Comics Essential Spider-Man 8, anyone?

[Kevin Roegele]

These books are the highlights of the comic calendar for me. Can't believe we've already had eight volumes (I still need the first two!) The latest volume is pure Gerry Conway/Ross Andru magic, which I'll take over anything from the last fifteen years. It kicks off with Spider-Man vs Nightcrawler vs the Punisher (!) and ends with Peter graduating college! What more could you ask for?

 

[Themanofbat]

Ross Andru is my favorite Spidey artist of all time... and this volume really gets into the Spider-Man lore that I love (especially as a kid), and next year's vol. 9 will reprint Marv Wolfman's run which is arguably the BEST run on ASM since Stan and to this day.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

These books are the highlights of the comic calendar for me. Can't believe we've already had eight volumes (I still need the first two!) The latest volume is pure Gerry Conway/Ross Andru magic, which I'll take over anything from the last fifteen years. It kicks off with Spider-Man vs Nightcrawler vs the Punisher (!) and ends with Peter graduating college! What more could you ask for?

Yeah, even though i have all the issues in this volume, i'm STILL getting it...that way i can use it for quick reference, and since i have to occasionally travel for work, it'll give me something handy to read for pleasure.

Great collection of issues. I love Ross Andru as well.

 

[Guybrush]

Conway IMO the 2nd best Spider-Man writer after Lee. I enjoyed both his runs on Amazing and Spectacular. And also gave us the best Spider-Man retcon in the graphic novel "Parallel Lives" that MJ knew Peter was Spider-Man all along.

 

[Rambo, John J]

When was/ is it released?!

 

[Themanofbat]

A week or two ago...

 

[Rambo, John J]

Nice one, cheers TMOB!

 

[The Bruce]

It's Len Wein and Gerry Conway owns him

 

[The Joker]

I wish the Essentials were done in colour.

 

[ragingdemon155]

You know, actually I don't mind that they're in Black and White so much. At times I actually prefer to look at art when it isn't in color, just the pure pencils.

Anyway, I'm loving the Essentials as well. Just so quick and easy to pick up and read. I got 4, 7 and just picked up 8 a few days ago. Haven't started on it yet.

Essential vol. four was great, but seven was just freaking unbelivable. Could read that one over time and time again.

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

You know, actually I don't mind that they're in Black and White so much. At times I actually prefer to look at art when it isn't in color, just the pure pencils.

That format works particularly well with the horror stuff, such as the Tomb Of Dracula Essentials, which i highly recommend.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

It's Len Wein and Gerry Conway owns him

Sorry, I always get the two confused. Conway was much better when he did SPectacular in the 80's.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

You know, actually I don't mind that they're in Black and White so much. At times I actually prefer to look at art when it isn't in color, just the pure pencils.

Anyway, I'm loving the Essentials as well. Just so quick and easy to pick up and read. I got 4, 7 and just picked up 8 a few days ago. Haven't started on it yet.

Essential vol. four was great, but seven was just freaking unbelivable. Could read that one over time and time again.

My favourite Essential Spidey so far is vol. 3 - pure,100% Lee/Romita genius from cover to cover (although vol. 4 has the best art, Romita inked by Jim Mooney). Begins with a classic Lizard two-parter, then the original (and best) Shocker story, then Spidey has to fight Kraven and the second Vulture at the same time ....and then one of the best sequences of issues ever; #50-#57: Spider-Man No More (!), followed by the introduction of the Kingpin (!!) and then Spidey teaming up with Doctor Octopus (!!!). It simply does not get any better than that. And that's only half the book! You still have the battle of the Vultures, Medusa, more Kingpin action, Kazar, the second Spider-Slayer, Spidey breaking out of prison, and some creepy Mysterio weirdness, back when he was a real threat and not a joke.

Vol. 7 is great for the whole 'Gwen Stacy returns/Jackal/Taranula/Clones' saga, and the Doctor Octopus/Hammerhead feud is good stuff. But it's not quite as strong as the other volumes, and I think Vol. 8 will prove superior because it contains the entire Green Goblin III story (which I've never read)!

 

[Kevin Roegele]

I've almost finished reading Essential 8 now, and I have to say it's the least of the books so far. It only really becomes intresting towards the end, where you have the third Green Goblin, Peter proposing to MJ for the first time, and Betty becoming intrested in Peter again.

But it is Essential, after all.

Anyway, Essential Spectacular # 3 next...

 

[eat aliens]

I wish the Essentials were done in colour.

For the longest time I didn't even think of picking up any of the Essential volumes for the simple fact that they're in black and white. But once i got to reading them it didn't bother in the slightest bit that there was no color, in fact it really makes no difference. The stories are still there, and that's what counts.

Anyway, I'm a big fan of the essentials, they're inexpensive and spares me from having to handle any of the silver age comics I own. I'll probably pick up vol. 8.....just as soon as I get vol. 4, 5, 6, and 7.

 

[ragingdemon155]

I've almost finished reading Essential 8 now, and I have to say it's the least of the books so far. It only really becomes intresting towards the end, where you have the third Green Goblin, Peter proposing to MJ for the first time, and Betty becoming intrested in Peter again.

But it is Essential, after all.

Anyway, Essential Spectacular # 3 next...

Yea I feel you man.

I haven't really been able to get into this book. Im nearing the end of it now. Don't get me wrong, I like it. I mean old school Spidey is just a great read regardless. But I prefer 4 and 7 much much more so far.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

Yea I feel you man.

I haven't really been able to get into this book. Im nearing the end of it now. Don't get me wrong, I like it. I mean old school Spidey is just a great read regardless. But I prefer 4 and 7 much much more so far.

I'm reading Showcase Green Lantern 2 now, it's much more satisfying.