(2008 Cover Date Issues - Most current first)

February 27, 2008

Spider-Man appears in Spider-Man: With Great Power #2.
Alternate zombie version of Spider-Man makes an appearance in Marvel Zombies II #5.
Spider-Man related characters Norman Osborn and Venom (Mac Gargan/ Scorpion) appear in Thunderbolts: International Incident #1.

Story
"Spider-Man And His Amazing Friends" began last issue, and we learned that Peter Parker's high school classmate Liz Allen has some sort of super powers, when she burst into flames on the last pages of the issue. What the heck happened? well, Liz is still lit-up like a Christmas tree as part two opens up, and Peter sends his friend Johnny Storm (the Human Torch) to help her. Liz knocks out Johnny in midair, then Iceman goes to retrieve Liz. The question of whether Liz is a mutant is now on everyone's minds and lips. Liz becomes upset, lights-up on fire again, then flies off to who-knows-where. Once again, Iceman goes chasing after her, and he takes her to a rooftop where they are both soon joined by spider-Man. Spider-Man and Iceman have a long talk with a very confused Liz Allen on what she should do about her new-found powers, before she flies off again. The new super-trio all converge once again, and out of nowhere, someone else flies in and gains all of their attention.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The last double-page spoiler spread.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Kong reveals to Peter that he knows that he is secretly Spider-Man.
Magneto flies in on the last pages holding his hand out to Liz.

February 20, 2008

Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in Cable & Deadpool #50.
Spider-Man makes an out of continuity appearances in Marvel Adventures The Avengers #21.

Story
"Brand New Day"'s second month concludes here, as Spider-Man has quite a mess on his hands. While a new Goblin-based villain by the name of Menace is waking up the neighborhood over at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, a gang of policemen are trying to detain Spider-Man as a "person of interest" in the recent "spider-tracer" homicides. With a little help from his new friend Jackpot, it doesn't take long for Spider-Man to evade the police, and the two of them head on over to the Apollo Theatre. When they arrive, they discover that Menace has taken councilwoman Parfrey hostage, from the mayoral debate that was being held in the theatre. Spider-Man offers himself up to the police, in return for help in saving councilwoman Parfrey. They track Menace over Central Park, and then Spider-Man jumps from a helicopter, and onto Menace's glider. Spider-Man "tosses" councilwoman Parfrey to Jackpot, and he and Menace begin round two of their fight. After a couple of pages of fighting, Jackpot joins the two upon Menace's glider, and things get a bit crazy. With one too many people on Menace's glider, Spider-Man jumps off, soon to be followed by Jackpot and Menace. The glider is now free to go haywire in the air, and many long-time readers can basically see where the rest of this is going. Spider-Man next attempts to capture Menace, who quickly escapes in the midst of some mysterious dark red gas. After Spider-Man and Jackpot angrily part ways, Spider-Man breaks his promise to turn himself over to the police. The issue ends as Spider-Man locates Jackpot, and learns her true identity...Or does he?

Another slight improvement from last issue, but the glider "deal" has already been done one too many times. Nothing on the mystery of Menace's identity, but the issue of Jackpot's secret identity takes a strange turn. Next issue is in two weeks by the third creative team of Bob Gale and Phil Jiminez.

Art
Excellent.
Best Page: The almost full-page shot of Spider-Man punching Menace.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Councilwoman Parfrey is impaled by Menace's glider and killed.
Peter receives a $2,000 "bonus" for getting a shot of Menace at the Apollo Theatre.
Spider-Man locates "Sara Ehret" in Park Slope Brooklyn, and confronts her about her secret identity.
Sara informs Spider-Man that he "really should keep out of this", and closes the window on him.

February 13, 2008

Spider-Man make a small appearance in New Avengers #38.
Spider-Man makes an appearance in Spider-Man Family #7.

