Some Spider-Man arcs are classic because they’re throwbacks (the ’80s Secret Wars), and others because of impact on the Marvel Universe (the recent Civil War). But apocalyptic wartime aside, the best Spidey drama comes from intimate plot – 2004’s three-part arc, under the teen-oriented themes of the “”Marvel Knights”” imprint, offer that intimacy. So buckle up for the most intense web-slinging narrative in recent years.
Down Among the Dean Men – Spiderman #1-4
Marvel Comics
You’ll sense the maturation right off the bat. Aside from contemporary shout-outs (here’s an Easter egg: Mary Jane’s Shins tank top), there’s more blood, wit and sexuality in “”Marvel Knights”” than your granny ever got. Writer Mark Millar gains a modern flexibility, ratcheting up the superhuman spectacle as Aunt May is kidnapped yet again. But Millar develops the overused plot device: Though Spidey expectedly scours the city in a mad rescue dash, he wails on Vulture, Electro and Hawkeye (in a wild romp through the Avengers’ mansion) with unprecedented force; it’s amazing what fighting and cussing can do to soothe the nerves. But of course, it’s all for naught when Spidey realizes he’s been played – so Aunt May is still missing, along with the culprit who kidnapped her.
Venemous – Spiderman #5-8
Marvel Comics
“”Spider-Man 3″” aside, these issues hold the last major Eddie Brock story. Disillusioned by a cancer diagnosis, Brock decides to sell off his symbiote to the low rungs of the NYC mafia. This, of course, makes more trouble for our Spidey, who faces the new Venom at his high school reunion. Focusing on the many-toothed one is a nice reprieve from the tired “”Aunt May’s missing!”” plot, which picks up a little steam when sworn enemy Norman Osborn enters the suspect list. As with every trilogy’s midsection, “”Venomous”” is the three-parter’s darkest streak – Peter Parker finds out troubling news about his missing aunt, plus the city is out to unmask him for a $5-million reward. Throughout the issues, Terry Dodson’s art stays extra sharp, though guest illustrator Frank Cho gets overzealous with boob size. But teens should be able to handle a bit more tittage, right?
The Last Stand – Spiderman #9-12
Marvel Comics
It all comes down to this – Aunt May is still missing, and who else would have her but … the Scorpion? Yeah, right. Unconvinced that Max Gargan is a criminal genius, Parker races to find the real puppeteer behind the scheme to put yet another death on Spidey’s head (flashbacks to Gwen Stacey, Uncle Ben and other collateral victims lend tragic weight). Opening the can of worms reveals a wealth of enemies (way more than the Sinister Six), all united under one common goal: wreck Spider-Man’s life. Backed into a corner, Parker is confronted with the perennial dramatic question: My morals or my life? “”The Last Stand”” provides a satisfying coda to not only this trilogy, but to larger themes of the Spider-Man universe.
