As 2009 speeds to its conclusion, the final Marvel’s 70th Anniversary variant covers have been revealed.  These are part of a set of monthly covers we’ve posted about previously in January and June.  While they’ve been difficult to find, I still think these are amazing images that Marvel should have made more readily available.

This week not only saw the release of Marvel’s Incredible Hulk #600 but Amazing Spider-Man #600 as well.  It looks like I made a poor decision in what to read on Wednesday (especially considering I only had time to read one book).  While Hulk #600 had more problems than I care to recall, Amazing #600 was truly amazing. Featuring a massive 104 pages of new material, this book was well worth its $4.99 price tag.

The feature story by Dan Slott and John Romita Jr. told a tale of a frail and aging Doctor Octopus trying to leave his legacy to the world.  Of course, this was a gift the people of New York were wishing they could return as it all goes wrong and chaos ensues.  Set against the back drop of Aunt May’s wedding to John Jameson Sr. (J. Jonah Jameson’s father) Spider-Man has even more motivation to save the day.  This is a great story for an anniversary issue as it has an epic quality to it while being very much set in current Spidey continuity.  Some plotlines are wrapped up and a number of new ones are set in motion.  The artwork is top notch and it’s the kind of story that could have been spread over three regular sized issues.

The rest of the book consists of short stories including: Spider-Man’s trip to a psychiatrist by Stan Lee and Marcos Martin, and a museum by Zeb Wells and Derec Donovan; a couple of touching stories featuring Uncle Ben by Mark Waid and Colleen Doran, and Aunt May by Marc Guggenheim and Mitch Breitweiser; “If I Was Spider-Man” by Bob Gale and Mario Alberti where some kids in a playground daydream about what it would be like to be Spidey; and a final story featuring Madame Web sets things in motion for the Spidey event the Gauntlet continuing throughout the year in Amazing Spider-Man.  Between the pages of each of these stories are series of “Spider-Man covers you’ll never see” that were good for a laugh.

All in all, I can’t say enough good things about this book.  I’m reading Amazing Spider-Man on a regular basis and this was really satisfying both as an issue that fits right into ongoing events and as an event itself.

Madness.  That’s really the only word I can use to describe this furor (maybe that’s too strong a word…) Marvel Comics created to kick off 2009.  Stores all over the country reported lines before their doors opened and sell-outs across the board.  I don’t remember anything like that since Superman died, which is ironic since the same day this book hit the shelves it was joined by one depicting the death of Batman (sorry Kevin).  I was happy/lucky to get the Spidey book, mostly since I regularly read Amazing Spider-Man, but the response is just further evidence that Obama is one of the most popular costumed heroes in American history.

So I went to buy Final Crisis #6 and it was sold out because all of the speculators who were in the shop buying Spider-man vs. Obama apparently picked it up too. Spider-man vs. Obama… Please. If Obama can beat Savage Dragon he can take Spider-man. And Youngblood you’re way too late to the party.

Kevin

Ps: Dear Mr. Secret Service Agent I really don’t hate Obama. I swear. He seems like a swell fella.