Spider-Man: The Gauntlet, Book 1 - Electro & Sandman

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet

by Dan Slott, Fred Van Lente, Mark Waid

They're Hunting Spiders...THE GAUNTLET begins here! The event that redefines Spider-Man's classic arch-enemies, one by one, starts with one of his deadliest - Electro! Destitute and desperate, conned out of his life's meaning and worth, Max Dillon becomes the voice of the common man against the brutal injustice of a system overloaded by greed. With Spider-Man already looking over his shoulder, Mark Waid and Paul Azaceta bring you the story of a hero with everything to lose against a man with nothing left to gain. Prepare for death's short, sharp shock. Prepare for Electro! Collects Amazing Spider-Man #612-616, Dark The List - Amazing Spider-Man, and Web of Spider-Man 2 (Electro story).

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Spider Man, Marvel, Comic Book, Superheroes, Fiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Dan Slott is an American comic book writer, the current writer on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, and is best known for his work on books such as Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, She-Hulk, Silver Surfer, The Superior Spider-Man, and Ren & Stimpy.

Reviews

[Wing Kee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Feels a lot like "The Long Halloween" to me.

World: The art is fantastic for this arc. It's stylish and the art lends itself to some great emotive characters and I always love that. The world building here is well done, there is depth to the rogues and the story allows for that depth to build the world and the story. The journey through MU is a wonderful one.

Story: This feels like Marvel's "A Long Halloween", from the framing and the use of the rogues it has a very distinct journey through Spidey's rogues feel that Halloween had for Bats. The first two rogues we see were done quite well, motivations made sense and was simple to follow and it left a melancholy feel which was also very Halloween. Good choice for taking inspiration from.

Characters: Peter is Peter and so far we've not had a lot of forward momentum since Brand New Day and it's getting a bit old, something needs to be done. Electro and Sandman get a nice dose of development and reasons for readers to empathize with which is because of the solid writing.

A good start to Gauntlet and being character driven is good.

Onward to the next book!

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite good. Spider-man teaming up with people to defeat Electro we get to see a different side of him as he amps up his power and targets Dexter Bennett and whatever happens with Peter after this and the daily bugle?! That one was a good story but not the best tbh. It could have been short and not extended so much.

The next story is vs Sandman and a girl named Keemia and how she gets stuck here and so Spidey has to save her but the ending was sad and the art was okayish for the most part. And then we have Spider-man vs Norman whose the Iron patriot now and one issue was good but the other one was just boring but then again it shows Spidey showing how cautious he is of his arch-enemy.

It was a good volume and had some fun cameos and is long for sure but reads like a collection of short stories but they could have done a better job of showcasing these two villains and finally highlighting his support cast was okay for the most part but it gets boring real quick due to so many different writing voices but then again its a one time read.

[Diz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two main storylines in this book featuring Electro and Sandman do a really good job of giving the villains believable motivations. The art in these stories is very good as well. The extra stories included in the volume are good, but not great. Overall, this was a fun read.

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cool adventure with Electro and Sandman. This series has become just solid fun. Its not the most amazing reads every time, but still enjoying it to continue

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art in the book is fairly weak. I cannot believe Marvel would that to the main Spider-Man book. Especially in a fairly lengthy event called The Gauntlet. But for the most part, I kind of just ignored it through this series.

Both stories of Electro (written by Mark Waid) and Sandman (written by Fred Van Lente) were much better. I really liked how Spidey's archenemies were "upgraded" in their powers. It gave a sense of new urgency to Spidey on how was he going to defeat these villains with a new power set.

After getting to know Electro and Sandman more deeper, you kind of feel a bit sorry for these guys and maybe think Spider-Man is really a menace. Good read. Check it out if you can catch this on a 99c sale or if you are subscribed to Marvel Unlimited.

[David Dalton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a few other reviewers, I have been out of touch with the Spider-Man for years, more like 20 or more. But thanks to Comixology Unlimited I got a chance to borrow a few Spider-Man collections. Featuring some of Spidey's old foes like Electro and Sandman. Plus a bit of the Green Goblin as well.

Good stories and they brought me up to date in a way. Many characters were new to me, being gone so long, but I figure I will catch on if a read a few other collections.

I did not realize that Governor's Island in NYC was abandoned by the Coast Guard. I went to Electrician's Mate training in 72/73. All those memories and now it is unused. Looking forward to a few other Spider-Man collections.

