Spider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now

Spider-Ham #1-5

by Zeb Wells, Will Robson (Illustrator)

Not a dream! Not a hoax! Not an imaginary tail! (Get it?) Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, returns to the pages of his very own series! And as if the swiney super hero's recent adventures across the various dimensions of the Spider-Verse weren't enough, Spider-Ham now finds himself jumping through time! And accompanied by Spider-Man (the human version), no less! It's the human/ porcine/arachnid Marvel Team-Up you've been waiting for! But can Ham and Man prevent the horrors of - Aporkalypse Now?!

COLLECTING: SPIDER-HAM (2019) 1-5

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Spider Man, Humor, Fantasy, Superheroes

112 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2020

About the author

Zeb Wells is an American comic book writer known for his work at Marvel Comics, as well as his work on the animated TV series Robot Chicken.

Reviews

[Artemy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolute blast, a rip-roaring, dimension-hopping, fourth wall-breaking adventure paired with spectacular artwork. One of the best Marvel books in recent memory.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a huge Spider-Ham fan, going way back to his first appearance in the '80s, so I was delighted to see him get another mini-series. Having now read it, I have to admit to being slightly disappointed for a couple of reasons... Tell you what, let's number them:

1. It's yet another dimension-hopping adventure... This has been done to death now. Can we not just have a Spider-Ham story based entirely in his own universe (like in the good old days, he says with tongue only very slightly in cheek)?

2. The final issue is just weird. Zeb Wells seems to derail his own plot just so he can whinge about how much he hates Family Guy and BoJack Horseman... I mean, what the flark was the point of that? Talk about self-indulgent crap.

3. The artist draws very good cartoon animals but his ability to draw people is woeful. Just look at the terrible anatomy on his Spider-Man drawings. Again, though, this wouldn't have been a problem if the book had been set entirely in Spider-Ham's world. Just saying.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but it definitely had its flaws. I still want more Spider-Ham, though, and the next person to call him Spider-Pig in my hearing gets kneecapped.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun. Hijinks ensue in this dimension hopping adventure. If you enjoyed Spider-Ham's appearances in Spider-Geddon, the Web Warriors, or Into the Spider-Verse then you'll more than likely enjoy this as well. I did like we spent some time on Peter Porker's Earth this time. It was like a trip back to the original Peter Porker comic from the 80's.

[Ed Erwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

So! Many! Puns!

Content warning: At one point the evil guy tells a super-horse "Start talking or I'll put peanut butter in your mouth and dub your voice in later!" That was super triggering for me.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now, by Zeb Wells, is a goofy little Spider-Ham/Spiderman graphic novel following the lovable comic relief from the newest animated Spiderman film - Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse. It is full of humour and puns, a multi-dimensional plot, and some fun, fourth wall breaking moments. Even so, it is a comic about a comic-relief character, with all the quality that might entail. The character eventually begins the feel like it outstayed its welcome, ironically (or intentionally) a plot point in this comic itself. There were some innovative moments, where Spider-Ham travels through various dimensions and through time, going through a brief history of comic books themselves. Pretty meta comic. Even so, an enjoyable, if mediocre read. Certainly worth a read for fans of Spiderman and superhero comics in general. A good bit of fun to be had, although I am sure it will be a rare favourite.

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 4 out of 5]

O Porco-Aranha é um personagem alternativo baseado no Homem-Aranha que surgiu nos anos 1970, mas que só ganhou conhecimento do público brasileiro a partir da saga Aranhaverso e do público geral por causa da animação estrelada por Miles Morales. Sendo assim, esta é a primeira publicação-solo do personagem a surgir em terras brasilis. O resultado é uma loucura, mas uma loucura com método, com senso, com muitas homenagens e, claro, com um humor típico de desenhos animados. Como se trata de um estilo de humor muito baseado em trocadilhos muita coisa se perde na tradução e adaptação, mas dá pra dar boas garagalhadas com o que os editores brasileiros prepararam pra este encadernado. A arte de Will Robson é bastante versátil versando em diversos estilos de arte de quadrinhos e de animação para mostrar a loucura em que Peter Parker e Peter Porker acabam metidos.
Enfim, Peter Porker: o Espetacular Porco-Aranha: Aporcalypse Now é um quadrinho que é, como dizem "diversão para toda a família".

