Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus - Volume 1 (New Printing)

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Peter fights a jigsaw-puzzle Hulk that can't be killed because it's already dead. It's charming that JMS is playing in the science side of the Marvel universe pool, and he lets Peter be a bit of a scientist too. But so much of this arc is a big fight against an unstoppable foe (until it's ready to be defeated in the end), which is pretty much never a good look. Fortunately, the arc also has moral dilemmas and the rebuilding of the Peter/MJ relationship, to give it some depth [3+/5]. I'm a big Spider-man fan, but had never read many Spider-man stories from before the late 80s. I thought I should at least get a taste of the early days as Stan Lee and Steve Ditko basically invented from scratch the whole world and characters that other people have mined for decades. I chose this particular volume because I knew it contained two stories that are considered classic, the Master Planner Saga (issues 31-33) and the unmasking of the Green Goblin (issues 39-40). It also has the transition from Steve Ditko to John Romita Sr., so I'd get a taste of both iconic artists. JMS of course has good voices for everyone. His Peter is one of the best and the new characters are pretty good as well. It's been said before he favoured having newer villains take the spotlight and while that's risky, it worked out well. It helps that JMS has the core idea of why they're after Peter tie together with the Spider Totem stoyline, thus making you remember all those moments with them. Speaking of Romitas, JRJR's art is very engaging here. He has his weak spots, but all the fights and especially Spidey's suit getting torn up look amazing. There's a clear desperation in him every time he has to keep fighting and JRJR shows it better than anyone else.

Even if you are not a Marvel fan, you will find all of these Spider-Man stories as priceless as I do. This is a collection that is second to none. All the early Spider-Man stories are here. Recommended for all comic book fans and for Marvel and Spider-Man fans this is a MUST OWN! After I watched Spider-Man: No Way Home in cinemas last year, I decided to read this omnibus as I wanted to read the original comics to see how the character of Spider-Man started. By coincidence, this year also marks Spider-Man's 60th anniversary since his 1962 debut. Lee and Ditko changed the face of comics with Spider-Man and this complete Ditko run is phenomenal. Everything is there from the beginning, starting with the concise and perfect origin story then building up Pete and his world, the fantastic supporting cast, the pathos and teenage spirit, the (to me) best rogues gallery in the history of comics and the sheer vibrant joy. It's all right off the bat. This is just a fantastic issue. It’s essentially everything a person needs to know about Spider-Man in one marathon bout. Even the blatant ads for the other Marvel comics are fairly well integrated. The card thing is a bit wonky, but honestly, I forgive it. It’s rightly remembered as a great issue, and it’s one of the best Lee & Ditko. The hatred is, of course, all about the darkening of Gwen Stacy's character thrrough the introduction of a severe character flaw: that she would fall victim to the charms of Norman Osborn. And perhaps JMS should have seen that coming, because Gwen Stacy was (and is) such a beloved character. But I find it a believable twist that takes her '60s era saccharine sweetness and gives it just a little depth.Ah, the first relative dud. Even Stan Lee admits that aliens and Spider-man don’t really mix, especially not this early. It’s nice to see the sciency side of Spider-man, but the Tinkerer and his plan aren’t great. The aliens even get retconned out in the 70s So, I like Mysterio, but this issue seems like a lot of repeated themes. Spider-Imposter stealing things, Betty frustratingly worrying, and J. Jonah Jameson being webbed at the end, Even Mysterio seems to mostly just have smoke. He does a few other things, but that’s all to confound Spidey before the smoke. The movie studio fight is fun, and Mysterio posing as a hero is nice, but it just leads to very samey Jonah stuff. It’s not a bad issue, this is where the series starts to spin its wheels sometimes. This omnibus includes the run by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (who co-created Spider-Man with Stan Lee). The volume includes Spidey's debut in Amazing Fantasy #15, the first 38 issues in the Amazing Spider-Man series as well as the first two Spider-Man annuals.

