Spider-Man Unlimited #10

Feature One: "Banner Headlines" by Marc Sumerak and Greg Tocchini

 

Plot: The first story opens with a new character named Tyler Crane interviewing for an intern position at the Daily Bugle with Jonah Jameson. Tyler is getting chewed up pretty bad by Hitler's illegitimate son until he mentions that he hates Spider-Man. DING-DING!! Right answer, Tyler! Within 15 minutes or so, Tyler has gone from intern applicant to a possible threat to Robbie Robertson's job. Peter Parker soon meets the new kid on the block and finds out that Tyler hates his alter ego. After some compassionate discussion with Tyler, he finds out why...Tyler's brother was a cop killed in action by a super-villain, and so (duh!) all super-heroes must be to blame for it. Makes perfect sense to me.

     Soon thereafter, Tyler is nearly killed by the Rhino on one of trademark rampages, until Spidey stops him cold. After a brief discussion, Tyler realizes how wrong he's been and changes from Spidey-basher to Spidey-fan.

 

Likes: This was a great story...well written on all fronts. Peter's personality is spot on...kind, funny and full of wisdom. The Spidey/Rhino duel was also excellent, and takes exactly as long as it should...a few panels. Rhino has always been totally outclassed against Spider-Man, and its nice to see that illustrated so well this issue. Speaking of illustration, the art is also excellent.

 

Dislikes: Nothing. The only thing that would have made it better was if JJJ had gotten impaled by the Rhino's horn.

 

Rating: This feature gets a solid 5 out of 5 webheads.

 

Feature Two: "Love Cycle (Obsess, Distress, Repeat)" by Maria-Emiko Macuaga and Pia Guerra

 

Plot: A borderline psychotic female who has a homicidal "love" obsession with Spider-Man (sounds like a Jerry Springer guest, doesn't it?) tries to bomb Spidey and herself with a bomb hidden in her handbag. A crook steals it and Peter stops him and returns the bag. (IRONY ALERT) Then he talks with the troubled teen who he realizes was once a student of his (I wouldn't put that on my resume, Pete...) Peter kindly talks to this troubled teen even though he is going to get yelled at again by his boss, once more spot-on characterization of Peter Parker. Its very heartening to see a rising generation of writers who know that Peter is a tremendously charitable and humble man.

 

Likes: Decent story. Outstanding art, much akin to Paul Pelletier's.

 

Dislikes: This story was, well, boring. It was well written from a dramatic standpoint, but needed a super-villain or something to spice it up an turn it into a true Spider-Man story.

 

Rating: 2 out of 5 webheads

 

Cumulative Score: 3.5 webheads (for the entire issue a whole)