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Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #1-4
Spider-Man: Deadly Foes of Spider-Man
Collects Deadly Foes of Spider-Man #1-4 and Lethal Foes of Spider-Man #1-4.
Spider-Man's greatest villains take the spotlight, struggling to make their way against heroes and rival villains alike! Featuring the Beetle and Speed Demon, later of the Thunderbolts! Dr. Octopus! The Vulture! Stegron! Swarm! Hydro-Man! The Rhino! The Kingpin! The Answer! And more! And guest-starring Spidey, natch!
Spider-Man's greatest villains take the spotlight, struggling to make their way against heroes and rival villains alike! Featuring the Beetle and Speed Demon, later of the Thunderbolts! Dr. Octopus! The Vulture! Stegron! Swarm! Hydro-Man! The Rhino! The Kingpin! The Answer! And more! And guest-starring Spidey, natch!
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2011
5 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Danny Fingeroth
329 books24 followersDaniel Fingeroth (/ˈfɪŋɡərɔːθ/) is an American comic book writer and editor, best known for a long stint as group editor of the Spider-Man books at Marvel Comics.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 14, 2020
Deadly Foes Of Spider-Man is a 4 issue Limited Series focusing on the Sinister Syndicate and the lives of Beetle, Shocker, Rhino, Speed Demon, Boomerang, Hydro Man and the machinations of the Kingpin - 6 out of 12
Lethal Foes Of Spider-Man #1-4, not as good as Deadly Foes of Spider-man despite having Doc Octopus, The Answer, Vulture and the original Ringman added to the original cast! A paltry 4 out of 12.
5 out of 12 overall.
Lethal Foes Of Spider-Man #1-4, not as good as Deadly Foes of Spider-man despite having Doc Octopus, The Answer, Vulture and the original Ringman added to the original cast! A paltry 4 out of 12.
5 out of 12 overall.
May 11, 2020
3.5* i enjoyed this. More about different villains than Spider-man himself. At times it was too dialogue heavy.
May 8, 2021
This book collects two four-issue Comic mini-series, the Deadly Foes of Spider-man and the Lethal Foes of Spider-man.
The Deadly Foes is a very good story. While Spider-man is in the book, the focus isn't on him. It's on the villains of the newly reconvened sinister Syndicate led by the Beetle and featuring several other villains including the Rhino.
The story grows more complex as the villains start plotting against each other and it's fascinating to see how they end up dividing into different sides. It builds up to a really satisfying conclusion.
The Lethal Foes of Spider-man is a sequel that has a lot more criminals and criminal plans at work. While, most of the villains in the first story were (except for maybe the Rhino) were B-listers, this story also features the Vulture and Doctor Octopus among many many others. Honestly, if feels like writer Danny Fingeroth had a big toy chest with all the villains in it and just saw which one he could pull out.
It's certainly not a bad story, but it's not quite as good as the Deadly Foes. With all the characters, it's hard, though not impossible to keep track of the individual plot points. It's just less focused than the Deadly Foes because there's not a clear through-line as was the case in that series. In addition, there's a big difference in the art. The Deadly Foes was pencilled by Al Milgrom and Kerry Gammill and looks good. The second story has art by Scott McDaniel and was drawn in 1993 and embraces the ugliness and exceesses of 1990s comic art. Though this is far from the worst example, it does have some images that are just yeck.
Still, despite its flaws, Lethal Foes was fun to read just to see how many villains would show up and overall as a collection, this is well worthwhile. If you enjoy Spider-man's rogue's gallery of the 1980s and 90s, this is a solid and fun read.
The Deadly Foes is a very good story. While Spider-man is in the book, the focus isn't on him. It's on the villains of the newly reconvened sinister Syndicate led by the Beetle and featuring several other villains including the Rhino.
The story grows more complex as the villains start plotting against each other and it's fascinating to see how they end up dividing into different sides. It builds up to a really satisfying conclusion.
