From Marvel Comics, Susan K. Putney, Berni Wrightson, Michelle Wrightson, Jim Novak.

If this smells like it came from an earlier time, you would be right.  Originally published in the Marvel Graphic Novel series in 1986, this is reprinted for a cash grab, I mean new generation.

It is Berni Wrightson art, so it is amazing.  I’m not the biggest Wrightson expert in the world, no where close, but in my travels throughout comic book collecting I’ve never once seen a bad piece of art with Wrightson’s name on it.  Stunning art and splash pages abound inside this issue.  Spider-Man looks smart and powerful.  Two things that are sometimes missing from portrayals of the Wall Crawler.  Ever since Todd McFarlane showed off the flexibility of the character that’s all you see in his actions.  Then his words get to be a little too depressing at times.  This is the scientist and the warrior.  Its also nearly 30 years old.

In all of those years how many times has Spider-Man fought mystical monsters?  Answer, not often by any means.  This isn’t a world for Spider-Man.  Doctor Strange or Thor for sure.  I might even be alright with Hulk getting thrown in there.  A giant monster from our world sent to battle the beasts of another realm.  But Spider-Man?  Avengers is fine.  Fantastic Four is pushing it, but Spidey as the everyman role for this team works well.  However Spidey doesn’t work in other realms.  I wonder if this script was originally written for another character and then re-written for Spider-Man in hopes that it would sell better.

I mean it worked.  I picked up the issue out of curiosity, and may not have if it was another character on the cover.  Nor did I have any knowledge of the original printing.  For great art, or a somewhat historical look at comic books and Spider-Man its worth a buy.  But if you’re looking for a story to add to the list of great Spider-Man tales this is not it.