The Spectacular Spider-Man, Vol. 3: Here There Be Monsters

The Spectacular Spider-Man (2003) (Collected Editions)

by Paul Jenkins, Damion Scott (Illustrator)

He's struggled for years to control the coiled reptile that dwells deep within his heart. But now, at the end of his rope, one bad day will change Dr. Curt Connors' life forever -- and the Lizard will stalk the streets once more As Connors' self-destructive behavior escalates, Spider-Man must try to corral his out-of-control friend. But the Lizard may force the wall-crawler to kill, rather than cure Plus: On a rooftop in the Bronx sits a sad handicapped man. A prisoner of his own crippled body, how will a battle between the wall-crawler and Morbius, the Living Vampire, change his life?

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

112 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

About the author

Paul Jenkins is a British comic book writer. He has had much success crossing over into the American comic book market. Primarily working for Marvel Comics, he has had a big part shaping the characters of the company over the past decade.

Reviews

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Paul Jenkins scripted Spider-Man/ Lizard tale is actually pretty, though it loses its way slightly towards the end. Jenkins premise, that Curt Connors has actually been in control of the Lizard all along, not a victim of the change as previously thought, is a nice twist.
Jenkins actually writes Connors probably the best he has ever been written, giving him a almost Shakespearean sadness and a whole lot of humanity, but the novelty wears off a little by the end as standard fisticuffs ensue.
The stylised art is very marmite, you’ll love it or hate it, I actually enjoyed it.
The bonus, painted tale is also very nice. Simple, but with a nice message.
Not a classic, but a solid read.

[luciddreamer99 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't like the Lizard story that takes up most of this volume. Quite a retcon for the Lizard that I hope doesn't stick. Curt Connors always seemed a noble character, but he regresses to a thug in this story. The last story with painted art about a disabled man witnessing a Spider-Man fight isn't bad. I might recommend that story, but not the rest.

[Lillian Francis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizard story
Much preferred the art here to the Ramos art of the previous issue. I enjoyed this although the ending was bittersweet.
Final issue. An interesting look at life through the lens of a disabled boy and how his existence overlaps with Spider-man's. A painted issue. The art suited the story but personally I don't like this style for Cape Stories.

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

I'm liking the way the art is going in this one, and the Curt Conners/Lizard storyline is good, even if the ending feels a bit off from the rest of the story arc. Not a terrible Spidey story, but not my favorite.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first four issues with Connors was pretty forgettable, but the last issue was a standalone told from the perspective of a young man with palsy who cannot speak or move. It was very human and touching, and the art from Paolo Rivera was fantastic.

[Mickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably the best of Jenkins' run so far. His take on the Lizard is an interesting one and he strikes the somber tone of the story well. The final issue, a standalone, is also nice.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another really solid read. The psychology with the Lizard was really interesting to read, and the art/story of the final comic was really powerful.

[Otto René · Rating 4 out of 5]

De locos, 8/10

[Matt Shaqfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became a fan of Damien Scott's art during his run on BATGIRL for DC. He's just great at doing these insane perspectives, which was cool to see on SPidey, but at the same time a lot of his art looks really rushed here-- which is a shame.

This trade collects the 3 issue Lizard storyline (Paul Jenkins/Scott) and a stand-alone, all-painted issue (Jenkins/Paolo Rivera). The painted story was kind of a bold move-- focusing on a guy with cerebral palsy who likes to hang out on the roof top looking out over the city. One night he gets to witness a showdown between Spidey and Morbius, and then some...

What sucks is that that issue was probably really underrated when it came out, and has since gotten lost in the mix.

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story featuring Spider-man and the Lizard. Not one I liked very much. And I really don't like the drawings much either. Seems the figures are off somehow.

Second story was very interesting indeed. Rather liked that one.

[Adam Gutschenritter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a huge spiderman fan and this comic never hooked or impressed me.

[James Piazza · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent Lizard story. Curt Connors is a pretty tragic character to some degree. I really really liked the end comic about the kid with palsy though.