The Lethal Foes of Spider-man is a sequel that has a lot more criminals and criminal plans at work. While, most of the villains in the first story were (except for maybe the Rhino) were B-listers, this story also features the Vulture and Doctor Octopus among many many others. Honestly, if feels like writer Danny Fingeroth had a big toy chest with all the villains in it and just saw which one he could pull out.
It's certainly not a bad story, but it's not quite as good as the Deadly Foes. With all the characters, it's hard, though not impossible to keep track of the individual plot points. It's just less focused than the Deadly Foes because there's not a clear through-line as was the case in that series. In addition, there's a big difference in the art. The Deadly Foes was pencilled by Al Milgrom and Kerry Gammill and looks good. The second story has art by Scott McDaniel and was drawn in 1993 and embraces the ugliness and exceesses of 1990s comic art. Though this is far from the worst example, it does have some images that are just yeck.
Still, despite its flaws, Lethal Foes was fun to read just to see how many villains would show up and overall as a collection, this is well worthwhile. If you enjoy Spider-man's rogue's gallery of the 1980s and 90s, this is a solid and fun read.
May 23, 2022
Two limited series in one book that feature a growing group of Spider-Man’s villains trying, and mostly failing, to work together toward a common goal that does not involve taking down Spider-Man.
These 1990’s stories show that there is no honor among thieves, and that 90’s style of story telling is overly wordy and very silly at times.
Spider-Man’s name is on the cover twice, but he is pretty much just a supporting character in these two stories.
As normal with Marvel, they cannot keep the same artist for 4 consecutive issues, so the art is a bit inconsistent, but not as bad as it could be.
These 1990’s stories show that there is no honor among thieves, and that 90’s style of story telling is overly wordy and very silly at times.
Spider-Man’s name is on the cover twice, but he is pretty much just a supporting character in these two stories.
As normal with Marvel, they cannot keep the same artist for 4 consecutive issues, so the art is a bit inconsistent, but not as bad as it could be.
August 19, 2019
This book collects two series that revolve around some enemies of Spider-man. I really liked the switching alliances between the villains and the occasional appearance of Spider-man. The first part was okay. Too much text and sometimes difficult to keep track of the relationships between the villains. The second part was much better.
I give 3 stars for part 1 and 4 stars for part 2. On average:3.5.
I give 3 stars for part 1 and 4 stars for part 2. On average:3.5.
April 9, 2023
90s marvel comics really were an endless parade of guys that looked like cable. turn the page, new cable. can't wait to pick up next week's book to meet the next new cable. woah this cyborg guy is ripped, violent, and sad about it??? you're kidding. now where the heck did spider-man go I thought this was supposed to be about spider-man
January 14, 2019
I love it when jobbers get fleshed out and this collection does just that. Suddenly, I like Rhino. The art and plots are consistent, unlike so many mixed-bag graphics novels I've read. A classic mix of cornball crimefighting fun from the era.
March 28, 2020
Danny Fingeroth's two Spider-Man series collected here don't really look to break a whole lot of ground, but they are fun Spider-stories in an era where even the Friendly Neighborhood Wall-Crawler was getting dark and gritty.
February 22, 2023
2.5* for me. Deadly Foes was a mildly interesting 3*. Lethal Foes was 👎👎👎👎👎👎.
December 30, 2023
Everything a comic book should be. A decent story jam-packed with tons of great character, wacky situations, twists and turns, and tons of giant battles. Loved this collection.
October 29, 2023
'90s Marvel Comics are a mixed bag. While it is true that they are sometimes cheesy, ham-fisted affairs, they are also often times fun and even entertaining. The two mini-series collected in this book are middle of the road in terms of '90s cliches and extremes. Sure, there are plenty of gaudy costumes (Strikeback), nonsensical code names (Hardshell), and overwritten dialogue, but there are also solid stories with plenty of action here.
