Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #89

Background

Well, we all know that Norman Osborn, the original illustrious Green Goblin is back, and that he's bought a controlling portion of the Daily Bugle by threatening J. Jonah Jameson's family, and that Peter was recently provoked into attacking Osborn, who has used that action to turn the world against Spider-Man. We also know that Osborn had the Trapster asphyxiate a street punk named Joey Z by using a paste resembling Spider-Man's webbing, and has offered a $5 million reward on Spider-Man's head - basically he's using all of his resources (including his family) to make life miserable for Spider-Man. We know that Osborn's influence on the Bugle has driven Robbie Robertson to quit working at the Bugle, and that Flash Thompson has recently been coming to grips with his own alcoholism. We also know that Frank Castle - the Punisher - lost his memory, and is wandering around New York searching for his identity. And, of course we know that a mysterious South American crime lord named the Black Tarantula has come to NYC, looking to take his share of the New York crime scene.

We knew that, right?

Story 'Spider, Spider'

This issue features mostly just a gun-fight between the Punisher, Shotgun (last seen in the last Peter Parker: Spider-Man annual), and a mob of thugs trying to (!!) kill Spidey to get the reward. Spidey's life is initially saved by a guy named Clarence Fielding, who was planning to turn Spidey in for the reward. Spidey and Clarence are rescues by Jimmy Six, who figures that he owes Spider-Man for saving his life (during Ben Reilly's run as Spider-Man).

General Comments

John Romita Jr. pencilled this issue as well, and I've already told you what I think of that. Other than that there's little going on here to interest me.

Overall Rating

Lame stuff. Two webs.