Michelinie, David Books - Page 2

Spider-man: Fox and the Bug (Spiderman)

David Michelinie

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Ideal for new Spider-Man readers 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 17 people found this review helpful.

In the late-80's, writer David Michelinie, known for his work on Iron Man, and super hot upcoming artist Todd McFarlane teamed up to work on a comicbook. Not any comicbook - Marvel's number one title, The Amazing Spider-Man.

Personally I'm very fond of this era. The stories are somewhat simpler and more straight forward than most of the 80's ones had been. They are more lighthearted, there's more humour (usually in the form of Peter being in an embarassing situation) and MacFarlane's art is of course, love it or hate it.

But I think it's an underated era. Michelinie's story style and writing is pitch perfect for McFarlane's art. Todd's caricature-like characters are given the proper note of humour, and Michelinie captures Spidey's self-depretiating, 'what-now?' attitude very well. I actually think Michelinie defined the character of Spidey somewhat for the 1990's.

Their stories are very readable and appealing, and IMO great to look at. The highlight of their run was of course the introduction of Venom, and they had a number of other noteworthy contributions. The first, and only proper Hogboblin vs Green Goblin (which was mediocre but atleast they did it), the creation of creepy Styx and Stone, Jonathan Ceasar kidnapping MJ and holding her prisoner only a few rooms away from her's and Peter's apartment. They also had Peter publish his Webs photography book, revamped the Prowler (very Spawn-esque), and had Spidey punch the Hulk....into space.

I think Michelinie/McFarlane's run was a perfect late-80's version of the original Stan Lee/Steve Ditko stories. Michelinie writes the same well-paced, good humoured, traditional style stories as Lee, yet more streamlined and somewhat lighter. McFarlane has all the offbeat weirdness of Ditko, and is not afraid to make Spidey look weird and freakish.

If you are new to the Spider-Man comics after seeing the movies, this is the perfect volume to get into the series. Knowledge of the films is enough to understand these stories. The artwork is colourful and appealing, and you'll get to see the work of the most succesful and controversial comicbook artist of all-time. The stories are fun, full of action and of course, full of supervillains. You really can't go wrong.

God be with you.

Editorial Review:

One of a series of graphic novels presenting the early work of Todd McFarlane from back issues of "Spawn" comic. This book features stories that pit Spider-Man against The Black Fox, Humbug and The Prowler.

The Avengers: Emperor Doom (Marvel Graphic Novels)

David Michelinie

List Price: $9.95 By: Marvel Entertainment Group Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $6.49

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Very Interesting Concept, Very Flawed Execution....... 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Emperor Doom uses a GREAT idea as a springboard: What if the bad-guy actually acheived his goal of World domination? From that great concept comes this average Graphic Novel...

Doctor Doom, one of the all-time great Marvel Villains, uses the persuasive powers of The Purple Man to cloud the minds of everyone on Earth, allowing him total unopposed dominion. And guess what? Things are actually BETTER than they were before. People are happy, crime is virtually non-existant, no one wants for food or shelter, Worldwide Economy is good, everyone has jobs....But do the ends justify the means?

Writer David Micheline uses a plot-device that stands out like a sore thumb to keep one of The Avengers free of the control of The Purple Man, and that kind of tainted my enjoyment of the book. It just seemed too far-fetched. Also, this is probably the third time I've been exposed to the character The Purple Man, and I still have no idea where he got his powers from. A little explanation would have made things easier to swallow....

Micheline's writing gets the job done; He does a great job of making Doom a real threat; Menacing yet Regal. I appreciated the sense of ennui creeping over Doom towards the end of the book. Apparently the chase is more fun than the prize itself. I did feel the book ended too abruptly, and without a satisfying confrontation between Good & Evil. The art, by Bob Hall, didn't exactly light me on fire, but his characters all look distinctive, and the action scenes look good.

Overall, Emperor Doom is nothing special, but at least we get to see what would happen if the bad-guy actually won....

Superman: The Trial of Superman

Louise Simonson, Kieron Dwyer, Denis Rodier, David Michelinie, Jon Bogdanove, Dennis Janke, Dan Jurgens

List Price: $14.95 By: DC Comics Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $14.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Weak writing and poor artwork cripple this project. 1 out of 5 stars.
5 of 8 people found this review helpful.

A weak attempt to turn Superman into an intergalactic "Fugitive" is hampered by poor plotting, dialogue, and artwork. The initial premise might be workable for other characters, but Superman, by his very nature, does not fit into the mold of the hounded underdog.

