(2008 Cover Date Issues - Most current first)

May 28, 2008

Spider-Man appears in New Avengers #41.
Spider-Man makes a cameo flashback appearance in 1985 #1.
Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1.

Story
It's the second one-issue story in a row, and it stars a very unlikely villain that has been a thorn in the side of Spider-Man since his introduction in Ultimate Spider-Man #8. Since then, the Shocker has been merely used as a "token" villain, that has been easily defeated and humiliated by Spider-Man over and over again. The Shocker has been the brunt of many a joke over the course of this series, but in this issue, he may very well have the last laugh. The story begins in an abandoned warehouse, where an unmasked Spider-Man is chained hanging upside down. Out of the darkness comes a very disturbed looking Shocker, who then goes ballistic on Spider-Man with his hand-held vibroshock units. How Peter got himself in this mess is answered on the next page, where two hours before, Peter was out with Mary Jane participating in a video taped "man-on-the-streets" bit for high school. Across the street comes the Shocker creating chaos, turning over cars, and zapping innocent by-standers, after robbing a bank. Peter changes into Spider-Man, and then goes after the Shocker. At first, it looks like another easy takedown of the Shocker for Spider-Man, but he gets zapped from behind when he wasn't looking. The Shocker grabs Spider-Man, puts him into a van, and drives away to the warehouse they are now. Mary Jane goes and gets some help in the form of Kitty Pryde, Peter's ex girlfriend, and she in turn goes to the police. Back at the warehouse, Peter and the Shocker have a good lengthy talk, where we learn more about the Shocker's origin. Things get heated, and well you probably know the rest of the story. Next issue begins the long-awaited "Symbiote War" storyline.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The upper double-page spread with the Shocker approaching Peter in the warehouse.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
The Shocker is an inventor who has studied at MIT, and then went to work for Roxxon.
Peter's chains break from the ceiling, breaks free, and angrily knocks out the Shocker.

May 21, 2008

Spider-Man makes a couple of cameo appearances in Fantastic Four #557.
Spider-Man makes a couple of cameo appearances in Mighty Avengers #14.
Spider-Man makes an out of continuity appearances in Marvel Adventures The Avengers #24.

Story
Peter Parker is now a paparazzi beat photographer, and his first important assignment was to get some unflattering pics of "bad boy" actor Bobby Carr. Peter used his spider-powers to his advantage in getting such pictures, when Carr abused a waitress who asked for an autograph. In the background, a new villainess made her debut, and goes by the name of Paper Doll. The very creepy Paper Doll apparently has some sort of ties to Bobby Carr, and obsesses over him. Paper Doll begins this issue by doing her "part" in making Bobby Carr's life a little easier, by killing the "abused" waitress who is planning on suing Mister Carr for millions. Elsewhere, Bobby Carr is still being hunted by the paparazzi, and again, Peter gets some unflattering photos of Carr and his entourage attacking a fellow photographer by the name of Frankie Collins. DB publisher Dexter Bennett is very pleased with the pics that Peter gets, and gives him a "sizeable" bonus check. Seconds later, Peter learns about the dead waitress, and many workers at the DB feel responsible for her death. Peter changes into Spider-Man and becomes Frankie Collins personal "bodyguard", fearing that the killer will strike him next. At the Museum of Modern Art, everything comes together. Spider-Man's spider-sense goes off just in time for him to save Frankie from an attack by Paper Doll. The two battle it out and take their fight into the museum, where Frankie is busy taking pictures. Paper Doll is still trying to kill Frankie, and again, Spider-Man stops her. Per Spider-Man's suggestion, Frankie "apologizes" to Paper Doll for bothering Bobby Carr, and swears that he will call off the lawsuit that he has. Poof! Paper Doll is gone, but she does make one more "house call" before the issue ends at Bobby Carr's home where he has some private time with his new girlfriend.


Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The splash page of Paper Doll walking away from her victim after killing/ flattening her.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
DB publisher Dexter Bennett has been buying "tips" from Bobby Carr's talent manager.
Carr's manager gives Bennett a tip that Carr is about to see his "mystery girl" at his private estate.
Paper Doll kills Bobby Carr's talent manager after he calls Dexter Bennett.
Bobby Carr's "mystery girl" turns out to be Mary Jane Watson.
Mary Jane is reading "Faust", a story about a man who makes a pact with the devil.

May 14, 2008

The Green Goblin makes his return in Thunderbolts #120.

Story
Writer Dan Slott is back for his second go-round on Amazing, and he doesn't waste any time in introducing two new female villains. Screwball debuts on the very first page, and is considered the world's first "Live" streaming super-villain. Her associate shoots her crimes with a "street-cam", with many fans viewing her on the internet. The only power that Screwball seems to have is that she is a master of Parkour, or urban gymnastics, and she uses those "powers" to evade Spider-Man in the opening of this issue. A bit later in the offices of the DB (formerly the Daily Bugle), Peter gets a new assignment from editor Dexter Bennett: Photographer for the Paparazzi Beat, and his first assignment involves trying to obtain embarrassing photos of Bobby Carr, "Hollywood's Baddest Bad Boy". Later that night at the "Deep End Club", Bobby Carr shows up with his entourage, and Peter quietly follows them through the rafters. Peter waits, and waits, and waits, and nothing "interesting" takes place, as Bobby Carr is enjoying some drinks amongst friends. The moment Peter has been waiting for finally arrives and Peter takes his shots: Bobby Carr acts violently towards a waitress who asks for his autograph. Not a "Kodak Moment" for Mister Carr, and he orders his entourage to after Peter and get the camera. One member eventually catches Peter, takes away his camera, and smashes it into the ground outside. Something interesting has also been taking place in the background (literally) at the same club where Peter is photographing Bobby Carr. The second female villain is introduced, who appears hell-bent on stalking Bobby Carr for some yet unknown reason. The issue ends with Paper Doll having a very creepy moment.


