I would like to introduce another great reviewer Gerry Sparling here with his very first reviews for Amazing Spider-Man.Info! Many thanks to him for his take on the re-boot of the Spider-Man titles back in 1998. He has reviewed both Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 #1 and Peter Parker: Spider-Man Volume 2 #1. Lets begin with his take on the very first issue of the second volume of Amazing Spider-Man, or for you long-time collectors and readers: Amazing Spider-Man #442!

By 1998, it was clear that the Spider-Titles were on an upswing for the first time since the Clone Saga. Peter had returned to the role of Spider-Man following the death of Ben Reilly in Spider-Man #75, and he and his wife, Mary Jane, had returned to Empire State University to continue their college education. Peter's Aunt May had long since died in the classic Amazing Spider-Man #400, and since his "brother" (in fact his clone), perished saving his friends, Peter was determined to move on. Old villains returned such as Doctor Octopus and the Chameleon returned to wreak havoc, while several promising new villains arrived on the scene, and two of which, Mad Jack (Jack O' Lantern II) and Green Goblin V, kept the fans guessing as to who they might be beneath their guises.

Several intriguing sub-plots took place such as Alison Mongrain and her "package", the relationship between Mad Jack and J. Jonah Jameson, the underworld activities of Fortunato, the Rose and the Black Tarantula, and the return of Norman Osborn. Norman had returned following his epic battle with Peter in Spider-Man #75, and had reinstated himself as a kindly philanthropist who had successfully distanced himself (in the eyes of the public) from the Green Goblin. Norman had even bought a part in the ownership of the Daily Bugle, and took to threatening his old friend, J. Jonah Jameson. Peter always knew Norman was up to no good, and it was clear that the master manipulator was planning something big. Maybe this was not classic stuff, but it was the first time in years, that the Spider-Titles had great potential.

However, the Powers-That-Be at the time were none-too-happy about critical reaction to these developments, and were keen to get a new readership, a "target audience" on board to thrill to the adventures of the wall-crawler and Company Editor in Chief Bob Harras proposed that the Spider-Team end the current numbering, and start two of them, Amazing and Peter Parker, with a new Volume and #1. Artist John Byrne, writer Howard Mackie and artist John Romita JR. were given the daunting task of redesigning one of the world's most popular icons. The somewhat-rushed and mediocre storylines, "The Gathering of Five" and "The Final Chapter" ended the current Volume One numbering on all Spider-Titles, and hastily shoved all current developments aside to make way for Amazing Spider-Man Volume Two #1 which hit the stands two months later. Not surprisingly, the hardcore spider-audience were none too pleased, and the "Spider-Man Reboot" would become arguably the most controversial move in the Spider-Man Saga since Marvel revealed Ben Reilly was the original Spider-Man.

Anyway, the story begins with the flaming words "Where R U Spider-Man???" burning high over the Statue of Liberty. The recipient of these words is of course Johnny Storm, the Human Torch of the Fantastic Four who is wondering where his old buddy, Spider-Man, has been over the last few months following the massive (and unseen) battle against the Green Goblin in "The Final Chapter". "Spidey's not showing", Johnny says to his fellow team members who are hovering nearby in the Fantasti-Car, and the four head on home empty-handed. From a nearby balcony on an apartment block, Peter Parker watches the Fantastic Four depart and thinks to himself about how great it is that his days as Spider-Man is over. (Peter decided to quit being the wall-crawler at the end of "The Final Chapter"). As he heads back into the luxurious apartment, (as a result of Mary Jane's successful new modeling career), Peter thinks "I'm young, and living the good life with my gorgeous, super model wife, Mary Jane, and working to finish graduate school". Peter would like to think his Uncle Ben would be proud!

Peter talks things over with his Aunt May over the recent developments in the lives of the Parker family, (Aunt May was revealed to be alive at the end of "The Final Chapter"), and receives a phone call from Mary Jane. It seems Mary Jane's new modeling career is taking her all over the world, and she promises to return home in a week. Peter mentions his has a job interview with the Tri Corp Research Foundation and Mary Jane asks him is his keeping his promise over not being Spider-Man. Peter swears that he is. A little later, there is chaos on a street in Manhattan, and the long-time Spider-Man villain the Scorpion in a deadly looking new costume, is tearing through members of the NYPD. Gargan claims he's looking for someone, while nearby investigate reporter Betty Brant is taking pictures, (since Peter has a job interview), and thinks "The Scorpion seems more powerful and insane than ever before. I thought we'd seen the last of him after the Roxxon incident." The Scorpion last appeared in Spider-Man Unlimited #22.

Unfortunately, Betty attracts the attention of the Scorpion who is about to attack her when a new, never before seen Spider-Man jumps into the fray. Scorpy obviously thinks he's battling the original Spider-Man, but the build and lack of webbing suggests someone other than Peter. The new Spider-Man shows her, ah, his inexperience as he is quickly taken down by Scorpy and buried under a heap of rubble, while Gargan goes off to locate the person he is looking for. A short time later, at the Tri Corp Research Foundation, Peter is trying to forget about the trouble Scorpion is causing uptown and is greeted by Terry Kwan, cell supervisor and foundation liaison for the job interview. Terry explains the history of the Tri Corp Foundation, which apparently had a hand in almost every scientific breakthrough in the last century. Terry introduces Peter to the team he will be working with, Walter Torson (Astro-Physics), Javier Caldrone (Molecular Chemistry), Stan Hardy (Geneticist), Chantel Stone (Quantum Mechanics). Peter will serve under Bio-Chemistry.

