Spider-Man: Cosmic Chaos!: An Original Graphic Novel

A Mighty Marvel Team-Up #3

by Mike Maihack

Spider-Man has ventured into space to return Silver Surfer’s surfboard to the space-faring hero. But what starts as a simple mission quickly evolves into a new mystery involving a collection of rare talismans that can give the owner great and potentially dangerous cosmic power. Before he can return home, Spider-Man must discover where all the talismans are and just what their purpose is in order to ensure they don’t fall into the wrong hands. Good thing Spidey has joined forces with the perfect super hero team—the Guardians of the Galaxy—to see this mission through! With the help of Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Star Lord, Gamora, and Drax, can Spider-Man save the day and secure his way home? Or is he fated to be lost in space forever?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Childrens, Superheroes, Marvel, Humor, Comic Book

96 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2024

About the author

MIKE MAIHACK is the creator of the Cleopatra in Space graphic novels published by Scholastic/Graphix. The six-book series has earned him a Florida Book Award, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection, a starred review from School Library Journal, and a wealth of sharable knowledge about sequential storytelling. Cleopatra in Space was also produced as a children’s animated series by DreamWorks Television with episodes currently airing worldwide and on both NBCUniversal’s new streaming service, Peacock and HULU. Currently he is working on a series of Spider-Man young reader books in collaboration with Marvel and Abrams Books.

Mike lives in Land O Lakes, Florida with his wife, two boys, and one extraordinarily fluffy cat. More of his work can be found online at operationspacecat.com.

Reviews

[Clara Levi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Guys, he's monologuing.” Me AF.

[Reilly Zimbric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider-Man riding on the back of the Silver Surfer’s board rivals the intense sexual tension between the Silver Surfer, Jessica Alba, and whatever the fuck is up with her eyes.

[Trevor Abbott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first two but I think that’s because the Guardians are never my fav heroes

[LG (A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider-Man takes the dolphin talisman to Silver Surfer, who tells him that Rocket (Guardians of the Galaxy) may have some useful info about it. It turns out that the talisman was one of seven given away as prizes in cereal, and together they are all-powerful. Unfortunately, Spider-Man starts accidentally collecting them.

It's weird seeing Rocket in a series like this, aimed so much at little kids. He's practically tame here.

Again, we have a very nice and fluffy story. In this instance, being nice saves the day, multiple times. Spider-Man is all about avoiding battle and just helping people out. Instead of shooting enemies, try giving them a casserole.

I think this is the end of the Spider-Man "A Might Marvel Team-Up" stuff, although a poster included with my book set makes it look like the series might be continued with Iron Man as the focus.

All in all, this was chaotic and crammed with Marvel characters who rarely got a chance to do much more than show up, but still an okay read.

(Original review posted on A Library Girl's Familiar Diversions.)

[Chaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Markkkk😭💙

[Becky B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spider-Man returns Silver Surfer's surfboad, but still has questions about the strange talisman he found. Silver Surfer recommends going to Knowhere and asking Rocket Raccoon. He gives Spider-Man and Mark the pigeon a ride to Knowhere, and then it is up to the Guardians and Spider-Man to figure out where these talismans are coming from (because more keep showing up) and how to protect the universe from the cataclysm that could happen if too many of the talismans are in the same place at the same time.

Dear Marvel, can you please make this one into a movie? It would be so much fun! I love how Maihack combines the Guardian of the Galaxy's unique dynamics and personalities and adapts them for a kid audience. I also love how Spider-Man is an advocate for doing things the Friendly and Neighborly way (aka peaceful) and often finds a way to diffuse situations and resolve things with kindness and a listening ear and no punches need to be thrown. The havoc the talisman's start to bring is much more entertaining than sinister, but there's enough potential for danger there that you sense the urgency for a resolution to this situation. And the resolution is definitely not one that would typically be chosen, but is absolutely wonderful Spider-Man uses the super crazy powers holding all the talisman's gives him not to rule the universe, but to make all but one of the talisman's be gone forever, and the one he keeps he gives to Groot so he can grow bountiful amounts of flowers. I love the role modeling of peace making and being unselfish and being kind. Even Mark the pigeon gets in on the action, seeing that a bad guy maybe just needs a friend and being willing to be that friend. An absolutely delightful space romp with Spidey and the Guardians.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: The Guardians start to throw punches, but Spider-Man intervenes and finds a peaceful solution each time.
Ethnic diversity: Mostly aliens. Spider-Man never takes off his costume, and Star-Lord is part white American and part alien.
LGBTQ+ content: None
Other: A greedy and selfish bad guy, but Spider-Man and Mark find a way to solve that nonviolently.

[Kirsten]

When we got this from the library we didn't realize it was the third book in a series of linked adventures, but that didn't stop us from enjoying it anyway. My kid had some trouble keeping track of all the characters and what was going on, but he has been asking for this book over and over, and asking a bunch of questions, and seems to really like the newness of it. He hasn't really been read much that has a non-Earth setting (except for The Adventures of Little Fuzzy), and his only real superhero exposure to this point has been Spidey and His Amazing Friends, so it's been fun to watch his brain processing all these cool new things. And from an adult perspective, there's some highly entertaining moments in here. It's also hilarious listening to my kid "read" the parts he has memorized - I can always tell it's this book if I hear "pollen attack, waffle attack, planet attack!"

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spiderman and his pigeon friend, Mark, end up in the galaxy with a collection of talismans that keeps getting bigger. However, with each talisman that is added, the power of the one who holds them also increases. With each conflict that they face, the guardians' first reaction is to attack. But Spidey and Mark, instead want to respond with being neighborly and friendly. But that is just crazy, to defeat the almighty/crazy Galactica who just stole all of the talismans from Spidey's hand with kindness? Whoever heard of that?

