Marvel Masterworks The Amazing Spider-Man 18

This Spider-Man masterwork volume returns to a more traditional masterwork length that is well under 300 pages. The issues collected here are from the late '70s; 12 issues from June 1978 to May 1979, the '80s are almost here. I was not expecting a great deal out of this book but was pleasantly surprised. Once again, series editor Cory Sedlmeier went the extra mile to make sure a volume had the most value that could be packed into a given page count.The book begins with a fill in issue. Written by Bill Mantlo and drawn by Sal Buscema, it recaps the origin of Spider-Man and his history to date. It is a competent flll in but that is about all that can be said for it. Marvel had huge problems during the '70s maintaining schedules and fill in issues were all too common. I believe this was the period in which Jim Shooter became editor in chief to sort these problems out.The rest of the book was surprisingly well done. Marv Wolfman scripts the rest of the way and he delivers up some good plots. The final story arc where he introduces a mysterious villain plotting against both Jameson and Spider-Man being particularly well done. Wolfman also deftly handles the supporting cast. Jameson, as always, is a complex figure with whom you really have to dig deep to find redeeming qualities but they are there. Joe Robertson is there standing up to him as well. Peter's love life gets turned upside down as he pushes Mary Jane away with a premature proposal and Betty Brant Leeds comes back into his life. Aunt May's constant medical issues became tiresome a long time before the issues collected here but Wolfman has a few new spins. Really well done was the bit where Aunt May's doctor has increasingly strong words for Parker from issue to issue - until Peter completely loses it.The art by well done as well. Long time penciller Ross Andru does his final work on Spider-Man and Keith Pollard and John Byrne take over with no noticeable fall off in quality or even a jarring shift in style.The extras were some of the best in any masterwork volume. There is a four page introduction by Wolfman, the cover and new framing page from the reprint Annual 12, and 30 pages devoted to the 1978 Spider-Man calendar. This last was a wonderful touch; I wish I had bought one back in the day. There is also 3 pages from F.O.O.M. #18 plugging the calendar, a house ad, a pinup from the reprint Marvel Tales #100, and a page of original art.Not Spider-Man at his finest but quite enjoyable. Spider-Man is heading into the '80s with all cylinders firing.

This 'Spiderman' Archive Volume Eighteen does the near impossible. I can read comics from another era that would cost a lot more if I were to purchase the original copies. Such a deal!

The book arrived in excellent condition and came quickly.

La serie dei Masterworks editi dalla Marvel è una delle migliori pubblicazioni in lingua inglese dedicate ai fumetti.In pregiati volumi cartonati con sovraccopertina, la Casa editrice americana sta ristampando, ormai da anni, le storie dei propri personaggi in ordine cronologico.Il volume contiene le avventure di Spidey pubblicate alla fine degli anni '70, scritte da Marv Wolfman e illustrate da alcuni dei più famosi disegnatori dell'Uomo Ragno: Ross Andru e Keith Pollard.

Another classic marvel masterworks on Spiderman, original artwork and color. And the stories are fantastic. if your a comic collector of The Amazing Spiderman, you'd definitely want this.

Classic and essential collection histories with master Keith Pollard and supermaster spidey drafsman Sal Buscema.