Peter talks to the group for a few minutes when suddenly the wall of the laboratory explodes, and the Scorpion steps through, shouting "Which one of you is Him? This bio-scanning device led me right to this room, so I know one of you is the one I'm after!" When he gets no reply, the impatient super-villain goes on the offensive and begins attacking the scientists, and Peter is forced to use his powers to get them out of the way of Gargan's onslaught. Peter notices the Scorpion about to attack Walt and sees the ceiling above Gargan is damaged due to his blast, and loosens the reinforcement bar to bring the concrete crashing down on the Scorpion. Gargan pauses as his bio-scanning device begins beeping, and turns to Peter, exclaiming "...You! Parker! The bio-scan matches perfectly. I don't know what you've done, but...your tail is mine!"

Peter then realizes he must now battle the Scorpion, which could probably mean the end of his secret identity! But suddenly, the new Spider-Man appears much to a shocked Peter's surprise. Peter knows the new Spider-Man doesn't stand a chance due to his inexperience and suddenly notices a Kirby 2000 Generator. Him and Javier connect a cable to the generator to calibrate a low enough charge, while Peter successfully wraps the other end of the cable around the Scorpion's arms and tells Terry to hit the power. Gargan yells in agony as the charge goes up through his body and the villain collapses to the ground. "Who are you are under that mask?" Peter asks the new Spider-Man before the impostor departs. "I can't tell you that! That's why it's called a secret identity!" The new Spider-Man replies as he makes his escape.

The story ends on a high note for Peter, as he  is introduced to Ted Twaki, head of the Tri Corp Foundation, whom Terry says "He'd like to have a word with you." "Uh oh!" Peter thinks. "Well, that was the greatest job I almost had!" Later, back at the Parker apartment, a smiling Peter greets his Aunt May saying "I got it! I got the job!" "Your Uncle Ben would be very proud of the young man you've grown up to be." Aunt May says, as the two embrace. "Thanks, Aunt May. That is the best thing anyone could have said to me today!" Peter replies, as the shadow of Spider-Man looms behind him.

Of note in this issue also featured two back-up tales spotlight Scorpion's new look, and the re-doing of Spider-Man's origin as done by John Byrne in Spider-Man: Chapter One, a 13-part maxi-series that redoes Spidey's early days, so as to coincide with the Reboot. As a reader, I still feel Amazing (Volume Two) #1 is a long way from being a classic. There is nothing wrong with John Byrne's pencils or Scott Hanna's inks, in fact, the artwork looks quite nice in some parts of the issue. But as for the story itself, nothing much seems to happen, the cast at Tri Corp seem an uninteresting bunch at first, but this is the first issue. The new Spider-Man is an intriguing development, but aren't we really more interested in what Peter is up to?

For all the complaints, I actually quite like the Scorpion's new look and agenda, he genuinely looks dangerous in that costume and the tail looks lethal. For too long, Scorpy has been a one note villain, so giving mysterious masters who want to kill Peter is an interesting idea. But this material does not work for a first issue. A #1 is supposed to be a perfect jumping on point for readers, and for a new, albeit, young reader to understand the essence of the Spider-Man Saga they have to be seeing Peter as Spider-Man, seeing more of his old, and reliable supporting cast and not putting us through meeting all these new guys at Tri Corp. The Scorpion is without a doubt a classic Spider-Man villain, but it has to be someone really special for the first issue, such as a certain Otto Octavius?

This stuff is not bad for a continuing series, but for #1 it seems Byrne and Mackie are merely dragging out the main story which would have been better confined to 22 pages. The pacing is very slow, the story lacks a certain focus and the scenes such as the Torch and the scenes at Tri Corp come across as unnecessary. Some of the dialogue is very cringe-worthy, such as Aunt May telling Peter "You're still so skinny. A boy your age should be putting on some muscle." What also makes the character of Peter Parker special is that he is a working class hero, a normal guy who experiences the same challenges in life that we do. Making his wife a supermodel and shunting him into a shiny apartment distances him from the very same audience that made him famous. In the end, we don't find out who the Scorpion is working for, couldn't really care about Peter's new job, nor do we see Peter getting back into costume, even though that fact is quite inevitable my friend.

II - "Rebirth" - 4 Pages - Scorpion

Writer - Howard Mackie
Artist - Rafael Kayanan
Inker - Jimmy Palmiotti
Letterer - Richard Starkings & Liz Agraphiotis
Colorist - John Kalisz
Editor - Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief - Bob Harras

A 4 page look of one of Spider-Man greatest foes: The Scorpion, and his new look.
 

III - "The Secrets Of Spider-Man" - 4 Pages

Writer - John Byrne
Artist - John Byrne
Inker - John Byrne
Letterer - John Byrne
Colorist - John Kalisz
Editor - Ralph Macchio
Editor In Chief - Bob Harras

A re-doing of Spider-Man's origin as done by John Byrne.

Alternate "Sunburst"  Cover by John Byrne	Alternate Dynamic Forces Cover by John Romita JR	Alternate Authentix Cover by John Romita JR	Alternate Authentix Back Cover