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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #7
The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 3: Until the Stars Turn Cold
J. Michael Straczynski, well known to sci-fi fans, continues his critically acclaimed run on Marvel Comics' flagship title as Doctor Octopus returns to torment the world-famous wall-crawler. Feeling as though he bears the weight of the world on his shoulders, Peter Parker struggles to balance his personal life and fledgling career as a high-school teacher with his heroic responsibilities as the Amazing Spider-Man.
Collects:
- Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #40-#45
Collects:
- Amazing Spider-Man (Vol. 2) #40-#45
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
10 people are currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Straczynski
1,371 books1,277 followersJoseph 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 10, 2022
The third volume of The Amazing Spider-Man is another fine addition to the wonderful series by JMS and JRJ. The story gets more personal as it deals with Peter trying to mend his relationship with Mary Jane, and Aunt May serves as an amazing supporting character. JRJ's art is still decent, but it feels as though it as taken a step down as compared to the previous 2 volumes.
September 10, 2018
After saving the homeless kids seen in vol.2 Peter does like Frankie to try and reconcile with MJ. Doc Ock and a wanna-be baddie happen to be in L.A. at the same time. The ol' Parker's luck, right?
There's action. There's humor- some very funny lines even. There's emotion.
But honestly I don't care that much for the soapy romance of Pete and MJ. If not for Straczinski's good sense of characters and dialogues the same plot would simply have bored me to death.
A decent snack while waiting for the main course.
There's action. There's humor- some very funny lines even. There's emotion.
But honestly I don't care that much for the soapy romance of Pete and MJ. If not for Straczinski's good sense of characters and dialogues the same plot would simply have bored me to death.
A decent snack while waiting for the main course.
October 29, 2020
Another great volume by JMS. This time we pick up with The Shade and how he has been abducting children and so Pete has to save one of his students Jennifer who also gets caught in it. And the way he soles it is quite unique. It involves astral plane and Dr Strange and fun cameos. But the real deal is the growing tension between MJ and Pete. To make things right he has to go to LA where MJ is becoming an actor apparently. Also the 2nd story is a new man named Carlyle who has made a similar technology as of Doc Ock and its upto Pete and Dr Octopus to save the day and how MJ and Aunt may and her shoot is involved is quite fun. The 2nd story makes you feel for them and this Carlyle guy is a menace and we also see now that Aunt may knows how its impacting her seeing her nephew fight. The art is incredible and pretty easy to follow!
March 22, 2020
Předchozí dvě volumka se snažily o dospělý a vážně příběh, zde převažuje hlavně komediální stránka. A ničemu to nevadí, protože ten humor fakt funguje a paralela kdy MJ řeší, že bude hrát filmovou přítelkyni superhrdiny je fantastická. Jen ta linka s Dr. Octopusem mě prostě nebavila.
January 31, 2025
"i don't need any promises, mj. i'll wait for you as long as you need. or until the stars turn cold and fall from the sky. whichever comes first."
jrjr cannot draw mj half the time but by god can jms write a fantastic mj.
4.5 stars (read in single issues)
jrjr cannot draw mj half the time but by god can jms write a fantastic mj.
4.5 stars (read in single issues)
March 24, 2017
A lot of humour and character development are the order of the day.
World: The art is great. Romita Jr. really shines this arc with the characters and also the backgrounds. The world building is also solid with an emphasis on character development. Good stuff.
Story: Two solid stories that are very standard for Spidey. The highlight is the character development and Peter balancing his life. The stakes are high here and the story moves very fast but does not skip the quiet moments which were great. Solid.
Characters: Taking care of the MJ/Peter relationship was good and this is a good step at moving it towards something more. May was good and more time with her was great. It's awesome.
Good solid read.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is great. Romita Jr. really shines this arc with the characters and also the backgrounds. The world building is also solid with an emphasis on character development. Good stuff.
Story: Two solid stories that are very standard for Spidey. The highlight is the character development and Peter balancing his life. The stakes are high here and the story moves very fast but does not skip the quiet moments which were great. Solid.
Characters: Taking care of the MJ/Peter relationship was good and this is a good step at moving it towards something more. May was good and more time with her was great. It's awesome.
Good solid read.
Onward to the next book!
July 9, 2016
I thought this one was a pretty clever transition back to a superhero Spider-Man story while still dealing with Peter's personal life issues. Takes place in Los Angeles at the end, some funny stuff.
April 30, 2020
Straczynski kontynuuje swoją historię, która tym razem w moim zdaniu jest palce lizać i to bez popcornu...
