Spider-Man Confidential: From Comic Icon to Hollywood Hero

by Edward Gross

For four decades, Spider-Man has enthralled fans of his comic books and television show. Now, step inside the story behind the superheroes growing empire, which is as fascinating as any of his adventures. Entertainment writer Edward Gross tells all in this first unauthorized history of the Spider-Man (a.k.a. webslinger), his creator, and the movie that will catapult him into the public eye. Gross shows how Stan Lees frustration as a comic book artist spawned the creation of a revolutionary comic book hero as he follows Spider-Mans popularity through the 60s and 70s. He provides Spider-Mans fans with a riveting biography of the superhero, a rogues gallery of archenemies, and a behind-the-scenes episode guide to all five television series. Spider-Man is back and this fact-filled, fully illustrated book will become the perfect resource for his millions of fans.

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

About the author

Edward Gross is a veteran entertainment journalist who took his childhood passion for film and television and turned it into a career. As a student at Hofstra University, while most of the staff of The New Voice was interviewing the likes of student senators and faculty members, he was speaking to people like playwright Neil Simon (awarded an honorary degree by the school), Curtis Sliwa of New York’s Guardian Angels, Dr. Daniel Schwartz, the police psychiatrist who interviewed both David Berkowitz and Mark David Chapman; and James Bond director John Glen. Early on he sold pieces to New York Nightlife, Starlog and Filmfax magazines and was on his way.
Over the years he would not only become a correspondent for Starlog, but part of the editorial staff of Fangoria, Cinefantastique, SFX, Cinescape, Sci-Fi Now, Not of This Earth, RetroVision, Life Story, Movie Magic, Film Fantasy and TV Magic. Online he was Executive Editor, US for Empire Online, Film and TV Editor at Closer Weekly, Life & Style, and In Touch Weekly, and Nostalgia Editor for DoYouRemember? Currently he is senior editor at Geek magazine, and editor and podcast host for Voices from Krypton (devoted to the superhero genre), TV RetroVision (classic television) and Vampires and Slayers (the name says it all).
In addition to the oral history books he’s written with Mark A. Altman, Gross’ other titles include Secret File: The Making of a Wiseguy and The Unofficial 25th Anniversary Odd Couple Companion; X-Files Confidential; Spider-Man Confidential; Planet of the Apes Revisited with Joe Russo and Larry Landsman; Rocky: The Ultimate Guide; and Stargate: SG1 — In Their Own Words.

Reviews

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Gross traces Spider-Man from his birth at Marvel through his handling by different writers and artists to his various TV and movie appearances (including a detailed breakdown of how the 1990 James Cameron Spider-film fell through). Not deep, but a good overview, even including obscurities such as a 1970s Japanese adaptation.

[Michael P. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This should have been better book. It is a history of the character in comics, novels, television and movies, and has information for the casually curious. There is little depth or analysis, and no context of the character's place in the bigger world. Since there is little art, the author does not illustrate his points. Readers cannot “see” it for themselves. A let down on every level, but an extra star for the facts it does include.