Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 2 by Stan Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Some of the finest Comic Books ever are collected in this book. This 2nd Masterworks Collections collects the Amazing Spider-man Issues 11-19 and Annual #1.

The book begins with a two part arch against Dr. Octopus and then issues #13-15 introduces Mysterio, Green Goblin (with guest stars the Enforcers and the Hulk), and Kraven, staples of the Spider-man universe.

The in Spider-man Annual #1, we meet perhaps the greatest supervillain team ever led by Doctor Octopus and with the Vulture, Kraven, Mysterio, and Sandman. In addition to this, Stan Lee works in a cameo for nearly every hero in the Marvel Universe from Thor to Dr. Strange and Captain America. The Human Torch gets two: one to promote the Fantastic Four and one to promote his own stories appearing in Strange Tales. We also see J Jonah show a little bit of humanity with some thinly camouflaged concern about Betty Brant leading him to put aside his feud with Spider-man to enlist Spider-man's help. He even talks to a Spider in desperation to get the message through! In addition to the main feature, you also get some nice early descriptions of Spider-man powers and some fantastic art portraying Stan Lee at work.

#16 features Spider-man fighting daredevil under the influence of the ringmaster.

The book ends with a final story arch from #17-#19. Flash Thompson has started the Spider-man fan club and Green Goblin decides to crash the party. During the fight Spider-man hears that Aunt May has taken ill and rushes away from the fight creating confusion with many believing him a coward. Issue 18 is an absolute nightmare for our webslinger as he for the first time considers hanging them up in a story that's resolved wonderfully in Issue #19.

The book has everything. Great fight, great drama, some pretty good comic relief as usual via the writing of Stan Lee. Peter Parker is growing and learning as a character, becoming a real hero in the face of media cynicism and his own self-doubt. This is Spider-man at his best and Stan Lee at his best as a writer.

There are two minor negatives. First, Steve Ditko's original drawing of Kraven is rather crude compared to other more polished work on the Hunter. Secondly, Daredevil guesses Peter's exact age in Issue 16. But 5 months later when they tangle in Daredevil #6, DD guesses merely that Spider-man is under 20.

Minor points to be sure, but this is a great collection to own either is this book or part of
Essential Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 1.



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