Story
"Brand New Day", now in it's second month, has a couple of fresh new mysteries going for it: There is a new Goblin-based villain in town by the name of Menace, and just who is the girl who goes by the name of Jackpot? No, we don't get the answer to either one's identities (don't be silly), but we may be closer than we think. From the pages of Dazzler #5 (from 1981), the Blue Shield is back and opens this issue up by greeting Spider-Man. The Blue Shield, with Jackpot by his side, now works for the government bringing in unregistered heroes, and he has just ordered Spider-Man to "stand down". Obviously, Spider-Man does not take too well in following orders, and the two get into a fight. Spider-Man fights off both the Blue Shield and Jackpot, and then evades them to go after the new Goblin in town that goes by the name of Menace. Spider-Man finds the hideous looking Goblin, and latches onto glider. Menace fends off Spider-Man rather easily, and then gives him a warning in the form of a big razor-slice in the abdomen area. Spider-Man catches up with Jackpot a little later after he recovers from his wounds, and he then begins to ask questions concerning her identity. After a strange response, the two discover the blueprints to the Apollo Theatre in Harlem at the hideout of Menace. Next up are two small interludes, the first of which catches us up on the medical condition of J. Jonah Jameson, who still has not discovered that he no longer owns the Daily Bugle. The second interlude deals with a man who suffered an injury as the result of Spider-Man's "actions", and with the help of an attorney, he plans on suing Spider-Man. Enough interludes. Peter is back doing plain-clothes detective work now, as he and Betty Brant do some internet research regarding the new "Spider Tracer Murder". One of Spider-Man's spider tracers was found on a corpse, so Peter wants to find out who the investigating officer is on the case, and he learns that the officer is a Detective Quentin Palone. Spider-Man then makes a covert phone call to the detective and sets up a meeting. The two meet, Spider-Man takes a look at the spider tracer, and he admits that it is one of his earlier models. Sergeant Palone now wants to hold Spider-Man for questioning, but Spider-Man won't have anything to do with that. At about the same time, Menace makes himself known at the Apollo Theatre, where the mayoral debate is currently taking place. The issue ends with Spider-Man inside a police building with Sergeant Palone, when suddenly a massive explosion occurs from around Harlem. Spider-Man puts two and two together, then decides to make his way to the Apollo Theatre. Unfortunately for Spider-Man, it will not be that easy.

Slight improvement from last issue. Better humor, more action, and the mysteries surrounding the secret identities are now even more mysterious. Next issue is next week!

Art
Excellent.
Best Page: The 2/3 page shot of Menace after he enters the Apollo Theatre.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Jackpot tells Spider-Man that her name is "Sara Ehret".
Sergeant Palone informs Spider-Man that there has been several other spider tracer killings the last three months.
Sergeant Palone attempts to detain Spider-Man as a "person of interest" in the homicides.
The NYPD confronts Spider-Man as he is about to leave for the Apollo Theatre in Harlem.

Story
It's been awhile since Harry Osborn (no, not Norman) has been featured in a Spider-Man comic as the Green Goblin. Remember, Harry became the second Green Goblin not too long after his father "died". Well, he is back in the Goblin costume this very issue, as it opens with Harry doing a little virtual reality simulation in battling Spider-Man. Harry does not want to let his dad down, and wants to break him loose from prison, where his father now resides. Conveniently, Peter Parker tags along with Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson, who makes a visit to the prison to interview Norman Osborn. Out comes Norman looking like Hannibal Lecter from "Silence Of The Lambs", a couple of explosions take place, then in flies his son on the Goblin Glider. Harry intends to free his father, and he actually gets to his room pretty fast. Peter quickly changes into Spider-Man, but without his web-shooters, which were left behind after an explosion. Harry frees some convicts, and then he goes up against Spider-Man, but this time its for real. It only takes a couple pages for Spider-Man to defeat Harry, but he is next surrounded by a large gang of convicts. As Spider-man is getting the life beaten out of him, Harry has a change of heart, and comes to his rescue. In the end, all that Harry now wants is a second chance, and we all know that Spider-Man can relate to that!

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The full splash page with the Green Goblin fighting Spider-Man.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Harry wants to free his dad so that he may get mental help.
Harry helps Spider-Man after realizing that his father is not pleased with him.
Norman wanted the honor all to himself in destroying Spider-Man, and not a gang of convicts.

Story
A new villain is in town -- the Crimelord, who appears to be an updated version of the Crime-Master, a old Spider-Man villain from the Stan Lee/Steve Ditko era. This purple-masked villain has the files of the Kingpin, the former leader of New York City's organized crime organization. He intends to auction those files off to whichever crime boss offers the highest price, and Spider-Girl is determined to stop him! However, her arch-nemesis, the Hobgoblin, has other plans. Meanwhile, the Parker family learns that surgery may be able to cure little Benjamin's deafness, which he suffered while he was possessed by the Carnage symbiote back in issue #12. Mayday couldn't be happier, as she feels responsible for her baby brother's injury. It turns out that she is a compatible blood donor for the operation.

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Art
Yet another consistent, good effort from Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema. Plus, it's worth noting that Frenz has a real knack for drawing babies. His depiction of Benjamin is so sweet and innocent that it makes the character's deafness more sympathetic.

Best page: There's a great full-page panel of Spider-Girl facing off with the Hobgoblin.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Spider-Girl is captured by the Hobgoblin, who offers her up as a bid in the auction for the Kingpin's files.
Mayday must also report to the hospital to donate blood for Benjamin's surgery.

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