JOURNEY INTO COMICS: 40 YEARS OF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

[MattBrady]

by Michael SanGiacomo

Would you like to read every issue of The Amazing Spider-Man but don’t have a couple hundred thousands bucks to fork over?

How about $50?

That’s all it costs for the 11 CD-Rom collection, 40 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man from Topics Entertainment and Marvel Comics.

Like the wonderful collection of Mad Magazine several years ago, the set features 500 consecutive issues of Amazing Spider-Man from issue #1 (1963) to #500 (…or #59 according to the renumbering and double-numbering in 2003) and the first appearance of the wallcrawler in Amazing Fantasy #15.

This includes the first appearances of villains like The Vulture, The Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus and Sandman as well as supporting cast members like Liz Allen, (Spidey’s first crush); Gwen Stacy and the woman he would eventually marry, Mary Jane Watson.

These are full, cover-to-cover copies of the comic written by Stan Lee and drawn by Steve Ditko, John Romita and all the other writers and artists who followed them – and they’re still as potent and fun as they were when they first came out, a testament to the timelessness of Lee & Ditko’s original foundation-laying. Even the ads and the letter pages are included in the 16,000 color pages.

As a whole, it’s something that you’ll probably go back and check out again and again, not only for the stories, but also for the pure nostalgia factor. While you don’t get the feel of holding the comics in your hands, or the musty smell only old comics can produce, you do get taken back a little when you look at the whole package, which can be both fun and bittersweet. For example, circa Amazing #270 (Spidey’s battle with Firelord): remember how the issue was filled with ads for pretty silly toys? The DP “Fit for Life” kid doing curls on a weight bench? But prepare to wipe a tear from your eye when you check out the subscription ad in the same issue - $2.60 for each 16-issue subscription (compared to today’s $27.00 for 12 issues).

It’s also a neat chance to put things into perspective. Remember the original symbiote costume story that spun out of Secret War in 1984? (Not just the “black costume” but the original saga of the symbiote costume) Back then, when issues came out monthly, and pre-internet life was say, a little…slower, it seemed like that storyline went on forever, with an eternity wait between issues. Check the index screen of 1984, and reality kicks in – it was only seven months.

Also interesting to read are the letter columns responding to key issues – think of it as a filtered, pre-internet messageboard. For example, the letter column in Amazing #100 reprinted letters in response to issue #96 (four months to wait to read for other folks comments on an issue! Barbaric!), one of the drug issues that was not approved by the Comics Code Authority was filled with passionate comments that today’s readers (and critics) would feel kinship with.

This is the easiest (and cheapest) way to keep track of Spider-Man’s adventures. Interested in issues where Gwen Stacy died that are referenced in the latest Amazing storyline? This is the quickest way to look them up, without rooting through boxes of comics, assuming you have them at all.

The copies are sharp and crisp and look good on the computer monitor. The image can be shrunken or enlarged to suit the reader’s taste. It’s pretty easy to navigate, just click on the cover of the issue you want to see and then read it a page or two at a time.

The comics are presented as .pdfs, so the collection comes with the latest Adobe Reader version. On a 1280 x 768 resolution, viewed at 100%, you can easily read two pages at a time.

The collections are not searchable, so readers can’t type in "The Hulk" and be taken to the issues where he appeared. Readers will have to hunt for what they want. The stories are presented sequentially.

There are a few other negatives to the work.

Topics used the original collection of Spider-Man editor Ralph Macchio as the source material and suffice it to say that Ralph enjoyed his collection. Many of the older comics scanned are beaten up, with shredded edges and yellowed pages. It’s a shame that they didn’t use clean copies for such an important project. You may also find yourself wishing that Topics had written and used a “dot comics” style reader for presentation. Although using the .pdf format does address some platform and compatibility issues, given .pdfs ease of accessibility, the scrolling format can be a little clunky. Also – some of the scans of the issues are a tad crooked – its not enough to ruin the read, but it’s something that catches the corner of your eye.

Something else that doesn’t affect the early issues, but comes to be a little bit of a problem in the ‘80s and onwards is that this is a collection of Amazing Spider-Man - not Spectacular, Peter Parker, Web of, or any of the other ancillary titles, so if you’re looking for a full version of something like “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” you won’t find it – just the Amazing parts.

Likewise, and a little harder to understand is the fact that Topics didn’t include the Amazing Spider-Man Annuals from the years. True – especially in the ‘80s, there were some absolute dogs (the Prince-inspired “Ace” anyone? And the crossover annuals with the rest of the Marvel Universe), but at the same time, some of the Annuals included major storyline points, back when Annuals served as the culmination of major storylines, such as 1987’s (led into by Amazing #292) – the marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson. As it stands now, #292 in the Topics collection (which ends with Mary Jane saying “Yes!”) leads right into #293, part 2 of “Kraven’s Last Hunt” (which can make readers say, "Huh?").

