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Title: Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2: Revelations by J. Michael Straczynski, John, Jr. Romita, Scott Hanna ISBN: 0-7851-0877-7 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: August, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $8.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Companion piece for this great graphic novel
Comment: As great as this graphic novel was by itself, I know of one helluva great companion piece in the form of a book entitled "The Adventures of Darkeye: Cyber Hunter" whose odd manner of having log-entries over chapters seems almost like the script for a graphic novel, even though it is in the science fiction/high-tech and cyberpunk genre along with books like "Cryptonomicon", "Snow Crash", "Prey", and "Altered Carbon". Very fast-paced and visual as well as being very exciting due to its action-packed pages.
Rating: 3
Summary: 9-11 story... Confused feelings about it...
Comment: I got this just for the 9-11 story because I couldn't get it at the time of its original comic-book release.
I thought that particular story was powerful and moving but at the same time extremely weird. It left me speechless. I felt compelled to write my own thoughts on this story...
It was bizarre seeing the Marvel characters at this tragic event, although the scene with Captain America silently standing, watching helpless was moving, spot-on and "right".
The bit which hit me the most was near the start when someone asks Spider-Man why didn't he stop it from happening... That's when I got a lump in my throat and my eyes got watery... Because you really want these characters to have been there to stop it from happening...
A very weird bit is where we see the likes of Doctors Doom & Octopus (and Magneto) helping out. I could see what the writers were trying to achieve - that at the end of the day, deep down, they are human beings too - but really, at the end of the day, would world-conquering, all-powerful super-villains, who regularly exclaim their hatred for most of humanity in the comic-books, be bothered by this tragic "event"?? I really don't think so. I mean, in "real life", I'm pretty sure these people would be on the most wanted list along with Bin Laden, etc.
That sequence, along with the rest of the story, reminded me of DC Comics' "Heroes for Hunger" charity book from the mid-80s where Superman, Batman and Lex Luthor tried to save the starving in Ethiopia by growing gigantic tomatoes. They failed, of course. The end result had exactly the same sad message being given to the reader as this 9-11 story: Comic book characters are not real and can't save the world.
And, in that case then, the real message is: Comic-book characters shouldn't be used in extremely serious, world threatening real-life situations.
It was heartbreaking to see Marvel's heroes feeling helpless, watching this tragedy take place. It was good to see that the story was about the real heroes of 9-11.
My final thoughts of this story:
I think this story would have worked a lot better if their had been no words in it at all and just the artwork. I think the artwork, when ignoring the words, is a lot more moving and tells it a lot better. You only have to see the looks on the Marvel characters faces to know how they must feel (if they were real). The art is fantastic, by the way.
I think some will definitely be offended if they read this story. I know there's been some controversy about it. It really shouldn't exist. Yes, it's thrilling to see the characters used in a recent real-world situation (like "Heroes for Hunger") but at the same time it's slightly insulting to the intelligence and a little naive on the writers' part.
Anyway, I'll finally end with the pros & cons:
PROS
1. It's touching.
2. It makes you think.
3. Great artwork.
4. I admire any creative people who "take a risk" and go against "the norm" to produce something different (although some will think this story was taking things a bit too far).
CONS
1. Offensive/insulting to some people - especially those who had first-hand experience of "9-11".
2. Shouldn't have had any words. Narration is pretty awful in my opinion.
3. Could well be one topic that should have been left alone.
4. Maybe Marvel should have just stuck to the "9-11 Heroes" book and shelved this particular story.
Like I said, I'm left confused - maybe I shouldn't take it too seriously, after all it is only a comic-book - but after reading this story and being a lifelong comic-book/Spidey-fan I really do prefer him and the rest of the Marvel Universe to remain seperate to reality.
Rating: 5
Summary: Much better than Ultimate Spider-Man
Comment: If this work had been produced first, Ultimate Spider-Man never would have been thought of because Spidey never would have lost his glow.
The work that Straczynski and Romita Jr. are doing on this book is fantastic. This trade begins with a look at the 9/11 incedent from the pointof view of a super hero that could do nothing to stop it and who is left to help the NYPD and FDNY with the aftermath. A truly heart wrenching beginning.
If that weren't enough, the book then continues the stroy line from the previous trade (Coming Home). If you haven't read that, get it now and don't read this review any further or I'll spoil the first Straczynski story line for you.
Aunt May has discovered Peter's Spider-Man costume and wants to know what's going on here. Peter and Aunt May have a heart to heart the likes of which haven't been seen in any other Spidey book. This leads to some new "Revelations" not only about Peter, but also about Aunt May and Uncle Ben. A must read for any fan of the one-true Spider-Man (ie. not Ultimate Spidey, which is a fun read, but in my mind an alternate reality).
The follow-up trade "Until the Stars Turn Cold" is another excellent book.
Here's hoping the Amazing Spider-Man continues to spin excellent stories for years to come.
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Title: Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3: Until The Stars Turn Cold by J. Michael Straczynski, John, Jr. Romita, Scott Hanna ISBN: 0785110755 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: December, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.99 |
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Title: Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1: Coming Home by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita, Scott Hanna ISBN: 0785108068 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 4: The Life & Death of Spiders by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita, Scott Hanna ISBN: 0785110976 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: July, 2003 List Price(USD): $11.99 |
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Title: Ultimate Spider-Man: Venom (Ultimate Spider-Man) by Brian Michael Bendis, Mark Bagley ISBN: 0785110941 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
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Title: New X-Men Vol. 5: Assault on Weapon Plus by Grant Morrison, Chris Bachalo, Phil Jimenez ISBN: 0785111190 Publisher: Marvel Books Pub. Date: December, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.99 |
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