Welcome to SPIDER-MAN Week!!!

[wonderfly]

The "4th Annual Toon Zone CBC Awards" is now over, and the winners have been chosen...and now this week, we'll be having our 4th Annual Theme Week!

For Week #4, we're dedicating this week to your pick for "Favorite Hero of 2006":


Spider-Man!!!


http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Spider-Man/unmasked/ASM533cover_t.jpg http://www.canmag.com/images/front/comicbook/civilwar2.jpg http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Sept06/covers/ultsm100_400_col_tt.jpg



We're started by changing the Logo at the top of the Comic Book Culture forum. You might've noticed it: it's the one that says "2006 Best Hero: Spider-Man"! ;)


Next, with each Theme Week, we're pinning a discussion thread to the top of the CBC forum. We'll start with posting the talkback thread for the "Clone Saga" in Ultimate Spider-Man, but we may post another current Spider-Man talkback later on this week.

As for this thread, you've voted him to be your "Favorite Superhero for 2006", now drop by the thread and tell us what events from the last year made him your favorite!!! Did the events of Civil War really advance Spider-Man as a character? His Spider-Man unmasked the biggest thing to happen to Spidey in years? What about Ultimate Spider-Man? Is the Clone Saga the greatest Ultimate Spider-Man story to date? C'mon, Spidey fans, it's time to speak out: Has the last year's worth of "Spidey" events excited you?!?



A "Fun And Games" activity will be posted soon, (and don't forget, someone will win the chance to give their own "Pick of the Week" in the "This Week In Comics" thread)! In the meantime, let's talk Spider-Man!!!

[rggkjg1]

ARGHGHGHGHGHGHGHGHHGHGHGHGHGHGHHGHGHGHG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

one of the worst years EVER for spider-man (as a reader for about 5 years and possibly over his 40 plus year carreer). here's why i DIDNT vote for spider-man (in chronological order):

#1 - the new costume :confused: :
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8691/ironsuithr6.png
insult to injury: invented by tony stark, aka iron man.

#2 - tony "CONS" peter to join him in the upcoming civil war :sad: :
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/429/iron5xt.jpg (http://imageshack.us/?x=my6&myref=http://my.imageshack.us/v_images_old.php)
a hillarious take done by the guys at spiderfan.org. it still gets my point across. i can't remember the exact issue, but i have it. and was extremely dissapointed in peter.

#3 - civil war issue #2 :mad: :
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7690/002alt2jc0.jpg
WATCH SPIDER-MAN 2 AGAIN AND YOU'LL KNOW WHY THIS IS A BAD IDEA. aside from this, yahoo.com news adds some fuel to my anger for spoiling this issue the MORNING of it's release (eastern time). before comic books stores open, thanks yahoo. i'm all for shaking things up. but this is not the way to do it!!! you can kill the hero (no one dies in comics), change his costume (a stupid looking costume), ect. peter keeping his identity a secret is basicly part of the foundation of the character!!! WATCH SPIDER-MAN 2 AGAIN!!!! ARGHGHGHGH.

i'll be getting amazing spider-man once "back in black" begins. only because of the black costume. im sure from now on, all i'm gonna be reading is spider-man wineing and saying "why did i reveal my identity?!". do me a favor and kill yourself and come back to life. just like everyone else who dies in comics.

the only thing good from spider-man this year was peter david writing friendly neighborhood spider-man and the spider-man 3 trailers. it may have been a great year for spider-man in the movies, but comic wise i'm putting spider-man in the "overrated" and worst category for 2006.

why i voted for superman (i hope im not coming off as a "sore looser", but spider-man has made me very very angry this year. im sure you already noticed that):

- gail simone/john byrne introduce livewire into to the comic book universe with their final issue in action comics. really the only highlight in their entire run.
- mark verheiden continues an impressive streak of good issues and concludes his run in superman. i wasn't too impressed with him when he started, but pulled things around
- greg rucka and karl kerschl conclude their run in adventures of superman :crying:. hope they get back together and do superman again
- all star superman continues.
- geoff johns takes us one year later in action comics and superman (back to original numbering). we get an indirect tie in to superman returns with "up up and away". a beter superman returns story as well.
- superman's role in infinite crisis.
- superman returns, the movie.
- superman returns prequel tie ins.
- 14 disc ultimate superman dvd collection.
- superman returns video game for xbox 360
- richard donner joins geoff johns for a run in action comics.
- the phantom zone criminals from the superman movies FINALLY make their appearance in the comic book universe.

unfortunately, there were some bad times as well. thankfully there was more good than bad. the only thing i can think of is i feel superman and action comics went into a slump for the entire summer, WTF is going on in loeb's final run in superman/batman, and delays in all star superman and action comics. let's get best hero for 2007 supes.

