Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up, Vol. 5

Marvel Masterworks: Marvel Team-Up #5

by Bill Mantlo (Writer), Sal Buscema (Penciller)

MARVEL TEAM-UP goes all timey-wimey as Spider-Man takes a bicentennial journey through America's past, present and futures! When the man behind the Salem witch trials pulls the Scarlet Witch and the Vision back in time, Spidey gets dragged along for the ride. Doctor Doom doesn't cotton to people messing with his time platform. He enters the fray as the Dark Rider emerges as the true menace. Then, it's off to the dystopian futures of Killraven and Deathlok before landing back in the 20th century for a crossover co-starring the Thing. Finally, Spidey, Iron Man and Doctor Strange join against the Wraith in a saga that features he debut of tough-as-nails NYPD captain and Marvel mainstay Jean DeWolff . COLLECTING: MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) 41-52, MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) 17, MIGHTY MARVEL BICENTENNIAL CALENDAR 1976 AND MATERIAL FROM MARVEL TREASURYEDITION (1974) 9 & 13

Genres: Comics, Comic Book, Spider Man

304 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1976

About the author

William Timothy Mantlo is an American comic book writer, primarily at Marvel Comics.
(source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this volume sees Spidey bouncing around the timestream courtesy of first a hex from the Scarlet Witch and then Dr. Doom’s malfunctioning time platform.

His first destination is the Salem witch trials, where he bumps into Cotton Mather among others. The Vision and Moondragon end up joining Spidey and Wanda in the past.

Spidey (sans the trio of Avengers) then ends up in two dystopian alternate futures; first it’s off to Killraven’s backyard and then Deathlok’s.

Pete gets back to his own time just in time to help the Thing fight Basilisk and then faces off against the Wraith with some help from Iron Man and Dr. Strange.

Quite a packed book then. This volume sees the Marvel Team-Up book return to multi-part stories after a long stretch of done-in-one issues. Unfortunately, the quality of the stories varies wildly, despite all but one of them being written by the same writer.

The artwork isn’t even that good, which surprised me as it’s all pencilled by Sal Buscema; normally a favourite of mine. I can only conclude that Mike Esposito’s inks really don’t suit Sal’s pencils. A shame.

My next book: William Blake

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is primarily two larger story arcs. I have to say the first didn't interest me much. Just something about it felt really cheesy. The second arc was intriguing and had a slightly different perspective on the villain Also was surprised at the appearance of Captain Jean DeWolf and a couple opportunities to remark on women in the workplace.

[MoonKnight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun fistful of tales with Spidey! Nuff said!

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was initially pretty unsure about Bill Mantlo taking over Marvel Team-Up. His run begins with a Doctor Who-esque time travel arc that didn't quite succeed but then he redeems himself with the introduction of Jean deWolff, resulting in an arc that feels for the first time like a real Spider-Man plot rather than just a throw-away team-up. It provides a pretty good argument for why Marvel Team-Up shouldn't be overlooked when reading Spider-Man.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Mantlo was the writer for Marvel Team-Up during this time. Just about everything Mantlo ever wrote is fun and that is especially evident here. Highlights in this volume include Spider Man's time travel epic, first back to the Salem witch trials and then forward to not one--but two dystopian futures, where he teams up with Deathlok and Killraven respectively. Later, there is a four part tale that introduces us to tough Lady police captain Jean Dewolff, who go on to be a strong recurring character in Spidey's solo titles. Sal Buscema's art work shines throughout.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many superheros.

Good color artwork. Plenty of value in this one. Double sized Christmas special in back. The de wolf family history.

[Kris Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun stuff. Bronze Age Marvel can be goofy at times but it's a lot of fun.