[Aldo Haegemans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the electro story allot! The sandman story however was not Good At all

[Marko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Had read some good things about the Gauntlet series, but the beginning was not very reassuring. A couple of relatively weak stories with the first one showing Elektro as "the man of the people" who pretty much just causes chaos and another story of Sandman trying to be a father after having kidnapped his child from her grandmother. Neither one is a very convincing story and a weak beginning for "The Gauntlet".

The art style is very bad - someone left the trainees to draw some pictures and try to learn their craft. Perhaps it is an investment for the future, but I'm not sure they should be allowed to draw comics that are meant to be published.

[Μιχάλης · Rating 3 out of 5]

Δυο πολυ καλες ιστοριες με κακο artwork

[Brent Ecenbarger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this one up awhile ago based on good word of mouth and my prior enjoyment of Dan Slott and Mark Waid's writing. The premise is that Spider-Man's bad guys are all leveling up and he needs to take them all down again (that's based on a lot of foreshadowing, as really it's just Sandman and Electro in this one, with Mysterio, Rhino, Chameleon and Lizard waiting in the wings). The book starts out with Spider-Man as public enemy, the Green Goblin as a superhero called the Iron Patriot, and J. Jonah Jameson the mayor of New York City.

I'm not a regular Spider-Man reader, but it's easy enough to orient yourself in this story as the main cast is pretty much regulars since the character was created. The first two issues were decent, with the best artwork in the book to go with it. Electro is trying to fix his powers and ends up becoming capable of being a being of pure energy. He also becomes a vigilante hero by targeting the wealthy new owner of the Daily Bugle. 3.5/5 After that there was a short story about Spider-Man and Black Cat that had terrible art and incoherent writing. It was really, really bad. Panels seemed to end with no transition and it was unclear what was going on with Peter or his relationship to several characters. 1/5.

The final story involved Sandman, a triple murder mystery, and a kidnapped girl. The Sandman's new abilities allowed him to create duplicates of himself who each could attack Spidey and even had their own personalities. The twist in this book was similar to one Peter David pulled off better in X-Factor. The art was better than the Black Cat story but overall still a step down from the beginning of the book. 2.5 out of 5. Overall, not enough here to get me to keep reading the series.

[Jordan Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the new takes on some old characters. Really like the story so far, excited to check out the second collection. Hopefully soon!

[Joe Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mark Waid - author

2.5/5 stars

There is a short re-telling of the origin of Electro, then the main story kicks in with Electro getting powered-up mysteriously and becoming something of a man of the people. He then steals some money, blows up the Daily Planet and Spider-Man beats him up.

There is an inexplicable (mercifully) short story that shows how Spider-Man and the Black Cat are dating (but only while wearing their costumes/not in their secret identities?) and introduces some tension because Mary Jane is somehow back in the web-slinger's life. The art for this story is very bad -- rather cartoonish and washed out.

After that strange interlude, the next main story has Sandman kidnapping some young girl to try and act out some kind of domestic fatherhood fantasy. Spider-man tracks him down and they duke it out but, just like Electro, the Sandman has somehow become more powerful and broken longstanding type. Unlike the rest of this collection, which featured art ranging from mediocre to just bad, the art in this story was very good. The artist for this story was Javier Pulido who has a unique, consistent style that is somewhat reminiscent of Jack Kirby.

Overall, this is not a great collection nor is it a very compelling story arc. Not recommended.

[Talk Comix · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is split up into four sections.the first being a very solid dan slott dark reign issue Adam Kuberts art looks great here. The second is a very average electro got an upgrade story by Mark Waid. The story just never really had any bite, with you never quite feeling for the electro (a man of the people) storyline. I am not a fan of Paul Azaceta's art here. It's not that i dont like the style Aja created a similar style for matt fractions hawkeye story which worked well. Here it just doesn't match the story at all. The third is a joe kelly other women story its just plane bad! I think they were trying to brake ground on how peter parker can be presented. I think it fell flat on its face. The final part is fred van lente's sandman story. Which starts as a crime investigation and turns into a sad foster father daughter story. Again seemed quite experimental with what they can do with the spidey chatachter and for me it didnt work. This book is one to miss unless you are reading the entire series.

[Salman Titas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both Electro and Sandman's stories are good. To be honest this was my favourite Electro story. Electro had motive, and for once he was doing something because he believed in it. Sure, he's still evil, and his endgame was his money. But he was smart to utilise the people's fury, and DB had it coming.

The Sandman story was not half as engaging, but in the end we see Peter facing the moral repercussions of making hard choices. Finally, the cover is very deceiving since the story is not as dark as the cover seems to suggest.

[Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Angel Torres · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is fire 🔥

[Mr. Stick · Rating 4 out of 5]

"LOOK! NAKED BELGIANS!"
- Spider-Man's best distraction ever.

Spidey scraps with Iron Patriot after being caught going all "Mission Impossible" in Norman Osborn's secret computer room.
Next, a slightly adjusted retelling of Electro's origin with a special appearance by Magneto.
Then, trying to stabilize his increasingly unstable powers, Electro solicits "help" from the Mad Thinker, then rallies New Yorkers against the wealthy elite of NYC. Followed by a B-story Spidey flirts with Black Cat.
Finally, web-head investigates some murders and a missing child that might be connected to Sandman.
Four stars.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spidey has the best rogues gallery, but I wonder if writers are finding it increasingly difficult to construct stories around a lot of these characters. Why do these villains do these things? Electro could make more money stabilizing power grids as they attempt to integrate renewable power sources. Sandman could generate more money using his powers to replenish soil in sub-Saharan Africa. I get the sense that back in the day, the writers could just say "well, Electro wants to rob a bank and then Spidey prevents him." That premise no longer works.

[Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the Electro story in this, but the Sandman story was a bit strange. I also definitely liked the art in the Electro issues more. The art in the Sandman issues felt a little too sketchy to me. Like they almost weren't completely finished. There's also a random Black Cat issue thrown in this collected volume that overall felt out of place with the rest of the story that was happening here.

But, it's a good set up for the larger event that's just starting, so I did appreciate it for that.

[Juellz Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comic was pretty good. It's not just one big story, it's a collection of short stories that all tie together to form one large story. Characters connect, and loose ends are tied up. The art styles vary with some stories, and that's pretty cool. It also provides some backstory for some of Spidey's rogue galleries. If you like Spider-Man or just superhero comics in general, you'll like this one, and you should definitely read it. Taking that action would be your reward, and that's pretty amazing.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Electro story - Electro becomes a mob leader and spokesperson for the 99%. Climatic battle with Spidey brings down the DB building. It was okay.

Sandman story - Sandman forcibly "adopts" (kidnaps) himself a daughter. He has learned how to multiply himself and even turn himself into a fairy princess castle for this his daughter. Loved the artwork on this story, reminiscent of Ditko's work on Spider-Man.

[Rocky Sunico · Rating 4 out of 5]

And so I finally begin reading The Gauntlet storyline, which has sort of been teased at on and off for months with the Kraven family seemingly gathering Spider-Man foes for something big. But this first book doesn't tie to strongly to that and just has two arcs featuring Electro and Sandman and not much else beyond that. Solid fights and efforts to amp up Spidey's villains but not narratively remarkable on its own.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very indicative of this whole Spidey Brain Trust era. The quality here wavers heavily based on the writer, so you get a great Electro story by Waid followed by a very lacklustre Sandman one by Van Lente. The quality swings are expected considering they were doing a new issue every week. Excellent art throughout though.

[Chris Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heroes running gauntlets is not new territory. As I read this, I remembered Batman’s gauntlet through his rogues, ending in a broken back at the hands of Bane. The first battle with the Sinister Six was one as well, with a rookie Spidey having to defeat each to get to Aunt May. I like how this story seems to be taking its time; I will continue this reading gauntlet. Really good art.

[Grant Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely epic. Amazing fights, memorable villains, extreme moral quandaries, Peter Parker (not just Spider-man) getting in way over his head: everything you could want from in a comic book. My one complaint is that it wasn’t always clear where the main stories ended and where the standalone issues began. But all were great! Volume 2, here I come!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good start to the run, very easy to follow with the previous story. I've read around this title so that was helpful. A few classic villains, J.JonahJameson. . . . all in all what one would want from a Spiderman.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider-Man: The Gauntlet

This was a pretty intense book. Sand-Man and the Goblin, what else could happen. Oh The Shocker, crazy, the on powered up but web ahead wins in the end. Next book please.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm. Half of this was decent 3 stars, but The mid Way story had artwork so scattered that my brain simply couldn’t put it together as follow the story. I’m a fan of all sorts of approaches to the art an rarely have I ever met such distracting lines. Not a fan of that. Unreadable. One star.

[Roman Colombo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the stories in this. I wanted a little more from Sandman's part, but Electro's was great and The List was really good.

[Ushnav Shroff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why was this even called 'The Gauntlet'? Electro's arc was powerful but the Sandman one just felt so weak; like an add on.