[Jin Kazama]

Honestly, all of those reasons are why he should have won.

Were they bad ideas? Maybe. But they created a ton of buzz. Got many a person reading. That one unmasking moment pretty much made Marvel this year. If they would have just brought back Thor, half the people would have cared. Die-hards at most. But you take a major main-stream character with a high-grossing film franchise and major merchandising and do something that drastic to him, it's something. Plus it brought people into it right at the perfect time, with Spider-Man 3 coming next year and the black costume coming back.

Be it if they were good ideas or not, they got people reading comics. That's good no matter where you stand.

Plus, Ultimate Spider-Man broke the creative duo record, which was a feat all in itself.

[Ed Liu]

Be it if they were good ideas or not, they got people reading comics. That's good no matter where you stand.

I couldn't possibly disagree with this statement more. There were lots of people reading superhero comics during the boom of the 90's, but all that the bad ideas and hype surrounding comics got the industry in the end was a bust that put Marvel into bankruptcy proceedings and nearly wiped out DC, as well as putting a big dent of hurt into Image and Dark Horse and sending other smaller publishers flat out of business.

More people reading comics is good, but it's better if they're good comics. Bad comics only reinforce the stereotype of the medium being cheap, immature, and juvenile.

You could argue that the bust made the companies hungry again, which led to the creative renaissance that hit in the late 90's/early 00's, but that's a dangerous game to play and attributes far more business acumen to the comic companies than I'm willing to give them.

However, I do agree that it was a pretty big year for Spidey, as I discovered when I tried picking cover images for this week's logo. From left-to-right, there's the new suit, with the cover of the "Spidey under siege" issue of Civil War on top and the Marvel Zombies version of Spidey on the bottom. The unmasking from #2 dominates the "B," with Ultimate Spidey-in-irons behind him and a "No Spidey" from Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in front. Finally, we have Kaare Andrews' Spider-Man: Reign in the last "C" and the Marvel Adventures version of the black costume in the bottom-right.

-- Ed

[rggkjg1]

i forgot to mention another good, if not the best moment for spidey in 2006.

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/18728/400/18728_4_001.jpg

i am still trying to figure out how a zombie version of spider-man is the closest thing i got to the spider-man i know and love all this year.


Were they bad ideas? Maybe. But they created a ton of buzz.
yahoo news had no buisness spoiling civil war #2 and putting the story on the front page of yahoo.com, BEFORE COMIC BOOK STORES OPENED!

[Stu]

I thought this was a pretty terrible year for Spider-Man. Whilst Batman, Superman and a lot of other characters have made huge improvements, Spidey has got gradually worse after the last two or so years, mainly due to the fact that Marvel keep putting him in one shocking storyline after another, to the point where most of Spidey's book are just crossover hyping or filler until the next big event comes along.

I think the unmasking idea is totally stupid and utterly against everything the character has been all about since he was created and what he was created for. The fact that Marvel hasn't really had a truly captivating story to capitalise on it is also poor. Spider-Man Unmasked - the rule book is out the window, they could do whatever they like, and they've come up with an ex writing a tell all book and some random dudes hiring The Vulture to kill him. Lame.

And the first thing that happens after Civil War is the return of his bad ass black suit, which just so happens to be featured in the upcoming Spider-Man 3? Then they insult our intelligence by saying it's merely conincedance?

It seems the cinema is the also place to see a decent Spider-Man story these days!

[rggkjg1]

Stu, i could have not said it better myself. of course, the way i said it i used an angry tone. i am so glad someone else shares the same feelings as i do in regards to spider-man being unmasked and everything done this year. after sharing my thoughts all over the place back in june, i could not believe that almost everyone i heard/read didnt share the same feelings or have any kind of anger. of course, no one is going to or should have to agree 100% with me. i just was surprised that there was pretty much a "positive" response to spider-man revealing his identity.

black costume = $$$$$$
i could careless if they are doing it to simply tie in to spider-man 3, i'm glad to see it back. especially since it's replacing the iron man suit.

[TheMecca]

WATCH SPIDER-MAN 2 AGAIN AND YOU'LL KNOW WHY THIS IS A BAD IDEA.
Because of course a movie that has no connection to the comic books except for name and characters has bearing on the comic book on which it is based.
As to Spidey's unmasking, while it may have seemed captivating when it happened, at this point it's totally ridiculous and stupid.

