Review- SPIDER-MAN: TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON

SPIDER-MAN: TROUBLE ON THE HORIZON (Marvel, 2012; Hardcover)

Collects Amazing Spider-Man Nos. 678-681, 679.1 (cover dates March- May, 2012)

Writers: Dan Slott with Chris Yost (issues 680, 681 only)

Artists: Humberto Ramos (Penciler 678, 679), Victor Olazaba (inker 678, 679), Matthew Clark (penciler, 679.1), Tom Palmer (inker, 679.1), Giuseppe Camuncoli (penciler, 680, 681), and Klaus Janson (inker, 680, 681)

"Artwork" by Humberto Ramos.

Dan Slott is a good writer, but even he cannot save Humberto Ramos' horrid artwork. The sad thing is, Ramos has drastically improved since his stint on The Spectacular Spider-Man nearly a decade ago, and he still sucks. Fortunately we are only subjected to Ramos for the first two issues in this book. Coincidentally, I could only stomach two issues and then I had to put this book down. I picked it back up several days later and finished it, enjoying the rest of it wholeheartedly. 

Artwork NOT by Humberto Ramos. Can you see the difference?

Issues 680 and 681 are the best in the book, with a Spider-Man and Human Torch team-up filled with plenty of humor. Doctor Octopus is building toward something big, and it will be interesting to see where he's going with this. Giuseppe Camuncoli and Klaus Janson make a splendid art team, and I wish that they drew every single issue.

Issue 679.1 features my beloved Morbius the Living Vampire. Peter Parker's new job at Horizon Labs factors prominently in the plotlines in this title, and I can't help but wonder how much longer they will tolerate the rampant destruction that someone who is “friends” with Spider-Man seems to invite. My Spider-marathon to issue 700 marches on.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 4 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Typical Marvel Premiere Edition Hardcover, with the same production values that the format has to offer.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Nice thick coated stock with a slight sheen, perfect for modern coloring.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. It's glued, but it's a thin hardcover, so it's no biggie. It's not like it's going to fall apart or anything. I normally lose sleep over books with glued binding, but not with these Premiere Hardcovers.

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