[Beelzefuzz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Based on the first two pages, I was angry to have to read this book and scared of the art, but luckily all that changes after those pages and this is great to look at, (at times very creative and fun to look at as well) and it is a pretty fun fourth wall breaking adventure.

I do wish we could explore Spider-Ham's dimension more than put him in Spidey's but without the dimension hopping, I guess they never would have fallen into the page gutter and been able to see the future, which was a fun gag.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The whole book thinks it's much funnier than it is.

It only starts really coming online with the addition of the Council of RicksKangs and the Kang-aroo. But then the last issue is just a series of goofy references while lampooning Family Guy for the same. Oh, well.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like despite Spider-Ham being a one-note joke of a character, the metahumor and general awareness of the genre are on full display in this story to such an extent that it makes up for any character failings at the level of depth. The story is actually sufficiently engaging towards the end, despite feeling almost too parallel to a Ricky and Morty episode. I also liked that it was playing around with elements of the MCU, though why it never felt totally birthed from Into the Spider-verse was a bit of a head scratcher. I dare anyone to read this and not hear Spider-Ham as 100% John Mulaney.

[Qamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations to Zeb Wells on your nominated reading: Spider-Ham: Aporkalypse Now! You learned that laughter can co-exist with courage. How Spider-Ham Fought and Handled Issues With Humor and Some Courage. The simplicity of this can be inspiring, we can all remember to stay positive and keep humor and Braveness alive in our life, through bad and tough times, a good laugh makes everything better.

Love, Mom and Dad

[D.T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of ridiculousness and puns. So many puns. Here, Peter Porker thinks he’s God’s gift to his universe (because the multiverse and all that). A lot (read: all) of the humor is derived from Porker’s self-absorbedness and meta humor. If that doesn’t interest you, skip this story. But I thought some parts were fun.

2.5

[Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one actually really surprised me. I didn’t go in expecting much but it really surprised and shocked me, and made me laugh harder than I think I have at any comic before. Really got attached to Spider-Ham, he’s an annoying but endearing character that I’m now growing to love.

Anyways, I highly recommend this for any Spidey fans out there!

[Terry Mcginnis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spider-Ham's return to a regular, ongoing series is marred with non-fun. There isn't much more to say. If you're a Spider-Ham fan, stick with the original material, and if you're craving recent Ham stuff, he's handled well in the Spider-Verse movie. Not recommended.

[Jaime Guzman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't find this graphic novel as good as the original run of Spider-Ham but the art was definitely better. There was a pretty creative part in the book where both Spider-Ham and Spider-Man wind up within a comic book page in a very innovative way.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun & goofy.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5
Funny at times, annoying at others.
Don't think I'll pick up Vol 2 unless its cheap (like some of the jokes in this volume)

[James Calefato · Rating 1 out of 5]

I. Will. Never. Read. Spider-Ham Comics. Ever. Again. This has to be one of the worst comics out there.

[Evey Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Carlyle Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first four issues are exactly what they should be. Cartoonist, silly, parodical fun. The last issue loses its feet a bit.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zeb Wells has a crazy talent for turning bizarre plots into actually interesting, poignant (?), and hilarious stories. This arc is no different and I’m anxiously awaiting whatever he writes next.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loaded with puns and sight gags, this comic is great fun.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun. I like the fourth wall breaking and the multiverse.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some excellent visual gags and I love a good pun, but there was just something missing to make it great.

[Alicia González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy entretenido con algunos guiños maravillosos.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punny!

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the animal pun superhero names are everything to me... spider-ham is so fun I loved this

[Gracie Bartho · Rating 5 out of 5]

silly, sweet, spider filled

[Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is just a Spider Ham fan page now.

Not quite as good as the Steve Foxe stories but still fun. Maybe just too much multiverse hopping and meta-storytelling for me.

But Spider Ham is still the king