(2008 Cover Date Issues - Most current first)

October 29, 2008

Spider-Man appears in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #35.
Ultimate Spider-Man appears in Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3.
Non-continuity character Spider-Monkey makes a guest appearance in Marvel Apes #4.

Story
Hammerhead is back from from possibly the best story since "Brand New Day" began (from a couple months ago in "Spider-Man Brand New Day Extra!!"), Spider-Man's long-time second (or third) rate foe was given new life from power broker Mister Negative. Hammerhead was given a very interesting back-story, and brought into the present in a very believable and interesting manner, as he was given a new skeleton by Mister Negative in exchange for becoming Negative's top enforcer. After a very strange opening sequence, Hammerhead makes his return to this title, as he and Mister Negative orders him to go "break some things". Hammerhead does exactly that after making paying a visit to the G.F.L. 2K gang in the Bronx, and "greeting" them to their new "family". Later, Peter Parker meets one of the G.F.L. 2K gang member's younger brother named Anthony at a Science booth at some kind of fair. Being a life-long science geek, Peter easily bonds with the young man, even after Anthony's older brother grabs him violently away from the booth. Later that night, Some of the G.F.L. 2K gang members gather around in an apartment where both Anthony and his older Harold both preside. They are all awaiting the "Hammer", and Harold goes into his younger brother's room to protect him. To his surprise, Harold is greeted by Spider-Man, and the two have a little talk about what is going on in the apartment. By the time Spider-Man gets into the apartment, Hammerhead has already tore into the gang members, with blood splattered all over the place. Spider-Man is surprised to see Hammerhead, and is even more surprised when he gets into battle with him. This is not the same old Hammerhead as in all their previous encounters. By the end of the battle, Spider-Man has a broken hand, broken ribs, broken ankle, and by the last page, all looks bleak for Spider-Man. Excellent story.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The double splash page.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
It appears that Harold knows that Spider-man is Peter Parker from their talks.

October 22, 2008

Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in Secret Invasion #7.
Spider-Man makes an appearance in Marvel Adventures Super Heroes #4.
Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in Secret Invasion: The Amazing Spider-Man #3.
Spider-Man, Venom (Mac Gargan/ Scorpion), Norman Osborn, and many other characters appear in Thunderbolts #125.

Story
Now that "New Ways To Die" has concluded, what better time could there be for a one-shot issue? This issue features Peter Parker's long-time supporting cast member Eugene "Flash" Thompson. Flash has been mostly remembered as a bully to Peter throughout most of their high school days, but the two have become very close friends over the years. Flash eventually joined the army. Back in the seventies, Flash was depicted as serving in the Vietnam war, now over thirty years later, he is now serving in Iraq. We open in an army hospital where Flash is being interviewed by a General in connection with Flash being recommended to receive the medal of honor for his service in Iraq. Most of the comic illustrates how Flash has heroically earned the medal, with little flashbacks of Spider-Man battling various villains throughout his career thrown in here and there. Pretty straight forward story with a shocking ending. It will be interesting to see how the ending plays out in future storylines.

Art
Excellent.
Best Page: The page with a flashback of Spider-Man battling the Sinister Six.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
It is revealed on the final page that Flash Thompson lost both of his legs during his time in Iraq.

Story
Peter had just had some run-ins with Venom (Eddie Brock) and the villain the Beetle, and the Venom symbiote costume was taken away by SHIELD. Peter's old friend Gwen Stacy, was a victim of another symbiote called Carnage and created by Spider-Man's friend Curt Conners. Gwen appeared to have been killed, but is strangely still within the body of Carnage, and now at the Triskelion SHIELD headquarters. Gwen is being interviewed by a team of people that include Tony Stark and Curt Conners, as they try figure out the whole "Girl within a parasitic monster" puzzle they have on their hands. Out of nowhere, a huge explosion takes place throwing everyone around the Triskelion. Out of the rubble, emerges the Green Goblin, followed by several other prisoners that were being held there, including Gwen/ Carnage. Gwen Makes her way to land, and then we change over to the Midtown high parking lot where Peter Parker and his girlfriend Mary Jane Watson are surprised by Eddie Brock (without the Venom symbiote). Eddie wants Peter to help him get back the Venom symbiote costume...Or else! The issue ends with a somewhat predictable last page.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The double-page spread of Spider-Man swinging around a building.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Eddie demands that Peter find the Venom symbiote for him or else he will reveal his secret identity to the Public.

October 15, 2008

Spider-Man appears in Marvel Adventures The Avengers #29.
Spider-Man makes a last-page cameo appearance in Secret Invasion: Front Line #4.
Spider-Man makes a guest appearance in the second story of The Age Of The Sentry #2.