Piję w tym momencie do kapitalnej, całkowicie pobocznej sceny, kiedy jakiś randomowy chłopak wychodzi z jedzonkiem na balkon, a tu akurat po ściance spaceruje sobie Spider-man. Co miał zrobić? Pewnie, że się podzielił. A gdy przyszła dziewczyna i chciała troszkę zakąsić, to już nic nie zostało. Takie drobne, rodzajowe scenki są tutaj w większej liczbie i stanowią o sile omawianego tytułu. Są śmieszne i "coś" robią. Składają się na mit Pajęczaka i odzwierciedlają jego charakter. To taki śmieszek, który jednak maskuje pod kostiumem całą masę personalnych problemów. Całość sprawiała, że dosłownie chłonąłem ten tom, mając frajdę praktycznie z każdej strony. A tak bywa bardzo rzadko (nie wiem, może to mój zły dobór "repertuaru").
Autor kontynuuje wątek zniknięć nastoletnich narkomanów i innych młodych gniewnych, których życiem nikt się nie interesuje. Tyle, że sprawa ma dość mistyczny podkład, bowiem Pajęczak dosyć szybko przekonuje się, iż niejakiego Shade'a nie da się obić w tradycyjny sposób. W obliczu bycia bezradnym postanawia zgłosić się do mistrza sztuk tajemnych, Dr. Strange'a... Sceny pomiędzy tą dwójką są czystym złotem. Zanotowałem tylko jeden minus. Mianowicie zakończenie historii jest zbyt pośpieszne. Jasne, nie zależy mi na rozwlekaniu pojedynku jak w Dragon Ball, ale... Też pochodzenie mocy antagonisty wydawało mi się naciągane.
Druga część tomu skupia się na relacjach Petera z M.J. Chłopak postawia zawalczyć o zagrożone małżeństwo, ale kobieta marzy całkowicie o czymś innym, niż bycie dziewczyną superbohatera. Wypada to dość realistycznie, bowiem każdy ma prawo do realizacji swoich marzeń, a bycie ze Spider-manem wiąże się ciągle z jego absencją, więc Mary Jane ma prawo czuć się samotna i chcieć jakichś zmian. Tym bardziej, że jej kariera też zaczyna nabierać rozpędu, choć miałem wrażenie, że producentom chodzi o inne jej walory, niekoniecznie aktorskie...
A gdzieś tam w tle batalię toczy dr Otto Octavius z pewnym młodzikiem, który w oparciu o jego podrasowaną technologię wykorzystuje cztery macki na własny użytek, oczywiście dając upust swoim skryty żądzom, w tym przypadku napad na bank i szukanie zakładników. Akurat tutaj boli ten cały schematyzm, bo kto w takiej sytuacji mógłby zostać porwany? Także kadry "pod gruzami" były czerstwe. Reszta jest fantastyczna, a Romita Jr. ponownie zrobił kawał dobrej roboty, udowadniając że nie daleko pada jabłko do jabłoni i syn chyba nawet przerósł ojca. Ale tak powinno być. Trzeci tom jest fantastyczny i z czystym sercem daje 4.5/5. Naprawdę warto go mieć.
Piję w tym momencie do kapitalnej, całkowicie pobocznej sceny, kiedy jakiś randomowy chłopak wychodzi z jedzonkiem na balkon, a tu akurat po ściance spaceruje sobie Spider-man. Co miał zrobić? Pewnie, że się podzielił. A gdy przyszła dziewczyna i chciała troszkę zakąsić, to już nic nie zostało. Takie drobne, rodzajowe scenki są tutaj w większej liczbie i stanowią o sile omawianego tytułu. Są śmieszne i "coś" robią. Składają się na mit Pajęczaka i odzwierciedlają jego charakter. To taki śmieszek, który jednak maskuje pod kostiumem całą masę personalnych problemów. Całość sprawiała, że dosłownie chłonąłem ten tom, mając frajdę praktycznie z każdej strony. A tak bywa bardzo rzadko (nie wiem, może to mój zły dobór "repertuaru").
Autor kontynuuje wątek zniknięć nastoletnich narkomanów i innych młodych gniewnych, których życiem nikt się nie interesuje. Tyle, że sprawa ma dość mistyczny podkład, bowiem Pajęczak dosyć szybko przekonuje się, iż niejakiego Shade'a nie da się obić w tradycyjny sposób. W obliczu bycia bezradnym postanawia zgłosić się do mistrza sztuk tajemnych, Dr. Strange'a... Sceny pomiędzy tą dwójką są czystym złotem. Zanotowałem tylko jeden minus. Mianowicie zakończenie historii jest zbyt pośpieszne. Jasne, nie zależy mi na rozwlekaniu pojedynku jak w Dragon Ball, ale... Też pochodzenie mocy antagonisty wydawało mi się naciągane.
