The Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski: Ultimate Collection, Vol. 3

The Amazing Spider-Man by J. Michael Straczynski: Ultimate Collection

by J. Michael Straczynski, John Romita Jr. (Illustrator), Mike Deodato (Illustrator)

Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #503-518.

Writer J. Michael Straczynski arrived on Amazing Spider-Man with one goal in mind: Return the series to its heartfelt roots as a chronicle of Peter Parker's life both in and out of costume. Straczynski's debut quickly revived the series as both a fan and critical favorite. Along with superstar artists such as John Romita Jr., Mike Deodato and Joe Quesada, Straczynski continued to surprise and entertain readers with his innovative take on the legendary web-slinger -- forever changing the way Peter Parker would view himself...and the origins of his amazing alter ego!

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

399 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 14, 2010

About the author

Joseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

More great storytelling with the intro of the Grey Goblin, the dire 'The Other' story arc, and the big franchise-merging change where the Parker family have been invited to live with the New Avengers and more! Yet more of this redefining work continues apace! 8 out of 12.

I read the comic books Amazing Spider-Man #503-518

[Jdetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be clear, there are some really good comics in this collection. Unfortunately, it also includes the Sins Past storyline, which comes from such a misguided place that it hurts everything around it.

[Stano Várady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ezekielom sa tu (zdá sa) supernaturálna linka končí a my sa môžeme venovať civilnejším záporákom. Či už sú to Peterove "deti" alebo kamarát zo strednej, ktorý kedysi po Peterovi prebral hlavnú úlohu v obľúbenej hre na fackovacieho panáka. Stále super, aj keď Romita Jr. v polovici odchádza a už by som to preložil klasickejšími zloduchmi.

[Michael Secretan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...all I can say. There were some definite twists in this one. JMS is possibly the best Spider-Man writer in ages. Such a shame he moved on to bigger and better things.

[Muzaffer Gümüşsu · Rating 4 out of 5]

En sevilen Örümcek yazarlarından biri, hatta birincisi kabul edilen Straczynski'nin 3. cildi. İçerisinde iki büyük hikaye barındırıyor. Örümcek-Adam'a odaklanan Book of Ezekiel ve Peter Parker'a odaklanan Sins Past. Spoiler vererek kısaca özetleyelim.

1. Book of Ezekiel: İsmini Eski Ahit'teki aynı adlı bölümden alan bu hikaye JMS run'ının neredeyse başından beri gördüğümüz Ezekiel karakterinin finali niteliğini taşıyor. Örümcek-Adam'a totemsel (?) bir boyut katan ("örümcek neden güçlerini başkasına değil de sana verdi?") Ezekiel'in hikayesi aslında bir yandan Peter Parker'ın süper kahraman olma hikayesinin tesadüf olmadığını iddia ederek olaya felsefi bir anlam atfediyordu. Finalde büyük bir twist ile Ezekiel'in bütün gayesinin kendisi yerine Peter'ı astral güçlere kurban etmek olduğunu öğreniyoruz. "Aslında ölmedi" şeklinde geri gelecekse kabul edilebilir ancak bu, gerçekten Ezekiel'in sonuysa oldukça sönük bir final olarak yer etti bende. Yine de JMS'in Ezekiel üzerinden düşündürdüğü bu astral boyutu sevdiğim için akışı da sevdim diyebilirim.

