Review- SPIDER-MAN: MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH

SPIDER-MAN: MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH (Marvel, 2011; Hardcover)

Collects Amazing Spider-Man Nos. 652-657, 654.1 (cover dates March- May, 2011)

Writers: Dan Slott and Fred Van Lente (back-up story in issues 652, 654)

Artists: Stefano Caselli (652-654, 657), Marcos Martin (issues 655-657), Humberto Ramos (issue 654.1), and Ty Tempelton (issue 657)

Wow. There is a vast improvement in the art department after the crapfest that was Humberto Ramos' artwork in the Big Time hardcover. While he is on hand to crap up issue 654.1, it is only one issue out of seven in the book. Stefano Caselli, whose artwork I did not enjoy on Avengers Academy, is actually pretty good here. He has improved over the last few years, which is what an artist should do. Marcos Martin is an incredible artist, a worthy heir to the thrones of Steve Ditko and John Romita, Sr. 

Art by Marcos Martin.

Dan Slott's writing really hits the sweet spots, from a new Spider Slayer, to the rebirth of the Scorpion to the Flash Thompson/Venom development. I look forward to reading more of his run on the title. These are fun, enjoyable reads that should please longtime fans of the series. 

Art by Stefano Caselli.

The OCD zone- Nothing to add to the last two Spider-Man Premiere Edition Hardcover OCD zone reviews.

Follow my blog on Facebook.

DC has made strides in fixing the problem of their books not laying flat. Join the cause page if you want make sure that DC keeps up the recent good work on their hardcovers. Don't do it for me, do it for the children. Won't somebody please think of the children??