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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best Spider-Man story ever vs. Doc Ock in issues #31-33, July 14, 2002
Volume 2 of "The Essential Spider-Man" offers up issues #21-43 of the "Amazing Spider-Man" along with the original stories from Annuals #2 & 3. These are the issues that offer some big changes for both the character and the comic book. For the character, besides the introduction of new villains we see Liz Allen and Betty Bryant replaced in Peter Parker's affections by Gwen Stacy and (at long last) Mary Jane Watson. For the comic book it is artist John Romita (Sr.) taking over for Steve Ditko with issue #39, "How Green Was My Goblin." Of course, this is one of the most famous Spidey issues of all time as Spidey and the Green Goblin are both unmasked and things become very, very interesting. I understand why some would complain that these reprints are in black & white but I have discovered at least one benefit to reading these comics without color, and that is a greater appreciation of the artwork of Steve Ditko. When I was reading these comics in 1965-67, I was happy to see Romita replace Ditko as an artist. However, as I re-read the Spider-Man comics drawn by Ditko I realize that although his figures are not exactly drawn in the most realistic style, he is a master of composition and pacing. Just look at the cover of #24 for example, but leaf through any of his issues and study what he is doing and I think you will be as impressed as I am as you watch Spider-Man tackle the Beetle, the Clown and his Masters of Menace, Mysterio, the Crime Master, the Molten Man, the Scorpion, the Cat, Ka-Zar, the Rhino, and even J. Jonah Jameson and the first of his killer robots. Yes, the two-part confrontation between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin that begins Romita's tenure on the comic book is a classic story, which is at the heart of this summer's blockbuster movie (notice they do an homage to the cover of #39 in the film). However, I would make a case that this collection includes another of the greatest Spider-Man stories in issues #31-33. Peter Parker has parted ways with Betty Bryant and Gwen Stacy has appeared upon the scene, but that means nothing because Aunt May is very sick. Spidey gets Doc Connor to help with a formula that can save her life, but then it is stolen by the henchmen of Doctor Octopus. As the last of these three issues begins Spider-Man "is now trapped beneath tons of fallen steel, with the precious serum lying just out of reach, as the fatal second's tick by..." (quoting Stan Lee of course). But Spider-Man already is responsible for the death of his Uncle Ben and he is not going to fail Aunt May. There are other Spider-Man stories as good, but none better than this one, which finds both Lee and Ditko at their peaks.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Amazing!, August 1, 2000
For any latter-day comics fans who wonder why Spider-Man, and not the X-Men, remains the most visible character in Marvel's stable today need to pick up "Essential Spider-Man vol. 2" for a primer on how comics are written and characters established. (Chris Claremont, call your office). Spider-Man was always obviously the first love of writer Stan Lee. Rather than crank out the usual superhero nonsense displayed over at Marvel's Distinguished Competition for most of the 60s, Lee and artist Steve Ditko created in Peter Parker a character as unique and compelling as his alter ego. As a high schooler blessed with great power but constantly struggling to balance the demands of his life, Parker is a poignant and realistic hero. I will illustrate this with just two examples from this collection. In the first, Parker's beloved Aunt May is dying of an incurable disease he unwittingly introduced to her bloodstream. To save her, he needs a rare isotope recently stolen by an enigmatic crime figure. After frenetically rampaging through New York to unravel this criminal organization, Spider-Man battles his foe in his headquarters, only to be buried under tons of machinery as the ceiling collapses and the river begins to flood in, the isotope a few feet away. Spider-Man struggles to free himself despite the enormous weight of the machine, his exhaustion, and his own nagging self-doubts, knowing that he alone can save the woman who raised him. Powerful stuff, indeed, powerfully illustrated in Steve Ditko's swan song on the series. Fast forward to his next encounter with the Green Goblin, a madman who discovers his identity and attacks him at his house. Peter Parker, terrified of having his identity exposed or having his frail aunt exposed to danger, battles the Goblin in his own front yard, eventually allowing himself to be beaten and dragged away to the villain's hideout, where he discovers the shocking secret identity of his foe. New artist John Romita turns in an incredible performance here. I highly recommend this collection to all comics fans. Excelsior!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Here's where the action is, effendi!, March 29, 2002
By A Customer
Flying by the seat of their collective drawers, Stan 'The Man' Lee and 'Sturdy' Steve Ditko transcended the whole of the comics industry with the issues presented in THE ESSENTIAL SPIDER-MAN, VOL. 2. The impact that Ditko's work in this period made left mighty big shoes for his successor, 'Jazzy' Johnny Romita, to fill...and we get to see the first issues of that decidedly different direction here, as well. 'Nuff said.
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by Stan Lee
by Stan Lee
by Gerry Conway