Do not recommend.

There was no evidence! 3 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Setups are everything! This one was not good. How does a tribunal of vigilantes go about the galaxy and capture alleged (by them)criminals without regard to the rule of law including Superman? Fortunately, there is plenty of galaxy-spanning action with excellent artwork on slick pages. Still, the setup needed to be better.

A Memorable Epic 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 7 people found this review helpful.

This is everything a Superman epic should be...almost.

Superman's battle with a new and improved Parasite is rather rudely interrupted by agents of an intergalactic tribunal headed by a Kenneth Starr type who thinks Superman must own up to the destruction of Krypton. Supes goes on the lam while Eradicator and Team Superman search for him. The Cyborg seems eager to collect the bounty placed on Superman, but his real plans are far more ominous.

Although many don't share MHO, I like the Cyborg. Brainiac and Luthor are better, but he's got alot of angst, he striking back at a world that no longer considers him normal.

I also liked that Supes wasn't framed for a crime he didn't commit. Though unjustifiably targeted for a witch hunt, he does have a dark page in his family history that he has to own up to.

My only complaints are omissions in the TPB. The origin of the smarter Parasite, and Luthor's explanation of how he got the healthy body at the end of The Death of Clark Kent TPB are conspicously misson from the collection, though they clearly needed to be there. It's bound to slightly frustrate readers when they look at the cover gallery and see Luthor on the cover of part 8, but find that all his scenes were cut from the TPB. Also, I believe they made a mistake by having this story at the same time as another crossover was occuring through the DCU titles. They should've planned things a little bit better in that regard. All in all though, I think they should do another big "Space Epic" crossover, so this and Exile could be part of a trilogy.

Editorial Review:

Featuring stunning art by top DC artists and a digest format with text and storyline adapted by regular Superman writer Louise Simonson for a younger audience, this is the only children's book version to bring kids the complete story of the life and death of Superman.

Spider-Man Legends Volume 3: Todd McFarlane Book 3 TPB

David Michelinie

List Price: $24.99 By: Marvel Comics Amazon Marketplace: 22 new & used starting at $1.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Great Collection of McFarlane's (and Spidey's) Best! 4 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Spider-Man Legends: Todd McFarlane Book (Spider-Man) is a great collection of both artist Todd McFarlane's and Spiderman's best work. This edition is the third of volume of Todd Mcfarlane's work. McFarlane was introduced to Amazing Spider-man in the late 80s and drew Spidey like he had never been drawn before. He updated the styles and fashions of Peter and Mary-Jane as well as enhanced the way of creating Spidey's webs, a style which is still present today. This collection contains Amazing Spider-man #315 - #323, #325, and #328. Unlike most other reprints of books in chronological order, the book is full of complete stories rather than a whole bunch of "one-shots" (as in McFarlane Legends Vol. 2).
Issues #315 - #317 contain the return of Venom, one of Spidey's most lethal and dealy enimies. The next two issues #318 & #319, tell a sotry about the mutated menace Scorpion. While #320 - #323 and #325, are 5 of the 6 issues in Spidey's legendary "Assasination Nation Plot". The fifth issue, #324 was not included since McFarlane didn't do the art, even though this issue is included it can be picked up at your local compic shop for $4 -$7, and this not big deal since you save so much from Amazon.com anyway. The last issue #328 is Todd McFarlane's last issue on Amazing Spider-man featuring a battle between Spidey and the Incredible Hulk before he moved on to other Spider-titles and eventually to his own label (Dark Horse Comics, mainly SPAWN).
All in all this is a great collection of comics, but without the fifth issue of "The Plot" and a Hulk issue which comes out from left field, this volume gets 4 stars, but is still a must for any Todd Mcfarlane, Spidey, or VENOM fan.

Editorial Review:

In this third collection of Spiderman stories, see how the legend of Spiderman grew, and the legend of Todd McFarland began. Featuring the mega popular Venom in the stories that turned him into a comics sensation. Ages 13+.

Venom: Lethal Protector

David Michelinie

List Price: $15.95 By: Marvel Entertainment Group Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $14.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Venom is the best! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

There you have it, Venom trying to survive in the big city of San Francisco and at the same time try to save and underground city from peril.Venom faces other symbiotes and their hosts like "Blacklash" "Lasher" and many more. While on top of that Spider Man is there to keep him in line but Spider Man also works with Venom

Is making Venom an anti-hero wise ? 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This is the first miniseries in which Venom appears where he is the main character, instead of Spiderman. It's one of the first steps in which Marvel tried to turn Eddy Brock a.k.a. as Venom from a villain into an antihero. A project that failed and made one of Spidermans formerly most popular villains into the vague second-stringer he is today. This story in itself is fairly enjoyable still, although it's nothing groundshattering.

