The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Vol. 2: The Crime of the Century

The Superior Foes of Spider-Man

by Nick Spencer (Writer), Steve Lieber (Illustrator)

The Foes are on the brink as the sleeper hit of the year continues!
Nick Spencer (Avengers World) and Steve Lieber (Hawkeye) bring you the crime of the century! But if Speed Demon can't do the time, then he shouldn't have done the crime! Boomerang has been targeted for death - but what does the Beetle know about it? Is Overdrive a rat for the Feds? Can Shocker and Boomerang repair their relationship? (And did we seriously just use that question to try to sell a book?) And did you ever wonder what Shocker does on his day off? Because the answer turns out to be "get punched. Repeatedly." It's a second serving of the greatest villain book on the stands today! Crime does pay...but the Foes just might pay harder!

Collecting: The Superior Foes of Spider-Man 7-11

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

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 17, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Nick Spencer is a comic book writer known for his creator-owned titles at Image Comics (Existence 2.0/3.0, Forgetless, Shuddertown, Morning Glories), his work at DC Comics (Action Comics, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents), and for his current work at Marvel Comics (Iron Man 2.0, Ultimate Comics: X-Men).

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buddy read with Boomerang. Hail Hydra!

Honestly, after reading some of the other reviews, I was expecting this to suck.
It didn't!
No, it wasn't as awesome or funny as The Superior Foes of Spider-Man Volume 1: Getting the Band Back Together, but this was nowhere near what I would consider a bad read.

Janet/Beetle is the only one who gets her origin told, but there's also a pretty funny issue with the others sitting around telling stories about their Glory Days.
Especially Speedster's ridiculous revenge on Hercules...



Boomerang doesn't show up right away in this volume, but when he does, it's a riot.
The scenes with Bullseye were priceless! Every time you think you might actually be rooting for that turd to make good, he does something to remind you was an awfully funny human being he really is.

The last issue doesn't feature any of the regulars, but takes place in the villain support group that Fred was attending in volume one. A couple of D-listers (The Looter, and some dude dressed like a bear) tell stories about their recent run-ins with the Superior Spider-man.
I did like that last issue, but it had a darker tone to it, so it wasn't really my favorite.

I get what some of the other reviewers have said about the chaotic feel to this volume. Almost like it wasn't planned out as well or something?
You do get the impression that the issues are sort of skipping around, and there's not a super-cohesive storyline going on.
Regardless, there were enough laughs for me to (mostly) ignore the problems.
I think if you pick it up looking for a few laughs, you'll be pretty satisfied.

[Jan Philipzig · Rating 2 out of 5]

This second volume opens with an updated Beetle origin story that has potential but ends up a bit on the slow and clunky side, partly due to inferior fill-in artwork. Then regular artist Steve Lieber makes a welcome (if all too brief) return, and by the time the disembodied yet always feisty head of Mafioso Silvio Manfredi is insulting our friend Shocker, writer Nick Spencer has found his groove again. I generally enjoyed the (lack of) team chemistry and the various misadventures that followed, especially those involving Boomerang.

Unfortunately, the silly fun doesn’t last. About halfway through the book it becomes obvious that Spencer and Lieber are running out of gas, as their storytelling is now so sloppy that it just isn’t funny anymore. The last 40 pages are written and drawn by various fill-in creators—with rather inconsistent and dispensable results. Hmm, it didn’t take Marvel’s notorious deadlines long to turn a little engine that could into a train wreck, did it? Bummer, I was really looking forward to this after enjoying the first volume.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Big, sweaty hippo man-boobs”

That quote’s from volume one and it still cracks me up.

[Public service message: This is a buddy read with Mominator].

Volume one was one the best graphic novel collections I read last year. It was so funny and insightful that I recommended it to people who don’t normally read comics.

Was there anything as remotely funny in this? Not really.

Even the contributions of Nick Spencer, author of Volume One, fall short here. The first issue centering on a female Beetle is a laborious read. The other two issues he penned have some quirky moments and I did laugh out loud a couple of times but fall short of the promise of the previous volume.

The last two issues contained here aren’t even by Nick Spencer, with the final one expanding upon the clever Super Villains Anonymous concept offered up in the first volume. Even Hippo was there, along with the Bong, but he didn’t offer up any sweaty hugs this time.

Thanks for sharing anyway, Looter and the dude dressed up like a bear.

