For the past few years, I’ve been following The Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks and Zev Wells’ The Amazing Spider-Man in parallel. So now might be the time to step into something a little different, with both active and dormant works. -About Spider-Girl by DeFalco and Frenz.
wonder
Why Spider Girl? Is there some kind of spider-like hole in my heart? Have I steadily gotten so hooked on Marvel’s Spider stories that I’m now forced to get dirty and try as many as I can? No. I enjoy the webhead, but after this stretch I can bear to ignore him for a while. In fact, I had just heard good things about this development. The new Modern Era Epic Collection line is fun to follow, especially for a series this long. Plus, I like to experiment with the concept that “every comic is someone’s first work,” and this is a great opportunity to do that. Because, although this is the second epic volume in this collection, it is the fifth volume in the series and has been published since the beginning. #68. And that’s what’s interesting about this book.
This manga takes a proactive approach. It always goes out of its way to make sure you understand the cast and relationships that make it tick, to the point where it gets a little frustrating at certain points. It was clearly intended to be read monthly, with long gaps between some character appearances and subplots. It’s a style that makes sense for this book, and it has some charm, but I can’t say I completely liked it.
Another thing that stood out to me about this book was that it felt like a typical Spider-Man comic. In fact, it has all the same qualities as the classic Amazing Spider-Man and even Ultimate Spider-Man. In some ways, it feels like they’re copying the best parts of the concept rather than expanding on it. The only thing that really sets this apart is that May is more integrated into the wider universe than Peter, who was at the same relative time, but considering she’s a second-generation superhero, that’s No change. Plus, now Peter is a part of it all anyway, so maybe that was more of a precursor to that than anything else.
wonder
Now, I should note that none of this really matters and didn’t affect my experience at all. It’s only remarkable in the softest sense of the word. The real reason to read this title is to see the characters actually grow up with families and see a new generation rise up behind them. That’s because we get to see Coach Thompson, Grandpa JJJ, and other grown-up characters. Mae has normal friends and it’s a real highlight that they are the grandchildren of Norm Osborn and JJJ.
And, of course, there’s Spider-Man, who actually gets older, gets married, and has kids. It’s great to see him happily married, and Spider-Girl really proves that he can grow into an adult instead of remaining divorced forever. Instead, he’s… oh, wait, oh yeah, a cop (the “right-wing Peter Parker” crowd is awfully happy about this).
So it’s not perfect. Questionable aspects of Petey’s job description aside, it’s interesting to see that MJ exists solely to sit with a baby, interspersed with breaks where she’s standing with a baby in her arms. It’s a shame. They’re clearly not the main characters, so it’s not a big deal. You might be able to play with the idea that the tedium is purposefully done to make following Mei more interesting, and in that sense it’s very successful. And importantly, she’s really funny! I like her struggles and how they intersect with her normal life and her superhero life. There’s a reason this is a classic format, and it really fits.
It was a little strange to start reading from volume 5, but it’s still a solid manga, and I’m looking forward to reading it all (eventually). It has everything you need in a great Spider-Man comic, and then some. It may take some adjusting to get used to this comic, which explains its content every 24 pages, but it’s hard to point out a better problem.
“Spider-Girl Modern Era Epic Collection: Belief” is another classic Spider comic
Spider Girl Modern Era Epic Collection: Keeping the Faith
It has everything you need in a great Spider-Man comic, and then some. It may take some adjusting to get used to this comic, which explains its content every 24 pages, but it’s hard to point out a better problem.
May is so fun to follow
The long history of the Marvel Universe feels so fresh right now.
Maybe you could explain it less
