In a completely selfish hope that Marvel Comics' new high end collectible Wolverine Adamantium Edition may be followed by a Spider-man Web Slinging Edition I’m taking the opportunity to highlight the stories that I think are representative of what makes Peter Parker “Amazing”. I’m sticking exclusively with the mainstream Spider-man most people know of and worked hard to keep the page count as close to 720 as possible. I’m also working in publication order so that we can see the character growth and development as it happened. Last week I chose “The Kid Who Collects Spider-man” from The Amazing Spider-man #248.
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-man #107 – 110 left me breathless and speechless from October, 1985 through January 1986 with the four part story “The Death of Jean DeWolff”. The story introduced the character of Sin-Eater and he left his mark. Sin-Eater had a list of those he considered “sinners”, and that list included people like police captain DeWolff and J. Jonah Jameson among others. Executing Jean made a very public statement that resulted in Spider-man becoming involved.
Daredevil was drawn into this story arc when the Sin-Eater killed a judge presiding over one of Matt Murdock’s cases. This really was a well written story by Peter David very early in his career. I liked it for the fact that it showcased how Spider-man affected his greater world as a whole. Sure, it’s just a cop’s beat but until Jean DeWolff died Spider-man had no idea how she felt about him or the amount of respect she held him in. When he does find out though, he was justifiably angry. Probably as angry as he’s ever been. Justice prevails, barely. For when Daredevil jumps down to save the Sin-Eater from an angry mob Spider-man’s content to let him go. Even as Daredevil struggles, trying not to hurt the equally angry citizens, he falls to the mob and still Spider-man refuses to budge. When Daredevil calls for “Peter” Spider-man jumps down and pulls the two men out of the crowd.
It’s a very good story that reminds him of who he is at his core, and gives us the opportunity to see the value of Spider-man outside of his own perceptions. It’s about the inspiration that he provides in the city that he inhabits. It’s discovering that what he does and who he is touches people in ways he’ll never know. It’s good stuff!
Michael R. Murray has been buying and collecting comics for over 35 years. At one point his collection included two copies of Amazing Spider-man #1, and one copy each of Amazing Fantasy #15, Fantastic Four #2, Avengers #4, Showcase #22, and dozens more high grade and key issues. The collection has grown to include original art pages, as well as statues and busts, with the current emphasis on collecting original drawings from appropriate artists on the inside of his hard covers. His personal collection of graphic novels consists of over 2,000 hard covers and trade paperbacks. He has attended all of the Boston and New York Comic Cons and experienced Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Diego. He has championed comic books in the local schools and was very proud that both of his children read at least three years above their grade levels, due nearly exclusively to comics. He’s quick to point out that none of this makes him an expert, but that his love of comics is most enjoyable when he can share it. Follow on Twitter at mycomicstore001 or like his Facebook page.