Comics Summer 2011: "Infested" and "Spider-Island"

[Themanofbat]

The Kingpin/Spidey fight in BiB was a far more realistic fight between these two adversaries... but when I was a kid, their big battle in the pages of ASM #197 was epic... though Spidey had one arm in a sling, and was more focused on getting to Aunt May than to fight the Kingpin, who had 12 hours left of his crime career and wanted to dedicate them to eliminating his greatest foe (screw you, DareDevil fans... )

It was Marv Wolfman sweetness... and as a young boy of about 11 or 12 years old... it was a fantastic read.

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

Yep...and Spidey picking up Kingpin by his belly fat was just awesome.

Yeah, lol!

 

[Juicy J]

Am I the only one who thinks Spider-island was reeeaaallly bad?
I've grown to dislike Slott's writing style more and more over the past couple months, and it's all come to a head with this Spider-island crap.
Seriously, everyone in manhattan getting spider-powers and then turning into giant spiders....? That's really the best we can do?
I'm all for suspension of disbelief, cause hey, these are just comics, but when I feel like I'm reading a book written by 12 year olds, that's when I have a problem.

 

[Shockdingo]

You don't have to like it, I mean that's fine, but what stood out to you that screams "written by a 12 year old?" It wasn't a dramatic story paralleling real life issues like X-men's God loves Man Kills, but it was a fun, competent and interesting read in my opinion.

 

[moraldeficiency]

The bad guy at the end turning into a giant unstoppable spider thing was kinda dragonballs.

 

[Shockdingo]

Lol yea a bit. Though I'm used to stuff like that from overdosing on video games and such for so long (it's starting to spill over into my real world communication skills and stuff--videogame analogies are kinda weird trust me lol). I'd be a bit worried if they were fighting in a castle and it started to shake on the instant of her death. t:

Oh, now that you mentioned DB, I have this hilarious, but horrific image in my head of certain characters DBZ'd. I'm pretty much picturing Spider Island ending with an over muscled SpideyKaine making some justice speech while charging up an energy webball as rocks (for some inexplicable reason) start floating up in the air.

 

[Juicy J]

You don't have to like it, I mean that's fine, but what stood out to you that screams "written by a 12 year old?" It wasn't a dramatic story paralleling real life issues like X-men's God loves Man Kills, but it was a fun, competent and interesting read in my opinion.

I feel that way mostly because of the concept itself.
"Take everyone in manhattan and give them SPIDER-POWERS! And there will be a bunch of obligatory fighting and New York will be quarantined and we'll call it SPIDER-ISLAND!!"
That aside, I just really dislike the way Slott writes. Everything almost seems like a parody; there's little to no weight in anything that happens from the way the characters act and the way things are portrayed.
Spider-man should be the only one cracking jokes and making lights of every situation, not everyone.
But what bothers me the most, like nails on a chalkboard which makes the book almost unreadable, is the dialogue. He's even admitted that's what he struggles with the most. It all reads like an early 1980's sitcom.
Maybe I'm just spoiled cause when I started reading ASM on a regular basis it was during JMS's run, and he had probably the best handle on dialogue of any writer in recent years. But whatever.

 

[Themanofbat]

JMS had excellent dialogue, but his story ideas were crap... in my opinion.

 

[Juicy J]

JMS had excellent dialogue, but his story ideas were crap... in my opinion.

Haha yeah, he didn't have the bets of concepts, I will definitely agreee with that. I enjoyed some of the stuff he did but overall you could tell he really didn't have a handle on what exactly a spider-man story should be.

 

[moraldeficiency]

JMS had excellent dialogue, but his story ideas were crap... in my opinion.

I think that's completely valid. The only exceptions to that would be telling may the truth, may and jarvis, the new avengers arc (that's still the best new avengers story out there) and that loki team up (cause how can you not like those two crazy kids together) but for the most part the ideas were pretty crappy.

Oh I did also like the tailor and the bar with no name (not sure if that last one was his).

 

[Juicy J]

I think that's completely valid. The only exceptions to that would be telling may the truth, may and jarvis, the new avengers arc (that's still the best new avengers story out there) and that loki team up (cause how can you not like those two crazy kids together) but for the most part the ideas were pretty crappy.

Oh I did also like the tailor and the bar with no name (not sure if that last one was his).

Those were all undeniable good stories.
When he stayed away from that Spider-totem crap you could really see just how good of a writer he actually was.
Especially that Loki story, that team up was great and I'd love to see something like that again. Loki still owes him a favor, does he not?

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

JMS had excellent dialogue, but his story ideas were crap... in my opinion.

Well, his run with JRJR was very good (IMO), but from Sins Past to The Other, etc. Those were crap.

 

[moraldeficiency]

Those were all undeniable good stories.
When he stayed away from that Spider-totem crap you could really see just how good of a writer he actually was.
Especially that Loki story, that team up was great and I'd love to see something like that again. Loki still owes him a favor, does he not?

Yes he does, which many people would have preferred to be used instead of OMD, this guy included.

 

[Shockdingo]

Man, I can't even tell you how much it pains me that they got rid of May knowing about Pete. I think that was one of JMS' finest additions to the character's mythos. I felt that added so much to Pete and her relationship! It gave it a breath of fresh air. I mean seriously, what can happen from here if we keep up with May not knowing ? Sure with everyone's new roles and relationships, there's something here or there they can do if they must, but mostly I don't blame Slott for having her move out of NY. We can't keep having Pete have "Aunt May needs saving" or "Must protect secret identity from her at all costs!" moments. They've all been dried up in that same old vein.

