The first two issues of Marvel Comics Spider-Man Life Story are nearly perfect and 5 star books in my opinion. Issue three isn’t quite as good as it predecessors but it’s still excellent and continues to cement Zdarsky as one of comics brightest sta…
The first two issues of Marvel Comics Spider-Man Life Story are nearly perfect and 5 star books in my opinion. Issue three isn’t quite as good as it predecessors but it’s still excellent and continues to cement Zdarsky as one of comics brightest stars.
Zdarsky is the hottest writer in comics today. His Spider-Man Life Story is phenomenal and his two other current Marvel series, Daredevil and Invaders, are equally impressive. Unfortunately Invaders hasn’t found an audience despite its very high quality. His Daredevil pairing with Marco Checchetto is great as expected and is Marvel’s best current ongoing series.
Marvel couldn’t pair Chip with a better artistic collaborator on Life Story. Mark Bagley is an industry veteran discovered by former Marvel EiC Jim Shooter’s Marvel Try-Out Book contest. Bagley and writer David Michelini introduced Carnage to the Marvel universe in 1991. His version of Venom is one of the most popular of all-times and he was an artist on “Maximum Carnage” and “Clone Saga.” His Spidey credentials are legit and his Venom work elevates issue 3.
If you’re new to the concept this is Spider-Man’s story being told through each decade. The twist is he ages in real-time. Peter Parker is 16 in issue 1 and is in his mid-30s this issue. It’s an ambitious concept that Zdarksy and Bagley are executing to near perfection. In the previous issue Peter was married to Gwen Stacey. Peter discovered Professor Miles Warren (The Jackal) cloned Norman Osborn, Gwen and himself. Harry Osborn burned his lab to the ground and Peter only saved his own clone. Warren then revealed Peter’s wife was actually a clone and the real Gwen Stacy, Peter’s first love, was lost.
Despite his love for the character Chips Zdarsky is putting Peter, his friends and family through the wringer. If you’re new to Spider-Man, Life Story is a must read. I really like Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s Spider-Man: Blue as a character introduction. I think when Life Story is complete it will suppl..
