Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, Vol. 2: Mystery Date

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2005)

by Peter David, Todd Nauck (Illustrator), John Dell (Illustrator)

As the groundbreaking events of Civil War erupt across the Marvel Universe, the shockwaves are being felt everywhere! The consequences of Spider-Man's allegiances have culminated in the ultimate showdown. This title collects 'Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man' numbered 11 to 16.

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

144 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2007

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know much about what was going on in the larger continuity when this was written, but I stumbled across this when I was looking for a fun read. The first story arc--with three different Mysterios attacking the school where Peter Parker teaches--was one I'd already read in a different collection. But I read it again because I knew it was fun and funny (I chuckled several times) and that's the kind of read I was looking for. The next story--about the Vulture, Peter's responsibility as a teacher/superhero, and how his lies as Spider-Man impacted someone from his past (an ex-girlfriend)--was a little darker, but also very engaging and still with a few laughs. Worth checking out if your on a Spider-Man kick like I've been this year.

[Saravanan Mani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Consistent and funny, Peter David finds the lighter side of the Marvel universe even though pretty grim stuff is going on elsewhere with the Civil War.

[Harrison Delahunty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A much better volume than the first. This collection provides some fun stories based around the reveal of Peter's identity in Civil War.

[Mateusz Nowowiejski · Rating 3 out of 5]

10.2025

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spider-Man faces Mysterio(s) and Civil War fallout in this collection from Peter David and Todd Nauck. With his identity revealed to the world, high school teacher Peter Parker finds himself besieged by concerned parents. Though Peter decides to resign, the teleporting mutant Francis Klum opts to use the Mysterio guise to finish off Spider-Man once and for all. Things get complicated when Daniel Berkhart, Mysterio's successor, shows up to aid Spider-Man; add in the supposedly undead Quentin Beck Mysterio and nothing is quite what is seems. The second half of the graphic novel sees the return of Deb Whitman, who has written a tell-all memoir about her time as Peter Parker's girlfriend. While Peter stops by to get some answers, the Vulture is unleashed to bring in Spider-Man at the behest of the government. Peter David continues to use humor and tragedy to make entertaining storylines no matter the character of choice. The energetic art of Todd Nauck fits perfectly with David's script, easily handling three Mysterios, the Iron Spider suit, and an upgraded Vulture design. This arc may be a Mystery Date, but it is one that you can take home to the family.

[Silas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Running concurrently with the Civil War event, this volume features half pro-registration Spider-Man and half anti-registration Spider-Man in two stories that feature Peter at his school after having been revealed as Spider-Man. Both stories are interesting, even if I am not entirely sure what is going on in places (I have never heard of this Arrow character before). The version of the Vulture we see in the second half of the book is rather different than I have seen anywhere else. Most of the time, he seems to be primarily motivated by greed, being more of a burglar than anything else, and here he is motivated by a sort of perverted Darwinism. Still, this showcases Spider-Man being heroic and that he continues to try to do the right thing even while he changes his mind on superhero registration.

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third Spider-Man graphic novel that covers events during Civil War. Well, no not really, because even though it takes place during the Civil War, unlike Amazing Spider-Man, and to a lesser extent Sensational Spider-Man, this is just just two completely irrelevant stories that add nothing. The first involving a trio of Mysterios and the other involving the Vulture, both comprising of three issues each. The story with Mysterio is juvenile and seems like something you would find in a Spider-Man Adventures comic book. The later issues involving the Vulture has much better art and writing, and is far more enjoyable. However none add to the Civil War story, unlike the other two Spider-Man graphic novels. You could skip this and will not miss anything.

[Reanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think one of my favorite versions of Peter Parker is where he's a high school teacher and married to Mary Jane. I actually even like the red suit he's wearing on the cover and in the first story in this book. So it was weird how it switched back to his classic costume with no explanation when it moved to the second story. And I didn't really like the whole bringing back his ex-girlfriends thing, but that's probably mostly because I don't like that he has so many ex-girlfriends. I don't know; I enjoyed this, but ultimately I guess it didn't feel like a complete enough story to be satisfying, although that's often what you get with this kind of graphic novel.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

So "I Hate a Mystery" is largely about 3 Mysterios fighting, which isn't nearly as exciting as it sounds. It earns some points for its fun interactions at school, post-revelation (though the Flash that can't remember he's friends with Pete really annoys me) [5.5/10]. The Deb & Vulture story is better, mostly for the personal connections [6.5/10].

[Matthew Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Read ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN instead.

[Ola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly better than the last book in the series, but still many annoying features. Just look at Spider-Man on the cover for starters... 3,5 stars?