UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS [NEW PRINTING]

I read this along with my Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, so I made reference to how they fit in. I followed the timeline at the back of the volume, and I have commented issue by issue. The binding is great with bright and sturdy pages. It certainly doesn't look 800 pages long. Also, I don't know why the Amazon picture of the cover is color inverted, but mine isn't.Amazing Fantasy #16 “Amazing Tales” 4 StarsThis is probably the best bridge to the actual Amazing Spider-Man #1. It’s a very atypical superhero story about scams, which allows the focus to be on Peter and Aunt May’s relationship. It also starts a mini-arc for Spider-Man’s forgotten agent that mostly works.Amazing Fantasy #17 “Amazing Adventures” 3.5 StarsHere’s where this bridge starts to lose me. This is about Peter’s isolation, so they introduce a female powered friend for Peter. I think her look threw me off the most. The previous issue feels very 60s, but Joey looks very 90s with her bare midriff and backwards baseball hat. I guess it could be 80s, which would work with the sliding timescale, but that makes Peter incredibly dweeby. It’s a weird choice. I like the themes and the early introduction of a classic villain.Amazing Fantasy #18 “The Amazing Spider-man” 3 StarsOkay, I actually like the agent stuff here, though if you read Amazing Spider-Man #1 after this, it feels like the start is scattered through these new Amazing Fantasy issues. I think the biggest issue is that Supercharger becomes Peter’s first supervillain as opposed to Vulture, or maybe the Chameleon, and Supercharger sucks. I think Busiek was commenting on 90s heroes, but he definitely did that better elsewhere, see Astro City. It’s fine, but it clashes the most with everything else. What bumps it up a little bit is the addition of J. Jonah Jameson and John Jameson that give Jonah’s hatred more context and a little more rationality. It’s uneven, but alright.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #1 “To Serve and Protect” 3.5 StarsThe first Untold Tales is neat with the early introduction of Captain Stacy and new villain Scorcher. I think Busiek is a little too didactic in this one with Spider-Man needing to learn about the complexities of criminal investigations. Also, these Untold Tales issues weave much better into continuity than the earlier Amazing Fantasy issues.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #2 “Castles in the Air” 4 StarsThis one is also didactic as it works to expand Peter’s high school friends, but I think the tragedy at the end makes it worthwhile. I like Batwing and I genuinely think that the issues brought up surrounding him are interesting.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #3 “Sandblasted” 4 StarsI’m torn. I like the Sandman, and more Betty is almost always better, especially since this is more like the best versions of her. However, we get hurt and grump Peter, which to be fair, I get. Being hurt sucks, but it is a bit annoying to read. Also, if you’re reading this chronologically, Peter was just hurt by the Vulture in Amazing Spider-Man #7 and even before that got a pep talk from Johnny Storm in Amazing Spider-Man #3. Still, Betty and Sandman!Untold Tales of Spider-Man #4 “The Measure of a Man” 3 StarsI like the idea of John Jameson trying to figure out if Spider-Man would join NASA. His reasoning at the end doesn’t make too much sense to me, but it is interesting. The problem is that it’s handled in a very straightforward manner. Plus, the Space Men suck.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #5 “Vulture on the Wing” 4 StarsThis begins a three issue arc that takes place entirely during page 5 of Amazing Spider-Man #10. It is a good beginning with more clever Vulture fight scenes, including an impressive opening in the rain. The Vulture won’t be seen in the main title for awhile, I appreciate his use here. It also deepens Peter’s classmates and begins some nice character development for them. The Hulk’s General Ross is a fun cameo and the ending provides a nice dilemma.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #6 “Double Jeopardy” 3.5 StarsSome Human Torch and Spider-Man fun while the classmates storyline continues. Early Strange Tales Wizard is kind of a deep cut, and I think the Spidey/Torch relationship fits in well with the timeline. They’re a little antagonistic, but almost friends.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #7 “On the Trail of the Amazing Spider-Man” 4 StarsThe Electro plot is a little silly, but I think the main thrust of this trilogy is to give Untold Tales its own identity, and I think it succeeds. Jason and Sally are certainly developing their own identities.