Here's Oracular Wisdom a-plenty. Note the increasing politeness of supplicants. While we do include as many Oracle responses as possible, it has become clear that the Mighty One showers his Sapient Favours more freely on those whose missives contain due deference to his Superior Status.
If you wish to see your response printed, or wish the Oracle to answer more difficult questions in great detail, you would be well advised to begin your request with a sufficiently submissive introduction. "O Might Oracle" is a good starting point, but don't feel limited in your entreatments.
Questions:
Heya Craig.
[Ed - Like, the clone storyline needed more confusion?]
Dear Oracle, I notice that in Ultimate Spider-man Liz Allen keeps mentioning her mutant uncle. I have a vague memory of seeing something about this in the Ultimate Guide to Spider-man by Tom DeFalco, but I looked through it again and can't find it. Who is her uncle exactly?
I don't believe we've yet learned any more about Ultimate Liz Allan's ultimate uncle, Kento. As for what was in the DK Guide to Spider-Man, I think that you are remembering the regular Marvel Universe's Liz and her stepbrother, the Molten Man.
Is *any* explanation given as to why Robbie Robertson returns to his job at the Daily Bugle? When Norman Osborne took over control of paper, Robbie tried to stay on but eventually - and after a great deal of time had been devoted to arguments between him and his wife - he quit and went on holiday to Europe. Then he bumps into Alison Mongrain and rushes her back to the Parkers. Then its Volume 2 and suddenly Robbie is back in his old job with no reason given. Have I missed something somewhere that dealt with this issue, or is it something that just got swept under the carpet with the reboot?
You haven't missed anything, Neil. You're simply learning the hard way (as other spider fans have) that the reboot was poorly conceived and poorly written. Best to just let it go and look to the future.
I am reading the spider-man comics chronologically and I'm up to Jan. '97. I was curious about something. The clone-saga just came to a close, Ben died in front of Peter. Next issue Spectacular: No mention of Ben, Sensational: No Ben, Amazing: No Ben, Peter Parker: No Ben, and son on and so on. I've read two months past Ben's death in all the books and still no mention. I know they were trying to pretend the clone saga never happened, but did they completely ignore what happened forever? Is there any mention of Ben Reilly in the core Spider-Man books after his death?
Well, Roger, the whole Clone Saga was such a turnoff for many Spidey fans, that after the wrap-up in "Revelations" it was mandated not to mention Ben, his supporting cast, or clones in general. Witness the end of SENSATIONAL # 23, where Spidey was supposed to be saying good-bye to Ben's spirit, but writer Todd DeZago wasn't allowed to mention his entire name.
Restrictions were soon relaxed, though, and Ben's supporting cast was occasionally shown, and Pete now gets to mention his "brother" Ben, albeit sparingly.
[Ed - The rumour is that the upcoming Spider-Man Encyclopedia acknowledges the existence of Ben, and other characters of the time.]
Oh great spider-oracle, in the recent events that i have been informed on about spidey. Is his powers really have mystical backgrounds from that spider god? Why was he chosen? And did the spider went through the radiation on pupose so spider-man can have an edge on creatures like "Morlun"?
The writer behind the whole "mystical-or-not?" storyline, JMS, has deliberately been leaving things vague and not giving any definite answers. Look for more on this story, and possibly some answers, in the storyline leading up to ASM # 500.
Is there a list of all the comics that have an alternate cover? I am trying to collect all of the alternate covers. A list would be so helpful.
Why, yes, 3579! I highy recommend visiting Pete's Place, an archive of almost cover of every issue that Spidey has ever appeared in. It's run by spiderfan.org's very Pete Kroon.
[Ed - The Oracle is naturally correct. While our Database is rich in content, and gloriously cross-referenced, it cannot compete with Peter's site in sheer number of alternate, reprinted, and minor, minor cameos. Peter Kroon is almost certainly the world's most completist Spider-Man collector.]
I remember the Amazing Spider-Man #92, where Spider-Man squares off against Iceman. I have a vague memory of another one where Spidey and Iceman face off again. In the beginning of that one, Iceman is still a bad guy, though I think there are also other bad guys in the story. By the end of the episode, Iceman basically decides to be a good guy. I think at the very end of the comic, Spidey and Iceman more or less shake hands, and Iceman decides to give up being a bad guy. Am I totally imagining this? Do you have any idea what episode I am referring to?