A short while before the events that take place in this trade (it collects the 6-part mini) Venom and Spiderman made a deal. They both swore to leave the other alone as long as both didn't interfere with the other. AND as long as Venom would stay on the right side of the law. The tv-news tells Peter Parker otherwise now. Venom moved to L.A. and found out about an underground place a group of people made into their little mini-society, hidden from the world. Eddy thinks he can become happy there and tries to find a way to make these people want him in their group.
Meanwhile the father of one of his former victims is looking for him with his self-formed taskforce to take his revenge. And at the time Spidey arrives there seem to be five more symbiote-wearing people.

Like I said, this Venom story is fairly enjoyable (unlike most other solo Venom books) but it isn't great. The fact that the story is illustrated by multiple artists wasn't the best of choices, and the story has too many sub-plots. It seems like it can't decide which is the most important one. In the end it all comes together rather standard. For fans of the character Venom there's some nice stuff in here though. It's nice to see other people wearing Venom offsprings (like Carnage), only I feel the potential was greater than the eventual results. If you're a fan of the character Venom you could get it (it IS more Venom stuff before he was made into a travesty), otherwise stay away from this.

Spider-Man: Venom Returns (Marvel comics)

David Michelinie

List Price: $12.95 By: Marvel Enterprises Amazon Marketplace: 15 new & used starting at $3.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Wow! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is great, it contains the origin of Carnage, the supposed death of the symbiote and a whole mess of abilities that you never new the symbiote posessed!

New artist, same stories 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This TPB collects issues drawn by Erik Larsen, who took over for Todd McFarlane, but the action is almost identical to the the first appearances of Venom which are collected in "The Birth of Venom" TPB.

"The Return of Venom" really is a representation of the 1990's comics industry sensibility. That is: weak story, great art. It really doesn't advance our understanding of Venom or Eddie Brock to see Venom stalking Spider-Man, again. Showing up at Aunt May's house, again. Taking Spider-man to a deserted location, again. We are even reminded of the redundancy by Spider-Man himself over and over again as he says "This is like when we fought on Long Island".

If you already own "The Birth of Venom" TPB then there is no need to buy this, as it even contains one of the same stories already re-printed in the "The Birth of Venom" TPB of Venom defending "innocents" at a truck stop.

The Amazing Spider-Man: The Wedding

David Michelinie, Stan Lee, Jim Shooter, Gary Freidrich, Barry Dutter

List Price: $12.95 By: Marvel Entertainment Group Amazon Marketplace: 14 new & used starting at $8.25

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Brings tears to one's eyes 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This was a very weel done book. It includes the entire wedding story as told in the comics. It even features the newspaper strips in which the wedding took place. Also, pictures of the real-life ceremony between Spidey and MJ at Shea Stadium are included. There is even a 60's spoof of Spidey finding his dream girl included. This includes everything one needs to enjoy the experience of the world's premier superhero getting married.

Spider-Man: The Cosmic Adventures (Amazing Spectacular Web)

Gerry Conway, David Michelinie

List Price: $19.95 By: Marvel Comics Amazon Marketplace: 13 new & used starting at $7.93

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The best spiderman saga ever. 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

In this amazing adventure we find our freindly neighboorhood spiderman facing his toughest challenge as doctor, doom kingpin, Loki, and the wizard team up and send a variety of supervillins at spiderman hoping to confuse his and attack his weaknsess. This tactic almost works but spiderman is zapped by a mysterios burst of energy that give his almost god like power. Spiderman always felt a stong responsibility for having his powers now he stuggles with having more power then he can handel. I strongly recommend thisnovel to anyone who likes spiderman or any superpowered hero.

Small on plot, big on action 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The Trapster, Titania, Graviton, the Rhino, Magneto, the Incredible Hulk, the Shocker, the Brothers Grimm, Hydro-Man, the Super Soldier Eliminator, Goliath, Dragon Man....Spidey takes them all on single handed - and decks them - in this entertaining trade paperback. True, it's just a series of epic battles with little plot, but who cares when you get to see Spidey blasting Titania through a truck and punching the Hulk into orbit? This is action-packed, and when I say action packed, I MEAN action-packed. New York is almost completely demolished by the climax.