Those aside, the collection of 11 CDs represents an impressive amount of work, both on the part of Topics, and of course, on the part of the original Amazing creators. At the very, very least, it’s a great way to pass time with your laptop on a long trip. At the best, it’s a time capsule, tracking the history of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s creation that has come to be one of the most popular characters in modern popular culture. It’s worth a check.

[Krishna Sadasivam]

I'm hoping we'll see more such CD-ROMs from Marvel in the future. Perhaps they could expand to DVD-Rs to allow less disc swapping? I'd love the idea of being able to read an entire series of comics on one disc. Here's hoping we'll get to see runs of Captain America, Fantastic Four, etc. as future titles.


-K

[Hdefined]

It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

[Jimmy_Helter]

It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

But that's stealing now, isn't it?

[Christian Otte]

Originally posted by Hdefined
It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

... okay, you have just reached a new level of trollness - actually encouraging people to download the comics instead of paying only 50 bucks for 500 issues.

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by Hdefined
It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

yeah, why support a new initiative when you can be a dickbag instead

[HBKShowstoppa]

It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

1. its just wrong

2. doesnt that give your comp like 1000 viruses

[xpositive]

Originally posted by Christian Otte
... okay, you have just reached a new level of trollness - actually encouraging people to download the comics instead of paying only 50 bucks for 500 issues.

Normally I'm against name calling, but when you're right you're right. If you like it buy it.

And man is Lohan hot!

[MatthewSmith]

It will be mine.

Oh yes... It will be mine.

[andycm81]

I think i might pick this up, in the UK it will probably cost me about £30.00, money well spent IMO.

Lets hope this goes well, i want a full Daredevil collection, and this would be a lot cheaper!

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Hdefined
It's a nice attempt, but pointless when you can get every one of these issues and more at suprnova.org without a price tag.

in other words: "why buy, when you can steal?"

Probably the most telling insight you've ever offered on your personality and you as a person, aside from incessant Marvel-bashing. Explains a lot.

Back to the topic on hand - please, no further feeding the troll. It will be deleted.

MattB

[Christian Otte]

Originally posted by xpositive
And man is Lohan hot!

You got that part right, my friend .

[Marcello S. Nicola]

This is so great! Of course it´s not the same of having the
paper comics in your hands, but it´s the only realistic solution.
I´ll buy it as soon as I can and I hope it is a success, for I´d
love to see THE AVENGERS in a similar package.

[Zadillo]

You know, flaws aside, this just seems like an amazing deal, to be able to get that many comics for $50. Certainly it's not the same as having them on paper, but just think about it...... it's a ton of comics in a very small space.

I hope this sells well, as it would be tremendously cool to see similar sets with other comics (imagine a Superman collection with every issue of Action Comics and Superman from the beginning).

-Zadillo

[Bakema NL]

I don't like reading a comic from a computer screen. But to be able to read all these comics is great. Getting all the issues as real comics is possible, but out of reach for most of us. This is a great solution at a bargain price, compared to what you get.

[cyclopsfan]

Originally posted by Zadillo
You know, flaws aside, this just seems like an amazing deal, to be able to get that many comics for $50. Certainly it's not the same as having them on paper, but just think about it...... it's a ton of comics in a very small space.

I hope this sells well, as it would be tremendously cool to see similar sets with other comics (imagine a Superman collection with every issue of Action Comics and Superman from the beginning).

-Zadillo

alot of times i have to travel, and collections like this make it easy to take them with you.

I own all of the uncanny x-men, but would buy a similar collection because of the travelability (is that a word) of them.

[NotAnIssue]

Originally posted by Jimmy_Helter
But that's stealing now, isn't it?

Yeah, but Hdefined is a jackoff, so what else would you expect?

I think that there are definitely a couple flaws in this, but all around, a great start.

I wish the comics weren't in PDF format (maybe some kind of grouped JPEGs), and I wish the annuals were included, but this is a great set, and worth every penny of $50.

Let's get some other sets...Batman, Uncanny, Avengers anyone?

[Dyson]

The thing about the downloaded versions from suprnova and oter torrent sites is the fact that they are viewed using CD display which is the best way of viewing comics on a computer.
Because of this I have downoaded complete runs of Daredevil FF,Avengers,Spidey,Dracula,Thor,Buffy,de fenders,Batman and Strangers in paradise to name a few.
I have purchased thousands of comics in my life and even owned and ran a comic shop for a few years.
I have no problem in downloading computer versions of comics I already own.
OMG! - I also download all the new weeks releases as I only buy TPB's these days and this helps me with my purchase choices.

[xpositive]

Originally posted by Bakema NL
I don't like reading a comic from a computer screen. But to be able to read all these comics is great. Getting all the issues as real comics is possible, but out of reach for most of us. This is a great solution at a bargain price, compared to what you get.