“Big, sweaty hippo man-boobs” *Le sigh*

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it isn't quite as good as the first volume was. But it's still very fun to read. Part of the problem is that only two of the five issues collected here have any forward momentum in the main story. Strangely, the first issue isn't one of them. I really liked Janice's backstory, don't get me wrong, but it was an odd choice after the cliffhanger from the previous volume/issue. Believe it or not, I actually liked the two "filler" issues. I would have rather had the main story expanded on, of course, but if we have to get filler (and, apparently, we did) this was good filler to get. I was especially surprised with how much I liked the last issue, set at a Supervillains Anonymous meeting and without any of the regular cast members. Maybe because it does actually refer to a Superior Spider-Man who is all but absent in this series. I don't mind that he isn't showing up, but Otto!Spidey going ballistic on villains is kind of the elephant in the room that needed to be addressed at some point.

Long story short, I'm still enjoying this series. It's still way better than I ever expected it to be. Funny, creative, and (mostly) thoughtfully plotted out. I'm very much looking forward to the next volume.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, that was a let-down! After a slew of bad Marvel comics, I thought I could rely on Superior Foes to come through and it totally dropped the ball. Put simply, Volume 2 is a birruva mess.

The first book’s creative team of Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber is broken up with the pair only collaborating on two of the five issues, thank you insane Marvel shipping schedule! In addition, there are three writers and five or six artists also contributing work – this many cooks in the kitchen? Never a good sign!

The main story of the series is the new Sinister Six (who’re actually only five – boy, did that joke get old fast!) ripping off The Owl for a painting of Doctor Doom sans mask and the head of Silvio Silvermane. The second volume does little to build on the first book’s story and the two Spencer/Lieber issues cover briefly what happens next before the remaining issues turn into filler. One issue looks at the new Beetle’s origins, another at past failed shenanigans, and another at the supervillain support group.

Boomerang gets the lion’s share of the main story as he begins a relationship with the woman he met in the first book, and then has to dodge Bullseye who’s after his head! The Lieber art is fantastic as usual but Spencer’s dream sequences felt a bit passé. I think I’m over the silly schtick of the series, especially as it’s become unfunny. The Bullseye stuff was pretty decent though. The other members of the team basically tread water.

The new Beetle’s origin was ok. Her dad’s Tombstone and she always wanted to be a supervillain and blah blah blah. James Asmus’ filler issue (wittily titled “The Fill In” – hmm) is three members of the team sat in a bar trading dull stories. The closing issue is the supervillains’ support group featuring baddies who have been beaten savagely by the Superior Spider-Man. They weren’t the most interesting stories and the idea of supervillain support groups has been overdone these last few years, but that seems to be par for the course of this book.

There’s not a lot to say about this volume besides how poorly it pales in comparison to the stronger first book. The multiple writers and artists make for an uneven and unsatisfying narrative as the issues jump from one set of characters to another to little overall effect. It also makes me less interested in following the series for a third volume which is disappointing as Superior Foes was the one decent Superior Spider-Man spinoff.

[Lono · Rating 2 out of 5]

A D-List character buddy read with my Shallow Comic Reading pals!




I really struggled to finish this one. Just didn’t tickle me the way Vol. 1 did. A few moments here and there, but lacking overall. Nick Spenser had some help with the writing chores and that is probably why this one fell a little flat. Even Nick’s stuff in issues 8 and 9 didn’t quite measure up the shits and giggles of the last collection, and that stuff was the high point of the book. These were really the only issues that picked up where Vol. 1 left off. The rest was a resounding MEH. A bunch of less funny, individual short stories about the gang, a guy in a bear costume, and “The Looter”.



Steve Lieber’s art was still pretty good and Siya Oum contributed a really nice looking 4 page Beetle story where Daredevil made a brief appearance. Couple of other folks also filled in a few pages here and there, but nothing “Superior”, just ok.



Hardcore fans of the first volume might enjoy this one. I may come back again to see what happens to Boomrang and the rest of the Sinister Six (Five or Four or whatever) solely based on some pals reviews….or not.

Get this review and more at:

[Gavin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uber let down.

Nowhere near volume one.

Best joke here is the Plainsman hero from Missourah...because thats how my grandmother says Missouri.

Otherwise, pretty lame, a wee chuckle here and there but way too disjointed to enjoy and Nick Spencer gets credit even if he only did half a volume of writing...

Mike? Don't bother.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second volume maintains the excellent storytelling of the first. There are great characters, fun plots, and unusual angles of storytelling.

