Mark Bagley – Author Carlo Carrasco

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #387 (1994)

December 12, 2025December 7, 2025carlocarrasco

Disclaimer: This is my original work with details sourced from reading the comic book and doing personal research. Anyone who wants to use this article, in part or in whole, needs to secure first my permission and agree to cite me as the source and author. Let it be known that any unauthorized use of this article will constrain the author to pursue the remedies under R.A. No. 8293, the Revised Penal Code, and/or all applicable legal actions under the laws of the Philippines.

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the 1990s to examine a small part of the Marvel Comics shared universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man had a match-up with his arch-enemy the Vulture who returned with a strong obsession within. The rematch is significant not only because it the two have a rivalry that lasted decades in reality, but also because the story was structured to function as a light reintroduction of Adrian Toomes (Vulture) for new Spider-Man fans of the 1990s.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #387, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins with the Vulture absorbing energy and the youth of Spider-Man using the Juvenator in front of Dr. Sanchez. As a result, Adrian Toomes/Vulture physically turned much younger with rejuvenated skin, cancer getting health, a stronger body and his hair grown back. He declares himself as the new vital Vulture. Spider-Man is down on the floor clearly weakened and with a change of his body’s shape.

Instead of taking the opportunity to kill Spider-Man, the Vulture decides to fly away knowing that his long-time rival will have to deal with brittle bones of old age. As Dr. Sanchez tries to help him, Spider-Man feels exhausted, his lungs feeling gummy and his ears ringing. Knowing that police officers are coming, the webslinger decides to get away and leave Dr. Sanchez behind.

Moments later at the top of the building, the weakened Spider-Man takes his mask and glove off realizing that he has turned into an elderly man…

Quality

To get straight to the point, this continued rematch between Spider-Man and the Vulture is so outlandish (backed with the science fiction approach to life energy and the so-called fountain of youth), it almost felt like it was a story crafted for the What If series of comic books. In fact, the sudden aging of Peter Parker into an actually elderly man getting into close calls with two notable family members made this tale even more suitable for the What If series (note: What If #4 of 1989 had a severely aged Peter Parker in it).

Still on the storytelling aspect of this comic book, the creators used the fountain of youth concept to pull off a significant twist on the enduring Spider-Man/Vulture rivalry. As Spider-Man grew so old, the Vulture became much younger which in turn convinced him he could reinvent himself and put his genius of electro-magnetism to great use.

To make things clear, this tale is not purely a Spider-Man/Vulture rivalry with sci-fi twists. In fact, there is more to the plot than meets the eye here as the Juvenator machine becomes an important element of the story (leading to something intriguing in the next issue), and a sinister revelation concluded this comic book.

Conclusion

*The Vulture rejuvenated into a young man at the expense of Spider-Man.*

Amazing Spider-Man #387 (1994) is a solid follow-up to the previous issue and it also was a radical attempt to twist the Spider-Man/Vulture rivalry a lot reaching to the point of making it look and feel like a What If story. There is a good amount of suspense, character development and enough superhero spectacle that paid-off the build-up nicely. Ultimately, this tale is actually a part of a short storyline leading to the intriguing events of issue #388.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #387 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #386 (1994)

November 21, 2025December 7, 2025carlocarrasco

Following a serious of unfortunate events that kept Spider-Man away from his wife Mary Jane (read my retro reviews by clicking here, here and here), the Amazing Spider-Man creators decided it was time to have the iconic webslinger in a new rematch with the classic villain The Vulture (specifically Adrian Toomes whose first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man #2 in 1963). What makes Toomes Vulture notable (note: there were other versions of Vulture in Marvel’s history) is that he is an old man who happens to be a brilliant electrical engineer who proved to be a very capable criminal. He is also a co-founder of the Sinister Six.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #386, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins in the prison complex at Ryker’s Island. Adrian Toomes (Vulture) is inside his prison cell working on a small device with a guard watching from his back. It turns out the device has a tractor beam and Toomes uses it on the guard to physically slam his body on the sliding door of the prison cell. Toomes then uses the tractor beam to pull the metal bars of the other side of the cell to create an opening. He equips himself with mechanical wings and flew out of his cell and reach the speed boat prepared by two companions.

At the residence of May Parker, Peter and his Aunt May talk with an investigator. It turns out Aunt May hired the investigator to follow and observe Richard and Mary Parker. When asked by Peter, she tells him she does not think Richard and Mary are his parents. As far as the investigator is concerned, there is nothing suspicious with Richard and Mary Parker. He tells peters that his aunt needs professional help (related to Alzheimer’s Disease)…

Quality

*The physical conflict between Spidey and the Vulture is intense to see!*

Perceived as modern during the time of publication, the conflict between Spider-Man and the Vulture in this comic book utilized the concept of everlasting youth with science fiction (combined with the villain’s own obsession). This in turn resulted in a unique approach executed by the Michelinie-Bagley duo to make something new with the rematch between Spidey and his winged nemesis.

The Vulture here is not only very obsessed with obtaining everlasting life as there is something deep inside him that has been raging. This explains why the winged super villain is more visceral in his battle with Spider-Man which Mark Bagley visualized with dynamism and intensity. For the newcomers reading this, the two have fought each other a lot since the 1960s and this 1994 rematch was very unique. The Vulture here is not unhinged but rather strategic while being obsessed, and this made him even more dangerous for Spider-Man.

Apart from the promised rematch, this comic book continued building up the tension for the eventual tragedy in Peter Parker’s life (which happened in Amazing Spider-Man #388) while also dramatizing the lasting hardships Mary Jane experiences as Peter’s wife. Peter Parker meanwhile is focused on his family and his intention to find professional help for Aunt May smoothly connected with his rematch with the Vulture.

Conclusion

*Mary Jane Parker participates in a promotional event of her TV show in a shopping mall.*

There is a lot to enjoy in Amazing Spider-Man #386 (1994). The rematch between the Vulture and Spider-Man is engaging and intriguing to read. There is also a good amount of suspense applied on the main plot as well as on the sub-plot about Aunt May being suspicious about Richard and Mary Parker. The result here is a reading experience that is entertaining and also balanced with regards to tone and storytelling.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #386 (1994) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at RoboCop 2 #3 (1990)

October 25, 2024September 27, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1990 to take a close look at the concluding chapter of the comic book adaptation of the movie RoboCop 2 (1990).

In my previous retro review, I found the 2^nd issue of the 3-part comic book adaptation mini-series that it lacked the impact of issue #1. It was understood that the comic book team was limited by the source material they had and the movie’s comedic scenes showing RoboCop not being his normal self were adapted. Those scenes did not translate into humorous comic book moments. At the very least, the build-up achieved by the comic book creators in issue #2 (which includes several internal developments at Omni Consumer Products) sets the stage for the final issue.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at RoboCop 2 #3, published in 1990 by Marvel with a story written by Alan Grant and drawn by Mark Bagley based on the movie screenplay by Frank Miller and Walon Green.

Early story

The story begins in Detroit where OCP executives press RoboCop (Officer Murphy) for answers about the spying he recently did on his ex-wife. It turns out that his wife was so traumatized over his death, there were therapists, hypnotists and other treatments involved to help her recover. As a result of the spying, his ex-wife now believes her husband is still alive. In response to questions, RoboCop gave answers that the OCP guys wanted – he is no longer a husband, no longer human, no longer Alex Murphy and he is simply a machine. The private meeting between him and his ex-wife did not go well.

Meanwhile, the City Government of Detroit organizes a telethon in an attempt to raise funds needed to pay off the $37,985,300 they owe OCP. The mayor receives a very important call from former associates of Cain (RoboCop 2).

Shortly after, OCP realizes that the City Government could pay soon and if they fail to foreclose Detroit, their stock will plummet. With the approval from the corporation’s chief, Dr. Juliette Faxx proceeds to launch RoboCop 2 with the mind of Cain inside it…

Quality

*The battle between RoboCop and his bigger rival (Cain) is action-packed and fun to read.*

As it is clear that the imagery and plot developments of the movie screenplay were adapted by the comic book creators with their very own distinctive ways throughout the mini-series, this comic book succeeded in concluding its 3-part story. In fact, this is a huge pay-off to most of the build-up that took place in issues #1 and #2. The much-awaited big battle between RoboCop and the Cain-controlled RoboCop 2 lasted eight pages and it was indeed action-packed and satisfying. Before the said battle took place, RoboCop 2’s debut is short, stylishly obscured visually and yet vicious to see.

Considering the huge amount of details the movie screenplay had, the Grant-Bagley duo managed to adapt the most relevant content efficiently while also telling a literary tale that is cohesive enough.

*This scene did not appear in the movie.*

What I found very notable is the fact that this comic book opened with RoboCop getting berated by OCP executives for his spying on his ex-wife. The said scene actually happened very early in the movie itself and to have it as an opener of this comic book added depth to RoboCop’s character development in this adaptation.

When it comes to weaknesses, there were times when Mark Bagley’s drawing of RoboCop 2 were off. RoboCop 2 was visually huge and intimidating in the movie but in this comic book, the size and scale were clearly lacking particularly in the shot where he is standing near OCP’s chief. The lack of visual details on RoboCop 2’s body showed signs of rush by the artist.

Conclusion

*Is your local government leader making secret deals with criminals in real life?*

RoboCop 2 #3 (1990) is a nice pay-off to the build-up that preceded it and, more importantly, it was a satisfying mini-series conclusion. As a standalone comic book, it has a good amount of plot details, dialogue and action scenes that can delight RoboCop fans. As the conclusion of the 3-part adaptation of the 1990 movie, it has a stronger focus on RoboCop and the plot moved at a better pace than in issue #2. The storytelling is good and the spectacle was much improved.

Overall, RoboCop 2 #3 (1990) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at RoboCop 2 #2 (1990)

August 23, 2024August 15, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1990 to take a close look at the 2^nd part of the comic book adaptation of the movie RoboCop 2 (1990).

In my previous retro review of Robocop 2 #1, I pointed out that the comic book was not a faithful adaptation of the movie but more of the creators’ creative interpretation of the movie script they had which resulted in a stylized presentation. It was a surprisingly enjoyable reading experience for me.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at RoboCop 2 #2, published in 1990 by Marvel with a story written by Alan Grant and drawn by Mark Bagley based on the movie screenplay by Frank Miller and Walon Green.

Early story

The story begins in Detroit with RoboCop reduced into a very bad condition with most of his parts missing. The cops are still on strike and the ultra-addicting drug Nuke continues to spread through the city causing social problems. Cain and his gang are still on the loose, and his video statement (which emphasizes his gang’s defeat of RoboCop) spreads through the news cycles.

Inside a hideout, Cain and his loyal companions terrify and killed traitorous police officer Duffy for betraying them. Meanwhile at police headquarters, the support crew bumps heads with the Omni Consumer Products (OCP) executive who does not see RoboCop’s poor state as a problem. As far as OCP is concerned, getting replacement parts for RoboCop is very expensive.

Over at OCP, the psychologist executive Dr. Juliette Faxx begins researching criminals for the new RoboCop project…

Quality

*The motorized encounter between RoboCop and Cain here is shorter and much inferior compared to what the movie showed.*

As with issue #1, this comic book followed the events and scenes of the film but left enough room for the creative team to make their stylized version suitable with the literary format. Mark Bagley, who is best known for drawing Spider-Man and Venom in the 1990s, came up with nice artwork that brought Grant’s script to life. There were a few shots here that were pretty graphic or brutal to see at the time of publication which makes me wonder why did the Comics Code Authority (CCA) give its approval to this comic book.

Without spoiling the plot, I can say that the creative team and editor Gregory Wright did a good job adapting scenes of the movie script to (fill up the pages) while also succeeding in setting up readers for the final conflict in the 3^rd and final issue.

As a standalone reading material, this comic book will lead readers deep into the crisis of the police force as well as into the developments behind the closed doors of OCP. Due to the selected scenes of the film’s script, RoboCop has sufficient presence but lacked his normal personality. That being said, the movie’s comedic look of RoboCop acting very out-of-touched (hint: OCP tampered with his mind digitally) did not translate well into literary format. If you’re hoping to see solid storytelling with a consistent tone, you won’t find it here.

When it comes to action, there is just enough of it to keep the reading experience entertaining. Again, this comic book does not have the final conflict and the selected action scenes are rather limiting in terms of impact. If you want to see the police raid of the Nuke facility as well as RoboCop’s motorized chase with Cane, you are better off replaying the movie.

Conclusion

*There definitely is something wrong with RoboCop here.*

Considering the selected movie script scenes for adaptation, RoboCop 2 #2 (1990) lacks impact compared to the first issue. In fairness, this comic book was clearly meant to set-up readers for the next issue. If there is anything worth looking at within the 2^nd issue’s pages, it would be the details that were highlighted during the internal developments at OCP and the police. As mentioned earlier, RoboCop is not his usual self for a significant portion of this comic book. While the engagement and fun factor are lower this time around, I’m still interested to read the next issue.

Overall, RoboCop 2 #2 (1990) is serviceable.

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #375 (1993)

May 15, 2024May 5, 2024carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s arts and culture enthusiasts, Marvel Comics fans and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 and examine a small part of the Marvel Comics universe through a tale of the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series.

In my previous retro comic book review, the insane murderer Venom returned to antagonize Spider-Man by targeting his parents. While it was a fact that Venom – who knew Spider-Man’s true identity – got into close contact with Aunt May (symbolizing the danger he poses on the Peter Parker’s family) a few years prior, going after the mother and father of Peter really raised the stakes.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #375, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley. This comic book marked the 30^th anniversary of Amazing Spider-Man #1 (1963).

Early story

The story begins inside one of the facilities of the closed amusement park in Brooklyn. In his vicious form, Venom tells Richard and Mary Parker (both restrained) that they belong to him and declares that he would protect them from Spider-Man.

When Richard Parker asked why would he think that they would have anything to do with Spider-Man, Venom realizes that the couple does not even know their son is the webslinger. Venom tells the couple that their innocence is what he is sworn to preserve.

Over at Manhattan, Spider-Man swings back to the Daily Bugle building and discreetly changes his clothes before moving in as photographer Peter Parker. Inside one of the offices, J. Jonah Jameson reaches out to Silver Sable by telephone…

Quality

*Peter Parker had to commit a crime by trespassing into Anne Weying’s residence. His disguise as Spider-Man does not protect him from the law.*

I have mixed feelings about this follow-up to the great story of the previous issue. For one thing, David Michelinie’s script had a completely different tone and direction even though he intended this comic book to conclude what issue #374 started. Another thing is that this story has even more characters added in which clearly diluted the intensity of the Venom-Spider-Man rivalry that was so intense in the previous issue.

There are two sub-plots – one of which deals with someone from Eddie Brock’s past – that were emphasized with sufficient details and the creative team integrated them into the main story. It seems that the creators intended to make the main story look grander in scope while sacrificing the very elements that made issue #374 a great and intense reading experience.

Remember the suspense and danger that came with Venom targeting the older Parker couple? Those elements are almost totally absent in this comic book even though this story concluded the previous issue’s conflict build-up. Richard and Mary Parker are both present as captives of Venom but there really is no tension nor any sense of danger here due to the drastic change of tone and direction in the script.

I should also stress that the introduction of Anne Weying (previously Anne Brock) as Eddie Brock’s ex-wife looked and felt like an afterthought inserted into the story. While Anne’s presence brought out some traces of humanity and sanity from Venom during the 2^nd half of the story, it did not add much impact on the conflict between the webslinger and the symbiote-wearer murderer. Ultimately, the creative team had to do something to explain the story build-up on Venom’s part leading into the Lethal Protector limited series which is set in the city of San Francisco.

And then there was the presence of Silver Sable’s team called the Wild Pack. The Wild Pack is the result of J. Jonah Jameson’s agreement with Silver Sable with the objective of achieving a journalistic exclusive for the Daily Bugle. This particular sub-plot is really lousy and not even the dynamic looking action sequences involving the Wild Pack could hide lousiness.

If there is anything symbolic about the script, it is the emphasis on family as well as the impact that comes with elements of the past emerging unexpectedly. In this very comic book, you will get to see Eddie Brock/Venom react like a sane person in response to the sudden re-appearance of his former wife. No matter what the creative team did here, I can say that the Spidey/Venom conflict did not really intensify (note: the dynamic action scenes did not solve the shortcomings) and there was no reason to worry about the captive Parker couple.

Conclusion

*The insane murderer Venom with the parents of Peter Parker.*

Considering the great stuff and raised stakes that made issue #374 a very compelling read, Amazing Spider-Man #375 (1993) is clearly a disappointing conclusion. This is not a terrible comic book as it has some good stuff for fans to enjoy but the overall presentation of the creators here is not too great due to their approach with the storytelling (with two sub-plots that did not add much). Overall, I am glad I never bought this comic book (with flashy cover and more pages) at full price in 1993.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #375 (1993) is satisfactory.

+++++

A Look Back at RoboCop 2 #1 (1990)

May 10, 2024April 28, 2024carlocarrasco

Before getting to the new retro comic book review, I should state that my friends and I had a fun time watching RoboCop 2 in the cinema shortly after it opened here in the Philippines. Back then, I was not yet a comic book collector and I rarely visited comic book specialty stores. That being said, I was unaware that Marvel Comics actually published an adaptation in the form of a 3-issue mini-series.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at RoboCop 2 #1, published in 1990 by Marvel with a story written by Alan Grant and drawn by Mark Bagley based on the movie screenplay by Frank Miller and Walon Green.

Early story

The story begins in Detroit where the cops are run by corporations and the streets have turned into red-alert war zones. Crime is overwhelming the city and the highly addictive narcotic poses the greatest threat facing societies. The surgeon general who made the public warning about nuke was killed and the crime boss Cain (leader of a cult of nuke addicts and pushers) claims responsibility. Through the news media, Cain tells the public that nuke will make people’s problems go away and people want its paradise.

Under the management of Omni Consumer Products (OCP), several of Detroit’s police officers go on strike demanding better terms from their employer. The City Government of Detroit under Mayor Kuzak missed a payment (in relation to them owing $37 million) and OCP begins to move to foreclose the city and its assets in accordance to the terms of the contract. Mayor Kuzak accuses OCP of engineering the police strike which made crime rampant.

Elsewhere in the evening, the cruel activities of the thugs got disrupted by the arrival of a police car. Even though the police car got destroyed by the thugs, RoboCop emerges and begins to fight back…

Quality

*There is simply no holding back for RoboCop when it comes to doing police work at a time when many police officers are on strike while crime has turned more rampant in Detroit.*

This opening issue of the mini-series sticks close the basic plot of the movie (right until after Cain’s gang dismantled RoboCop) although there were a few notable differences with the sequence of events and there were scenes that showed the creative team took liberties to make the story suitable with the literary format in mind. That being said, don’t expect to see the key moments of the movie look exactly the same in this comic book and don’t expect to see the characters here looking like the actors who played them on the big screen. In terms of visual and literary presentation, this adaptation has a lot in common with the Total Recall comic book adaptation which coincidentally was released the same year.

For me, this is indeed a really readable comic book that has its stylized approach on telling the movie’s concept. OCP is the most powerful entity in the story while Cain and his gang are clearly the force of evil that strongly pose danger not only to Detroit’s people but even to the very divided police force. Nuke as the dangerous object of the plot clearly was inspired from elements of the real life war against drugs in 1980s America which made this story socially relevant.

*Very clearly these villains look nothing like actors Tom Noonan, Galyn Görg and Gabriel Damon.*

Like in the movie, RoboCop here performs his law enforcement duty in an uncompromising manner even though memories of his past life as officer Murphy re-emerged deep inside. That being said, there are a few moments in which you might sympathize with the titular hero as this comic book pays close attention to the conflict between humanity and technology.

The action scenes here are sufficient but clearly don’t come anywhere close to the intensity of the film in terms of violence. Still, there is enough action for readers to enjoy.

When it comes to the visuals, the artwork done by Mark Bagley eerily looks comparable with Tom Lyle’s art in the Total Recall comic book of 1990. For the newcomers read this, Bagley became a popular artist through the Amazing Spider-Man monthly series and the Venom: Lethal Protector comic books that were released after years after this one. Having seen many of Bagley’s works published in 1992 to 1995, I can hardly recognize his art style in this comic book adaptation. The way he drew people’s faces in this comic book looks very different from those seen in Amazing Spider-Man issues. At the same time, Bagley’s own take on RoboCop has that balanced approach on depicting humanity with machinery while also making the hero look less bulky compared to the movie’s version.

Conclusion

*Julie Faxx of OCP sure talks like a woke nut and rabid feminist in this scene.*

RoboCop 2 #1 (1990) is clearly not a faithful adaptation of selected parts of the movie but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is more about the Grant-Bagley team doing their own visual presentation of the movie script copy they had and ultimately they succeeded in making this comic book a stylized and worthy reading experience. This is indeed a surprisingly entertaining read and I can say that I am looking forward to reading the next issue.

Overall, RoboCop 2 #1 (1990) is recommended.

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #374 (1993)

April 24, 2024April 11, 2024carlocarrasco

In early 1993, the supervillain and murderer Venom was in very high demand among Marvel readers and comic collectors. The Venom: Lethal Protector mini-series launched with issue #1 selling a lot of copies and it portrayed Spider-Man’s greatest enemy as a very twisted and violent makeshift hero who dedicated himself to protecting what he (Eddie Brock specifically) to innocent people. As Venom was one of the few supervillains who knew Spider-Man’s true identity, the creative team behind the Amazing Spider-Man series decided to raise the stakes temporarily by having him encounter Peter Parker’s parents (the ones that appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #365).

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #374, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins inside the bunker beneath the grounds of the deserted Brooklyn amusement park. As Eddie Brock struggles to lift a very heavy piece of equipment, the symbiote forms over his body helping him lift it up above the head. Venom is obsessed with killing Spider-Man and Eddie Brock remains totally bitter over the webslinger’s responsibility on destroying his career. Eddie sees a page of the Daily Bugle on the wall and it contains a news photo of Peter Parker with his mother and father.

At New York’s famous Central Park, Peter, wife Mary Jane and his parents enjoy quality time skating on ice. Aunt May is standing on a wooden platform watching them…

Quality

*Lots of intense action scenes in this comic book for fans and readers to be entertained with. The action scenes are not mindless as they serve as reflections of Venom’s powerful quest for revenge.*

To begin with, I can say that this tale by David Michelinie is a very intense and dramatic read and it added a new layer of depth into the enduring rivalry between Spider-Man and Venom. At this point in Marvel Comics’ shared universe history, the two icons have encountered each other so many times, the time was right for Michelinie to raise the stakes and have the elderly Parkers (note: Aunt May excluded) as the new targets of Venom (already made obvious on the cover which in turn added tremendous stress on the part of Spider-Man and his wife.

For the newcomers reading this, Eddie Brock’s journalistic career was destroyed over the Sin-Eater story as a result of Spider-Man’s public revelation of Stanley Carter as the said figure (note: Brock’s Sin-Eater article series was based on interviews with Emil Gregg who actually turned out to be a delusional neighbor of Carter’s).

As Brock’s life went way downhill with his reputation destroyed, his hatred of Spider-Man grew and so did his quest for revenge. That being said, what happened in this particular comic book was a very reflective extension of what happened years prior. Anyone who has basic knowledge of the origin of Venom and early appearances of Brock in comics will be able to understand the intensified rivalry in this tale.

Apart from the great story, this comic book has lots of superhero spectacle for readers to enjoy. That being said, the smashing action of the fight between Spider-Man and Venom was clearly made to be more violent which suitably reflected the supervillain’s lust for revenge. Spidey, meanwhile, had no choice but to avoid causing any more damage or harm as Venom goes after him in public surrounded with lots of bystanders. Along the way, you will see a key moment of the insanity of Venom which served as a useful pause of the fight. Finally, when it comes to the art, this comic book has some of the finest artworks I have seen from Mark Bagley.

Conclusion

At the time of this comic book’s publication, Venom was one of the few supervillains who knew Spider-Man and Peter Parker are one and the same person. The inclusion of Peter’s parents only added to the raising of the stakes.

Amazing Spider-Man #374 (1993) is undeniably a great read complete with intense action scenes, lots of intrigue and, most notably, a rock solid development of the Spider-Man-Venom rivalry. This is the kind of story that will compel long-time Spider-Man fans to revisit Venom’s origin as well as Spider-Man’s involvement with the Sin-Eater. At the same time, this tale will help readers understand the insanity and murderous mind of Venom that took place not only in the Venom: Lethal Protector mini-series in also other mini-series about the symbiotic killer that Marvel published throughout the 1990s.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #374 (1993) is highly recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994)

June 19, 2023June 15, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1994 and explore a part of the Marvel Comics universe through one of the many tales of the Amazing Spider-Man comic book series.

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man has been caught by the Jury and gets tried in a makeshift court that is so secretive, getting help from outside is impossible. The trial explored how Spider-Man, who brought the alien costume into their world which later led to the beginning of his murderous mortal enemy, is responsible for the deaths and other tragedies connected to Venom.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #385, published in 1994 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley. This issue marks the final chapter of a 3-part storyline between the iconic webslinger and the Jury.

Early story

The story begins with a restrained Spider-Man declared guilty and sentenced to death by the so-called court of Orwell Taylor and the Jury. Just as the team members are about to execute the webslinger, their teammate Ramshot intervenes and says that Spider-Man saves lives which is a matter of public record. Disappointed by Ramshot’s behavior, Taylor mentions their secondary mission is to obtain a weapon that might allow them to eliminate their true enemy – Venom.

Taylor then says that if Spider-Man would help them destroy the greater evil, then the court would consider commuting his sentence…

Quality

*Something unfortunate happens during the mission involving Spider-Man and the Jury.*

Considering all the drama and tension that was built up in the previous two issues, the story here is a letdown. For one thing, all the discussions about Spider-Man being responsible for the killings and violence caused by Venom lead to nowhere as the story took a turn for the bizarre concept of the hero getting spared to work with the very team that went after him. Secondly, the mission that Spidey and the Jury worked on really did not have a justifiable goal. This resulted in a disappointing turn of events. Ironically, in this comic book you will see more of Taylor’s cunning on top of his own distorted view about justice.

If there is anything notable here, it is the fact that Spider-Man’s wife Mary Jane gets a good share of the spotlight as she literally moves towards the edge in relation to the deteriorating marriage. This shows that as Spidey spends more time away to do what is good and push back against the forces of evil, his wife gets lonelier and desperate as life turns for the worse. At the very least, this comic book expresses that the marriage of Peter and Mary Jane could be doomed.

Conclusion

*This is how Mary Jane deals with loneliness and the decline in her life.*

Considering what was built up and heavily dramatized in issues #383 and #384, Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994) is a rather weak conclusion. The way Spider-Man and the Jury parted ways felt more like sudden retreat than a real finish to what was started between them. Strangely enough, the focus on Mary Jane’s decline and desperation literally saved this comic book from becoming a creative disaster. The ending does not have much to do between Spider-Man and the Jury, but it was surprising in a crude way.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #385 (1994) is serviceable.

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993)

May 31, 2023May 28, 2023carlocarrasco

Welcome back superhero enthusiasts, 1990s culture enthusiasts and comic book collectors! Today we go back to the year 1993 and explore a part of the Marvel Comics universe through one of the many tales of the Amazing Spider-Man comic book series.

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man gets involved not only with the Incredible Hulk but also with Doc Samson who has a history of treating the green giant and carries a strong sense of responsibility towards him. Something, however, infected Samson and eventually the Hulk which leads to a new wave of destruction in New York City which itself is still recovering from the chaos of Maximum Carnage.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #382, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story written by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins with the Hulk (note: infected with the gamma virus which is driving him to violence) striking the pavement hard causing Spider-Man and Doc Samson to move away. After a quick exchange of words with Samson regarding the virus, Spider-Man jumps towards the Hulk and hits his face in an attempt to stop him before he causes any more damage to the city.

Doc Samson desperately tries to contain the Hulk by choking him only to be grabbed and get thrown to a solid structure nearby. Now down on the pavement, Samson notices the Hulk jumping in towards him…

Quality

*Mary Jane Parker in trouble with her acting career.*

This story is indeed a solid and satisfying conclusion to what was started in issue #381. Not only does this comic book showcase a battle between Spider-Man and the manipulated Hulk, it also highlights Doc Samson’s importance not only as a supporting player but also as a scientist struggling with his responsibility over helping the Hulk. There is a strong sense of burden you will sense in Samson who himself caused a lot of damage when he was infected with the virus before the Hulk got infected by it.

The presentation of the virus/bacterium as the factor behind the chaos is a believable concept that highlights what would happen if people carrying gamma radiation in their bodies get infected by it.

If you are looking for fun, there is a lot of action here with lots of dynamic looking images crafted by Mark Bagley. Yes, you will see action and incidental moments between Spider-Man and the Hulk here and there, with Samson also getting a notable share of the spotlight. How the conflict concluded was cleverly done and ultimately surprising. This is something you readers will have to discover for yourselves.