This issue has a lot of good Flash, Liz, and Betty stuff, though Peter continues to be kind of a creep. He has his reasons, but still... I’ve bemoaned some of the melodrama, but the Betty-Peter breakup is pretty intense and more real than many of their interactions. Also, love that last panel. Okay, I gave the Goblin some crap about his first appearance, but I genuinely think his second is great. Not necessarily for him, but because of the unique structure, ending, and fallout in this issue and beyond. It’s got some good use of the Human Torch as a guest star, and I love the respect building between Spidey and the Torch. Honestly, the only problems I have are the continued poor handling of Liz and Betty. This issue is a memorial of 9/11. Twenty years later, it feels like it's from a different lifetime, and though it's a bit wordy, it's still a moving reminder of what we lost. JMS reacts to the tragedy well, in a way that brings up humanity, rather than tearing it down [5/5].Lee gets a lot of credit for his sharp take and themes but Ditko I feel is the real powerhouse, churning out classic costume after costume, visually representing an entire world, all while creeping everyone out with his weird figures and dynamic compositions. He set the tone for everything since and is rarely bettered. A rushed gangster mystery story that doesn’t really deliver on much. The Big Man is much better used later on. I think the Enforcers are fine, but they are a rather silly remnant that probably seemed dated even in the early sixties. Betty’s past catches up with her, and I like her leaving to deal with it all on her own, but the last panel is not great. Is it dated? Well, read now there are issues. Pacing can be slow in some stories, the dialogue and interactions obviously feel dated, Betty Brant is terminally irritating (and frankly looks weird most of the time) and her 'relationship' with Peter feels very underbaked. Sometimes you just want characters to actually talk to each other to avoid the repeated frustration. But...that actually feels more real, especially in a teenage viewpoint. And the themes and heart still remain completely relevant. Ah, the Living Brain. He’s fun kitsch in a really silly story. The Flash Thomson vs. Peter Parker aspect is way more interesting, but the rest is rather meh.

This is not so much a review of the content as a review of the form. I am a huge fan of the Marvel Masterworks and Omnibus series because they reproduce the classic works in such beautiful, high-quality hardcovers. This edition however, the Second Edition, First Printing 2013 is markedly inferior quality. There is some solid Foswell stuff and the first (named) appearance of Norman Osborn! But, the robots are somewhat disappointing, and the Gwen stuff feels like more retread. Meanwhile (#39). One of the dreaded 'Nuff Said issues, but this one isn't bad, giving some insight into what's going on in the heads of MJ and May (and Peter) [4+/5]. The Spider Totem stuff is somewhat mixed amongst fans, but I enjoyed the presentation. It helps that Peter remains very clinical about it and doesn't take it at face value. He has a very healthy dose of scepticism about it and that helps keep the story going off the rails. Ezekiel was a nice addition to Peter's life and it's good to see him realise the truth in Peter's whole reason for doing what he does, even if it did have to end in tragedy. And honestly most of the volume continues in this fashion of being fun and exciting and always working well with the main trio of characters, Peter, MJ, and Aunt May. This is also the run Aunt May learns Peter's secret, which changes the dynamic greatly and gives us some excellent moments of Aunt May's wisdom.I’m always a fan of Peter being desperate, and this issue ends on one of the key moments in Spider-history. Anyone reading it for the first time will probably find it familiar, given that it is often repeated. Much like the Crime Master two-parter, it does a good job of using all the elements of Spider-Man’s life to drive the tension. I do wish the Master Planner’s identity had been revealed with more gravitas, but honestly, I can’t complain. Betty Brant stuff bookends the issue, though it’s not really relevant. I actually like the dream opening. Then, Kraven uses Chameleon tactics, which will have more ramifications in the 80s; otherwise, it’s mostly stuff we’ve seen.

In 1962, Stan Lee & Steve Ditko revolutionized both the comics industry and popular culture when they created Spider-Man, giving readers a superhero they could relate with. Unlike other superheroes, Spider-Man had the issues of a regular teenager such as school & college, girl trouble, trouble finding a job, and troubles at home.

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What else was great? Well the art naturally. Steve Ditko's work here is incredible. Ditko didn't go for realism, but rather a unique and inimitable style. Nowhere, before or since (sorry McFarland) was Spidey's unnatural athleticism captured so completely. Simply wonderful. The 500th issue was just wonderful. Heartwarming without being sappy and just a good way for Peter to accept the struggles in his life have meaning. Having Romita Sr. pencil the meeting with Uncle Ben ties everything neatly together.