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #8 “Harry’s Story” 3 StarsJust after a fun and more independent trio of issues, this is a continuity heavy story that I’m not sure does much. It spoils the Green Goblin mystery if you’re reading this with the original run, though that isn’t much of a spoiler thanks to the films. It sets up Harry and Gwen, but the comic does that. They do have a touching working dad commiseration moment, which redeems it a bit. Oh, and the Headsman is almost a nonentity. It’s the first partial dud of Untold Tales.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #9 “Cry… Lizard!” 3.5 StarsLizard stories almost all follow a fairly predictable pattern, and this one has most of them. However, I think the addition of Batwing at least provides some good reasoning for them as does the additional school gang stuff.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #10 “Call Her… Commanda!” 2.5 StarsA one-off cheesecake villain who has some interesting powers and potential, but doesn’t go anywhere. The stuff with Sally is the only essential stuff here. There’s also technically the Betty Brant stuff, which is really misleading in this issue. I wonder if Busiek had it figured out then because it seems like jealousy here… It’s not, though the jealousy would come later.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #11 “Shock follows Shock!” 4 StarsThe Eel is another Strange Tales deep cut, though there’s only a Human Torch mention this time. The Eel teams up with Electro, but the main show is Bluebird and Flash. This is what I like in Untold Tales.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #12 “The Secrets of Betty Brant” 4 StarsAnother Untold Tales gem! Betty’s behavior gets a good explanation, aside from issue 10. Also, there’s more Bluebird fun and a new villain.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #13 “Without Warning” 5 StarsWow, not the issue I was expecting. It subverts pretty much everything I was expecting and has some very cool Spidey-Torch stuff at the end. I kind of wish it had been a two parter.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #14 “One Thing Right” 4 StarsAn all-around good episode that picks up on the emotional baggage from the previous issue while also making it a bit lighter. I will say Amazing Spider-Man #13 felt a little weird before this issue, which is the first I’ve really noticed since Amazing Fantasy 17 and 18, and it’s really not that big an issue.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #15 “The Battle for the Daily Bugle” 3 StarsI appreciate Busiek trying to give more reason to Stan’s character assassination of Betty, but it’s still unfortunate. The Terrier is a threat, but not a very interesting one outside of his connection to Betty.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #16 “Who’s that Girl?” 4 StarsI didn’t much care for “Harry’s Story” in issue 8 because it didn’t do much but set an earlier date for their meeting. This story introduces Mary Jane early and adds in a bit of continuity from an excellent graphic novel called “Parallel Lives,” which I highly recommend. It also expands on Mary Jane’s uncertainty about Peter and helps explain her avoidance at meeting him. It’s a good character piece for a classic character that ties together two excellent things very nicely.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #17 “Spidey Battles Hawkeye the Marksman” 4.5 StarsI actually think the theming is spot on here. Clint’s romantic troubles reflect Peter’s romantic troubles indirectly. It’s a cool issue, and I went back and looked at the Tales of Suspense issues featuring Clint and Natasha (Tales of Suspense 57, 60, & 64), and this issue fits in and expands on Hawkeye’s thoughts. Old Iron Man comics are tough to read, so I really enjoyed this look into how good the title could be; also, Spidey vs. Hawkeye isn’t a very common fight.Untold Tales of Spider-Man: Strange Encounter 3 StarsKind of a weird little drop in published the year after the Untold Tales Series ended. Why such a low rating? It’s kind of a normal Doctor Strange story, though it does show a new first meeting between Spidey and Strange. Also, the ending is rather predictable and disappointing.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #18 “Unseen Dangers” 4 StarsThis issue does a great job at putting together many pieces. Notably, it makes Betty less erratic by showing one of the most uncomfortable dates in history. It also lets the Green Goblin be kind of a badass (I say this as a known Goblin hater [Not entirely true, but he’s overrated]).Untold Tales of Spider-Man #19 “Eight Arms to Hold You!” 4 StarsAnother solid issue, Doc Ock is on Peter’s home turf, and Peter’s community spirit is tested. There’s a shortage of Forest Hills stories, so it’s nice to get one here.