Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #8

Background

So Pete's gone up against the Lizard and more so far in this book. "Perceptions" starts in this issue, featuring The Wendigo and Wolverine.

Story Details

The story opens in a forest at night. Although no one is in the pictures, txt boxes take the account of someone who appears to be a news reporter. He/She explains that they had been sent to the forest to do a simple, routine story about the possible conflict between loggers and environmentalists. But then things go wrong apparently. That's when we see a hand buried in the ground. A mysterious create pulls it out... THE WENDIGO!

Finally, the text boxes start explaining what's going on as the Wendigo makes its way through the forest. The reporter tells us that he was travelling around when he saw a figure standing in the middle of the road. It's the Wendigo. The car hits it at 80 kilometres per hour. Although the reporter doesn't know what happened after that, scientists told her that a white animal fur was found on the car, even though now animal was found.

All they can remember is seeing the creature disappear into the woods, and leaving the body behind. That's when we finally see the reporter, a young woman. The body turns out to be a young boy aged 11 named David Neusel. The reporter is Anna Brooks, she called her editor and it's not long before the stories in her paper.

She tell us David isn't the first boy to go missing in the area, but he was the first body found. A huge search for what everyone calls "Bigfoot" begins. Then again, another boy goes missing.

Now we cut to Spidey, sitting on top of a webbed up thug giving his classic banter to the freaked out criminal. After having his fun, Spidey lets him drop into a garbage can. After a quick sling across town, Pete drops into his house, relieved to find M.J. asleep.

Jameson rings up and orders Parker down to the Bugle. Obviously, he's shipping him out to Hope, B.C., Canada, where the Wendigo incident is taking place. Now we got back to Anna Brooks. Its 7 days after the car crash and she's stayed on to report what's going on. Bill Rice, the other boy is still missing.

There's little hope for him though as we see the Wendigo chewing on a carcass in the forest as she questions to reasons of the deaths. Cut to the eight night and hunters find Rice's body.

Kids start to be taken out of school, doors are barricaded and people stock up on ammo. Pete's arrived and he's on the phone to M.J. They talk about the horrors of the story before Pete goes out to get some fresh air.

Day nine and rumours are starting to spread about their being more than one of these creatures, who are just waiting to take out the area. A hunter waits in the forest, a gun aimed at an animal. He's grabbed from behind and pulled back. We then see an area of unconscious, men. STOP has been carved into a tree.

Turn the page and we're greeted by none other than Wolverine. "This madness must stop" he says as he stands in the moonlight.

General Comments

An all round enjoyable issue. Fantastic art from Mr. McFarlane, a good story and story telling method from the account of the reporter. Wendigo's an interesting character, I've always liked him. A bit of Wolverine never hurt anyone either... unless you're a villain inside these books...

Overall Rating

Nothing sensational, just a goody starting issue.