I'm a big Spider-man fan, but had never read many Spider-man stories from before the late 80s. I thought I should at least get a taste of the early days as Stan Lee and Steve Ditko basically invented from scratch the whole world and characters that other people have mined for decades. I chose this particular volume because I knew it contained two stories that are considered classic, the Master Planner Saga (issues 31-33) and the unmasking of the Green Goblin (issues 39-40). It also has the transition from Steve Ditko to John Romita Sr., so I'd get a taste of both iconic artists. If you were to compare Steve Ditko's art to most anything you can find in a superhero comic these days, you would find Ditko's simplicity almost naive. I say, "almost," but then upon further consideration you would understand the difference between Ditko's clean, efficient storytelling, dynamic renderings, and extraordinary layouts, and those of the comic artists working (for the most part) in the superhero trenches today. Speaking of Romitas, JRJR's art is very engaging here. He has his weak spots, but all the fights and especially Spidey's suit getting torn up look amazing. There's a clear desperation in him every time he has to keep fighting and JRJR shows it better than anyone else.

I own a number of these Marvel Omnibus editions now, but this is the one I would grab if there was a fire and I could only take one with me. Sure, most of the material in this volume has been reprinted endlessly elsewhere, but it's never looked this good anywhere else, nor has all the great letter columns and in-house ads of the day been so lovingly restored and included.Collecting AMAZING FANTASY #15, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1-38 and ANNUAL #1-2, STRANGE TALES ANNUAL #2, and FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #1. As for the plotting: that's the weakest part of this story. Peter spends long issues in a punch-em-up fight against an unstoppable villain ... until he suddenly figures out the plot twist to stop him. There are interesting bits, such as Ezekiel's sudden entrance to the fray, but otherwise it's a dull Doomsday-style fight.

This issue focuses more on Spider-man’s human problems and unconventional hero status, still no supervillains! It continues Peter’s money troubles and complicates them with the addition of J. Jonah Jameson. This has some really amazing shots of Spider-man saving the shuttle. I actually think its weakness might be its brevity. The beginning and end are a little crunched. Meanwhile (#39). One of the dreaded 'Nuff Said issues, but this one isn't bad, giving some insight into what's going on in the heads of MJ and May (and Peter) [4+/5]. Despite the repetition, this is still a fun storyline. That's in part because scrappy Peter Parker facing an utterly unbeatable foe is interesting. But it's the character subplots that really make the story. It's of course great to see Ezekiel again, but the heart of the story is Mary Jane, who finally comes to a really meaningful meeting of the minds with Peter, something that's been hanging over JMS' run to date. In this book Peter Parker actually is kind of a jerk, so wrapped up in his dual identity that he can't pay attention to or connect with other people. Towards the end of this book, and from the bits I've read of the 40 or so issues that come after this, he gets progressively more sympathetic as he tries harder to be a good guy as well as a hero, but tends to fail anyway. It's also funny to see how this book introduces for the first time Harry Osborn and Gwen Stacy, although it takes a long time for Peter to finally not be so oblivious to the outside world that he can get to know them. What else was great? Well the art naturally. Steve Ditko's work here is incredible. Ditko didn't go for realism, but rather a unique and inimitable style. Nowhere, before or since (sorry McFarland) was Spidey's unnatural athleticism captured so completely. Simply wonderful.This omnibus includes the run by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (who co-created Spider-Man with Stan Lee). The volume includes Spidey's debut in Amazing Fantasy #15, the first 38 issues in the Amazing Spider-Man series as well as the first two Spider-Man annuals. How you feel about this book will probably depend on what you expect to get out of it. If you aren't interested in history and just want great Spider-man stories to enjoy, you would probably find this book pretty corny and old-fashioned, and should get some Bendis Ultimate Spider-man or Dan Slott Amazing Spider-man books. However, if you are interested in this as a museum piece of classic world-building or expanding the scope of superhero characterization, it's great. Spider-man doesn’t remember when Chameleon summoned him with his spider sense? Stan Lee’s memory was pretty bad. Obligatory issue 5 Doctor Doom cameo was a thing then, and Ditko’s Doom looks weird, but the fight is fun, if inconsequential. Doom’s plan is a little weird, but he’s properly menacing, plus bonus points for the Doombot. It continues Peter’s school stuff, but the main new thing is that Spider-man is on the road to his first love interest.