Like the title states, the emphasis is on Spider-Man's foes, although Spider-Man is featured prominently throughout. The stars of the first series are essentially a rebranded Sinister Syndicate from the '80s, Speed Demon, the Beetle, Hydro-Man, the Rhino, and Boomerang. The sequel mini-series is a bit weaker but still enjoyable enough. That one basically serves as an excuse to revive many inactive or dormant villains, like Swarm, Stegron, Doctor Octopus, the Answer, and the Vulture.
I would honestly rather read this than what passes as Spider-Man these days. Plus, no matter how cheesy some of these '90s artists were they are still better than Humberto Ramos.
Like the title states, the emphasis is on Spider-Man's foes, although Spider-Man is featured prominently throughout. The stars of the first series are essentially a rebranded Sinister Syndicate from the '80s, Speed Demon, the Beetle, Hydro-Man, the Rhino, and Boomerang. The sequel mini-series is a bit weaker but still enjoyable enough. That one basically serves as an excuse to revive many inactive or dormant villains, like Swarm, Stegron, Doctor Octopus, the Answer, and the Vulture.
I would honestly rather read this than what passes as Spider-Man these days. Plus, no matter how cheesy some of these '90s artists were they are still better than Humberto Ramos.
August 14, 2016
“The Deadly Foes of Spider-Man” collects the 4 issues of the mini-series of the same name, and the sequel “The Lethal Foes of Spider-Man” which was also a 4 issue mini-series. As such, this book satisfies my first requirement of a graphic novel reprint – the story contained between the covers stands alone, and does NOT pick up where a previous one ended / drop off in a cliffhanger?
However, the overall story (and especially the art) was what I would call “typical comic book superhero”. Like cotton candy, it was pleasant enough while being consumed, and delivered what was expected. However, it does not provide any real substance, nor does it leave a lasting impression when completed.
This particular book was complicated by the fact it deals with a collection of villains who form a loose confederation, dealing with wild cards such as interference by Spider-Man, some background manipulation involving the Kingpin (in the first series) and Doctor Octopus (in the second), and the simple fact that each individual has their own agenda and minimally trust their teammates. In most cases, that lack of trust is appropriate.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a little cotton candy from time to time. Just don't expect too much, and you won't be disappointed.
RATING: 3 1/2 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not permitted.
However, the overall story (and especially the art) was what I would call “typical comic book superhero”. Like cotton candy, it was pleasant enough while being consumed, and delivered what was expected. However, it does not provide any real substance, nor does it leave a lasting impression when completed.
This particular book was complicated by the fact it deals with a collection of villains who form a loose confederation, dealing with wild cards such as interference by Spider-Man, some background manipulation involving the Kingpin (in the first series) and Doctor Octopus (in the second), and the simple fact that each individual has their own agenda and minimally trust their teammates. In most cases, that lack of trust is appropriate.
Hey, there's nothing wrong with enjoying a little cotton candy from time to time. Just don't expect too much, and you won't be disappointed.
RATING: 3 1/2 stars, rounded down to 3 stars where 1/2 stars are not permitted.
July 21, 2012
Collects two related four-part Spider-Man miniseries. Some of Spidey's deadliest foes get together and battle amongst themselves -- and occasionally the Web Slinger. Spidey is definitely a supporting character in this book, with characters like Rhino, Doc Ock, The Beetle and Speed Demon taking center stage.
February 24, 2012
This "book" focuses on the lives and personalities of Spider-Man's enemies, and frankly, they're just not as interesting as the web-slinger himself. Nice to have them all in one place, though, and to follow the storyline across two separate special series.
October 9, 2014
A surprisingly good anthology as most old collections don't age well at all. It has a good cast of characters and actual twists and turns.
September 20, 2017
The Rhino is my favourite because he is BIG and STRONG like ME.
May 2, 2019
Lots of noise, partially pretty damn ugly art
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews