Comics Spider-man: Blue

[Dark Spidey]

Hello. I'm trying to find the best classic Spidey stories to read and have come across a "Spider-man: Blue" hardcover in my local comic store. In helping with my decision to buy it, has anyone got any thoughts on this story? Positive or negative, all comments are appreciated!

 

[The Joker]

It's a really good story. But it's just a re-telling of the issues of Amazing Spider-Man between #40-49. That's all.

If I were you, I'd get the Essentials or Marvel Masterworks, which reprint the originals. Original is always best.

 

[Dark Spidey]

It's a really good story. But it's just a re-telling of the issues of Amazing Spider-Man between #40-49. That's all.

If I were you, I'd get the Essentials or Marvel Masterworks, which reprint the originals. Original is always best.

Just a re-telling of old issues? How exact a re-telling are we talking about here? As in not worth getting after all then?

Also speaking of reprinting the originals, have you seen the new Amazing Spider-man Omnibus Hardcover on it's way in April? I'm DEFINITELY getting that! I only ask becasue you didn't seem to mention it in your April solicitation thread.

 

[Dragon]

It's a re-telling but it also rounded those stories into a theme, so there are serious breaks from continuity. What it really is is a depiction about Peter and Gwen falling in love, which didn't happen completely until almost a year later in the original comics. So while it is similar to those issues, it's also different enough to be worth reading both the orignals and Blue.

 

[Dangerous]

It's a re-telling but it also rounded those stories into a theme, so there are serious breaks from continuity. What it really is is a depiction about Peter and Gwen falling in love, which didn't happen completely until almost a year later in the original comics.

This is the reason I don't really like it.
Too many continuity errors, spoils my enjoyment of the story.

 

[Dragon]

This is the reason I don't really like it.
Too many continuity errors, spoils my enjoyment of the story.

They were unnecessary, no doubt.

Spoiler

The Kraven-as-mastermind was a bit much. And while I'm definitely in the "Gwen & Peter had sex" camp, I think this one suggests it happened too soon.

But I think Loeb and Sale felt they had to work subject to the amount of time they had so they condensed alot. But it's still a very enjoyable read IMO. I get more tense over things Black Cat being able to beat the likes of the Lizard than the harmless continuity bends like those in Blue.

 

[Dark Spidey]

Is it as good as Daredevil: Yellow?

 

[Kirk Langstrom]

Is it as good as Daredevil: Yellow?

Yes.

 

[DACrowe]

A very good retelling. I have a few faults (messing up one of the best Lizard stories, and IMO making Pete basically say he loves Gwen more than MJ) but it is a very fine story and one of the best written in the last 3 or 4 years at least.

It also gives you a good taste of the "golden era" when it was the "gang" meaning Pete, Gwen, MJ, Harry and Flash. And I felt the last issue was just very good and ironic.

 

[Flint Marko]

Hello. I'm trying to find the best classic Spidey stories to read and have come across a "Spider-man: Blue" hardcover in my local comic store. In helping with my decision to buy it, has anyone got any thoughts on this story? Positive or negative, all comments are appreciated!

it's a great storlyine, but there are better. Pick up essential spider-man volumes 1-7 to start off with.

 

[ragingdemon155]

It's a very good story.

Pick it up.

 

[matt50]

i liked spiderman blue its a good read

 

[OtepApe]

It's one of my favourites. I was always a sucker for Gwen (pre ****e days), and this story was right up my alley. Strong writing in a lot of ways, I admit some of it was a little lackluster, but the Gwen/Peter story more then makes up for it.

Pick it up, it's a very good read.

 

[shinlyle]

Buy it. I have the Hardcover at the house, and it's one that gets passed around to my friends quite often. I've yet to let someone read it, only to hear them tell me that it sucked. My wife even read it and shed a little tear at the end.

Read it, then go back and read the Essentials. The qualms in the continuity aren't so big as to hinder your enjoyment of one of the only great Spider-man stories of the past few years. Also pick up Spider-Man/Human Torch: I'm With Stupid if you want to see how to write a great story while adhering to a strict continuity. Best Spidey story in YEARS.

 

[Joker]

This is the reason I don't really like it.
Too many continuity errors, spoils my enjoyment of the story.

they arent continuity errors if the story isnt in continuity, genius

 

[Spade]

I recently picked up Spider-Man: Blue at my local library along with the recent Cho/ Millar collaboration in the "Angelo Fortunato as Venom" storyline. I found that Blue stirred up lots of good sentiment I had watching SM:TAS as well as back when the classic stories weren't mired down in idiocy. It's not exactly what I'd call "male-orientated". I can see how some people may be put off by the romance element. But I think this is the kind of story where the romance element is developed so well that you'll kick yourself if you don't read it for that reason alone. The way it gives a good light to Gwen while showing that Mary Jane is an equally important part of Peter's life really made me reconsider whether one is truly better than the other, and the actual usage of villains in a way that makes coherent sense is pure nostalgia to days when Spider-Man was a well-written masterpiece. Some have said Peter comes off at the end as obsessed about the past, but after all the time of holding in the emotions I would imagine he gushes it out the same way Blue so excellently shows. I'm wasn't a huge fan of the art, but after reading it a second time I came to enjoy the artistry in it. It's a bit sketchy, but a good modern touch to the drawing style of old. I'm buying it ASAP for my collection, and suggest the same for yourself.

