Review- SPIDER-MAN: ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES

SPIDER-MAN: ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES (Marvel, 2011; Hardcover)

Collects Amazing Spider-Man Nos. 642-647 and material from Spider-Man Saga and Web of Spider-Man No. 12 (cover dates November- December, 2010)

Writers: Mark Waid and others

Artists: Paul Aazteca and others

The main arc by Mark Waid is solid stuff, even if the artwork by Paul Aazteca is merely competent. It's not horrible, but I feel that Marvel's flagship title and character should have top level talent on it. Someone like Marcos Martin, Pablo Rivera, Alan Davis, John Romita, Jr., or any other artist of that caliber.

This arc marks the end of the Brand New Day era of Amazing Spider-Man, which lasted for 102 issues. While this era has been among the most polarizing in Spider-Man's career, I have enjoyed it immensely. I feel that the 'Spidey Brain Trust' really got to the core of what this character is about. There has been plenty of heart, character development both for Peter Parker as well as Spider-Man, and a supporting cast that I actually cared enough about to remember their names.

There are more editors on Marvel Comics than there are creators these days. Whatever happened to having an editor and an editor-in-chief? Now there are six or so editors. Ridiculous. Speaking of ridiculous, look at the asinine variant covers in the back of the book. Vampire variants? Superhero Squad variants? Terrible. Variants are lame, because they are listed as “incentives” for retailers who clog their back issue bins make their order numbers. They usually fall in the 1:50, 1:100, or 1:200 range, and the dealers jack up the prices on these variants and throw the rest of their excess stock in their dollar boxes at conventions.

The OCD zone- Typical Marvel Premiere Hardcover- Nice paper with glued binding. Since these fall under the 200 page count, my OCD doesn't mind these. Your mileage may vary.