Unfortunately, it's also badly fractured. In five issues, we only get two issues of forward momentum (#8-9). Issue #7 is still worthwhile because it provides great background on the new Beetle; in fact, it may be one of the best stories in this volume. Unfortunately, the last two issues (#10-11) feel like fillers. I had some interest in #10 because at least it focused on our main characters, but hearing about Grizzly and the Looter in #11 was a bit dull.

So as a whole, this was a bit of a let-down from the previous volume, primarily because of the decision to go all over the place rather than advancing the existing story.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as off-the-wall and twisty-turny as the previous volume.

I guess I enjoyed the chance to spend a bit more time with each of the characters to learn a bit more backstory, etc., but some of the content (like the story with Grizzly, etc.) really did just feel like so much filler.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se volete leggere la mia recensione, cliccate qui! http://ascwblog.blogspot.it/2016/02/s...

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first one, but still hilarious.

[Matheus Gonçalves · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️*3,5

[Ma'Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the first [short] volume was amusing, but this one was hilarious. I don't think the plots matter much, as they're just clever vehicles for tying together the myriad mishaps of B, C, and D-list supervillians. Watch them tackle the sexist glass ceiling of villiany! See them entangle themselves in ever-widening webs of boastful lies!

I haven't read any of Nick Spencer's other projects, but he does this really well. It's pretty obviously styled to complement/mimic the success of Matt Fraction's Hawkeye. Marvel doesn't include enough issues in each trade paperback, but if you like the current Hawkeye series' way of looking into the day-in, day-out, behind-the-action-scenes lives of minor characters, check this series out. I've thought for years that there aren't enough well-written storybooks within the major comic 'verses from the perspective of the second stringers whose limelight is constantly stolen. This is that.

It helps just a little bit to understand the basic premise of Superior Spider-man, but for a spin-off title, it really stands alone fine. Superior Spider-man is great, but not at all necessary to read any of Superior Foes.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short collection, including an origin issue for the new Beetle, followed by two issues continuing the zany plot of The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Vol. 1: Getting the Band Back Together, capped with two issues of short stories by fill-in creative teams - which, while being in the same spirit as the 'main' story, take the focus away from the true stars of this book and do not help the story progress.

Even though this book was not as fresh in concept as the first volume was, it was still fun, and I am looking forward to reading The Superior Foes of Spider-Man, Vol. 3: Game Over, which concludes this series (and I'm reading The Superior Foes of Spider-Man Omnibus, so Volume 3 is, like, right there!).

[Ryan Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though nowhere near as good as the first volume, Crime of the Century still has its moments. This second volume of The Superior Foes of Spider-Man suffers from a bit of a jumbled storyline. In the five issues included within, three are (arguably) filler issues. Right off the bat (issue #7) we get the origin of the Beetle, which, although an interesting read, takes a bit away from the flow of the first volume. Issues 8 & 9 are the highlights here, and continue to make Boomerang so much more interesting of a character than he'd been in his 30+ year history. #10 & 11 give us some more kooky villains saying kooky things (I've always been a big fan of oft-used villain The Looter/Meteor-Man...is there any hope that he can join the team??) but they really don't leave much impact other than making the first volume look that much better.
Still, I'm looking forward to Volume Three.

[John Ferrigno · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost gave this five stars like I did the first volume, but the last stories, about Grizzly and the Looter, weren't quite as good as the rest of the book. While they were well written and illustrated, I had spent the previous nine issues getting invested in the main characters, so having the spotlight on people other than Boomerang and the rest of the gang was a bit of a let down.

However, this just goes to show what a great job Nick Spencer has done on this series. He has written these characters so masterfully that I have reached a point where I genuinely care about Boomerang, Shocker, Speed Demon, Beetle and Overdrive.

Another fun entry in the series, and a must read for anybody who misses a time when comics were fun.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume gives more background on other low level villains. The same methodology applies and its hit or miss. Overall I still enjoyed it, if anything to see some of the lame villains after so many years.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only three issues collected here are the main story by the regular creative team, the other two are fill-ins by different people, which made me bring it down a star.

[Chad D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was all over the place, and I loved it. The adult humor, the hilarious side adventures of the Super Villains, and great artwork.

[TJ Shelby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second arc and still entertaining.

