Normally, Marvel Team-Up saw Spider-Man join forces with other Marvel heroes, from the well-known (Iron Man, Human Torch) to the obscure (Brother Voodoo, Moondragon). But in Marvel Team-Up #36, the Web-Slinger has one of his strangest encounters yet as he meets the Frankenstein Monster! The monster was introduced in Mary Shelley's classic novel Frankenstein and, contrary to popular belief, Frankenstein is the scientist who created the monster, not the monster himself. The version of the character we see here was made famous in the Boris Karloff film of the same name, and was a mainstay of Marvel's horror comics of the 1970s.

"Once Upon a Time, in a Castle..." starts out ordinarily enough, with Spider-Man breaking up a routine bank robbery. However, before he can nab the crooks, he is blasted into unconsciousness from behind by a mysterious beam of light.

He awakes to find himself strapped to a table in a classic "mad scientist's" laboratory straight out of an old-time horror movie. You really expect to see a hobbling, hunchbacked lab assistant rubbing his hands together and saying, "Yesss, massster!!" Strapped to a table beside him is the Frankenstein Monster. "This place looks like it's escaped from the Late, Late Show!" Spider-Man says. "And speaking of escapees - where did you escape from, fella? Ripley's Museum?" The monster explains that he is a prisoner, just like Spider-Man.

The door opens and they meet their captor, a scientist named Baron Ludwig Von Shtupf. And, yes, he's quite mad. "A harsh and imbecilic world punishes those who would be different by naming them insane," he says. Before he can do whatever he intends to do, Spider-Man breaks free of his bonds and webs up Von Shtupf and his men. He frees Frankenstein's Monster and the two make their escape. "That's what I like - a man of few words," Spidey tells the monster. When they get outside, they find themselves in the snow-covered mountains outside of Von Shtupf's castle. The Baron's men are searching for them and, while they hide, Spider-Man asks Frankenstein's Monster to tell him something about himself. The monster tells the familiar story of how he was created in a laboratory, turned against his mad creator, then hunted down by frightened villagers. He reappeared almost 100 years later in a circus sideshow, where he was revived. Despite his appearance, the monster is really a noble, kind creature, Spider-Man learns.

Just then, they hear a woman's scream. The Baron's men are threatening a young woman on skis. Spider-Man and Frankenstein's Monster leap into action, dispatching the hunters and pulling the woman away from the edge of the cliff. But instead of thanking them, she sprays her two rescuers with knockout gas! However, she's not one of the bad guys - her name is Klemmer and she's an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Von Shtupf is a madman. A madman with a plan for world domination. He wants to create an army of 'monsters' - sub-humans who can stand extremes of climate, who have super-normal powers," she explains. Spider-Man agrees to help Klemmer infiltrate the castle and bring down Von Shtupf. Frankenstein's Monster says, in his halting voice, "I want to help...too. This man also...captured me. I...owe him." But Klemmer explains that the lumbering giant lacks the stealth for such an operation and asks him to stay behind. The monster's feelings are hurt, but he agrees -- at least to Klemmer's face. In reality, he follows them back to the castle. "The moment will come when they need me and when it comes, I will be there," he thinks.

Spider-Man takes out the guards and he and Klemmer make their way into the castle. But something is wrong -- it's too easy for the heroes. That's because Baron Von Shtupf is aware of their presence and has a surprise for them. He has captured another specimen - one whom Spider-Man is very familiar with. Spider-Man and the Frankenstein's Monster come face to face with the Man-Wolf!

This two-part story is like an over-the-top B-movie, with the monsters, mad scientists and castles in the mountains. All it's lacking are angry villagers with pitchforks and torches. If you are expecting a traditional Spider-Man story, you might find this one lacking. But if you can accept it for what it is, it's enjoyable.

Next issue: And Man-Wolf makes three! Can Spidey and the Frankenstein's Monster thwart the Baron's plan and save themselves from the savage Man-Wolf?

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.