What a strange week to write about Spider-Man comics. The nature of culture (and politics) in general looks back to an imaginary golden age when everyone was happy and cherished, and how that led to the collapse of every system imaginable over the past 30 years or so. When I think about it, I’m tempted to think so. I hate this book on reactionary principle. It’s a really good book, so its value doubles. I hate it when people rightfully point to this book and say, “Why isn’t it as good as that one?!”
I quite enjoyed this book. And while I’m glad these reprints are finally from the Romita era, I’ve heard they’re worse than the Ditko era ones with terrible authority. What a wrong idea! I was actually surprised at how much this book worked around those issues. I was expecting a sudden and wild departure, but instead it felt like Romita was imitating Ditko until the second half of the collection. It’s very strange to act as if these issues aren’t a direct extension of what’s already been done.
However, this collection was really in tune with melodrama. Peter becomes a very sad boy here, and that shines through very well throughout the book. The best part of The Amazing Spider-Man is when Peter complains about being lonely even as he expands his social circle. Even as he tries to justify his move, he worries (almost to the point of complaining) about Aunt May. Of course she would be happier and safer without her only living relative. It would be much better if she lived with a friend, I’m sure that friend would be the best person to take care of her in her decrepit age.
And all of this leads to a delicious little moment for our little Peter B. Parker. He ends up sitting down and asking himself why he’s Spider-Man, including self-hating liberals. “Do I have a crazy desire for power… a desire to feel more important than the people around me?” All the while, the family he saved is at the bottom of the page. I am happy to praise him. The lizard problem is especially fun because it leaves Pete alone for a little while and suggests how lonely and whiny he can be. Even though he has found a new group of friends who tolerate his awful antics, he still finds time to go to the corner of the room and squeal at all hours of the night. This may seem like a negative critique, but I can’t think of a more accurate portrayal of a quirky white boy.
Probably my favorite moment in it is the final page, which is about as perfect a depiction of familial abandonment as I’ve ever seen. You see, Peter is finally able to leave the house and has the freedom to perform his self-obsessed heroics behind closed doors without stressing and putting May at risk. He dumped her into a neighbor’s guest bedroom and quickly left the suburb. This is a typical teenager’s dream. And as soon as I’m alone in my room, I feel like I’m a little urchin. This is completely true to the real feelings of leaving your parents’ home for no reason, even though your friends told you to, and I can’t believe Lee and Romita really felt that way when their father was a teenager. , it’s insane.
Are some parts of this book incredibly weird? Does it make me wonder if a culture so obsessed with stories from 60 years ago that it can’t learn how to read and unfold stories today is healthy? I don’t know. Are fandoms leading to a more fascist society? Yeah. Is this book still a banger? Yeah.
This week I’m scared, disappointed, anxious, and angry. Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 5 didn’t solve the problem. Also, it was good enough that I couldn’t just vent my anger (I’m sure there are several drafts, but I tried). Perhaps this book, or the strange obsession geeks have with it, was part of the formula for American cultural collapse. Or maybe Peter’s individualism is evidence of, “No, I just want to blame Spider-Man.” Only this week.
“The Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks” Vol. 5 is certainly Mighty
Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 5
This comic has stood the test of time and conveys a sad yet modern sentiment. A wonderful time to be immersed in.
fun classic story
Romita comes in and slowly makes it her own.
Perhaps the best cast in comics history?
Stan Lee is a little annoying.
