Here's a small part of my site where I recommend to you a few Spidey issues that don't take too much weight off of that wallet. So here they are :
Here are my favorite single-issues or arcs that have yet to be put in Trade Paperback form :
- Amazing Spider-Man # 248 : If I were you, Id' skip the first half and go immediately to Roger Stern and Ron Frenz's masterpiece. It focuses on what Spider-Man is truly about; a regular guy with a heart of gold. - Amazing Spider-Man # 266 : When former X-villain the Toad is about to commit suicide, Spider-Man saves his life. The Toad is so grateful about this, he offers to be Spidey's sidekick. Spidey obviously turns him down, so what the Toad decides to do is to hire a bunch of thugs to beat up Spidey and the Toad would save the day. Problem is, loser semi-hero the Frog-Man finds out about this, and so does Spider-Kid (a teenager with Doc Ock-like tentacles). Spidey is in some serious trouble. Written by Tom DeFalco and drawn by Ron Frenz. - Amazing Spider-Man # 267 : Written by Peter David, this tale is about Spidey following a simple crook from Manhattan all the way to the suburbs. What is the result ?? One of the funniest stories ever told in Spidey's entire history ! - Web of Spider-Man # 38 : Who else other than Spider-Man would go ahead and fight the Hobgoblin while being drunk ?? A nice fun story told by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by Alex Saviuk. - Spider-Man # 17 : Spidey dies !! Yes. He actually does indeed die, but not for long. In this issue, Spidey meets Thanos and Death, during the Infinity Gauntlet story, and a nice story takes place. Ann Nocenti writes, and Rick Leonardi draws. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 178 to 183 (The Child Within) : A sort of "sequel" to Kraven's Final Hunt which could be just as good. Spidey vs. Vermin vs. the Green Goblin (Harry) ! Can Harry kill his best friend ?? J.M. DeMatteis and Sal Buscema tell the tale. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 184 : A extremely light-hearted tale brought to you by John Marc DeMatteis featuring the Fabulous Frog-Men and the White Rabbit ! Sal Buscema supplies the beautiful art. - Amazing Spider-Man # 400 : One of the most touching comics ever. Feauturing the death of "aunt May", this tearjerker makes me want to kill Harras and Macchio for bringing her back. J.M. DeMatteis proves here, more than ever, that he can write a very emotional tale, along with the beautiful pencils of Mark Bagley. - Untold Tales of Spider-Man # -1 to 25 : Kurt Busiek and Pat Ollife's critically acclaimed book. When Ben Reilly was revealed to be the real deal, Marvel came up with the idea of a bunch of 99 cents books, one of them happened to be some untold stories of Spidey's past. Busiek's untold tales did NOT retcon Lee and Ditko's work (unlike Chapter 1) and they fitted perfectly well with the original stories. Despite the "flashback" format, there were death in the book and took everyone by surprise. This also gives us a sneak peek into Norman Osborn's life, right before he became the Green Goblin. Pick any of these issues, they are all fantastic ! Truly a great book at a even greater price ! - Sensational Spider-Man # 0 : The man who killed Superman writes Spidey for the very first time. Dan Jurgens forray into the crazy clone-filled world of Peter Parker is a succesful one. Here he introduces a whole new cast of supporting characters. From Devin to Jessica to Buzz, Jurgens writes (and draws) a story that really fits in well during this whole clone madness story. Also, here Ben dyes his hair blond ! - Sensational Spider-Man # 4-5, Amazing Spider-Man # 411-412, Spider-Man # 68, Spectacular Spider-Man # 234 (Blood Brothers) : IMO the best arc that came out of the entire clone saga. In this six parter, we can see Norman Osborn's plan is kicked in high gear. This is a great prelude for Revelations. - Sensational Spider-Man # 6 : Problems with Ralph Macchio caused Jurgens to leave Spidey, so after 7 months of injecting new life into Spidey, he leaves. In this story, Jessica wrestles with her conscious whether she should send her photos (which reveal that Ben is Spidey) to the Daily Bugle or not to. A nice touching farewell for Dan Jurgens. - Amazing Spider-Man # 415 and Spider-Man # 72 (Onslaught) : Tom DeFalco & Mark Bagley, and Howard Mackie & John Romita Junior write two solid. During the whole infamous Onslaught saga, New York is under attack by Sentinels, and who saves the day ?? Yup, Spidey and Peter. Also, this feautures Mark's final artwork on ASM (unless you don't count the GORGEOUS cover of ASM # 416). - Sensational Spider-Man # 8 : Two best friend's collaborate together for the first time to write a Spidey story that harkens back to the days of old. Writer Todd DeZago and artist Mike Wieringo give us a story that could easily be confused for a Stan Lee/Steve Ditko story from the 60's. Spidey vs. The Looter. It is quite obvious here, that the creative team loves the villain, and uses him here quite perfectly. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 241-245 : J.M. DeMatteis and artist Luke Ross deliver an exciting and weird arc in the issues which take place immediately after Revelations. here we see the debut of Mad Jack and the new Kraven, while Spidey is fighting the Chameleon. Also don't miss the climatic slobbernocker between Spidey and the Kangaroo ! - Spectacular Spider-Man # 246 : Spidey vs. The Legion of Losers. Yup that's right. The team of the Grizzly, the Gibbon, the Kangaroo and Spot team-up to take down Spidey. They fail. Laugh at the misfortunes of these failures, they deserve it. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 247-250 (The Return of Evil) : The beginning of Norman's plan starts here. Norman returns with a grand plan (which is ultimately destroyed by Macchio, Byrne and Mackie one year later). Great art (by Ross), great writing (by DeMatteis) and great issues. - Sensational Spider-Man # 25 (Spider-Hunt part 1) : Right after Norman Osborn had framed Spider-Man on the murder of a local cook, he puts out a 1 millon $ bounty on the head of Spider-Man. While the hero's trying to do good deeds while a bunch of regular Joe's with guns are trying to kill him, a new Green Goblin kidnaps the grandson of Norman Osborn.By Todd DeZago and Joe Bennett. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 255 (Spider-Hunt part 4) : While on the search for the young Osborn, Spidey runs into the Punisher, Shotgun, Jimmy Six and the new Goblin. All of this happens as Norman's public sympathy rises in stature in NY. Great all-around work by J.M. DeMatteis and Luke Ross. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 256 : Easily the one of the funniest Spidey books of all-time. What happens when the White Rabbit holds the reformed heroes, the Gribbon and the Grizzly, for ransom for 1 million $, and that the mayor counter-offers with less than 5 $ ?? The Bombastic Bag-Man !!!! - Sensational Spider-Man # 31 : Todd DeZago and Mike Wieringo's final work on Spidey together, and they didn't disappoint. A nice story which feautures Spidey and the Rhino tear up New York, and and two emotional goodbyes. - Spectacular Spider-Man # 258 to 261 (Goblin's Gate): Probably one of the most anticipated arcs in Spidey history. The original Green Goblin vs. the original Hobgoblin. Plotted by Roger Stern. Covers drawn by John Romita Senior. Issues drawn by Luke Ross. Nuff said. - Peter Parker : Spider-Man # 95 : What happens when Peter Parker, Norman Osborn, Normie Osborn and Betty Brant are stuck in an elevator ?? A suspensful story ! Howard Mackie and John Romita Junior create a fun and suspensful tale which features great dialogue between Peter and Norman. - Webspinners : Tales of Spider-Man # 1 : There are two stpries here, I'd skip the first half (by DeMatteis and Michael Zulli), it isn't bad, but I'd go to the last 15 pages and read the instant classic by Jean Marc DeMatteis and John Romita Senior. The back-up is the last night that Peter and Gwen Stacy spent together. Truly a masterpiece. This is a story that, you just feel for Peter and Gwen, because sadly, you know that she will be gone. JRSR tells the story finely with J.M. just helping a bit. The rest of the arc is fine, but this back-up is truly a classic, and one of my favorite stories I have ever read. This story makes you want MJ to die, and to let Gwen live on, but her memory will live on forever in the hearts of Peter, and the millions who miss her.Now, here are my favorite stoies that can be found in TPB form :
- Essential Spider-Man # 1-2 : For over 20 issues, this tradepaperback is at a very low price. Sure there's no color, but trust me, this book is a steal ! Book 1 contains Amazing Fantasy # 15, the first 20 issues of ASM AND the first annual. With stories by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, how can you miss ??? A must read for all old Spidey fans. For you new Spidey fans, forget what Byrne's doing now, and read it the way it was meant to be. - Spider-Man vs. The Green Goblin : This TPB features the second fight between Spidey-GG (ASM # 18), the infamous "drug issues" (ASM # 96-97-98), the monumental Spidey-GG fight (ASM # 121-122) and the final Peter-Harry fight (Spec # 200). This is highly recommended. - Spider-Man : Origin of the Hobgoblin (includes Amazing Spider-Man #238-#239, #244-#245, and #249-#251) : I have all the originals, except for 244, but trust me, this TPB is well worth the price. This probably some of Roger Stern and John Romita Junior's best work that they have ever done. - Spider-Man The Saga of the Alien Costume : To be honest, I have no idea what's in here, but I'm sure it contains some classics like ASM # 252 and # 258. (BTW in ASM # 258, whatch out for what the Human Torch gives to Spider-Man as a costume ! CLASSIC!!) - The Death of Captain Jean DeWolff (includes Spectacular Spider-Man # 107 to 110) : When Spidey meets for the first time a nut with a gun (the Sin-Eater), he finds himself being torn from his "Power and Responsibility" motto and personal vengeance. Also, Daredevil gets thrown into the mix. Peter David's first work on Spidey I believe. - Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt (includes Web of Spider-Man # 31 and 32, Amazing Spider-Man # 293 and 294, Spectacular Spider-Man # 131 and 132 ) : J.M. DeMatteis and Mike Zeck's greatest accomplishment, This was the first ever Spidey cross-over, and it was probably his greatest. What more can I say about this masterpiece ? Great story with a shock ending. - Spider-Man vs. Venom ( includes Amazing Spider-Man #300, #315-#317) - If you like Venom, then you'd LOVE this TBP. Spidey's first two battles against the Lethal Protector. Written by David Michelinie and drawn by Todd McFarlane, the duo portray Venom at his absolute best, and this was done when the villain wasn't watered down and got stuck in an infinite number of pointless mini-series. - Identity Crisis (includes Sensational Spider-Man # 27-28,Amazing Spider-Man # 434-435, Spider-Man #91-92, Spectacular Spider-Man #257-258) : After nearly getting killed in Spider-Hunt, Peter finally decides to wear different costumes while "on patrol". He comes up with Hornet, Ricochet, Dusk and Prodigy. Four fun stories (with Hornet being the best) and these are the identities that are now assumed by the super-hero group known as "Slingers".