Interlude (#37). The best part of JMS' first story arc was the tiny bit of focus we got on Peter as a person (and now a teacher). That's repeated here, with Peter encountering social problems that he can't punch [5/5].

January 2024

In this omnibus, the reader is not only introduced to Spider-Man/Peter Parker but a supporting cast including Peter's Aunt May and Uncle Ben (who taught Peter an important lesson with those now iconic words: "With great power, there must also come great responsibility."), Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, Gwen Stacy, as well as some of Spider-Man's most well-known villains such as the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Kraven the Hunter and the Green Goblin. I’d argue that the Vulture is Spider-man’s first supervillain. The Chameleon is more of a super-spy. The vulture fight is really fun and creative with the water tower scene being the first example of Spider-Man having to overcome a predicament that his powers might not cover. The end is a little out of nowhere, but the rest is great! Vibes (#505). Once again, JMS' best stories come about when he tells little stories, like this one about Peter and MJ's relationship and a small crime case [4/5]. Chvilku jsem váhal zda tomu přeci jen nevystřelit "jen" 4, ale to prostě nejde. K takhle starým kouskům se nemůže přistupovat bez nějakých ohledů. The 500th issue was just wonderful. Heartwarming without being sappy and just a good way for Peter to accept the struggles in his life have meaning. Having Romita Sr. pencil the meeting with Uncle Ben ties everything neatly together.

The elephant in the room, Sins Past. I get it, very controversial. But also, the story isn't that bad at all. Like I said, MJ and Peter are very strong in it so that's a huge positive it has over a lot of stories post-OMD. Unlike a certain other retcon (*cough*Kindred*cough*) it tries to actually explain why and how things happened. And truly, I don't see too much wrong with a story of a young woman making a mistake, trying to fix it and losing her life because the other half of the pairing could not accept his fault in anything. Not saying anyone should like it, but Spidey offices have done much-much worse in this year alone. A strong conclusion to a great trilogy. It’s not quite as good as the first two, but it wraps up everything with the Sandman, Enforcers, and of course, J. Jonah Jameson. It also features the first appearance of Ned Leeds who is fine here, but will cause Peter to get frustratingly jealous soon. Also, Spidey repays the Human Torch for issue 17 with a save. The main thrust of arc is the introduction of spider-y Ezekiel and spider-hunting Morlun, and Ezekiel's claim that Peter is a mystic spider-totem. The specifics of this updated origin have generally been rejected by later authors (and by fans and by Peter himself), but the concept of Peter's spider-ness, and in particular the existence of Morlun, has been pretty influential in the Spider-universe, spinning off Silk, Spider-Verse (and the movie!), and Spider-Geddon at a minimum.Electro is a cool villain and a real threat for Spider-Man. The subplot of May’s illness is good, though Betty and Peter’s rift seems somewhat forced; it’s still not my favorite. Also, much like the first Vulture defeat, Electro’s end comes out of nowhere. However, I feel like that last panel really works for me and the action is fun, so I’m willing to forgive quite a bit. Ditko and Lee created many of the classic villains, and this collection contains many of them. While the collection tapers off some, the art remains great throughout. S kresbou to také jednoznačné nie je. Romita Jr. občas kreslí otrasne. Pri súbojoch a superhrdinských výjavoch sa to ešte dá prehrýzť, ale z mimiky v civilných scénach občas krvácajú oči. Deodatov záver tohto omnibusu je tak ako balzam na dušu. Even if you are not a Marvel fan, you will find all of these Spider-Man stories as priceless as I do. This is a collection that is second to none. All the early Spider-Man stories are here. Recommended for all comic book fans and for Marvel and Spider-Man fans this is a MUST OWN! Coming Home (#30-35). JMS' first storyline for Spider-Man is a somewhat mixed bag. He certainly leaves an indelible mark on the character, and at times his writing is strong, but the question ultimately is whether it's for good or ill ..