Best Issue of Amazing Spider-Man?

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by Spider-Gnome

As far as TMOB's #1-251, I'd go #1-350.

JewishHobbit's very first issue of Amazing Spider-Man? 351

Personally, I loved everything from 351 through the end of the Clone Saga. After that it fluxuated.

[Arach Knight]

Amazing Spider-Man #260. It is one of my favorite Spidey battls. Even though the tussle with Hobgoblin is brief, it was very entertaining. Especially the wose cracking in thr bathroom stall.

[Spuzz]

I'm really looking forward to a lot of those Hobgoblin issues mentioned, as well as earlier ones like Death of Gwen Stacy, etc. Also curious to see if the Clone Saga is good or bad, given the divisiveness that seems to surround it.

[runawayboulder]

It may read as being good to a newer reader now because at the end you know Spider-Man/Peter Parker is going to win. The storytelling will appear to be more linear when it's collected in a beginning/middle/end format.

At the time they came out it wasn't like that. It seemed endless, there was a lot of back and forth, Spider-Man became more mystical than down to earth and the great supporting cast was nowhere to be found. It drove people nuts.

[JewishHobbit]

Originally Posted by Spuzz

I'm really looking forward to a lot of those Hobgoblin issues mentioned, as well as earlier ones like Death of Gwen Stacy, etc. Also curious to see if the Clone Saga is good or bad, given the divisiveness that seems to surround it.

The Clone Saga is good in hindsight. The idea of them making Peter a clone after YEARS of development was horrendous, but after it was all sewn up, the retcon retconned, and that part left in the past, it became just a good Saga.

[Spider-Gnome]

Originally Posted by JewishHobbit

JewishHobbit's very first issue of Amazing Spider-Man? 351

What can I say, Hobby? You missed out!


No offense, it's just that 350 was the end of the Larsen era. Bagley came on, and I know he's a fan favorite, but I didn't care for his work compared to Larsen and McFarlane before him. I do like Bagley's work better on Ultimate than Amazing. Plus this was also close to the time of Pete's "parents'" return.

[runawayboulder]

I've got nothing against Bagley, he draws a hell of a Spidey. He just came on when ASM started it's downside. It had nothing to do with him. The Clone Saga was a pile of monkey crap but it at least looked nice.

[Themanofbat]

If I can ever get a deal on them, I might buy the 5 volumes that collect the Clone Saga/Ben Reilly story... and read it as one VERY long story...

I agree with runaway... when you were getting the Spidey books at the time weekly, it was just a lot of back'n forth that never seemed to advance, and then we got the terrible ending with Norman being alive and well... you never had the feeling that he was behing anything, so the whole reveal just reeked of "desparate quick fix" to the readers at that time...

[runawayboulder]

It was supposed to end with Harry revealed as Gaunt which would have made perfect sense but Marvel forced the writers to extend the story past Onslaught.

[Arach Knight]

Ben Reilly is the only good ing to have come from the Clone Saga. I don't like Judas Traveler, Kaine, the Trial of Peter Parker or a y of the pther non-sense that was derived from that overly long, convoluted story. To be fair, I don't blame Mackie. He and DeFalco suffered from editorial interference...which has been a bane to better story telling in Spidey books for a very long time.

[Spider-Gnome]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

I've got nothing against Bagley, he draws a hell of a Spidey. He just came on when ASM started it's downside. It had nothing to do with him. The Clone Saga was a pile of monkey crap but it at least looked nice.

I did not mean to imply that the downslide was his fault. I just didn't dig his work as much as McFarlane's & Larsen's. I tend to look at eras more by artists than writers. The robo-parents are of course the fault of the writers. It was my "jump the shark" moment. Before that, I just accepted everything (even stuff I HATED, like the Hobgoblin "reveal" of Ned Leeds AFTER Ned had been killed off in a Spider-Man vs Wolverine Special I HADN'T BOTHER TO PICK UP!) But, after that was all the stuff I mentioned that didn't work for me (your right I forgot the whole MJ smoking thing as well).

And actually, was into the Clone Saga at first. We were getting Spidey every week and I was anxious to see the next development. It was only when we got the "reveal" that the Pete we had been following for 20 years was the clone that it became one of those things I hated. Of course they retconned it and I didn't mind the return of Norman as he will always be my favorite Spidey villain!

[Spuzz]

Originally Posted by Spider-Gnome

when we got the "reveal" that the Pete we had been following for 20 years was the clone!