 

[Juicy J]

Man, I can't even tell you how much it pains me that they got rid of May knowing about Pete. I think that was one of JMS' finest additions to the character's mythos. I felt that added so much to Pete and her relationship! It gave it a breath of fresh air. I mean seriously, what can happen from here if we keep up with May not knowing ? Sure with everyone's new roles and relationships, there's something here or there they can do if they must, but mostly I don't blame Slott for having her move out of NY. We can't keep having Pete have "Aunt May needs saving" or "Must protect secret identity from her at all costs!" moments. They've all been dried up in that same old vein.

Could not agree with you more you man

Yes he does, which many people would have preferred to be used instead of OMD, this guy included.

That would have been a great way to close off his run....dang, what a wasted opportunity.
But at least this still-dangling plot thread somewhat solidifies the fact at we'll see these two characters interact again.

 

[Shockdingo]

Not only would the Loki solution be a better solution (I think everyone agrees on that), but it'd be a great character moment. Gotta love that Pete, mr. "parker luck" did his usual good deeds, but was thanked by way of having Loki, of all people kindly repaying him? Shoot, people would STILL be talking about that.

 

[bugman]

ah, spider island...

while much of the series was forgettable (for me, largely a result of humberto ramos, whose art i just do not like at all), the final issue and epilogue were a delight!

spider sense back, kaine back, and basically as ben reilly, spidey saves the day with his brains, carlie dumps him (didn't really like her) and most importantly, peter and mj have a serious moment. the final shot of them sitting there, looking down on the city, well, that was about my favorite moment since new day began.

also, i'm glad dr. strange's spell is wearing off. smarten up peter, and protect that id, or live with the consequences when it gets out.

 

[Spider-Gnome]

Don't start me on the whole Loki loop-hole right there, but going for Mephisto instead!

How hard would it be for Loki, owing Pete a favor, fix the whole unmasking/Aunt May shooting? And then, being the god of mischief, at the last minute as it's happening mentions to Pete, "Oh, I forgot, for this to work, you & MJ never got married. OK, have a nice life, bye!"

 

[Themanofbat]

I think Loki was "dead" when OMD came out, so his use was at least "off the table" at that time...

 

[moraldeficiency]

I think Loki was "dead" when OMD came out, so his use was at least "off the table" at that time...

Peter goes to Doctor Strange, strange contacts the essence of Loki and the essence helps peter by messing with the timestream. Problem solved, no OMD, no deals with the devil shirking responsibility and you're got a lot more buyers of ASM myself included.

Added bonus since it would just be the essence of the god of mischief the whole marriage thing being gone as a consequence would make sense while not being anyone's (even loki's) choice.

 

[Donald Thomas]

ah, spider island...

while much of the series was forgettable (for me, largely a result of humberto ramos, whose art i just do not like at all), the final issue and epilogue were a delight!

spider sense back, kaine back, and basically as ben reilly, spidey saves the day with his brains, carlie dumps him (didn't really like her) and most importantly, peter and mj have a serious moment. the final shot of them sitting there, looking down on the city, well, that was about my favorite moment since new day began.

also, i'm glad dr. strange's spell is wearing off. smarten up peter, and protect that id, or live with the consequences when it gets out.

Aloha,
I also used to absolutely HATE Ramos. I have to admit though that since his return his art is 100% better and I actually like it. I refused to read Spectacular when he was the artist, because I just could not deal with the style. He has improved greatly.
So glad the spider sense is back.
Now as far as Loki vs Mephisto-it appears that many take the attitude -better the devil you know than the devil you don't know( or forgot about).Loki still owes Spidey but that favor may not be brought up for quite some time. Don't forget the Mob also owes Spidey for saving one of their own in BND.
Spidey rules

 

[moraldeficiency]

It's not really about that, it's about the how with OMD. If loki did it as a favor than peter isn't making a deal with the devil and giving up responsibility for his choices, which for people like me is why OMD ruined ASM for me until Peter Parker has to actually take responsibility again. It isn't about MJ, I liked her but she isn't essential, it's about Peter.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

I put reading the story on hold until the story is fully published and I read the full collection, and the wait was sure worth it to me

That issue with Madam Webb speaking and having three classic stories reprinted reminded greatly me how dearly I love the Spidey comics of the old days

Love how in ASM66 Firestar says something about being Spidey's Amazing Friends, stupid and faulty as that show is, I still hold it dearly for being the reason I got to Spider-Man, and superheroes in general

Will be back after reading the rest + tie-ins

 

[SpideyInATree]

Don't start me on the whole Loki loop-hole right there, but going for Mephisto instead!

How hard would it be for Loki, owing Pete a favor, fix the whole unmasking/Aunt May shooting? And then, being the god of mischief, at the last minute as it's happening mentions to Pete, "Oh, I forgot, for this to work, you & MJ never got married. OK, have a nice life, bye!"

We have all been talking about that Loki loophole for years now. Also have to remember that "technically" it was under JMS' run and we all saw how Marvel treated him. It's too bad his run didn't just end after the end of the Totem arc and it would have been perfect, in my opinion. Then we had Sins Past, Skin Deep...etc..

 

[shinlyle]

Well, I finished reading SI over the weekend, and I have to say, I haven't that much FUN reading Spidey in years. The moment when he proclaims, "I'm going to save EVERYONE", along with MJ's next line brought chills to me. That, and using Kaine as the Scarlet Spider was genius. Acknowledging the Clone Saga for the BETTER...I can handle that.

Honestly, the Hardcover cannot come out soon enough. I want bonus content, commentary, the whole deal. This was great, and I wouldn't change a thing.