[Captain Highwind]

As to Spidey's unmasking, while it may have seemed captivating when it happened, at this point it's totally ridiculous and stupid.

Just like the clone saga :)

So to make the Spider-Man series work, ideas should provide shock value but also stay fresh for more than two months. [/marketing gold!]

Wow, this thread's getting alot of ranting for Spidey's special week :(

[rggkjg1]

Because of course a movie that has no connection to the comic books except for name and characters has bearing on the comic book on which it is based.
it's the best example as to why it's a bad idea. the movie constantly reminds us why peter should keep his identity a secret. regardless if it's there is no connection to the comics.

what do you mean by "no connection to the comic books"? are you saying that the movie is a bad adaptation/comic book film or simply that they are 2 seperate things and can't be compared?

Wow, this thread's getting alot of ranting for Spidey's special week :(
the last time spidey had a "special week" was the week spider-man 2 was released. unfortunately his next "special week" will be spider-man 3 release week.

[TheMecca]

what do you mean by "no connection to the comic books"? are you saying that the movie is a bad adaptation/comic book film or simply that they are 2 seperate things and can't be compared?

I mean that they are two seperate entities, and should be treated as such.

[AdamYJ]

Spider-Man Week!

Yay for everyone's favorite guilt-ridden, neurotic, existentialist super-hero!

:D :p

[Spider-Man]

If it's good or bad publicity, Spider-Man has had alot this year. I don't know how it will play out and I know I personally haven't been enjoying Spider-Man for some time, but he has had a huge year in comics. This year I've found myself turning more toward the Superman mythos more and more. I don't find Spider-Man to be that enthralling of a character anymore (I've been even thinking of changing my name from 'Spider-Man' to 'Superman' here). They've gone just way overboard with the misery he is supposed to endure and it looks like it's going to get worse. Ultimate Spider-Man has been good too but as my interest in the Spider-Man characetr dwindles, so has my interest in that book. The only positive Spider-Man stories I've read this year were either non-continuity stuff like Marvel Adventures Avengers or Marvel Zombies. His appeal just vanished this year for me but I still believe he deserves the 'Character of the Year' title. No one has been through more turmoil then him. While I find it a bit silly just how extreme it's getting he's still been front and center.

[Captain Highwind]

Yeah, the only Spider-Man I see me watching in the future is the Weisman Spidey on TV.

Multiple, engaging plots running alongside each other that complement Spider-Man's character, not use it as a crutch. Assuming it will be anything like Gargoyles.

[Ahiru-kun]

Spider-Man remains IMO an enduring character. His decision to unmask has proven that after 40 years he's finally growing up. Something surprises me though. Spidey is arguably Marvel's most popular character and the heart of the Universe, but for decades he's played second fiddle to the X-Men and the Avengers. I mean he's never been the focus of a Marvel event that could potentially change the universe. Even the Hulk will soon be getting the star treatment. Even Spider-Man's unmasking has been deemphasized and overshadowed by the rivalry between Captain America and Iron Man.

Edit: I forgot about the FF.

[wonderfly]

Sorry I didn't post a "Fun and Games" activity before now, but I fell behind, and beyond that, I've rather enjoyed seeing the debate between those "for" and "against" Spidey unmasking.

As for myself, I'm for Spidey unmasking, but that's because I've always been behind character growth. How long can you keep on telling the same old story? I know if Joe Quesada had his way, Spidey would still be a single bachelor, but there comes a time when a character has to progress...otherwise, you're just stagnating. And nobody enjoys a character who's stagnating. I see Spidey unmasking as a natural progression of the character, and it worked better than him being publicly exposed, like Daredevil...this way, it all ties back to the whole theme of "Power and Responsibility". Spidey unmasked because it was the responsible thing to do at the time, (in the wake of the Stanford incident) and him turning around and joining the resistance is another example of Spidey following his heart.

My only fear is that they reverse it somehow, (Quesada keeps talking about "genies" and putting them back in bottles)...I really don't want a "reset" button pushed.

On the other hand, there's something to be said about the number of "stunt events" that have occured in Spidey's life as of late. First he joined the Avengers, then he died, then he came back, then he joined the "Pro-Registration" movement, then he joined the "Anti-Registration" movement...GAH!!! Calm down Spidey-verse!!! What the Spider-Man titles really need is a hefty dose of stability. Instead of bouncing from "mega-event" to "mega-event", the just need to establish the new status quo and leave it alone for at least a year, (or 2 or 3)!!!