Druga część tomu skupia się na relacjach Petera z M.J. Chłopak postawia zawalczyć o zagrożone małżeństwo, ale kobieta marzy całkowicie o czymś innym, niż bycie dziewczyną superbohatera. Wypada to dość realistycznie, bowiem każdy ma prawo do realizacji swoich marzeń, a bycie ze Spider-manem wiąże się ciągle z jego absencją, więc Mary Jane ma prawo czuć się samotna i chcieć jakichś zmian. Tym bardziej, że jej kariera też zaczyna nabierać rozpędu, choć miałem wrażenie, że producentom chodzi o inne jej walory, niekoniecznie aktorskie...
A gdzieś tam w tle batalię toczy dr Otto Octavius z pewnym młodzikiem, który w oparciu o jego podrasowaną technologię wykorzystuje cztery macki na własny użytek, oczywiście dając upust swoim skryty żądzom, w tym przypadku napad na bank i szukanie zakładników. Akurat tutaj boli ten cały schematyzm, bo kto w takiej sytuacji mógłby zostać porwany? Także kadry "pod gruzami" były czerstwe. Reszta jest fantastyczna, a Romita Jr. ponownie zrobił kawał dobrej roboty, udowadniając że nie daleko pada jabłko do jabłoni i syn chyba nawet przerósł ojca. Ale tak powinno być. Trzeci tom jest fantastyczny i z czystym sercem daje 4.5/5. Naprawdę warto go mieć.
October 19, 2021
This was a real mixed bag. There are two primary stories here, one of which I really enjoyed and one of which I rather hated.
The good was Doc Ock getting his robot appendages stolen by a tech ceo and upgraded for the 21st century. The new Doc Ock robs a bank and then gets into a fight with Octavious who wants revenge. This was a really good Doc Ock story, a fantastic characterisation of the classic foe and a great fast paced action story.
The bad was Peter going to LA to try and reconcile with Mary Jane on her latest film set “The Amazing Lobster-Man”. The writing here was filled was gross and corny jokes about Hollywood life. It felt like the jokes were aimed at sleazy exectives and producers, yet somehow Mary Jane was still in lingerie for readers to ogle at the whole time. Very much having its cake and eating it too.
On top of that Peter and Mary Janes relationship in the 90’s and 2000’s was messy as all hell and it makes it hard to take them seriously through all the melodrama. I much prefer how they are written in more modern stories personally.
So yeah, a real mixed bag. A fun Doc Ock story hidden behind a cringy and boring LA Hollywood story.
The good was Doc Ock getting his robot appendages stolen by a tech ceo and upgraded for the 21st century. The new Doc Ock robs a bank and then gets into a fight with Octavious who wants revenge. This was a really good Doc Ock story, a fantastic characterisation of the classic foe and a great fast paced action story.
The bad was Peter going to LA to try and reconcile with Mary Jane on her latest film set “The Amazing Lobster-Man”. The writing here was filled was gross and corny jokes about Hollywood life. It felt like the jokes were aimed at sleazy exectives and producers, yet somehow Mary Jane was still in lingerie for readers to ogle at the whole time. Very much having its cake and eating it too.
On top of that Peter and Mary Janes relationship in the 90’s and 2000’s was messy as all hell and it makes it hard to take them seriously through all the melodrama. I much prefer how they are written in more modern stories personally.
So yeah, a real mixed bag. A fun Doc Ock story hidden behind a cringy and boring LA Hollywood story.
July 5, 2023
Another really solid volume.
This time we focus on two villains. One is a guy who steals kids from the hood and puts them into a astral plain of sorts. When he takes one of Peter's kids, Spider-Man decides to take a visit to him. Kind of a cool detective storyline prior to the astral plain. Then we get Doc Ock and his "replacement" which the Dock isn't too happy about. When Peter goes to confront him a building falls upon him...can he escape?
Once more JMS writes Peter so damn well on top of MJ and May. All of them are so well written, with so much heart, and even alot of funny moments. The fights are pretty great, and the survival motivation from Peter is fantastic. The Doc Ock storyline itself is okay, his replacement is too goofy to take serious. But overall still a great volume.
This time we focus on two villains. One is a guy who steals kids from the hood and puts them into a astral plain of sorts. When he takes one of Peter's kids, Spider-Man decides to take a visit to him. Kind of a cool detective storyline prior to the astral plain. Then we get Doc Ock and his "replacement" which the Dock isn't too happy about. When Peter goes to confront him a building falls upon him...can he escape?
Once more JMS writes Peter so damn well on top of MJ and May. All of them are so well written, with so much heart, and even alot of funny moments. The fights are pretty great, and the survival motivation from Peter is fantastic. The Doc Ock storyline itself is okay, his replacement is too goofy to take serious. But overall still a great volume.
December 24, 2025
Yeah everything with May and the Otto versus Carlyle Calamari fiasco was fucking amazing.
