keep this book in my collection. because wildflowercat took the time to show me how to protect it.Those that love spiderman books you if can pick one up and just read it, like it is just one of spiderman's adventures.

A 2007 Summer reading list mini review.

In Spider-Man: Wanted: Dead or Alive, Craig Shaw Gardner blends a well known character with effective (at times) story telling and a solid concept. Peter Parker AKA Spiderman is entangled in a web (sorry, I could not resist.) of intrigue as a New York mobster tries to fix a mayoral election.

While it is an enjoyable read for any fan of the web slinger, there is also much left to be desired. The pacing and the plotting flounder at critical points. The inclusion of known super villains in sub plots is not a bad idea. The Electro story line works just fine. The inclusion of a world weary Rhino is a little troublesome. Rhino is a great character for a visual medium. He doesn't exactly make the same impression on the printed page.

I would not mind reading more exploits of Gardner's web head; I just hope they're more fluid.

I love Spider-Man, but I've only read a couple of the comics. When I saw this book a few years ago, I thought it might be kind of stupid, but I'd give it a chance. I started reading it and definitely could not put it down. This book was AMAZING. I lost it somewhere in my house, and even though I already read it, I plan on buying it again so I can read it again. It's really that good. :) I highly recommend buying it if you enjoy books that keep your heart racing and leave you never wanting to put them down.

Peace - Mira

Good story but one of the worst Spider-Man novels that I have read. I don't know what was going through the authors mind. He had a good story but the book lagged "puzazs!" The book dragged and the story jumped around between charactors every paragraph. I was truly dissapointed with this one.

This book was written very well. A person not knowing spider man well could just pick up the book and enjoy it. I finished this book in two days. it's addictive.

It's worth the money!