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #20 "Wings of Hatred" 4.5 StarsA genuinely great story featuring the Vulture’s backstory. It’s funny that this story deals so much with influence, yet it isn’t a big villain, just the Vulture. It’s a feels issue with plenty of combat that actually fits in at a time when Spidey wasn’t active.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #21 "Menace!" 3 StarsThis story is a little standard. I mostly like the Betty stuff at the start. The X-Men are okay here, and the only team that doesn’t comment on Spidey’s cowardice at the start of Amazing Spider-Man #18, so it’s a nice addition at least. It also sets up more of the cowardice arc that continues throughout that issue.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #22 "The Spider and the Scarecrow" 2 StarsBusiek just gets too clever here. Busiek is riffing off a letter in the letter page in the 60s Spider-Man that requested this battle, so that’s interesting, I guess. This story takes place at the same time as Amazing Spider-Man #18, and on its own, it’s average. However, part of what makes that story more interesting is that it doesn’t have a supervillain fight in it. It’s pretty much all character development, so this story feels like it undercuts that. If it was an impressive story, I’d give it more slack, but enh.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #23 “In the Shadow of the Crime-Master” 3.5 StarsIt’s a nice Spidey tale that has a good core and bridges some Betty/Peter stuff in the main book. It introduces the Crime Master earlier and makes him more involved than in the main book. It’s a solid Spidey issue.Untold Tales of Spider-Man Annual ‘97 “It’s Always Darkest...” 2.5 StarsSo, this is only half a story. It’s a little more common since this title to write forgotten villains into the pasts of heroes. However, if you’re just reading it in the Omnibus, it feels very forgettable. It’s just a prologue; all the meat is in Amazing Spider-Man Annual ‘98. So, this is going to be really forgettable unless you have access to that annual. I wish it was included.Untold Tales of Spider-Man Annual ‘96 “A Night on the Town!” 4.5 StarsThis story feels like it’s written for me; I smiled through the whole issue. It’s an adorable story that could only be told in this era. There’s a little creative shifting in the timeline, taking the (awesome) backup story from Amazing Spider-Man #8 and placing it after (the terrible) Amazing Spider-Man #21 and before this issue. However, Spidey asking out the Invisible Girl to spite the Human Torch is gold. This is the kind of fun I want. Also, bonus points for the making of Untold Tales in the style of the making of Amazing Spider-Man with Ditko/Lee from the first annual in the 60s as well as a rogue’s gallery in that style.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #24 “‘What Would Spidey Do?!’” 3 StarsA cute story with Batwing that has an ending that’s just far too convenient. The Jason Ionello stuff concludes with some good character development for Flash, and honestly, that’s the best part of the issue. The Batwing stuff is basically just an altered copy of the first Lizard story.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #25 “Bad Men on Campus!” 3.5 StarsThe series concluded with a bang, giving a nice transition to Peter’s college life, though he won’t be in college for a few issues in Amazing Spider-Man. This issue actually syncs more with Fantastic Four #35. It once again spoils one of the mysteries in the original Amazing series, so it might be best to read it after the Crime Master’s identity is revealed.Amazing Spider-Man Annual #37 “‘Make Mine Marvel!’” 3 StarsA fun little story about the bullpen written years after the series ended.Untold Tales of Spider-Man #-1 “There’s a Man Who Lives a Life of Danger!” 3 StarsThe negative ones were another 90s gimmick, and this one expands on Peter’s parents. If you’re reading this with the original Amazing Spider-Man and don’t know about Peter’s parents, you may want to wait after Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5. It’s a fine issue to go out on.Untold Tales of Spider-Man is a largely solid throwback collection that has rightly been integrated into canon. It’s fondly remembered and other than assuming that the readers know more about the classic Amazing Spider-Man than they might, it fits in with a classic read. I understand expecting people to know MJ and Norman Osborn, but the Crime Master? Anyway, other than that, I think it blends spectacularly well with the classic series and is a must for Spider-Fans.

Good book for price