Spider-Comics Shipping in June 2010

Here’s the Spider-Comics coming out this June. I’ll provide my monthly commentary.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #634
Written by JOE KELLY, STAN LEE & J.M. DEMATTEIS
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK, MARCOS MARTIN & MAX FIUMARA
50/50 Covers by LEINIL FRANCIS YU & MIKE FYLES
Villain Variant by JOE QUINONES
GRIM HUNT PART 1: A SPIDER-MAN EPIC TWO DECADES IN THE MAKING BEGINS!
Several years ago, one of Spider-Man’s greatest enemies, Kraven the Hunter, stalked his last prey, dying with a violent, misbegotten honor. Now, two women claiming to be his wife and daughter have tracked Spider-Man, through the urban jungle, weakening him through the Gauntlet while they prepare to attempt an unholy resurrection. They’re hunting Spiders…and Spider-Man’s friends and namesakes are in their sights. Written by Joe Kelly and drawn by Michael Lark (DAREDEVIL) this is only the beginning of a Spider-summer that will be talked about for years to come.
ALSO BEGINNING THIS ISSUE: TWO EXCLUSIVE FEATURES!
Original Spidey creator Stan Lee returns with Marcos Martin for a 2-page Spidey Sunday Feature that brings the real world into Spidey’s world! PLUS: J.M. DeMatteis, author of the classic “Kraven’s Last Hunt” returns to the Amazing Spider-Man with Max Fiumara to explore an unknown confrontation between Kraven and Spidey’s violent doppelganger KAINE…a battle which promises ramifications on the Grim Hunt itself.
32 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

BD Commentary:Kraven’s Last Stand is one of the best Spider-Man stories ever. However, I fear bringing Kraven back may tarnish the story. However, I’m intrigued by how they’re going to do it which seem  inevitable with these solicitations.
I’m looking forward to DeMatteis and Stan Lee’s back up stories more than the main one. Also, why are we paying $3.99 for 32 pages? The Peter Porker solicitation is 48 pages, yet has the same $3.99 price?

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #635 & 636
Written by JOE KELLY, STAN LEE & J.M. DEMATTEIS
Penciled by MICHAEL LARK, MARCOS MARTIN & MAX FIUMARA
Covers by MIKE FYLES
Issue #635 50/50 Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Issue #636 50/50 Cover by TBA
The Grim Hunt continues as many Spider-powered characters find themselves prey of the Kraven Family! Guest starring Kaine, Spider-Woman, Araña and Madame Web. Plus Spidey Sunday Feature and Kraven backup stories!
40 PGS. (each)/Rated A …$3.99 (each)

BD Commentary: I’ve never heard of Mike Fyles, but that is one creepy cool cover! I’m wondering if this $3.99 will now be the norm for the Amazing Spider-Man books. I fear it will be.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS: AMERICAN SON #2 (of 4)
Written by BRIAN REED
Penciled by PHILIPPE BRIONES
Cover by MARKO DJURDEVIC
AMERICAN SON FIGHTS THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN – FOR THE LIFE OF AN OSBORN?!
When Harry Osborn’s gunned down, his would be saviors
come to blows – and meanwhile, reporter Norah Winters digs into the histories of Gabriel Stacy, Norman Osborn…and unlocks the secret of AMERICAN SON!  By Brian Reed (THE SINISTER SPIDER-MAN) and Philippe Briones (IRON MAN vs. WHIPLASH)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

BD Commentary: I seriously think the Gabriel Stacy storyline is selling this thing for me more than Harry. JMS left this dangling plot line that only Kevin Cushing has picked up. It’ll be interesting to see where they take it.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN PRESENTS: BLACK CAT #1 (of 4)
Written by JEN VAN METER
Penciled by JAVIER PULIDO
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
Variant Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
A GRIM HUNT TIE-IN
The Cat is B(l)ack in her own series and it’s international intrigue at its sexiest by Jen Van Meter (Hopeless Savages, JSA) and Javier Pulido (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN).  As Spider-Man is stalked during the Grim Hunt, the world’s slyest, smartest and sneakiest jewel thief’s latest heist puts the Black Cat face-to-face with the family that has been terrorizing Spider-Man’s dreams and threatening those closest to him!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

BD Commentary:Great looking cover. I’ve always thought the Black Cat could support her own title. I’ve never read anything my Meter, but I have high hopes for this one. A mini for Felicia is more in demand than Jackpot. I don’t remember anyone here or online demanding more Jackpot.

PETER PARKER #4
Written by BOB GALE
Penciled by PATRICK OLLIFFE
Cover by BRENDAN MCCARTHY
PETER PARKER – SAVED BY THE SPIDER-GIRLS?!
When a group of civic minded teens known as the Spider-Girls set out to make a difference in their community, they had no idea what they were in for! Taken hostage during a police sting gone awry and targeted by low-rent villains and shifty opportunists, the girls can only hope they’ll be saved by Spider-Man – or will they save him first?! Bombtastic Bob Gale and Plucky Pat Olliffe bring you the conclusion of “SPIDER-GIRLS GONE WILD!” 32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

BD Commentary: The reprints of the online strip continues in print form. I’ve not enjoyed Gale’s run on Spidey, but Olliffe is one of my favorites.