The Shade deal though, as much as I love Pete helping the kids and everything, idk I just thought it kinda felt like a Kevin Smith arc if that makes sense - like a less intense, equally dumb Mr. Brownstone scenario.
Tragically, I’m also far less of a fan of Marvel’s magical side of things compared to its science though, so I’m probably just generally biased. I get he’s trying to balance the narrative with the whack ass world it’s in though so, I mean, that’s really the only way is to throw it in there pretty regularly. As much magic as there is in Marvel, it can’t just be brushed under the rug in a title that I feel like lends itself more towards science. If only lol.
3.7/5.
The Shade deal though, as much as I love Pete helping the kids and everything, idk I just thought it kinda felt like a Kevin Smith arc if that makes sense - like a less intense, equally dumb Mr. Brownstone scenario.
Tragically, I’m also far less of a fan of Marvel’s magical side of things compared to its science though, so I’m probably just generally biased. I get he’s trying to balance the narrative with the whack ass world it’s in though so, I mean, that’s really the only way is to throw it in there pretty regularly. As much magic as there is in Marvel, it can’t just be brushed under the rug in a title that I feel like lends itself more towards science. If only lol.
3.7/5.
June 25, 2023
JMS keeps being amazing at characterisation and character development. The volume contains the end of a mini-arc about the disappearances that Peter has been dealing with as a teacher, with a guest appearance by Doctor Strange, and a Doc Ock story in LA. The second story is much better paced than the first, but really, the enemies are just an excuse to explore more of the relationship between Peter/Spidey and Aunt May on one hand and MJ on the other. The best parts of this have to do with the exploration of the consequences of being Spider-Man in Peter's life and the new dynamic between them now that Aunt May knows who Peter really is. Really good volume!
August 16, 2024
After missing his reunion with Mary Jane due to a stint in the astral plane (courtesy of Doctor Strange), Peter and May make the trip to Hollywood as Pete hopes to win MJ back. As always, the slice-of-life stuff that Straczynski weaves into his run of Amazing Spider-Man continues to be the highlight, but the backdrop of a fight between Doc Ock and a wannabe Doc Ock was a lot of fun too. JR Jr is at the top of his game with the action sequences in "Until the Stars Turn Cold", rounding out another solid entry in the series.
September 8, 2019
If you’ve ever asked yourself why Peter Parker and Mary Jane love each other, it’s here. I’m not usually into those types of stories but JMS made me so invested in their care and love for each other I couldn’t put it down. There’s humor and the action is part of the plot but that’s not what you care about here. Also just the name, “Until the Stars Turn Cold” is used as some of the last lines in the arc and I wish I came up with that. One of the best arcs in the JMS run.
December 29, 2018
I always like being able to see Peter/Spider-Man in different places other than New York, and I enjoyed the way that we still get to see Peter struggling with his personal issues from before while still being Spider-Man. And Doc Ock is my favorite villain, so bonus points for bringing him back in this issue!
September 12, 2023
Okay I don’t have as much to say about this book as the last..
This was the most well rounded book in this run so far. Bit of drama, bit of comedy, bit of romance, bit of action, bit of classic characters, bit of new characters.
This probably could’ve been a 3 star rating, but it’s hard to do that when there is nothing glaringly bad. Just pretty standard spidey action.
This was the most well rounded book in this run so far. Bit of drama, bit of comedy, bit of romance, bit of action, bit of classic characters, bit of new characters.
This probably could’ve been a 3 star rating, but it’s hard to do that when there is nothing glaringly bad. Just pretty standard spidey action.
September 29, 2024
Another pretty good volume from JMS. I must say, so far in this series, this is the best example of the book being carried by its characters and fun art and action, because the stories/plots aren’t all that interesting. Still, if Zeb Wells took notes from this run, modern ASM would be infinitely better.
May 20, 2018
Todo es muy meta, muy chévere. Me está encantando hasta ahora, ojalá mantenga el ritmo. :)
December 31, 2018
3.5 Stars
December 31, 2018
Enjoyed this one a lot.
January 6, 2019
Fajn čtení. Líbí se mi, jak Straczynsky pracuje s postavou tety May.
March 21, 2019
A bit dull with a knock off doc octopus
December 29, 2019
The Dr. Octopus storyline is fine, but honestly this volume shines for some great interactions between May, Peter and Mary Jane.
May 16, 2020
This was fine. Neither bad or great.
July 19, 2020
I love John Romita Jr's art so so much
October 20, 2020
not as good as the previous volumes, but still exceptionally good
September 20, 2021
As someone before me reading the book said, this was a decent snack while waiting for the main course.
April 6, 2024
3.5/5
July 24, 2025
A bit of a repeat of an earlier story but still good. Two ocks is fun. Strange allies. It's hard to be married to a hero but it's the price that you have to pay to be with them.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews