61. Spider Man 1990 #1 ... Marvel ... Todd McFarlane

Let's be clear about something first. This particular comic is not about the story or the character but the artist because this is the boom time of comics when each artist that is successful has their chance to launch one of Marvel's "hot" properties and Mr McFarlane who has had a decent run on both Hulk and Amazing Spider Man decided to launch a new number 1 for Spider Man

When comparing his launch with that of Lee and Rob, I (though not a fan of McFarlane's while am a fan of both Lee and Rob) must admit that Mc took this opportunity and went all the way to the top determinedly showing everyone what his art is capable of. I mean just check out this one cover!

I recalled when this came out, it was such a huge rush with issues reaching into millions of copies. I couldn't afford one because it was sold out here in Malaysia and Singapore but ... years later ... after Mc is no longer hot even on Spawn and the Spider titles are going downward spiral, I managed to scoop up more or less his entire (less than 2 years) run on this new title and what a joy it was look at the splash pages and double splash pages

Here in this first issue, aside from Mc's artwork, we see a Spider-Man/ Peter Parker still happily and crazily in love with wifey, Mary Jane. However, he didn't notice the problems plaguing here i.e. career on the rocks and her constant worry for his safety ... while something else nasty is brewing in the background and you get these hints of a drum beating while the lizard is planning a resurgence. Is the lizard related to the drum beats and who is the figure all in black?

This would have been a great repackaging during the second round of Spider movies as that featured the lizard

It takes the next 4 issues for Peter to confront, fight and defeat the lizard but that's another review for another day. Enjoy!

Ratings: Splash pages -9/10
Ratings: Overall - 6/10