Anyway, does anyone have any further thoughts on the "Spidey unmasking" debate? What about Spidey's marriage to Mary Jane? Is it time for that to be put out to pasture, or should Spidey stay married forever, (I ask because that's what Quesada is hinting at happening next: a major status change in their marriage).

Now, for "Fun and Games": I really like what we came up with last week, (for posting your favorite "John Cassaday" covers), so let's do it again:


Post your favorite Spider-Man covers of all time!


It doesn't have to be from just the last year, pick from any era! What cover to Spider-Man blew your socks off, or still sticks in your mind to this day?

Also, here's another fun question: What's the first Spider-Man comic you ever remember reading? What was your first experience with Spider-Man the comic book character? (and I'm not talking about the cartoons...I'm asking about your first Spider-Man comic book). Any interesting stories you guys wanna share?!?

[Kolbar]

I've always been a fan of the Maximum Carnage storyline, probably because I was addicted to the Sega Genesis game so this has always been one of my favorite Spidey covers:

http://www.comics.org/graphics/covers/2359/400/2359_4_0203.jpg

[rggkjg1]

What's the first Spider-Man comic you ever remember reading? What was your first experience with Spider-Man the comic book character? (and I'm not talking about the cartoons...I'm asking about your first Spider-Man comic book). Any interesting stories you guys wanna share?!?
free comic book day edition of ultimate spider-man #1. i was anti marvel at the time because they were the rival of dc, thats it. no other reason. i got the free comic because i wanted to get it signed at a comic convention and sell it on ebay. it sat around for a couple of days and i eventually read it. i really enjoyed it and it was my first venture into marvel comics. after that was kevin smith's black cat: the evil that men do and spider-man: blue. the rest as they say, is history.

favorite covers (right now anyway, i'm sure i'll add more):
http://samruby.com/AmazingFantasy/AmazingFantasy15_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingFantasy/Large/AmazingFantasy15.jpg) http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManB/AmazingSpider-Man038_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManB/Large/AmazingSpider-Man038.jpg) http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManF/AmazingSpider-Man129_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManF/Large/AmazingSpider-Man129.jpg) http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManK/AmazingSpider-Man252_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManK/Large/AmazingSpider-Man252.jpg)http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManL/AmazingSpider-Man300_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManL/Large/AmazingSpider-Man300.jpg) http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManM/AmazingSpider-Man301_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManM/Large/AmazingSpider-Man301.jpg)http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManM/AmazingSpider-Man316_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManM/Large/AmazingSpider-Man316.jpg)http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManT/AmazingSpider-Man484_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManT/Large/AmazingSpider-Man484.jpg)http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManT/AmazingSpider-Man500_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/AmazingSpider-ManT/Large/AmazingSpider-Man500.jpg)http://samruby.com/SpidA/Spiderman001G_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/SpidA/Large/Spiderman001G.jpg) http://samruby.com/SpidA/Spiderman013_small.JPG (http://samruby.com/SpidA/Large/Spiderman013.JPG) http://samruby.com/Series/Friendly/FriendlyNeighborhood01_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/Friendly/Large/FriendlyNeighborhood01.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/Friendly/FriendlyNeighborhood14_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/Friendly/Large/FriendlyNeighborhood14.jpg) http://samruby.com/OneShots/StanLeeMeetsSpider-Man_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/OneShots/Large/StanLeeMeetsSpider-Man.jpg) http://samruby.com/OtherTitles/Marvel/Marvels0.gif http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/MarvelZombies1_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/Large/MarvelZombies1.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/MarvelZombies1Alt_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/Large/MarvelZombies1Alt.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/MarvelZombies1Alt2_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/Large/MarvelZombies1Alt2.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/MarvelZombies4Alt_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/Large/MarvelZombies4Alt.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/MarvelZombies5_small.jpg (http://samruby.com/Series/MarvelZombies/Large/MarvelZombies5.jpg) http://samruby.com/Series/MKSpiderman/MKSpiderman01_small.JPG (http://samruby.com/Series/MKSpiderman/Large/MKSpiderman01.JPG) http://samruby.com/DC/VsSuperman.gif http://www.hillcity-comics.com/graphic_novels/marvel/marvels.jpg http://www.hillcity-comics.com/graphic_novels/new_graphic_novel1700.jpg http://www.hillcity-comics.com/graphic_novels/new_graphic_novel3126.jpg http://www.hillcity-comics.com/graphic_novels/new_graphic_novel49.jpg http://www.fanboyplanet.com/comics/images/Gwenstacydeath.jpg http://www.dynamicforces.com/images/amazingspidey539.jpg http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1416527214.01._AA240_SCLZZZZZZZ_V47024765_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/1416527214/ref=dp_image_0/105-0175712-1273233?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books)

commentary:

amazing fantasty #15 - i think it's kind of sad that this is really the only spider-man cover from the silver age i like. maybe because most of the covers from the silver age related to the story and were'nt a seperate pice of art. lets see, homaged 4 times in my favorite covers. a popular cover indeed.
amazing spider-man #38 - i don't know why i like this cover. maybe because this is ditko's last issue and the cover is pretty close from not relating to the story
amazing spider-man #129 - the first punisher, enough said.
amazing spider-man #252 - amazing fantasy homaged with the awesome black costume.
amazing spider-man #300 - the first of 5 todd mcfarlane spidey covers. a nice pose for the black costume, more seperate art.
amazing spider-man #301 - the same thing as #300! but with the classic costume!
amazing spider-man #316 - possibly one of the best covers featuring venom.
amazing spider-man #484 (vol 2 #43) - john romita jr's best spider-man cover. it's nice to see spider-man in a "dark" atmosphere for once.
amazing spider-man #500 - spider-man, mary jane and all of arch villians. what better way to celebrate 500 issues?
spider-man #1 - another classic pose by todd mcfarlane
spider-man #13 - the same thing as #! but with the black costume!
friendly neighborhood spider-man #1 - a great cover to start off a new series. gives me the feeling of something "new" is coming from new writer peter david and artist mike wieringo.
friendly neighborhood spider-man #14 - GHOSTBUSTERS!
stan lee meets spider-man #1 - what better way for stan to meet spidey than on a cover homage to amazing fantasy #15?
marvels #0 - one of the few really good spider-man covers by alex ross.
marvel zombies covers - okay, there is nothing more hillarious than homaging classic covers with the zombie versions of the characters.
marvel knights spider-man #1 - a great cover featuring spider-man and foes. this cover is a good example of what covers for first issues should be like
superman vs the amazing spider-man #1 - the first time 2 icons meet.
marvels tpb - a nice pose for spidey and reminds us that he's on the job as peter parker as well.
alex ross wizard milliennium edition - superman vs spider-man #1, redone!!!
the amazing spider-man 500 covers - amazing fantasy by alex ross! this will most likely be the variant for the upcoming amazing spider-man omnibus hardcover.
the death of gwen stacy tpb - those original comic book covers never really did it for me. but these trade covers, wow!

bonus:
amazing spider-man #539 - part one of the upcoming "back in black". a nice cover to show case the return of the black costume.
spider-man 3: the official novelization of the film - the best movie poster in the spider-man film series finds it's way on the novelization! hopefully this will grace our dvd covers as well..

[Captain Highwind]

Well here's what I could find within reach:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1804/scan0001de0.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0001de0.jpg) http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1247/scan0002kc6.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0002kc6.jpg) <----First Carnage Issue, with what appears to be a Mark Bagely signature near the bottom of the first page (Although I can't verify it, because I bought it secondhand.)

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1826/scan0004jv7.th.jpg (http://img72.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0004jv7.jpg) Yet another signature, bought secondhand. I can neither verify the signature nor read who signed it.

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4518/scan0003uy0.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0003uy0.jpg) <----My favorite team-up ever, even if the background information made no sense. (Gotham City so many miles from Marvel Universe New York? TF?)

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/6076/scan0005cy2.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0005cy2.jpg) <----It's been bugging me for years. There have been many variants of this issue. This one that I own is the double cover with the gold foil on top. Is that the one that's worth $60? (I think that's how much it was last time I checked.)

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/3848/scan0011fg5.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0011fg5.jpg) <----Okay, granted, different character, but I hear this is rare

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/8443/scan0012ij1.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0012ij1.jpg) <----The original pwns joo, beeyotch!

Others worth mentioning:

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1668/scan0006hr7.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0006hr7.jpg) http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/9853/scan0007gq8.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0007gq8.jpg) http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4692/scan0008dy0.th.jpg (http://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0008dy0.jpg) http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2503/scan0009zc3.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0009zc3.jpg) http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/8674/scan0010hg9.th.jpg (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scan0010hg9.jpg)

[Xurk]

Something surprises me though. Spidey is arguably Marvel's most popular character and the heart of the Universe, but for decades he's played second fiddle to the X-Men and the Avengers. I mean he's never been the focus of a Marvel event that could potentially change the universe.
Sometimes I share your opinion, as Spider-Man is Marvel's most important character and will remain so for a long time, yet he's never treated that way in the comics.
But if you reason, that's actually the way it should be. Spider-Man is nowhere near the strongest Marvel character nor the most important in the Marvel Universe, so making him the focus of something that could change the whole MU wouldn't ring true, it would have have marketing and unbelievability [is that even a word? :p] written all over it.


As for myself, I'm for Spidey unmasking, but that's because I've always been behind character growth. How long can you keep on telling the same old story? I know if Joe Quesada had his way, Spidey would still be a single bachelor, but there comes a time when a character has to progress...otherwise, you're just stagnating. And nobody enjoys a character who's stagnating. I see Spidey unmasking as a natural progression of the character, and it worked better than him being publicly exposed, like Daredevil...this way, it all ties back to the whole theme of "Power and Responsibility". Spidey unmasked because it was the responsible thing to do at the time, (in the wake of the Stanford incident) and him turning around and joining the resistance is another example of Spidey following his heart.

My only fear is that they reverse it somehow, (Quesada keeps talking about "genies" and putting them back in bottles)...I really don't want a "reset" button pushed.

On the other hand, there's something to be said about the number of "stunt events" that have occured in Spidey's life as of late. First he joined the Avengers, then he died, then he came back, then he joined the "Pro-Registration" movement, then he joined the "Anti-Registration" movement...GAH!!! Calm down Spidey-verse!!! What the Spider-Man titles really need is a hefty dose of stability. Instead of bouncing from "mega-event" to "mega-event", the just need to establish the new status quo and leave it alone for at least a year, (or 2 or 3)!!!
I wanted to respond to this part of your post with a lengthy description of my thoughts, but I can't, because I agree 100&#37; with everything written above!


Anyway, does anyone have any further thoughts on the "Spidey unmasking" debate? What about Spidey's marriage to Mary Jane? Is it time for that to be put out to pasture, or should Spidey stay married forever, (I ask because that's what Quesada is hinting at happening next: a major status change in their marriage).Call me boring, but I think they should stay married forever. I honestly don't think anything good could come from them being separated [at least, not if the stories would be similar to those after MJ supposedly died in a plane crash a few years ago] and it would be a very bad idea to go through with it, if that's really Joe's "master plan".
They've been married for around twenty years now [IIRC] and although Peter has had other girlfriends prior to MJ, by now it's like Lois & Clark, Sue & Reed and others: for the comic to feel right, they need to be together.


Now, for "Fun and Games": I really like what we came up with last week, (for posting your favorite "John Cassaday" covers), so let's do it again:


Post your favorite Spider-Man covers of all time!
Wow, that seems like an impossible task ;) ... I'm going to need to think about that for a while.

[wonderfly]

I figure I should contribute my own "favorite covers, (some of which have already been posted):

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1804/scan0001de0.th.jpg

Amazing Spider-Man #361 is the issue that started me being a true "collector" of comic books. I had read comics before that, but they usually found their way into the trash cans after I finished reading them. It was this issue that made me get into truly collecting comics as a hobby, (and I still have my copy of this issue today).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b5/Spider294.jpg/225px-Spider294.jpg

Amazing Spider-Man #294, from the "Kraven's Last Hunt" storyline. It's perhaps my favorite Spidey storyline of all time, and each of the Mike Zech covers for it are classic, in my opinion, (I love his artwork).

Finally:

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1826/scan0004jv7.th.jpg

This was Mark Bagley at his very best, (and the last good "Venom" story before Marvel's pitiful attempt at turning Venom into a hero).

Anyway, we had a lot of good contributions this week, and I really enjoyed the discussion of the "pros and cons" of Spidey unmasking. There was also a lot of good participation in the "post your favorite covers" game, and though I'd like to make multiple people the winner, to quote Highlander, "There can only be one." This week, for his pick of favorite covers, our winner is:


Mr. Highwind!!!


Now, to make way for Week #5...

[wonderfly]

I found this online just today, and figured our thread dedicated to "Spider-Man" was the best place for it:

Peter David is the guest on Spider-Mancrawlspace's (http://spidermancrawlspace.podomatic.com/) monthly web broadcast, and it makes for a great interview, shedding insight on David's own thoughts on Spidey unmasking, the upcoming Spider-Man 3, and his current work on "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man". You simply MUST tune in, (it makes for a good time)! :)