If that wasn't enough, this book also features Doctor Doom, the Puma, the Red Skull, the Wizard, Loki and more in an adventure which sees the wallcrawler pick up some astonishing new powers, and forfill his destiny by battling the enormous Tri-Sentinel to stop it killing millions. Alex Saviuk, Erik Larsen, Todd MacFarlane and personal favourite Sal Buscema supply the artwork. Light, episodic, non-stop Spidey action.

Spider-Man: Son of the Goblin

J.M. DeMatteis, Gerry Conway, David Michelinie, Ross Andru, Sal Buscema, Todd McFarlane

Amazon Price: $12.47 List Price: $15.99 Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks By: Marvel Comics Amazon Marketplace: 20 new & used starting at $4.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

One Too Many Times to the Same Well 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This trade paperback collects AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #136-137 (the first appearance of Harry as the new Goblin) and #312 (a Todd McFarlane-illustrated Goblin/Hobgoblin fight during Marvel's "Inferno"), as well as SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #189 and #200 (Harry's death).

How many times can Harry Osborn, son of the original Green Goblin, threaten to expose Spider-Man's identity? How many times can Peter Parker and Harry trade punches without causing any real damage to each other? How many times can an Osborn hit his head and get amnesia? The recent Spider-Man reboot "Brand New Day" erased Harry's death, so the answer is "an infinite number of times."

Son Of The Goblin would have been better as TWO volumes 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

At least two volumes, I should say. When Marvel solicited this collection, I bought it without even considering what it collected exactly. It was an unexpected collection considering it focuses on Harry Osborn as the second Green Goblin (arguably, the less popular one). I always found the stories involving Harry as the Green Goblin to be some of the best Spider-Man stories of that time period and given my age, the original Green Goblin was already a thing of the past. Harry as the Green Goblin, was MY Green Goblin. The idea that your worst enemy is also your best friend and may or may not know your secret identity, well to me that's classic Spider-Man ethos. So while I admire what this collection attempted, I felt it was ultimately incomplete.

The first two issues collected in this trade were Amazing Spider-Man #136 and 137. A great place to start but the jump from those issues to Amazing #312, and then straight to Spectacular #189 and #200 (where Harry dies) was a definite misstep on Marvel's part. It would have been better had they collected additional issues of Spectacular Spider-Man like #180-184. Maybe not all of them, but some, just to chronicle Harry's journey and his persona as the second Green Goblin. I would also argue that certain issues from Web Of Spider-Man were good candidates for inclusion (#66-67) because while the art wasn't the best, those stories dealt with Harry trying to use the Green Goblin persona for GOOD.

That's what is missing from this collection, the true capturing of how Harry went between sane and insane. From good to evil and back again (and then back AGAIN). Some may consider this comic book cliché but for this particular character (as with Norman), his struggles with insanity are vital to fully understanding him and appreciating him as villain. It's those struggles that make him even more dangerous and spirit crushing to Peter (and Spider-Man) because of the knowledge that he's capable of being a good person and he was once Peter's best friend. Plus, Harry messed with Peter's family in very insidious ways and with the exception of the original Green Goblin, none of the other villains were capable of doing that. All of this is crystallized in Spectacular #200 (the conclusion of this collection) which totally belongs here but at the end of volume TWO, not this one, if Marvel had been more conscientious. The end game comes too quickly, not enough happens between Amazing #136 and Spectacular #200 for the issue to make it's appropriate impact on the reader and this collection shares in that fate.

I gave this collection four stars because I've read all those missing issues I mentioned and I love the whole dilemma of Harry as the Green Goblin but for the casual reader, I'm sure they'll come away wanting.

Editorial Review:

Witnessing the death of his father - Norman Osborn, the Green Goblin -in battle with Spider-Man, Harry Osborn was driven to the drink of insanity. Assurring his late father's identity, he began a descent into madness that would haunt him his entire life; only in death could he finally find peace.

Spider-Man Vs. Doctor Doom

David Michelinie

List Price: $6.95 By: Marvel Entertainment Group Amazon Marketplace: 10 new & used starting at $1.95

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A BEIEVABLE STORY. 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

GOOD ART. THIS STORY IS GREAT, AND THE WAY THAT DR. DOOM IS BROUGHT INTO THE WHOLE THING IS EVEN BETTER. IT'S OBVIOUS WHO WOULD WIN IN A FIGHT, BUT GET THIS BOOK IF WANT TO SEE HOW SPIDEY MANAGES TO NOT DIE...