I think everyone would prefer the book-in-hand, but obviously it is not possible. Is it just me, or do the "Essential" books kinda suck? I hate the lack of color. Black and white isn't necessarily bad (love Walking Dead), but those old books just have great color to them. I like the roughed up books in this set too. Adds to the nostalgia of it all.

[xpositive]

Originally posted by Dyson
I have no problem in downloading computer versions of comics I already own.
OMG! - I also download all the new weeks releases as I only buy TPB's these days and this helps me with my purchase choices.

So are you suggesting that stealing on a monthly basis is cool b/c you buy trades of the series twice a year? Don't books get canceled on monthly sales numbers? Not trade sales? Take Weapon X. It was canceled due to lack of sales right? The monthly sales were so poor (at least according to Marvel brass) that trades were not even released.

I'll never win the trade argument (in that it is dumb to buy just them and not monthly) but I think others will understand that downloading books is going to kill an already weakened medium. So sure, dl all those books every month, but hope that many others are not doing it too, or else sales will fall and those great books will get canned.

Back to the Spider-man set. Great idea if not perfect presentation. Hopefully fan feedback improves the set for the release of Daredevil, Avengers, FF, and Uncanny.

[solid-one-love]

$50 US is too much for this. I'd pay $44.99 Canadian, though.

But only if it were on two DVD-ROMs as opposed to eleven CD-ROMs. And only if the scan quality was perfect and not scanned from well-read copies. And only if they were in raw format (PDF is too slow for graphic-intensive files). And only if the annuals were included.

The product, as it is, isn't good enough. Buying this product would be like being an early adopter for any other technology: one is inevitably disappointed when a better product comes out a few months later.

(As for downloading: call it what you want, but it's not stealing. It's willful infringement.)

[Kermie]

I'm not a HUGE Spidey fan (but I am a fan), but I'll grab this in hopes that if it is a success, other characters/books will get the same tretment. I have the Marvel CD with the first 10 issues of X-Men, DD, Spidey, Hulk, etc. and it was great! I hope this kind of idea really takes off.

[Dyson]

Originally posted by xpositive
So are you suggesting that stealing on a monthly basis is cool b/c you buy trades of the series twice a year? Don't books get canceled on monthly sales numbers? Not trade sales? Take Weapon X. It was canceled due to lack of sales right? The monthly sales were so poor (at least according to Marvel brass) that trades were not even released.

I'll never win the trade argument (in that it is dumb to buy just them and not monthly) but I think others will understand that downloading books is going to kill an already weakened medium. So sure, dl all those books every month, but hope that many others are not doing it too, or else sales will fall and those great books will get canned.

Back to the Spider-man set. Great idea if not perfect presentation. Hopefully fan feedback improves the set for the release of Daredevil, Avengers, FF, and Uncanny.

I couldn't give a flying fuck or not if it's cool.
I wouldn't be buying the titles I don't read normally anyway.
However,I may read something I've downloaded and think "this is good" - "My faith in Frankie" for one.
I bought two copies of the digest as presents and would have spent more if it had been in TPB form
Hundreds (if not thousands) of people download comics on a daily basis.I don't care if it's right or wrong,it's just a fact.
I download lots of music,comics,movies and US TV shows,however I go to the cinema regularly,buy a lot of cd's and go to gigs weekly if not more and buy dvd box sets of my favourite shows.
I couldn't give a monkeys if it's not legal but I can say I've actually spent more time and money on various things I've listed since I started downloading on a regular basis.
Some people should just get a life instead of the sad fucking one they are living!...

[Hdefined]

Originally posted by HBKShowstoppa
doesnt that give your comp like 1000 viruses

I have been told it does not. It's easy and safe on your computer, so I've been told.

[Hdefined]

Originally posted by Dyson
I couldn't give a flying fuck or not if it's cool.
I wouldn't be buying the titles I don't read normally anyway.
However,I may read something I've downloaded and think "this is good" - "My faith in Frankie" for one.
I bought two copies of the digest as presents and would have spent more if it had been in TPB form
Hundreds (if not thousands) of people download comics on a daily basis.I don't care if it's right or wrong,it's just a fact.
I download lots of music,comics,movies and US TV shows,however I go to the cinema regularly,buy a lot of cd's and go to gigs weekly if not more and buy dvd box sets of my favourite shows.
I couldn't give a monkeys if it's not legal but I can say I've actually spent more time and money on various things I've listed since I started downloading on a regular basis.
Some people should just get a life instead of the sad fucking one they are living!...

I agree. Some people need to stop telling others what THEY think is morally right, and condemning others who don't comply. Meanwhile, I'm offering up an alternative to people who want to read comics but are limited by financial constraints. Just call me Robin Hood.