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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Wednesday, August 24, 2005
There's something about CENTENNIAL COVERS that, Alpha Flight's inexplicable longitivty notwithstanding, just impress the heck out of me. Despite my advanced years - I was 19! - I was truly excited when I got AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #100 [September, 1971] at the small Mom-and-Pop store where I bought my comic books. Pencilled by John Romita, inked by Frank Giacoia, this cover was a classic from the moment it rolled off the printing press.
"The Spider or the Man?" was written by Stan Lee, pencilled by Gil Kane, and inked by Giacoia. I could definitely relate to Peter Parker's questioning his life and thinking about his future. Like I said, I was 19 when I read this comic.
That connection between Peter and myself probably explains why I allowed my disbelief to be suspended to the degree demanded of it by this tale. Apparently, without a word to his loyal readers, not even those of us who had been with him for 92 of his 100 issues, our friendly neighborhood Spider-Man had been working on a chemical formula to remove his spider-powers, a formula he was now willing to test on himself so that he could settle down and build a future with the not-yet-deceased Gwen Stacy. Just when you think you know someone...
Peter downs the formula and goes into a series of flashbacks and hallucinations because...how else were Stan and Gil gonna get his supporting cast and most popular foes into this special issue otherwise? We're only talking 19 pages here, people.
Peter's sides hurt throughout his extended dream and nightmare sequence. When he comes out of it, he is horrified to discover he now has four extra arms. Not only does he still have his powers, he's become more spider than ever! It's not a dream! It's not an imaginary tale! It *is* continued next issue!
We pause for a digression.
This story has a special quirky meaning for me. At the time it was published, there was this incredibly stupid series of rumors going around comics fandom. In those pre-Internet days, we didn't have blogs and mailing lists and message boards to spread rumors. We pretty much had to spread them one letter or postcard at a time. It was hardly worth the effort.
These particular rumors were so stupid that I never gave them any credence. Indeed, they were so outrageous no one else believed them either, so it's an exaggeration for me to say they were truly going around comics fandom. I heard them from three people and I'd bet that two of them heard it from the third.
These *ABSOLUTELY BOGUS* rumors had Stan Lee being fired from Marvel for embezzling and being replaced by Archie Goodwin...with Goodwin being given orders to create a "more monstrous version of Spider-Man." It was ludicrous, but, as I saw the six-armed Peter Parker on the final page of the issue, I had an "Oh-My-God!" moment that lasted maybe half a second. Then I laughed out loud at what an idiot I was for giving in to even that half-second hesitation. Thus do even stupid rumors work their hoodoo.
I knew the six arms wouldn't hang around for more than another issue or two. Had they been permanent, they would have reduced the "screen time" for Spider-Man's supporting cast and those characters were a big part of what made his comics so good. From the physical standpoint, I realized the weight of the additional arms would make it difficult for Spider-Man to perform all his wall-crawling, web-swinging stunts...and his brand of action was another of the book's key elements. I was right on all counts.
Roy Thomas wrote the final two issues of "The Six-Arms Saga," introducing Morbius - "The Living Vampire" - and bringing back the Lizard for another go-round. The short version of the conclusion is that Spidey gets better thanks to pseudo-science in the form of a serum made of one part Lizard Juice and one part Living Vampire Blood. Make mine a double, bartender!
I kid. I kid because I loved these comic books as a youngster and I love them to this day. Kudos to Stan the Man and the rest of the Marvel gang for bringing the fun, for bringing the excitement, for bringing the style.
I'll have more CENTENNIAL COVERS for you in future TOTs. But, for now, thanks for spending part of your day with me.
I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 08/23/2005 | 08/24/2005 | 08/25/2005 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
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