Review- SPIDER-MAN: DEADLY FOES OF SPIDER-MAN

SPIDER-MAN: DEADLY FOES OF SPIDER-MAN (Marvel, 2011; Softcover)

Collects Deadly Foes Of Spider-Man Nos. 1-4 and Lethal Foes Of Spider-Man Nos. 1-4 
(cover dates May, 1991- December, 1993)

Writer: Danny Fingeroth

Artists: Pencilers- Kerry Gammill, Al Milgrom, Scott Alan MacDaniel, David Boller, and Keith Pollard; Inkers- Mike Machlan, Al Milgrom, Harry Candelario, Brad Vancata, Frank Turner, Keith P. Aiken, Ian Aiken, Jim Amash, and Mike DeCarlo

'90s Marvel Comics are a mixed bag. While it is true that they are sometimes cheesy, ham-fisted affairs, they are also often times fun and even entertaining. The two mini-series collected in this book are middle of the road in terms of '90s cliches and extremes. Sure, there are plenty of gaudy costumes (Strikeback), nonsensical code names (Hardshell), and overwritten dialogue, but there are also solid stories with plenty of action here.

Like the title states, the emphasis is on Spider-Man's foes, although Spider-Man is featured prominently throughout. The stars of the first series are essentially a rebranded Sinister Syndicate from the '80s, Speed Demon, the Beetle, Hydro-Man, the Rhino, and Boomerang. The sequel mini-series is a bit weaker but still enjoyable enough. That one basically serves as an excuse to revive many inactive or dormant villains, like Swarm, Stegron, Doctor Octopus, the Answer, and the Vulture.

I would honestly rather read this than what passes as Spider-Man these days. Plus, no matter how cheesy some of these '90s artists were they are still better than Humberto Ramos.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.75 out of 5.

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The OCD zone- I had the original 1993 Deadly Foes Of Spider-Man TPB but gladly double-dipped since this revised edition included the sequel mini-series Lethal Foes Of Spider-Man, which itself was the reason that the original mini-series was offered in book format in the first place.

DVD-style Extras included in this book: The fully rendered front and back covers of this book minus trade dress. (2 pages)

The front and back cover of the 1993 Deadly Foes Of Spider-Man trade paperback. (2 pages)

Linework and Color restoration rating: 4.75 out of 5. There is a missing line in Swarm's world balloon on page 1 of Lethal Foes Of Spider-Man #4. Everything else looks great, but that missing line cost them .25 points on the ShawScale©®.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. Marvel has really nailed it with this paper stock. This dull matte coated stock has minimal sheen and is thin, but not so thin that it feels chintzy like the paper DC uses on many of its collections of vintage material.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Perfect bound trade paperback.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 5 out of 5. Nice thick waxlike lamination.