2. Sins Past: One More Day gelene kadar en sevilmeyen Örümcek hikayesi olarak hafızalarda kalan bu zifiri karanlık hikayede Gwen Stacy'nin zamanında Norman Osborn'dan gayrimeşru iki çocuk yaptığını (hem de tecavüz falan değil, gayet de isteyerek) öğrenerek dumur oluyoruz. 60'ların steril çizgi roman yayıncılığında öpüşmekten ileri gidemeyen Peter ve Gwen ilişkisinin masumiyeti de böylelikle sonsuza dek kayboluyor. Zaten Peter, çocukların babasının kim olduğunu henüz sorgularken MJ'e üstü kapalı şekilde "Gwen ile hiç ilişkiye girmedik" bile diyor. Açıkçası okuduğum açık ara en karanlık Örümcek hikayesi (Kraven's Last Hunt'tan bile karanlık) ve bu karanlığı sevdim ancak Gwen'i böyle bir yerde konumlandıran bir retcon, Örümceğin hikayesine nasıl bir katkı sağladı şüpheliyim. Sonraki yıllarda pek bahsi geçmediği için Brand New Day ile silindi mi silinmedi mi onu da bilmiyoruz (okuduğum kadarıyla). Olay örgüsünü önceden bildiğim için sürpriz olmadı ancak JMS run'ına burada dahil olan Mike Deodato'nun ciddi çizgileri hikayeyi iyi taşımış (çok sevmeme rağmen bunu Romita JR çizse kesinlikle garip dururdu) ve bu da anlatımı direkt çizgi roman sanatı dahilinde keyifle okumamı sağladı ancak bir Peter Parker hikayesi dahilinde değil. İşin kötüsü her zaman desteklediğim Parker iyi niyeti, hikayenin finalinde kendisine acımama bile yol açtı. MJ'in bile bu sırrı yıllarca sakladığını öğreniyoruz bu arada.

Sonuç olarak okumaktan keyif aldığım, ağır karanlık bir Örümcek cildi oldu. JMS run'ına devam edeceğim.

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collects Amazing Spider-Man issues #503-518

This volume collects three shorter stories all together.

The Book of Ezekiel:

JMS wrote this story which features more set up for "The Other" storyline. In this collection, Peter finally starts to realize what (I'm sure) readers were catching onto at this time in Spider-Man history; the problems that Spider-Man has been facing recently are more magically-based than science-based. This is a huge change to Spider-Man's status quo.

Even though the team-up with Loki was a cool idea, most of this collection wasn't that interesting. We do, however, finally find out what Ezekiel's agenda has been all along. I felt satisfied with the explanation.

Sins Past:

I've heard that this was a controversial storyline when it originally came out. I can see why that would be true, but I wasn't too bothered by it.

SINS PAST SPOILERS:

I wish that Gwen Stacy hadn't secretly slept with Norman Osborn back when she was dating Peter, but I guess the fact that she had the Green Goblin's twin babies does have some interesting story potential. But now that I think about it, it does ruin some of the legacy of the Gwen Stacy character. She cheated on Peter, and never told him, and then the person she had an affair with ended up killing her. Through ret-con they explain that these babies were part of the reason that Norman purposely sought to kill her back in those classic issues.

Gabriel and Sarah are the names of the twins. At the end of this story, it appears that Sarah will be good and Gabriel will be bad. Gabriel wasn't given a villain name yet, but I think it is going to end up being the Gray Goblin. Meanwhile, since Sarah had to get a blood transfusion, and now has Goblin blood mixed with Spider-Man blood, I think her new hero identity and power-set will combine characteristics from these two characters.

I don't know if these two characters have appeared after this storyline. I'll do some research after I finish this review and find out.

Skin Deep:

This story was bad. A person from Peter's pre-Spider-Man life shows back up, and trouble comes along with this character. This whole story felt like a waste of time, although there is an indication that it will set up a future plot thread in Peter's personal life.

[Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume wasn't as strong as the previous one, but I still liked.

Yes, it includes the infamous "Sins Past" storyline everyone seems to hate. I didn't love it, but I still liked it, it was a good twist and it had some amazing art.

But generally I'm starting to feel a bit bored with JMS's Spider-man. I like it, but more often than not it feels like more of the same. I need some actual change, some new kinds of adventures, maybe that's why I didn't hate "Sins Past"- problematic as it was, it still was different.

I'm not in such a hurry to read the fourth volume, but i'll get to it later this year. I hope it won't disappoint me!

[Mr. Stick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Felix: "Knock-knock."
Ramon: "Who's there?"
F: "Michael Jackson."
R: "Michael Jackson, who?"
F: "Congratulations! You're on the jury!"
- two mercenaries and a knock-knock joke.