Conclusion

*As Doc Samson goes away, Spider-Man takes on the Hulk.*

Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993) is a well-paced and satisfying conclusion to the events that started in the previous issue. At the time of its release, the comic book highlighted a modern crossover between the Hulk and Spider-Man with Doc Samson inserted as a functional third participant. The concept of the gamma virus/bacterium works well here and added a more science fictional layer to the plot. This comic book is pretty entertaining and the suspense really built-up nicely towards the climax.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #382 (1993) is recommended!

+++++

A Look Back at Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993)

May 26, 2023May 26, 2023carlocarrasco

In my previous retro review, Spider-Man became the new target of The Jury, a team of armored mercenaries founded and led by the father (note: a prominent and powerful man) of one of Venom’s murder victims. Spider-Man was perceived to be responsible for bringing the living alien costume into the world which eventually resulted in the creation of Venom (note: Eddie Brock bonded with the same symbiote) who went on to cause havoc and killed a lot of people.

With those details laid down, here is a look back at Amazing Spider-Man #384, published in 1993 by Marvel Comics with a story by David Michelinie and drawn by Mark Bagley.

Early story

The story begins inside a certain government building in New York City scheduled for renovation. A heavily restrained and drugged Spider-Man was about to have mask taken off by one of The Jury members when their founder General Taylor intervened and insisted that they keep their honor. Spider-Man is up for questioning and scrutinization in a makeshift trial by The Jury. As the webslinger is not in the proper condition to stand trial, Taylor (in his capacity as the judge) declares a 30-minute recess.

Elsewhere, Peter Parker’s wife Mary Jane received bad news from her boss that her role in the TV show Secret Hospital will be reduced to a recurring role. This troubles her deeply as it means reduced income for her at a time when her marriage with Peter continues to go down. Spider-Man’s lack of quality time with her keeps taking its toll on her…

Quality

Firstly, I should say that the Michelinie-Bagley team’s concept of having The Jury as the force of opposition against Spider-Man continues to do wonders creatively in this particular comic book series. In the previous issue, the webslinger was hunted and General Taylor really invested a lot of technologies to get to him in the middle of a very bustling city. In this particular issue, Spider-Man is completely vulnerable being weakened and disoriented as he is about to be tried in a makeshift court.

Along the way, Taylor and his team were portrayed to work within their own system of justice. As no court of law in New York would recognize Spider-Man’s trial, The Jury set up their own court in a very private and unusual manner.

While the planned trial is the major event of this comic book’s concept, Michelinie pulled off a rather unusual move with the narrative. Just as the first witness points to Spider-Man for being responsible for Venom, the iconic webslinger then starts to wonder what the trial is truly all about and then the creative team unleashed a slew of flashbacks that looked back a key events published in certain comic books of Secret Wars, The Amazing Spider-Man and Web of Spider-Man through the years. I’m talking about Spider-Man’s first-ever encounter with the symbiote, how he got rid of it, how the symbiote bonded with Eddie Brock to form Venom, how Venom’s costume left a living seed that Cletus Kassady touched and became Carnage, etc. These flashbacks, all nicely drawn by Mark Bagley, conveniently served as an instant reference for readers to catch up with the current events but this was done at the expense of this comic book’s narrative.

More on the trial, this comic book raises layered questions about the concept of responsibility on Spider-Man. Could the iconic webslinger really be held accountable for whatever murders Venom committed along with the trauma he caused on bystanders given the fact that he really brought the alien costume into their world? Should Spider-Man also be held responsible for any murders committed by Carnage? This is one really loaded script Michelinie came up with and he really had Spider-Man vulnerable not only to The Jury but also to the questions thrown at him during the makeshift trial. To put it short, this is one very unusual Spider-Man tale ever told that carries strong relevance from the past.

As with the previous issues, this comic book sheds a limited amount of the spotlight on Mary Jane and Spider-Man’s Aunt May who at this stage has gotten paranoid with her suspicions about Peter’s parents. The dramatization turned out pretty good.

Conclusion

*Spider-Man in a vulnerable state with The Jury.*

While the flashbacks were excessive and made the narrative feel bloated, Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993) still has lots of good stuff fans can enjoy. It has a pretty bold concept of having Spider-Man really trapped and left vulnerable for the makeshift trial. More notably, the narrative pounded heavily on the concept of responsibility in relation to Spider-Man’s past actions that led to the creation of Venom and even Carnage.

Overall, Amazing Spider-Man #384 (1993) is recommended!

+++++

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