Spider-Man Family Issue 1 Review

It is now time to reach in the old random comic book box of doom and pull out another issue. In this episode, we have Spider-Man Family Issue 1 from October 2006. This is a collection of five short stories of various instances based on everyone's favorite archanid based, web slinging, wise cracking super hero, the Amazing, the Spectacular, Spider-Man.

Spider-Man Family Issue 1 Review

Bit of a different approach given that these are five stories in a slightly sizable comic book. The entire issue was released in October 2006 by Marvel Comic Books.

The first story on tap is "Opposites Attack" written by Sean McKeever, with Patrick Ollified, Casey Jones, Kano, and Nick Draggotta on pencillers, Livesay, Vince Russel, Kano, Alvaro Lopez, and Nick Dragotta on inks.

Obviously this is one big stinking tribute to Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, given that we see that Spider-Man and Iceman are fighting the deadly, the ever dangerous Videoman, who actually did cross over to comic books. Firestar joins up and there appears to be some tension between Firestar and Iceman. Spider-Man tries to play matchmaker, which results in some rather hilarious moments. In the end, he ends up bringing them together, which ends up with Peter Parker being bed ridden and Mary Jane having to take care of them.

Then we have more with Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends, in the second issue titled The Mini Marvels in Spidey and his Amazing Co-Workers, with Sean Mckeever writing. Now this is a nice little short tale obviously geared towards younger readers. Spider-Man is in costume and working for J. Jonah Jameson, which is an obvious point that it is meant to be silly and gloriously embraces that fact.

Iceman and Firestar join forces with Spider-Man in the toughest battle that they've ever fought, delivering newspapers for J. Jonah Jameson. They end up seeing the hard work and return back to the safer and more sane venture of fighting crime. Leading to a funny gag, involving Hawkeye and his Amazing Friends. Spider-Man appears to have a new co-worker as well, in Ghost Rider.

The next story is a reprint from Untold Tales of Spider-Man Issue 2, titled "Castles in the Air" written by Kurt Busiek, Pencilled by Patrick Ollifie, Inked by Al Vey, Colored by Steve Mattisson, and Richard Starkings.

The Untold Tales of Spider-Man were stories set during the old days of Spider-Man when he was first getting started. Granted, they were an enhancement to the tales from the days of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko so you didn't need to read them. But they were rather intriguing in potentially filling in some holes and potentially closing some plot gaps.

This one just seems to be a nice little brisk tale about Spider-Man dealing with a creature, trying to get a monetary award. Motivated by the fact that he wants to have enough money to move out with Aunt May to a place where the other kids at school are not just jerks. Ah the skewed priorities of a teenager. Of course the guys he is working with are bigger monsters than the monster he is trying to capture, who is some kid who is in pain. Of course, Spider-Man's promise to get the kid help rather falls on deaf ears.

Nothing Venture is a reprint from Spider-Man 2099 Issue #2, written by Peter David, Pencilled by Rick Leonardi, Inked by Al Willamson, Colored by Noelle Giddings, and Lettered by Rick Parker. This continues with Spider-Man 2099 Issue 1 that I reviewed. Again, the Spider-Man 2099 Universe is a rather interesting and unique one. There are some differences that set it apart he rest. This has the Spider-Man of this era really starting to come to terms with his powers.

Then we have "Hydra and Go-Seek". This is another younger readers tale, written by Fred Hemback in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1. Some hyjinx, with Peter Parker, Flash Thompson, and Baron Strucker, leads to Strucker getting a water gun and having it blast in his face. All over one dollar. Honestly kids.

Spider-Man Family Issue 1 has a great mix of stories.