Story
"New Ways To Die" concludes right here with a "double-sized" issue. Norman Osborn and his Thunderbolts have come to New York City to hunt down accused serial killer Spider-Man. Norman sent his "secret weapon" Bullseye after Spider-Man, but with the help of the new Anti-Venom (Eddie Brock, formerly venom), Bullseye was easily defeated. Now Spider-Man and Anti-Venom are after Osborn, who is again donning the Green Goblin costume. If that is not enough, Osborn has also fitted Mac Gargan, the most recent Venom, with his an updated version of his old Scorpion costume loaded with a deadly poison. Part six opens with Harry Osborn and his girlfriend Lily Hollister, and as supporting characters, they play an important role in this issue. Spider-Man and Anti-Venom make their way to Osborn and the Thunderbolts, and when they arrive, they play a neat little trick on the T-Bolts. Anti-Venom camouflages as Spider-Man, draws in the T-Bolts, and then pins two of them up against the wall. The only remaining T-Bolt left is the new Venom outfitted in the new Scorpion costume, and his rematch with Anti-Venom begins. Elsewhere, the real Spider-Man surprises the Green Goblin, and he begins to pummel his old foe. The two battle it out as they destroy many a rooms, but the final room they enter, well your just gonna have to see the spoiler area for what is so "sinister" about this room. Norman hits a self-destruct button, and everyone runs for their lives scattering everyone. As for the other "main event", Scorpion predictably hits Anti-Venom with his stinger and Anti-Venom slowly transforms back into Eddie Brock. Strangely, the Scorpion cannot deal the final blow to Brock, as the symbiote agains takes over Gargan. Apparently, the symbiote still "loves" Brock, and will not kill him. After everything is set and done, the public is led to believe that Spider-Man was dealt a "crushing blow". Much more supporting character fleshing-out afterwards when Peter helps Harry and Lily clean up one of Osborn's offices.

This issue also includes a backup story that features Stephen Colbert's "presidential campaign". Spider-Man strangely "teams-up" with Colbert to take on the Grizzly. Filler. This six-issue storyline seemed a bit padded, and in the end, no major revelations. Also, no one died in a new way, old way, or any other way. Anti-Venom appears to be a very hokey character at this point. While the story was a very entertaining one, it did not exactly live up to expectations.

Art
Very Good.
Best Page: The double-page spread with Spider-Man and Anti-Venom swinging over to battle Osborn and his Thunderbolts.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
Spider-Man finds a room filled with human test subjects that both Osborns have been hiding.
Lilly Hollister distracts Peter Parker from pulling a book entitled "The Rise Of The Norman Empire" from a bookcase.
The book is some kind of mechanism to one of the Goblin's secret rooms.
It appears that Brock is still Anti-Venom from the last page.

October 8, 2008

Spider-Man makes an appearance throughout Amazing Spider-Man Family #2.
Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson appear in Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Season 2 #3.
Spider-Man makes an out of continuity appearance in Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #44.
Spider-Man makes an appearance as a member of the New Avengers in Avengers/ Invaders #5.

Story
At the end of the previous issue, Spider-Girl had her first face-to-face showdown with the "Brand New May" -- the Mayday Parker clone created by the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn. As the two fought, they were caught in an explosion. The clone then goes to Mayday's house and takes her place! She's convinced she is the true Mayday Parker. She even beats up former boyfriend Gene Thompson, who is furious with Mayday after their recent break-up. The real Mayday is badly injured. Arana has found her and is trying to heal her. In her mind, Mayday battles Spider-Girl in a symbolic, yet very real, showdown. Also, Peter Parker has been captured by Fury the Goblin Queen, who has sinister plans in store.

This is a bonus-sized 25th anniversary issue, so we also get a back-up story on how Kaine rescued the infant Mayday Parker from Norman Osborn's agents. A second, three-page back-up features a humorous tale of little Benjy Parker (Mayday's baby brother) at daycare.

This 25th anniversary issue also has two variant covers. One by Stephanie Buscema, and a Zombie Variant by Pat Olliffe.

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Art
Good as always. The Frenz/Buscema team really clicks like a well-oiled machine.
Best page: The two-page encounter with Gene Thompson and the "Brand New May." Their facial expressions tell the story beautifully.

Continuity Police
No tickets given.

Spoilers
At the end of the story, Arana switches bodies with Mayday, meaning Arana is in control of Mayday's body.
Fury is working toward the resurrection of Norman Osborn himself!

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