Very good issue. The new villain Screwball is not too interesting. Paper Doll appears to be very interesting. Still up in the air whether Peter being a Paparazzi is a good idea, and whether he would really choose to take such assignments.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The creepy last spoiler-filled page.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Screwball gives herself up to the police, thinking that Spider-Man is the "Spider-Tracer" killer.
Peter retrieves the memory card from the smashed camera, s he still has the photos.
Harry Osborn does not react well to Peter's news that he is now a Paparazzi photographer.
Paper Doll has a room with all the walls full of paper clippings of Bobby Carr.

Story
Things are relatively normal for May "Mayday" Parker - or at least as normal as they ever seem to get. She and boyfriend Gene Thompson are on good terms and Mayday is even thinking of trying out for the high school cheerleading squad so she can spend more time with her football-playing man. However, an anti-mutant hate group called Humanity First has started a chapter at Midtown High. This group is dangerous and when they target Sara Hingle, a mutant and classmate of Mayday's (introduced in Amazing Spider-Girl #8), Spider-Girl jumps into action. However, before she can stop the anti-mutant squad, they, in turn, are attacked by two mutants named Impact and Pirouette. So Spider-Girl has to save the Humanity First goons from getting killed by the mutants.

At the end of the story, Normie Osborn makes a shocking revelation to Peter Parker.

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Art
Good, solid storytelling as usual, although there's no real eye-popping action this month, as is often the case.

Best page:  Page four, where Mayday interacts with her parents. Some good "human interest" interaction here.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Normie takes Peter to an Osborn Industries location, where we see a girl - who appears to be Mayday - in a suspended animation tank.
According to Norman Osborn's diaries, the girl is the real May Parker and the one we all know and love is an impostor!

May 7, 2008

Spider-Man appears in Secret Invasion #2.
Spider-Man appears in Avengers/ Invaders #1.
Spider-Man appears in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #39.
Norman Osborn and Mac Gargan/ Venom are both featured in Thunderbolts: Reason In Madness #1.

Story
After four three-issue story arcs to begin "Brand New Day", it's a good time for a nice little one issue story that combines a few elements from each of the first three arcs. Two arcs ago, the new villain by the name of the Freak was last seen cocooned in a chrysalis, transforming into a more powerful being. Spider-Man opens this issue up by visiting Doctor Curt Connors at his lab. The two talk about where they may find the Freak's chrysalis, which they intend on keeping in stasis with the help of some maximum ph quicklime. Spider-Man leaves Connor's lab, and heads on over to the Feast Center, where Bill Hollister is giving a political speech to aid in his run for mayor. Peter has to cover the speech for the DB (old Daily Bugle), and is not there long before his spider sense begins to go wild. Out of nowhere, the new goblin in town by the name of Menace comes gliding out of the sky, and onto the stage. Menace delivers a message to Hollister, and that message is to "withdraw from the race by tomorrow, or face the consequences!" Peter changes into Spider-Man, and quickly goes after Menace. After the police announce that snipers are in position, Menace flees the scene, but Spider-Man decides not to go chasing after him. Instead, Spider-Man swing over to the Brooklyn Salvage Yard, where he expects to find the Freak's chrysalis. The Freak breaks free from the chrysalis conveniently after Spider-Man arrives on the scene. Now a much more powerful foe, the Freak attacks Spider-Man. Now with bullet-proof skin, and looking much like an armadillo, the Freak appears to have the upper hand in his fight with Spider-Man. Spider-Man cannot do any harm to the Freak, until Doctor Connors arrives. See the spoilers for how the issue ends, and where the Freak ends up.


Very good issue, with plenty of bang-for-your-buck. Cameo or small appearances by characters that have been featured throughout "Brand New Day" thus far. Nothing ground-breaking or revealing, but just a bit better than your average token appearances. The character of the Freak also progresses, and it's only a matter of time until we see the next version of this always transforming villain.

Art
Excellent.
Best Page: The splash page where Peter is having a nightmare of him fighting the Freak.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Peter informs his Aunt May that he may be moving out of her house soon.
Mayoral candidate Randall Crowne denies that Menace is working for him.
Spider-Man fools the drug-addict Freak into thinking that Connors has drugs in the trunk of his car.
The Freak consumes a massive amount of the maximum ph quicklime, thinking that it is powder, and ends up in a chrysalis state again.
The Freak's chrysalis is taken away in a hazmat unit that is really a vehicle owned by Oscorp Enterprises.

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