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Longbox Graveyard Podcast: “Top Ten Issues of Amazing Spider-Man”

Apr 18

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The Penultimate Longbox Graveyard Podcast Is Here!

A wee bit late but hopefully worth the wait, this month’s podcast features an interview with Mark Ginocchio of Chasing Amazing Blog, where we run down his top ten issues of Amazing Spider-Man! Listen HERE!

Amazing Spider-Man #50, John Romita

Thanks to Mark for generously providing his time and encyclopedic knowledge to add some much-needed Spider-Man content to Longbox Graveyard! And if you haven’t done so yet, be sure to check out Mark’s recent guest posts at Longbox Graveyard, where he looked at Spider-Man’s Top Ten battles in Parts One and Two!

Thanks to my podcasting mentor, mister Mo Kristiansen at the We Talk Podcasts network for hosting the Longbox Graveyard Podcast! For past podcasts, be sure to check out my podcast page.

Longbox Graveyard Podcast at iTunes

Longbox Graveyard Podcast at We Talk Podcasts

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Top Ten Spider-Man Battles (Part II)

Apr 10

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Longbox Graveyard #95

(Last month, Mark Ginocchio of Chasing Amazing began his survey of Spider-Man’s top battles by spotlighting confrontations with Mysterio, Thanos, and more. This month, Mark counts down the final five entries on his Top Ten List! And now … heeeeere’s Mark!)

We’ve now reached the second half of my top 10 favorite Spider-Man battles of all-time. The first half of this list consists primarily of Silver and Bronze Age altercations that are right in Longbox Graveyard’s wheelhouse. Well, the second of these lists will definitely contain some old-time classics. But, I’m also about to push some of you out of your comfort zone and introduce some scenes from comics that – gasp – occurred over the last 20 years during the much reviled “Copper” or “Chromium” Age.

5. Spider-Man vs Hobgoblin (Amazing Spider-Man #249-251)

Hobgoblin

When Roger Stern introduced Hobgoblin to the world in the mid-80s, the character could have easily devolved into just another cheap Green Goblin rip-off capitalizing on all the heat between Spidey and the Osborn family. Instead, Stern crafted a villain that was as intellectual as he was mad. The three issue arc starts off with Hobgoblin having obtained scores of confidential information about some of New York City’s most elite residents and businessmen. His objective is to blackmail these people for financial gain. Of course Spider-Man gets involved, but during the course of these issues, his Spider-Sense is no longer working (that seems to be a common device in Marvel deck stacking strategy for Spidey). The altercation culminates with Spider-Man attacking Hobgoblin aboard his “Goblin Van.” What follows next is the comic book equivalent of some of the better car chases scenes you’ve ever seen in the movies. The Goblin Van is set to auto-pilot as Hobgoblin and Spidey throw haymakers at each other, including one well-placed punch that reactivates the hero’s Spider Sense. From there, the van crashes into the Hudson River and thanks to the power of self-destruct mode, explodes. Spider-Man moves far enough away from the explosion but finds Hobgoblin’s mask. These issues mark probably the last great Hobgoblin story for Amazing Spider-Man (Stern would later leave the title before the mystery of his identity was resolved). I’ve also long appreciated the indulgence of the Goblin Van sequence. Artistry and nuance is great and all, but sometimes I just want to see stuff blow up.

4. Spider-Man vs Venom (Amazing Spider-Man #346-347)

top 10 ASM 347 01

I’ve spent a lot of time on my own site, Chasing Amazing, reminiscing about the early appearances of Venom. I understand that he’s a bit of a punch line now (though I’d argue that Rick Remender’s run of the Venom solo series starring long-time Peter Parker bully Flash Thompson as the symbiote was pretty solid). But you have to understand that as a reader who first came to comics in the mid-to-late 80s, Venom was the first major Spider-Man adversary created in a comic book that I bought off the rack (Amazing Spider-Man #300). In previous run-ins with Venom, there was always an understanding that Spidey was just lucky to survive. Between Venom’s brute strength, and the ability of his alien symbiote costume (that used to be Peter Parker’s black costume) to disarm Spider-Man’s coveted spider-sense, I always wondered if there would be a situation where the Web Slinger would finally be toast. And that moment was poised to happen in this two-issue arc from the early 90s. Here, Venom scouts out a desert island, knocks Spider-Man unconscious, and then brings him to this island to be hunted and ultimately killed. Spidey is completely out of his element here, as Venom knows the layout of the island quite well and is essentially toying with the hero every step of the way. Venom even sets up a barricade of symbiotic tentacles to prevent Spider-Man from just jumping into the water and swimming to safety. But as is often the case with Spider-Man, when the deck is stacked against him, he is able to use his keen intellect to save the day, or in this case, himself. After finding an old skeleton and some explosives on the island, Peter simulates an explosion to fake his own death. Venom finds a skeleton wearing a Spidey outfit among the wreckage and is suddenly at peace with finally slaying Spider-Man. That gives Peter an opening to escape off the island by swimming to a nearby boat. This issue also marked a certain finality to the Spider-Man/Venom story that had been introduced 47 issues earlier. Of course Marvel went and ruined it all by bringing Venom back to battle another symbiote named Carnage…

