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dnietoperafan's review
5.0
I've been a fan of Spider-Man ever since Tobey Maguire's films. This book was my first introduction to the comics though. I will say... I was not disappointed at all.
These issues hold up so well! I was so excited reading them all. The villains were so amazing, Spidey was so cunning and funny. I loved all the cross-overs. It was such a fun experience reading them.
Plus, this book comes with extra content and explanations. Bro. I'll literally tell everyone who is a Spidey fan (who hasn't had the chance to read the comics), to read this book.
These issues hold up so well! I was so excited reading them all. The villains were so amazing, Spidey was so cunning and funny. I loved all the cross-overs. It was such a fun experience reading them.
Plus, this book comes with extra content and explanations. Bro. I'll literally tell everyone who is a Spidey fan (who hasn't had the chance to read the comics), to read this book.
vanyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
alinaedwards's review
4.0
Reading this collection almost feels like reading a history book. Spider-Man is, after all, the world's most popular superhero (along with Batman), and diving into his origins was a real treat. I've only recently become interested in Spider-Man comics after watching the incredible sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse, and I'm already kind of hooked. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the writing in these stories—I didn't think I'd enjoy it all that much because I really dislike Chris Claremont's writing, and I thought all old comics were written in a style similar to Claremont's. While Lee's writing does share similarities with Claremont's and is frankly ridiculous at times, it's also really good fun and very light. The "feel" of Spider-Man originates in Lee's lighthearted tone, and I have to say, I'm a fan. And of course, Ditko's art is iconic. Not much else to say on that front.
Of course, I didn't love everything about the stories in this early collection. The Betty Brant plotline was tiresome, and I can see why her character was basically scrapped later. The Enforcers were lame. And a lot of the plots repeated themselves, but I think that was pretty normal for comics at this time—not unique to the Lee/Ditko team. Nevertheless, I wasn't expecting to love the actual plots; like I said, I was more looking to get into the history of Spider-Man and seeing how the character started out, and the enjoyment I got from reading these stories was just the cherry on top of that learning experience. Next, I'll probably read some of the Epic Collections to meet the rest of the main Spidey cast—MJ Watson, Gwen Stacy, etc.
Of course, I didn't love everything about the stories in this early collection. The Betty Brant plotline was tiresome, and I can see why her character was basically scrapped later. The Enforcers were lame. And a lot of the plots repeated themselves, but I think that was pretty normal for comics at this time—not unique to the Lee/Ditko team. Nevertheless, I wasn't expecting to love the actual plots; like I said, I was more looking to get into the history of Spider-Man and seeing how the character started out, and the enjoyment I got from reading these stories was just the cherry on top of that learning experience. Next, I'll probably read some of the Epic Collections to meet the rest of the main Spidey cast—MJ Watson, Gwen Stacy, etc.
quantumcrayons's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
damascus922's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Would have liked to see all 20 some-of issues instead of the selections, but overall a fun read!
ice119's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
henni_bu's review
adventurous
informative
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
aspiringorakle's review
5.0
Excellent selection, trims just right. Teeters on the edge of fully explaining the deep significance of the Spider-man villains and tropes, would be well-served by a critical essay that more deeply explores them.
anotherpath's review
4.0
When I saw the Marvel X Penguin collab was a thing I got excited about it. I've got over two hundred of the little black classics, and I think they're peerless in format, presentation, and design. Oftentimes the commentary is integral to pulling anything out of the book, or in perceiving what others may have gleaned. That was not the case here, as the very commentary meant to elevate pulpy American cartoons to the status of classic, came across as... Idk a fellow-kids attempt at a cash in.
Beyond that the book is great. I got it for Christmas after pointing it out to Zandra for my Birthday. Lol. As I had only seen it online, I was surprised when it came and was full sized. I think I expected shrunken pages printed cheaply as more of a kitschy thing that looks cool, but isn't entirely readable. But it was full sized, on decent paper, and made with a sense of quality that exceeded its $16 price tag.
I'm going to get the other five, so that they look great together, and I'll have to figure out a way to work them in with the rest of my classics collection.
Seeing how early much of the Spider-Man mythos took shape is crazy to the continuity of that character, without Venom, Miles, Gwen and the multi-verse though, Peter really still is that guy who could be anyone. I've read these before, but there's something about the early years that is worth revisiting every now and again. The other collections will contain material I've never read, so I'm excited to get those.
Beyond that the book is great. I got it for Christmas after pointing it out to Zandra for my Birthday. Lol. As I had only seen it online, I was surprised when it came and was full sized. I think I expected shrunken pages printed cheaply as more of a kitschy thing that looks cool, but isn't entirely readable. But it was full sized, on decent paper, and made with a sense of quality that exceeded its $16 price tag.
I'm going to get the other five, so that they look great together, and I'll have to figure out a way to work them in with the rest of my classics collection.
Seeing how early much of the Spider-Man mythos took shape is crazy to the continuity of that character, without Venom, Miles, Gwen and the multi-verse though, Peter really still is that guy who could be anyone. I've read these before, but there's something about the early years that is worth revisiting every now and again. The other collections will contain material I've never read, so I'm excited to get those.