[Rizwan Khalil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I laughed SO HARD with the whole Bullseye chasing Boomerang Fred Myers as Fred keeps monologuing comparing himself to Daredevil while he with his date ran to hide inside a freaking church! (Reference: Bullseye murdered DD's gf Karen Page inside a church) Then to top it off he pushed his date in front of him so that Bullseye would similarly kill her instead of him. Yeah even Bullseye got embarrassed with Fred's cowardice. Obviously his date just elbowed Fred's balls viciously to save herself from the bigger threat. 😄

The plot is not very deep, the characters not much likable (as described just now), but dammit this series is f'king HILARIOUS! I laughed out loud so many times I lost count. A breath of fresh air in genuinely funny lighthearted farcical shenanigans of crime caper comedy variety like Guy Ritchie's masterpieces 'Snatch' or 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels' films.

This second volume barely counts as an arc though, only issue #8-9 had the continuation of the main story involving Fred that's just pure gold, #7 is about All-New Beetle's origin story which was terribly tedious, and #10-11 were random short stories first involving our Sinister buddies reminiscing their glorious pasts tackling superheroes which were mostly funny, and lastly non-series characters warning others in a Supervillain Anonymous how the current hyper-violent super-serious Spider-Man has changed for far worse than their regular quippy joking Spider-Man. This last issue was not at all funny, tonally a whiplash with the whole series, and simply not very interesting. It was more about the Superior Spider-Man than his Superior Foes and should have been skipped this collection to be included with the main SSM volumes.

Vol. 1 - 9/10.
Vol. 2 - 7.5/10.

[Aritra Dasgupta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ehhh. Don't read this if you came here from my "READ THE FUNNIEST COMIC BOOK EVER" recc. This just degrades to standard tropes. Well not even that. It's not funny anymore. The first issue is a backstory of Beetle and ehhh I mean, it didn't appeal to me. The last issue also is boring and not funny at all. In between, the bullseye bits and the days of glory bits, especially Overdrive one were nice. Dragged a lot, swerved away from the main narrative a lot. Yeah, no real reason to stick around I guess.

[Villain E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was disappointing. We have five issue collected here. The first is by the series writer Nick Spencer but with a guest artist. They chose to veer off the main storyline and give us the origin of the new Beetle. It's a good summation of a truly callous character. Then Steve Lieber returns to illustrate two issues which continue the story of Boomerang and his machinations. Then we get two issus in a row of fill-in artists and writers. The first story has half of our Sinister Six trading stories in a bar. The second is a couple of completely random villains at the Super-Villain Support Group trading sob stories of how Spider-Man has gotten meaner. Both are completely throw-away issues. So less than half of this book is a direct continuation of the previous volume.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm taking the easy way out and just copying my review from volume 1...It works for both.

" This series was a lot of fun. It fleshed out some of the less important villains in the Marvel U. Not that it makes them sympathetic in any way, they're still scum bags but now they're scum bags you might want to share a drink with (while keeping track of your wallet). The story involves Boomerang trying (emphasis on trying) to lead a new Sinister Six (with only 5 members) and gets them involved in a heist. Think Oceans 11 if Clooney was a backstabber and with an incompetent crew. The character development is surprising (love Beetle) and its funny enough where I laughed out loud a few times."

[Christopher Mclean · Rating 2 out of 5]

How does a whole volume feel like filler.

After a strong first volume this one is a bit of a mess. We get flashbacks, origin stories and fill in creative teams all over the place but almost no progress on the main story.

When Spencer and Lieber are on the book it still shines, but they only work on 2 or 3 issues in this volume. I'm not against anthology/back story issues but it needs to be much later in a run to work, I still feel like only Boomerang is the only character who has really been established yet.

Hopefully the next volume gets things back on track

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spencer continues his lovely little quirky Boomerang tale. The second volume is even better because the groundwork has already been laid in volume one. So I was a little disappointed to see the story stop mid-volume. The filler stories weren't bad, but it kinds wrecked the flow. I hope Spencer's coming back for volume three...

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still remains fun. My issues are mostly due to "Too much" talking. Overall though the fun is still there, some interesting ideas, and decent art but some meh story elements and boring moments kind of drag it down just a bit. Will finish though!

[Aron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent! Hilarious series, the only reason I didn't like it quite as much as Vol. 1 is because the last issue or so diverts from the main story to do some back story on the Foes, which was fine but not as good as the main story. Highly recommend!

[Sebastian Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking place during the Superior Spider-Man story arc, this is a hilarious out take on the minor foes of Spider-Man. Collectively the stories lack cohesiveness nor break through from a whining mode but taken as single issues, they are worth a read.

[Chantaal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as excellent as the first volume, but I'm still enjoying the hell out of this series.