3. Spider-Man vs Green Goblin (Amazing Spider-Man #121-122)

ASM 122

Probably more famous for marking the death of Gwen Stacy and the end of the Silver Age, these issues are significant from a conflict resolution standpoint as well. Namely, throughout the duration of his existence Spider-Man/Peter Parker had vowed never to kill an adversary and these issues show Peter moving as close as he ever really gets to delivering a fatal blow to an opponent in the Green Goblin. And even though Peter still doesn’t betray his moral code of power and responsibility, writer Gerry Conway and artist Gil Kane have the sense to at least give the audience some satisfaction, by having Norman Osborn inadvertently kill himself when he summons his glider past a leaping Spider-Man right through the center of his torso. These two issues are filled with sadness and mourning for the death of Gwen Stacy and the personal battle Spider-Man was left to fight against the Green Goblin. The reader is also left questioning Spidey’s failures in rescuing Gwen – did his webbing inadvertently snap her neck after she was thrown from the bridge (most people believe so)? It’s probably the one time in Spider-Man’s history where I would have gladly looked the other way if he decided to beat Norman Osborn to death, and yet the fact that he doesn’t, makes the character all the more noble and heroic.

2. Spider-Man vs Morlun (Amazing Spider-Man #30-35, volume 2)

Morlun 01

My affinity for this storyline has always seemed to cause controversy when I speak about it on Chasing Amazing. It’s not because people don’t think it’s great – but I’m guessing the fact that it was only written in 2001 makes it difficult for some to rank it among the all-time best. For me, this is the pinnacle of J. Michael Straczynski’s run on Amazing Spider-Man (for what it’s worth, it was also his very first arc). The storyline introduces a new spin on Spidey’s character – that perhaps his animalistic powers were inherent and the radioactive spider bite just brought him the awareness needed to use them. It also introduces Morlun, a supernatural ghoul who feeds off the energy of super-powered folk like Spider-Man. Spidey’s confrontation with Morlun is yet another instance of the creative team throwing as many obstacles as they can think of to stack the odds against Spider-Man. Morlun is faster, stronger and more persistent. And because he’s a brand-new character with plenty of motivation to “feed,” it makes readers wonder if this will finally be the time where Spider-Man doesn’t survive. Spidey himself even questions this, when he makes a depressing call to Aunt May saying he loved her before marching off to meet his uncertain fate in battle. Never have I remembered Spider-Man being so resigned to defeat, but looking straight ahead anyway. And it’s ultimately Peter’s resignation that helps him to succeed. By allowing Morlun to “feed” on him, the villain discovers that Spider-Man is in fact, not pure, and tainted with radioactive blood. The radioactivity weakens Morlun enough that Spider-Man finally has his opening to physically subdue his opponent. I don’t think there was ever a superhero whose impurity was celebrated the way Spider-Man’s was in this storyline.

1. Spider-Man vs Juggernaut (Amazing Spider-Man #229-230)

Juggernaut

Probably Roger Stern’s most famous story-arc, the Juggernaut’s crossover into the world of Amazing Spider-Man celebrates everything we love about the Web Slinger. Juggernaut shows up on Spidey’s turf and nearly kills the hero’s friend, Madame Web. From there, every panel is filled with non-stop action and tension as Spider-Man throws every trick in the book to try and subdue his opponent. Juggernaut meanwhile keeps brushing Spidey aside as if he were an annoying little gnat. What makes this confrontation so exceptional and head and shoulders above every other one on this list is that Juggernaut ends up being an absolutely perfect foil for Spider-Man. By definition, “nothing can stop the Juggernaut.” And yet Spider-Man is best known for his uncompromising, never-say-die spirit. So when these two collide, it’s the unstoppable force versus the unbreakable spirit. Of course, because this is a Spider-Man comic, spirit ultimately succeeds over force, but it takes Peter’s intellect, along with some well-placed wet cement to finally stop the Juggernaut in his tracks. There’s a reason why this is consistently ranked one of the greatest Spider-Man storylines of all-time. Because even after reading it dozens of times, it still gets me up and out of my chair and cheering each and every time I give it a look.

(There you have it … Mark’s ten favorite Spider-Man battles of all time. Do you agree with his choices? Which great battle has he snubbed? Sound off in the comments section, below, and please repay Mark’s kindness in writing these guest blogs for Longbox Graveyard by visiting his home blog, Chasing Amazing. You’ll be glad you did!)

NEXT WEDNESDAY: #96 Bend It Like Bendis

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Top Ten Spider-Man Battles (Part I)

Mar 20

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Longbox Graveyard #92

(EDITOR’S NOTE: It’s never too late for a first! Longbox Graveyard may be ninety-two issues old but this week sees our very first guest column. Mark Ginocchio is author of the Chasing Amazing blog, where he recounts his quest to own every issue of Amazing Spider-Man and — most importantly — reflects on what each of those issues has meant to him throughout his life. Chasing Amazing is a unique and heartfelt blog and bound to be of interest to readers of Longbox Graveyard — check it out! Fan as I am of his work, it didn’t take me long to jump on Mark’s offer to provide guest content for Longbox Graveyard. In this week’s article, Mark begins his countdown of his Top Ten Spider-Man battles! Take it away, Mark!)

Chasing Amazing

Spider-Man (a somewhat neglected superhero here at the Longbox Graveyard) has never been known for his abilities in combat, and yet the character still has been the star of a number of memorable confrontations over the years. One thing that I’ve always found amusing is how various Marvel creative teams have always set up a conflict for Spider-Man by basically admitting he’s not as tough as the Hulk, Captain America, The Thing or Thor, and yet the Web Slinger has still been able to overcome these terrible odds enough times that you would think someone should finally give him the credit he deserves.

These 10 confrontations are personal favorites from my 25-plus years of reading and collecting Spider-Man (which you can read all about over at my blog, Chasing Amazing – plug, plug). If a random person who has never heard of superheroes came up to me and asked what was so awesome about Spider-Man, I would point this nefarious stranger to this list because I believe each battle reveals critical elements that have gone on to contribute to Spidey’s massive popularity over the years (but still not popular enough to make Longbox Graveyard’s Top 10 Marvel list – sorry still bitter about that).

Let’s kick the first part of this list off with Spider-Man taking on another superhero’s arch nemesis:

10. Spider-Man vs Red Skull (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5)

Spider-Man vs. Red Skull

One of the longest-running mysteries during the Silver Age of Spider-Man was whatever happened to Peter Parker’s parents. In Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5, we discover that Peter’s parents were both international spies who had betrayed the United States before dying in a plane crash over Europe. A dismayed Peter flies overseas to confront his past and finds out that his parents were set-up by the Red Skull. Peter’s actual confrontation with Captain America’s greatest foe is fairly rigorous – a couple of henchman, some lasers and some Red Skull bombs are his biggest obstacles. But it’s the conclusion to this battle that is very emotionally satisfying. The Skull escapes during the battle while his headquarters burns to the ground. But the flames partially melt the I.D. card of Peter’s father, Richard, revealing a U.S. intelligence card underneath and clearing his name of treason. Despite the parental love he received from his Aunt May and Uncle Ben, Peter can finally be at peace with his past thanks to his victory against the Red Skull.

9. Spider-Man vs Firelord (Amazing Spider-Man #269-270)

Spider-Man vs. Firelord

Galactus’ herald discovers the hard way that Spider-Man packs a wallop. What I’ve actually always enjoyed about this two-issue arc is how Spider-Man ultimately succeeds by not doubting his physical strength and taking the fight straight to his rival. Throughout these two issues, Firelord torments Spidey and various innocent people around New York City, and the hero’s initial response is to pussyfoot around the confrontation through insults and distractions. Spider-Man tries tricking Firelord into flying into an abandoned building that’s about to explode, an oncoming subway train, and a gasoline tanker. And in each instance, Spidey becomes increasingly frustrated with himself for endangering innocents during his futile attempts to subdue Firelord. That’s why Spidey basically says “screw it,” starts wailing on Firelord and beats him to a pulp before the Avengers finally join the scene and peel him back. It’s a moment that’s so bad-ass, it makes me say “if you come at the Web Slinger, you best not miss.”