Oh, and the Cho/ Millar collaboration? An excellent reason why Blue shines like a star- the recent Spider-Man stories pale in comparison.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I recently picked up Spider-Man: Blue at my local library along with the recent Cho/ Millar collaboration in the "Angelo Fortunato as Venom" storyline. I found that Blue stirred up lots of good sentiment I had watching SM:TAS as well as back when the classic stories weren't mired down in idiocy. It's not exactly what I'd call "male-orientated". I can see how some people may be put off by the romance element. But I think this is the kind of story where the romance element is developed so well that you'll kick yourself if you don't read it for that reason alone. The way it gives a good light to Gwen while showing that Mary Jane is an equally important part of Peter's life really made me reconsider whether one is truly better than the other, and the actual usage of villains in a way that makes coherent sense is pure nostalgia to days when Spider-Man was a well-written masterpiece. Some have said Peter comes off at the end as obsessed about the past, but after all the time of holding in the emotions I would imagine he gushes it out the same way Blue so excellently shows. I'm wasn't a huge fan of the art, but after reading it a second time I came to enjoy the artistry in it. It's a bit sketchy, but a good modern touch to the drawing style of old. I'm buying it ASAP for my collection, and suggest the same for yourself.

Oh, and the Cho/ Millar collaboration? An excellent reason why Blue shines like a star- the recent Spider-Man stories pale in comparison.

With the exception of you're mini-review of the Millar run (which, with a few bad ideas aside, is probably one of the better modern Spider-Man stories out there), I wholeheartedly agree.

 

[Dark Spidey]

Finally got around to reading this today. Read the whole hardcover in one sitting too.

And I just absolutely loved it! t: :heart:

Certainly one of the best Spidey tales i've read in recent years. Now... time permitting... I plan on going and reading my Essential reprints of ASM #40-49.

I can't wait for Vol.2 of the Amazing Omnibus', to see Romita's beautiful art restored and coloured.

 

[Liquid_Mind]

Glad to hear you loved it. Personally, its one of my favorite Spidey books. I actually lost my trade paperback at one point, but I loved the story so much that I had no problem buying a brand new one.

There are certainly big changes to the actual order of the events or even the events themselves, but the changes are necessary to make the story work as a whole. What actually endears me to Spider-Man: Blue is that in a lot of ways, its like looking at an old photo album of friends or friendships long gone. You don't exactly remember the exterior events that surrounded it, and in a way there's a certain rose-tintedness to the memory, but it still moves the heart.

I love the art too, and actually find Gwen absolutely stunning - maybe because she looks more exotic. Have no idea.

 

[Spidey_87]

I too have also debated buying this book. Thing is, I have issues 40-43, 46, 48-49 of ASM, the time frame of the book's plot/story. I normally don't buy trade paperbacks, because I'd rather own comics, but I've heard great things about this one. Tim Sale does a great job on this book, or so I hear.

 

[Eddie Brock]

I've thought about reading this...but I'm always afraid that it's aimed towards a more estrogen-based audience, if you catch my meaning.

 

[Spidey_87]

Estrogen-based? I know what you mean.

 

[Rez]

Absolutely great story... as for the Millar run, some of the worst crap I've ever read in my life. I actually like it from a comic (read: funny) standpoint, but unfortunately it's not a parody; it's an actual in continuity piece of drivel that somehow has gained a good reputation. An auction for the symbiote set up like the goddamned Oscars? The Green Goblin returning after his best stories ever with no mention of them or the huge revelations it meant for his character?! Pure crap, in every way. And no, a nice little nod to the Clone Saga doesn't change that.

 

[CConn]

I've thought about reading this...but I'm always afraid that it's aimed towards a more estrogen-based audience, if you catch my meaning.

Never let anything as petty as that dissuade you from reading a great story. Does it have a romantic tone to it? Sure. But then, so does almost any Spider-Man story with Gwen Stacy in it.

 

[CConn]

Absolutely great story... as for the Millar run, some of the worst crap I've ever read in my life. I actually like it from a comic (read: funny) standpoint, but unfortunately it's not a parody; it's an actual in continuity piece of drivel that somehow has gained a good reputation. An auction for the symbiote set up like the goddamned Oscars? The Green Goblin returning after his best stories ever with no mention of them or the huge revelations it meant for his character?! Pure crap, in every way. And no, a nice little nod to the Clone Saga doesn't change that.

Mark Millar usually writes things in a semi-satirical tone.