Spider-Man teams up with Loki. (Whaaaat?)
Then, MJ returns to work in Hollywood while Spidey helps the police and saves a kid.
We finally learn the full truth about Ezekiel.
The legacy of Gwen Stacy comes to haunt Peter. References to Spidey issues from the early 70s.
A bullied kid that Peter went to high school with, does some mad scientist stuff to himself. An important lesson about bullying.
Four-and-a-half stars rounded up to five.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant installment of Straczynski's Spider-Man, continuing his more mystical take on the character (with more Loki, Doctor Strange, and similar spiritual stuff than typical for Spidey), culminating in the resolution of the "Ezekiel" plotline, followed by a heart-wrenching story involving the deceased Gwen Stacy (or is she . . .?), and an odd tale of a fellow geek who grew up with Peter Parker and became something quite different . . . good stories, all around. Worth following the Straczynski stories!

[Beatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always been interested about The Amazing Spider-Man and Peter Parker’s life, so I was really glad when I was given this book, because I could fulfill my desire to know of him without having to read the billions of comics about him. I think this comic was an excellent resumé of his life, since it regrouped the most important moments of Peter’s (and Spider-Man’s) life, along with a very clear explanation of his whole story.

[Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took two stars off due to a Gwen story arch that I am going to pretend never happened in Spiderman's universe. Just complete garbage they had to throw it in there. Other than that, the artwork in this book was great and storytelling was still good. Just this one flaw ruined it for me. I'd rather never read it again. Its one redemption is just seeing Peter and MJ's relationship. It is one of the best thing Straczynski has done with Spiderman.

[Rodney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection is weaker than the other two. It ends the totem-storyline and introduces the horrible Sins Past-storyline. Skin Deep also isn’t that interesting, but the juxtaposition between the new style and what is used in the flashbacks is quite nice. The art is still gorgeous. I love how Deodato morphs and forms Spider-Man.

I love MJ and Peter’s love for each other. It feels real and genuine. 3.5 stars.

[Jipi Perreault · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a head scratcher. I feel the Ezekiel storyline went far too long at this point. I'm not sure the I like the Gwen Stacy revelation. But, the bullying story was a great one and even more relevant today. The series is going forward but also stumbling on itself.

[Daniel Farrelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the most part, really good. But couldn't give it five stars, not with it containing the "Gwen getting pregnant with Osborn" story. I didn't need to see Gwen's o face. I didn't need you to emphasise that she was still a teenager, or any of that. It was gross and horrible and a shitty story.

[Ahmed Ramzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Later issues were way better, the ancient spider story was so boring. Goblin and "skin deep" issues were great stuff, especially obsessed with Deodota Jr's artstyle atm, and the clashing of artstyles to represent past and future in issue 518 is a masterclass. Excited to read on

[Edward Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid collection of Spidey tales.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Found the story really engaging and some great Spidey humour all the way through, even in tough times.

[Shah · Rating 4 out of 5]

cinema

[Frank Jarome · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still good stuff in here, but Sins Past… ouch, what a travesty.

[_Liebert · Rating 2 out of 5]

plus one star for the ezekiel stuff, but we're out of our minds if we pretend it's just the sins past storyline that's imperfect. vibes are off.

[ferran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un acomiadament del dibuixant John Romita Jr. com toca peeero final curt i fluix a una trama i personage molt xulo.
Lo últim de JMS està prou bé, una pena que no continuara, un grande.

[Zuzanna Pietrzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 najgorszy z serii ale nadal fajny

[Harrison Delahunty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easily the low point of Straczynski’s run.

Included here are:
-some miscellaneous issues to start that have a few good moments but not much more

-the Book of Ezekiel storyline, the best part of which is that it (briefly) removes the totem stuff from the run

-Sins Past, which needs no explanation as to its low quality of narrative and conceit

-and Skin Deep, which is forgettable at best and trite at worst

The latter two storylines are at least buoyed by Deodato’s artwork; he draws a great Spider-Man. One could argue that his grimmer style is a bit mismatched to Straczynski’s more light-hearted tone, and makes these stories even more melodramatic, but at least it makes for a more dynamic style than Romita Jr.’s.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories here were all a little too different from each other. (And did every member of Midwood High develop superpowers at some point?)

They were mostly fine.

I'm not sure if I commented every time or never on the strangely exaggerated art style in these books. People have very pointed hair and very wide or big eyes.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED the "Skin Deep" series.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5
Would of been a four or even a four and a half if the first two issues with Loki didn't suck so much!
Thankfully it was only those two issues.

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 3 out of 5]

05.2024