Woah buddy. Given that I started this thread as a newbie to the comics, I'd say that' a big ol' spoilery SPOILER XD

Good to hear it got retconned though. That sounds ridiculous.

[Themanofbat]

Tell him to stay off your lawn... He loves it...

[JewishHobbit]

Man... the idea to me that Larsen or McFarland would be even REMOTELY comparable to Bagley astounds me. Mcfarland is good but his people look ugly and Larsen's work is just ugly. To me, Bagley is the top Spidey artist of all time.

[runawayboulder]

His Spider-Man is good but when he draws average people, they looked kinda anorexic. It doesn't matter though, these guys are long gone from the book and sadly (for nostalgia purposes) we'll never see them again.

Every one of those guys all had nice things about them. McFarlane drew a very sexy MJ and Larsen's version of a Crypt Keeperish Aunt May and menacing Venom were tops. Bagley drew a great in costume Spidey.

If I had to give you one guy that drew a great Spidey and great versions of everyday characters......I'll give you Alex Saviuk. That guy was top notch and heavily overlooked. He had a LONG and successful run on Web of Spider-Man.

[Spider-Gnome]

Originally Posted by Spuzz

Woah buddy. Given that I started this thread as a newbie to the comics, I'd say that' a big ol' spoilery SPOILER XD

Good to hear it got retconned though. That sounds ridiculous.

My humble apologies. The Clone Saga is well known in these parts as well as the controversy. Didn't mean to spoil iy for you.

Originally Posted by Themanofbat

Tell him to stay off your lawn... He loves it...

Originally Posted by JewishHobbit

Man... the idea to me that Larsen or McFarland would be even REMOTELY comparable to Bagley astounds me. Mcfarland is good but his people look ugly and Larsen's work is just ugly. To me, Bagley is the top Spidey artist of all time.

Art is subjective. I like stylized art. Heck, I love Ramos' work! I like McFarlane's & Larsen's style better than Bagley. He's not bad, but I guess I more associate him with Ultimate now.

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

If I had to give you one guy that drew a great Spidey and great versions of everyday characters......I'll give you Alex Saviuk. That guy was top notch and heavily overlooked. He had a LONG and successful run on Web of Spider-Man.

He was good and I enjoyed his work, but if you want go that route, I'd go Ross Andru!

[runawayboulder]

Originally Posted by Spider-Gnome

He was good and I enjoyed his work, but if you want go that route, I'd go Ross Andru!

Solid choice.

[Themanofbat]

Ross Andru is the BEST Spider-Man artist of all time... bar none.

[Baneis8feettall]

I was a fan of Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man. I guess that was in ASM right or just Spider-Man?

[Spuzz]

Originally Posted by Baneis8feettall

I was a fan of Todd McFarlane's Spider-Man. I guess that was in ASM right or just Spider-Man?

Wait there's a series called JUST Spider-Man? I'm so lost!

I SHOULD be reading TASM right? Whats the difference between Amazing, Spectacular, and plain old Spider-Man? This probably belongs in the "Stupid questions thread" but I figure you guys could probably answer me nicely right? ;D

Sorry if it IS a dumb question.

[Baneis8feettall]

Originally Posted by Spuzz

Wait there's a series called JUST Spider-Man? I'm so lost!

I SHOULD be reading TASM right? Whats the difference between Amazing, Spectacular, and plain old Spider-Man? This probably belongs in the "Stupid questions thread" but I figure you guys could probably answer me nicely right? ;D

Sorry if it IS a dumb question.

Yeah i checked it wikipedia now. Todd McFarlene started in TASM and then later he got his own series as titled Spider-Man. Those series are over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Parker:_Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-man is original series. I have no idea what to start as well. That takes me away from comics. It's so confusing.

Maybe somebody helps us where to start.

[runawayboulder]

Originally Posted by Baneis8feettall

Yeah i checked it wikipedia now. Todd McFarlene started in TASM and then later he got his own series as titled Spider-Man. Those series are over.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Parker:_Spider-Man

The Amazing Spider-man is original series. I have no idea what to start as well. That takes me away from comics. It's so confusing.

Maybe somebody helps us where to start.

Amazing Spider-Man is the very first comic series although Spidey himself first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15.

In 1972, Marvel had put out a title called Marvel Team-Up which always featured Spidey teaming up with various Marvel characters, kinda like how Avenging Spider-Man is today. It was looked at as the official 2nd Spider-Man ongoing.

In 1976, they launched Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man which eventually in 1988 became just The Spectacular Spider-Man.

In 1985, Marvel cancelled Marvel Team Up and launched Web of Spider-Man. All 3 titles had their own plots, stories and themes but were joined strongly continuity wise and occasionally crossed over (like in Kraven's Last Hunt).

Eventually Todd McFarlane came along in the late 80's as the artist on ASM and became a superstar. In return, Marvel launched the adjective-less "Spider-Man" in 1990 as Spider-Man's 4th ongoing. In 1996 it was renamed Peter Parker: Spider-Man to celebrate the end of the Clone Saga and Peter's return to the costume.

All 4 books lasted well into the Clone Saga when Ben Reilly became Spider-Man. Web of Spider-Man was cancelled and replaced in 1995 by The Sensational Spider-Man as a vehicle for Dan Jurgens who was writer and artist. These 4 titles lasted all the way to 1999 when the entire line was revamped and condensed to 2 titles, ASM and Peter Parker: Spider-Man.

[Baneis8feettall]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

Amazing Spider-Man is the very first comic series although Spidey himself first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15.

In 1972, Marvel had put out a title called Marvel Team-Up which always featured Spidey teaming up with various Marvel characters, kinda like how Avenging Spider-Man is today. It was looked at as the official 2nd Spider-Man ongoing.

In 1976, they launched Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man which eventually in 1988 became just The Spectacular Spider-Man.

In 1985, Marvel cancelled Marvel Team Up and launched Web of Spider-Man. All 3 titles had their own plots, stories and themes but were joined strongly continuity wise and occasionally crossed over (like in Kraven's Last Hunt).

Eventually Todd McFarlane came along in the late 80's as the artist on ASM and became a superstar. In return, Marvel launched the adjective-less "Spider-Man" in 1990 as Spider-Man's 4th ongoing. In 1996 it was renamed Peter Parker: Spider-Man to celebrate the end of the Clone Saga and Peter's return to the costume.

All 4 books lasted well into the Clone Saga when Ben Reilly became Spider-Man. Web of Spider-Man was cancelled and replaced in 1995 by The Sensational Spider-Man as a vehicle for Dan Jurgens who was writer and artist. These 4 titles lasted all the way to 1999 when the entire line was revamped and condensed to 2 titles, ASM and Peter Parker: Spider-Man.

Which one do you think a newbie should start? TASM? or it would be not that good since it's quite old. World changed a lot.

[runawayboulder]

Originally Posted by Baneis8feettall

Which one do you think a newbie should start? TASM? or it would be not that good since it's quite old. World changed a lot.

It depends on how much you already know about the character. Honestly, in my opinion, Dan Slott's ASM seems to be new reader friendly. If you know the basics about the character and his motivations and such, you should be able to jump on with ease.

If you think you may be missing out on anything current, best bet is to go back as far as the first arc of Big Time which was around ASM 648. You should be able to get it in trade format easy enough.

If you're really into the character you can eventually invest in older TPB's like Kraven's Last Hunt or the Alien Costume Saga.

[Spider-Gnome]

Originally Posted by runawayboulder

Amazing Spider-Man is the very first comic series although Spidey himself first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15.

In 1972, Marvel had put out a title called Marvel Team-Up which always featured Spidey teaming up with various Marvel characters, kinda like how Avenging Spider-Man is today. It was looked at as the official 2nd Spider-Man ongoing.

In 1976, they launched Peter Parker The Spectacular Spider-Man which eventually in 1988 became just The Spectacular Spider-Man.

In 1985, Marvel cancelled Marvel Team Up and launched Web of Spider-Man. All 3 titles had their own plots, stories and themes but were joined strongly continuity wise and occasionally crossed over (like in Kraven's Last Hunt).

Eventually Todd McFarlane came along in the late 80's as the artist on ASM and became a superstar. In return, Marvel launched the adjective-less "Spider-Man" in 1990 as Spider-Man's 4th ongoing. In 1996 it was renamed Peter Parker: Spider-Man to celebrate the end of the Clone Saga and Peter's return to the costume.

All 4 books lasted well into the Clone Saga when Ben Reilly became Spider-Man. Web of Spider-Man was cancelled and replaced in 1995 by The Sensational Spider-Man as a vehicle for Dan Jurgens who was writer and artist. These 4 titles lasted all the way to 1999 when the entire line was revamped and condensed to 2 titles, ASM and Peter Parker: Spider-Man.

I would have jumped in, but you did a great job running these down!


The main thing, Spuzz, and anyone new, Amazing is the main Spider-Man comic. It is the thru line from his origin in the 60's. Other titles more or less support the continuity. And currently, Amazing is in the excellent hands of Dan Slott.