I have an even more vague memory of another Spidey comic, not sure if it was an Amazing Spider-Man, a Spidey Super Story, or something else. In this one, Spidey enters some kind of car race in his Spider-Mobile. I can't remember if that was the whole point of the story, or if there was something else going on too. I can clearly remember a couple panels. In one, Spidey takes the lead, and he chuckles "This is easy!" And in another, JJJ is watching the race on TV, and he boos when Spidey takes the lead.
Well, T, Iceman has never been a bad guy. He's even known as one of Spidey's amazing friends in an alternate reality. However, by the description you give, the first issue you are remembering is SPIDEY SUPER STORIES #6. You can read our own Eric Englehard's in-depth Spidey Super Stories #6 review of "Webbing in a Winter Wonderland".
As for your second story, that sounds like a definte "Super Story" as well. It's hard to know which issue though, as all of them have three stories each. I'm sure, though, that if Eric recognizes it, he'll let you know.
How did Peter Parker come up with the spider web formula in the orginal comic book series? My friend says he made it up out of nessecity and because he was a scientist. I said that it was explained that the spider bite also transfered the knowledge to make the web formula to Peter. Who is right?????
Your friend is correct. Peter's invention of the web formula had nothing to do with him getting bitten by the spider.
Four Questions:
Four Answers:
[Ed - I second that, let's see Sha Shan once more]
O'Great Oracle:
Question? Was it explained what happened to Randy Robertson's wife Amanda (she was white, blonde, and I belive jewish)? I think she was last seen in the Joe Robinson misprison of felony story with Tombstone about Spect 150's ???
Or is this one of the continuity dosn't matter mysteries of NU Marvel
Howdy, NJ. It was revealed in ASM vol. 2 #18 and PP:SM #18 that Randy and Mandy had divorced behind the scenes.
Two questions please:
/Response Two answers for you:
Couple Questions
Couple Answers
[Ed - a recent rumour said that Paul Jenkins had been pulled off Spectacular before the first issue even hit the stands, but it appears that it was a bit premature, and for now Mr. Jenkins is still "da man" on Spectacular. ]
Nice site! I've got a couple of Spidey questions:
Thanks!
[Ed - His recent apartment locations are revealed in the upcoming Spider-Man Encyclopedia, due out at the end of this year.]
In a commentary about the Spider-Man movie, the producer Laura Ziskin said that the upside down kiss in the rain was from the comics. I've asked around, but nobody knows from what comic that is.
Sorry, that's drawn a blank from us too. Spidey (and Peter) have had some memorable kisses, but none of them upside-down in the rain that I can recall.
When I was a child, I remember reading a story arc that ran through Spectacular Spider-man. It involved Robbie Robertson going to jail for a crime he admitted to. Once in jail, he is horrified to find that Tombstone (Who was involved in the crime) is in his cell block. Tombstone plans an escape, and Spider-man, who has come to check on Robbie is taken prisoner in a riot. The prisoners escape through the prison helicopter (?) and Robbie winds up throwing himself and Tombstone out the window, apparently plummeting to their doom. My questions are as follows:
This occurs in Spectacular Spider-Man, #151 - #156. Spidey fights Bug-Eye and Banjo. Robbie and Tombstone find civilization. Robbie stabs Tombstone with a pitchfork. Robbie is later pardoned.
A reputable dealer is selling something called Spider-Man: The Clone Journal. It's got a picture of Peter, Ben and the Jackal on the cover. Any idea what's in it?
Quote: "It all began with the reappearance of a forgotten spectre from the past, a mysterious stranger who called himself Ben Reilly. He arrived in New York City to see Peter Parker's ailing Aunt May. But along with his old knapsack he'd brought with him a startling secret: he was a clone of... Peter Parker! And with this shocking revelation, a series of dramatic events have unfolded that have since turned Spider-Man's life on its head! The Clone Journal is a chronicle of these events."
It's a recap of the Ben's background, a mix of new art and old. Published March 95 which was before Ben was revealed to be the real thing... and then unrevealed.