This was a funny and pleasant read. If you're someone who is led to assume that these comics of superheroes like the Guardians of the Galaxy are just filled with battles and fighting, then pick this one up and you'll see that is only half true!

[Kiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the silliest thing I've read in a while, which is saying a lot since the book right before it was The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza. The graphic novel format is fun - the first time I've seen the Guardians of the Galaxy this way. Spiderman comes across as a Ned Flanders type. I don't read this stuff enough to know if that was tongue in cheek or if he is always that annoying. As promised in the title, a lot of chaos happens but you know, in the end good wins out. :)

[Villain E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing off of the previous volume, Spider-Man and his pigeon are out in space. They meet the Silver Surfer, who talks like a surfer, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. They have encounters with Galactus and Ego. Apparently the dolphin talisman Spider-Man has been carrying around is one of a set which give the wearer cosmic powers. (What do you mean, Infinity Gems?)

Funny, good references, and great cosmic-Marvel influenced art.

[Charles Korb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felix review: 4 stars, his favorite part is when the silver surfer uses a skateboard

This is fine, the plot is clearly for young readers. I do appreciate how Spider-Man strives to solve problems non-violently but I don't think he needed to say "friendly and neighborly" so many times. Also, I refuse to believe the author intended for the dolphin talisman to be an artifact of teleportation in the first volume, no matter how hamfisted an explanation you put in this book.

[Randelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful.

Great ending to the trilogy. The whole book was amusing. I enjoyed the tie in to the previous books. The underlying message to be kind was included well and good for kids to see. I am happy to have my son read them.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

No Mark! Don't leave Spider-man! Another cute graphic novel. Not sure if this is the last in this series but I'd definitely read more of them. I love Groot so I'm glad he got a little part in this one.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful comic collection, would love more

Love all 3 of these stories. So much fun with all the random marvel characters and obviously Spider-Man.

Also was that supposed to be Stan Lee at the end?

[Kelli]

These are so fun and great to read in one sitting. ANOTHER!

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars = Good+

This is a fun, chaotic addition to this great series. I enjoyed the team-up with the Guardians of the Galaxy in this book.

[Carrie Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great graphic novel following Spidey and the Guardians of the Galaxy this time around.

[Leslie Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo! The third instalment of this series was just as funny and perfect as the last two. Love love love these all ages spiderman books <3

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and fun bright colored art fun story definitely adding all to my tbr and want to own lists

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have nothing but good things to say about this series. They're funny, well drawn, and a great read for their intended audience. Very well made books.

[Lucy Kirby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume didn't feel as fleshed out as the previous ones.

[Arman Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Read, Quicker than I thought it would be, Love the Art and the Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man, Obviously!

[blueygurl2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. I loved that Mark ended up being the true hero and he saved the day by friendship.

[Supernickysciencenerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok we have read this one three times since Christmas.. cause it’s our favourite so I am counting this towards my reading goal!!!

[Nic · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will miss Mark 😞

[Zach Owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story with fun cosmic chaos!

[raincoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

not a fan of the guardians sry, but i dooo love the silver surfer :3

[Ангѣлъ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Третата част не ми беше толкова интересна като предишните две, но си е ОК и най-вече – подходяща е за деца.

[Markus Seaberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty fun all ages book.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest A Mighty Marvel Team-Up and Spider-Man is in space to bring back Silver Surfer’s surfboard!


As I have said before Marvel is still not entirely my thing as you have to know way too many details and everything is just running through each other, too many characters as well. But I cannot resist these Spider-Man graphic novels.

😍 Seeing Spider-man discover new foods, like waffles that don’t look like waffles but definitely taste like waffles, or cereal. It was fun, and I would definitely not mind a whole adventure of Spider-Man going on a foodie trip, haha.
😍 I loved that, despite everything, Spider-Man stays positive, has fun, makes the best out of it, and teaches everyone around him about community spirit and kindness. At times it just comes out of nowhere and it made me chuckle. Oh, and I loved how he handled those medals!
😍 And along with him is Mark the pigeon who has also travelled through everything with Spider-Man but still is a happy bird and ready to spread some love as well.
😍 That the medals can be found in cereal, OK, it is a very on the nose kind of cereal, but you still don’t expect them to just be in cereal boxes. These medals can do anything from fun to dangerous, but together it is a total threat. You would hide them better, but apparently the universe had other ideas.
😍 That one of the medals was a dolphin and how he had to keep explaining it until he finally found someone else from Earth who got him. That made me laugh SO hard.
😍 The art was just the best! The style is just so much fun and it captures the Marvel characters perfectly.
😍 The various Guardians, a lot of them I knew at least by name, haha, I don’t know which iteration of the guardian they are specifically, but hey, the name is what counts (for me at least). I loved meeting Groot, seeing Silver Surfer, Star-Lord.
😍 Seeing various villains/aliens/other inhabitants of the world. From an actual living planet to person who just watches the universe.
😍 I loved it when the medals came together and what happens next. Action. Exciting moments. A dash of humour. And a pigeon.
😍 Yes, the humour is also perfect. It makes the adventure even more fun and I had several times I was just laughing so much.

All in all, I hope that there will be more of these books. I definitely don’t have enough even if Spider-Man is back home again. I need more! I would recommend this series to fans of Marvel and those like me who love graphic novels and know a bit about Marvel, haha.

Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/