SPECTACULAR SPIDER-GIRL #2
Written by TOM DEFALCO
Pencils by RON FRENZ & COLLEEN COOVER
Cover by RON FRENZ
It’s SPIDER-GIRL vs. SPIDER-GIRL — AND THE WINNER GETS THE PUNISHER! Desperate to stop the gang war between the Black Tarantula and Silverback before the Punisher hits town, Spider-Girl goes on a crime-stopping rampage which forces Man Mountain Marko to unleash his deadliest weapon–May’s own clone, April!  PLUS: American Dream protects the city streets in a gang war out of control — and The Buzz stops by to give her a hand.  And, by popular demand, welcome back Li’l Benjy, the Spectacular Spider-Kid!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

BD Commentary: I encourage all long time readers of Spider-Man to give this book a try. Granted it’s not for everyone, but it’s consistent in it’s quality. I notice Sal Buscema isn’t inking Frenz pencils on this issue. I hope he comes back for #3.

SPIDER-MAN: FEVER #3 (of 3)
Written by BRENDAN MCCARTHY
Pencils & Cover by BRENDAN MCCARTHY
THE TRIPPIEST SPIDER-TALE OF THE YEAR CONCLUDES!
Evoking the incredible 60’s psychedelic style of artist Steve Ditko, this unique story is becoming the most talked-about new series of the year. In the stunning finale to writer/ artist Brendan McCarthy’s phantasmagorical adventure, Dr. Strange and Spider-Man must destroy the Arachnix spider-tribe so that they can return to Earth with Spider-Man’s soul intact.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

BD Commentary: Trippy is the keyword for this book. I’ve pre-ordered the first two and I’ll pick this up. I enjoyed Ditko’s take on Spidey and Strange, but I really think this one is for the die-hard fans only. The ones that picked up the issues back in the 1960s.  I also think this is just too much Spidey being solicited this month which will push this book in the 15 to 20k seller.

SPIDER-HAM 25TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1
Written by TOM DEFALCO & TOM PEYER
Penciled by JACOB CHABOT, AGNES GARBOWSKA & ADAM DEKRAKER
Cover by JOE JUSKO
THE TIME FOR NOT WAITING IS OVER – THE ORIGINAL SPIDER-PIG TURNS 25!
When J. Jonah Jackal, Mary Crane and Pete’s beloved Aunt May are kidnapped on his 25th birthday, Spider-Ham must battle Doctor Octopuss and the Swinester Six! Six-to-one odds? Don’t get your tail in a bunch — when the slop’s on, this pig throws down — and Tom DeFalco & Jacob Chabot (X-BABIES) are there to bring it to you.Then, take a look into the many possible fates of Spider-Ham as the Assistant Watcher answer the questions you never really thought about in MARVEL: WHY NOT? – a six page Spider-Ham Extravaganza by Tom Peyer (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and Agnes Garbowska (GIRL COMICS). Finally, in the not too distant future, Swiney-Girl, the daughter of Spider-Ham, returns to face down “Crayfin’s Last Bunt!” by Tom D. and Adam DeKraker (MARVEL ZOMBIES: EVIL EVOLUTION)
48 PGS./One-Shot/All Ages …$3.99

BD Commentary: I love some Peter Porker: When I was a kid in the 1980s I had a subscription from Marvel for the Peter Porker book by Star Comics. I loved it and I’ll be picking this one up. I really wish they’d release an action figure of old Pork Chops.

WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #9
Written by FRED VAN LENTE & MARC GUGGENHEIM
Penciled by JAVIER RODRIGUEZ & SANA TAKEDA
Cover by JELENA KEVIC-DJURDEVIC
CAN SPIDER-MAN SAVE J. JONAH JAMESON FROM A RELENTLESS ASSASSIN?! He’s the public face of a city of 8 Million — and only one of them has to be pushed over the edge to take his life — but who is the Extremist?  And why does he want to kill J. Jonah Jameson? And why does he claim to be Spider-Man’s greatest ally? Brought to you by Fred Van Lente & Javier Rodriguez. Meanwhile, JACKPOT RETURNS – and the streets of the Marvel U will never be the same! By Webhead Veteran Marc Guggenheim and Sana Takeda (MS. MARVEL)
40 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

BD Commentary: For many, Spider-Girl was the main draw to this book. She’s now gone to be replaced by Jackpot. For $4 I’m not sure this book can survive with so many Spider-titles being solicited.  Jameson and Jackpot just don’t seem like that big a draw.

Total Cost: If you wanted to buy all these issues this month at cover price it will cost you $37.90. Let’s hope $3.99 an issue isn’t the standard, but I fear it’s here to stay.