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Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1980s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the 1980s and examine a small part of the Marvel Comics universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.
Back in the year 1988, Spider-Man fans enjoyed and got very intrigued with the first-ever Venom storyline which climaxed in Amazing Spider-Man #300. Some of you might be wondering what happened after the 300th issue of the series.
With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #301, published in 1988 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Todd McFarlane.
Early story
The story begins with a group of armed personnel doing a mission inside a building. In the middle of the corridor, several over-head turrets pop out and fire paint balls at the team which used shields for protection. Moments after, they communicate with an executive called Mr. Cruz by means of live video feeds. Cruz tells them they failed the test.
Shortly after, Mr. Cruz and Silver Sable meet with Mr. Pruett and discuss key aspects about the Pruett building’s security. It turns out Pruett himself advertised his building as being the safest locale in New York. Cruz tells him that Silver Sable’s Wild Pack team was fine to a certain extent but he feels much more confident if Sable herself would test building security. After some thinking about her team – international bounty hunters –, their role with the economy of her home country of Symkaria and the less-than-impressive success her team achieved recently, she accepts the contract from Pruett worth $100,000.
Meanwhile at another location within the city, Mary Jane Parker carefully decides where should her husband Peter (carrying a sofa and a large seat with his own super strength) should put furniture in their home. MJ then has to rush to attend a magazine cover photo session while Peter has to go out and check on an advanced photography course at a university…
Quality
This is one of the more unique Spider-Man tales of the 1980s I have read. Silver Sable herself is the big feature of this comic book, even overshadowing the famous web-slinger. As this was published years before the Silver Sable and the Wild Pack monthly series launched, David Michelinie portrayed the character as a professional business woman who also happens to be a very capable physical fighter and infiltrator while carrying with her the pride of her homeland Symkaria. Through Silver Sable, you can see the richness of Michelinie’s writing and feel the uniqueness of her personality which makes her stand out among the many other supporting characters or heroes Spider-Man ever interacted with.
As a story set shortly after the climax of the Venom storyline, Peter Parker is portrayed to be in the middle of a transition having gone through college and recently getting married with Mary Jane. Even with the challenges and complications of life, he still finds himself stuck with the perceived obligations of the superhero life. There is also a sub-plot here about a white-haired man searching for him.
Going into the plot itself, Peter Parker could not contain himself from going out again in full costume and web-swinging as Spider-Man as he finds Mr. Cruz a suspicious figure. While it looks like the right thing to do for any superhero, it shows weakness in Peter Parker’s struggle to balance his life. The use of irony is nicely portrayed here.
Conclusion
While the good-versus-evil element of the story is very subtle, Amazing Spider-Man #301 (1988) still succeeded in engaging and entertaining me primarily due to David Michelinie’s very solid storytelling and characterization. Unsurprisingly, Michelinie’s script is brought to life with Todd McFarlane’s fine art from start to finish. Don’t expect Spider-Man nor Silver Sable get to fight some dangerous villain in personal combat as the plot is more about suspense and intrigue laced with some twists. Still, there is plenty of superhero action to enjoy here and McFarlane’s art remains impressive. Silver Sable is very well defined in this comic book and by the end, you will get a solid grasp of herself and her background. This comic book is a must-read before you jump into the Silver Sable and the Wild Pack comic book series.
Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #301 (1988) is highly recommended.
+++++
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