(2009 Cover Date Issues - Most current first)

December 24, 2008

Ultimate Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in Ultimatum #1.
Spider-Man makes a guest appearance as part of the New Avengers in New Avengers #48.
Spider-Man makes an alternate reality appearance in What-If? Spider-Man: Back In Black #1.

Story
It's a one-shot issue after all the Symbiote madness that has just taken place the last half year or so, which also saw Gwen Stacy being brought back from the dead. The issue opens with Peter's friend Johnny Storm (better known as the Human Torch) making a call to him, as he attempts to get out of a bad date. In another plot development, Aunt May is making a bid to get Gwen Stacy back in high school, which is not that easy considering that she just came back from the "dead". It turns out that citizens are voting to have midtown high school "shut down" because of all the strange events that have transpired there involving Spider-Man. The only action that takes place happens when the Human Torch flies off and accidentally "bumps" into the Vulture. He gets some help in the form of Spider-Woman (from the "Clone Saga"), and the Vulture is easily taken down. The issue ends in dramatic style as Aunt May is taken away by the police...But why?

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The full page shot of Spider-Woman punching the Vulture.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
The Human Torch appears to have "fallen" for Spider-Woman.
Aunt May is taken by the police for questioning about hers and Peters relationship with Spider-Man.
It appears that the vice principal of midtown high may now know who Spider-Man is.

December 17, 2008

Alternate reality Spider-Man appears in Spider-Man Noir #1.
Spider-Man appears in Marvel Adventures The Avengers #31.
Spider-Man makes a cameo appearance in Mighty Avengers #20.
Spider-Man makes a very small appearance in Avengers: The Initiative #19.
Spider-Man makes an appearance throughout Amazing Spider-Man Family #3.
Spider-Man makes an alternate reality appearance in What If? Newer Fantastic Four #1.
Venom (Mac Gargan/ Scorpion), and other Spider-Man related characters appear in Thunderbolts #127.

Story
Its been about a year since "Brand New Day" has begun, and there are many questions still unanswered. One of the most prominent questions: How did Harry Osborn, who many thought died way back in the pages of "Spectacular Spider-Man" #200, come back from the dead? After a couple of pages devoted to Spider-Man doing some investigative work on the recent "spider tracer murders", Peter gets a call from his friend Harry Osborn, and they set up a road trip the next morning so that Harry can see his ex wife Liz Allen and their son. The next morning, Peter and Harry drive to New Jersey to see Liz, Normie, and Liz's step-brother Mark Raxton. Long-time readers know Mark Raxton is better known as the Molten Man, and he is now staying with Liz and being treated for his "condition" being the Molten Man. On their way to Jersey, Harry and Peter talk about Harry's "return" from the dead: It turns out that the Goblin Serum that was in Harry's system brought him back. Very simple and to the point. No "exotic" or "far-flung" story or reasoning to how Harry came back, but rather a very believable one. Anyway, the two friends arrive at Liz Allen's home, where they meet Liz and Normie outside the house. Peter takes little Normie inside the house, as Harry and Liz argue outside. When inside the house, Liz's step-brother overhears Peter talking to Normie, and becomes furious. He becomes loose from some equipment that he is attached to, and the Molten Man is now on the loose. The issue ends as the Molten Man makes his way towards Harry and threatens to kill him. Very good issue, with no getting "fancy" on how Harry came back from death. Now on to those many other unanswered questions!

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The page where the Molten Man breaks free from some equipment in his room.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Harry's father Norman Osborn took care of things after Harry "died".
Norman hired Mysterio to help Harry "disappear" and conceal the truth.
Harry spent the next couple years in Europe after he "died".

December 10, 2008

Spider-Girl appears in Amazing Spider-Girl #27.
Spider-Man appears in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #46.
Spider-Man appears in a flashback story in X-Men And Spider-Man #2.
Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson appear in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #5.

Story
Time for a one-shot story from long-time Spider-Man writer Roger Stern, and it begins fast: Aunt May calls Peter from under a desk at a bank, which is being robbed by the "Blank Man". Peter rushes on over to the bank as Spider-Man where he encounters the man known as the Blank just outside. The Blank appears to be made of Teflon, and Spider-Man's webbing has no effect on him what so ever. Spider-Man punches the Blank into the middle of the busy streets, but the Blank soon disappears. After Peter checks to see that his Aunt May is all right, we learn a little more about the Blank: It turns out that he has some kind of "personal force field" which he contains somehow in his force-field belt that has scrambled his central nervous system. The Blank has since to turned into a "folk hero" since many of the banks that he robs are major predatory lenders. Peter doesn't exactly agree with the "folk hero" label, since the Blank came very close to killing his aunt, and he is intent on not letting him get away again. Spider-Man quickly locates the Blank attempting to rob a guarded armored bank car, and the two go at it again. Spider-Man chases the Blank down an alley, where he finally puts an end to the Blank's "folk hero" career.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The page where Spider-Man first meets the Blank.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Spider-Man defeats the Blank by containing the Blank in his webbing rather than having it just stick to him.

December 4, 2008

Spider-Man makes a couple of small appearances in New Avengers #47.
Spider-Man makes a one page cameo appearance in Secret Invasion: Front Line #5.
Spider-Man makes a guest appearance as part of the New Avengers in Secret Invasion #8.
Spider-Man/ Peter Parker makes an alternate reality appearance in What-If? House Of M #1.

Story
The conclusion to this two-part story by Mark Waid and Marcos Martin as Spider-Man finds himself along with many others, under a river and in a tunnel, after a subway train has derailed. It turns out that old time Spider-Man villain the Shocker was hired to kill a jury in one of the subway cars because they are out to take out one of the mob's top men. Everyone now finds themselves trapped under the river, and Spider-Man now needs to find a way out. The issue begins as news of the train's derailing is getting around, and Spider-Man finds himself working with J. Jonah Jameson Senior (yes, thats right JJJ's father - introduced last issue), to get everyone to safety. Spider-Man wakes up the Shocker and "persuades" him to help. With the use of one of the Shocker's vibro gauntlets, Spider-Man creates an explosion to open up a maintenance tunnel above everyone. It takes several pages, but Spider-Man eventually saves everyone, including the Shocker. All the jurors have made their way to safety, and the reporters are all there to cover the breaking news, including J. Jonah Jameson. Spider-Man attempts to seize the moment and introduce father and son, but its not to be. Very good two-part storyline, but seriously - How old can J. Jonah Jameson Senior be?

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The page where Spider-Man is tackling the Shocker.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
J. Jonah Jameson begins divorce proceedings with his wife Marla Madison.
The Shocker escapes after detonating an explosion near the end of the escape route.

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