8. Spider-Man vs Thanos (Marvel Two-in-One Annual #2)

Spider-Man vs. Thanos

FINALLY, a battle not from the pages of the Amazing Spider-Man (seriously, what’s wrong with me?). But in all seriousness, Spidey’s first confrontation with the Mad Titan Thanos is a great one, albeit one that’s more familiar in tone and construction to some of the others that will appear higher on this list. With Thanos bent on taking over the world (again) and the Avengers imprisoned in a state of suspended animation, Spidey and The Thing are there to save the day. Until Thanos takes out Thing pretty quickly, leaving only Spider-Man to save the galaxy. That’s when things get a little weird – Spidey is so intimidated by his odds of success against Thanos, he’s ready to web sling out of town and just let it be The Avengers problem. That’s reminiscent of how Peter Parker/Spider-Man would operate BEFORE the death of Uncle Ben taught him about responsibility, and I wonder if Jim Starlin’s lack of familiarity in writing Spidey helped foster this somewhat unnerving moment. Fortunately, Spider-Man wises up and uses his intellect and his uncanny ability to wreck his own body to save the day, throwing himself onto the case holding the Avengers, thus freeing them, and then lunging like an overthrown wide receiver to destroy the Soul Gem and bring Adam Warlock to the scene. Warlock encases Thanos in stone, but who cares because Spidey did all the dirty work, right?

7. Spider-Man vs the Sinister Six (Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1)

Spider-Man vs. The Sinister Six

This is Spidey versus the ORIGINAL Sinister Six, his six greatest foes (in early 60s speak) consisting of Mysterio, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Vulture, Sandman and Doctor Octopus (the leader, of course). The stakes for this confrontation were obviously higher than they’ve ever been before – Spidey has had a hard enough time subduing these six Stan Lee/Steve Ditko creations individually, so how can he beat all six? On top of that, Peter has seemingly lost his Spider powers! The Sinister Six kidnap “the Brant girl” Betty Brant, who Spidey has rescued in the past and some old lady who was hanging out with her (Aunt May). This brings Spidey out into battle, despite not having his power. Of course, the powers magically reappear once his first opponent, Electro, engages him. I always subtract points for the Bond-villain level stupidity in the Sinister Six’s plan to attack Spidey one-at-a-time, rather than six-on-one in a fashion that probably would have guaranteed them victory (even Spidey says it’s stupid). But either way, each encounter presents Spidey with a unique challenge, and we all get to see how versatile of a hero he can be. Plus this appearance cements Doc Ock as Spidey’s arch-nemesis, while also confirming his ridiculous hubris that currently defines the pages of the Superior Spider-Man.

6. Spider-Man vs Mysterio (Amazing Spider-Man #66-67)

I have long maintained that Mysterio is such an underrated villain in not only the world of Spider-Man, but the entire Marvel Universe. What he lacks in physical prowess, he makes up in spades in the ability to mentally disarm his adversaries. After some earlier unsuccessful confrontations with Spider-Man, Mysterio cooks up a scheme in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #66-67 that I still believe is his masterstroke. Through his powers of special effects and mind alteration, Mysterio convinces Spider-Man that he has shrunk him down to miniature-size and placed him inside a gigantic killer theme park filled with traps and monsters. It’s such a wholly unique setting for a Spider-Man comic, and because Mysterio is a villain that deals so expertly with slight-of-hand, as a reader, we don’t have to suspend disbelief to the extent that we need to accept that Spider-Man is now Mini-Spidey. Rather, the tension is in watching Spider-Man trying to figure this all out for himself. Additionally, this is around the point where Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. were really pushing the love/social life on Peter. And waiting for him once he found a way to escape Mysterio’s death trap was a pretty little blonde named Gwen Stacy. If you’re not pulling for Spidey to prevail here, dare I say, you don’t believe in love!

(Mark will return in April to round out his list of Spider-Man’s top battles. In the meantime, please post your reactions to Mark’s preliminary selections in the comments section, below, and be sure to visit Mark’s Chasing Amazing blog, for even more amazing Amazing Spider-Man goodness! Thanks so much, Mark!)

View part two of this list HERE.

NEXT WEDNESDAY: #93 Guardians of the Galaxy

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