Spider-Man: Meet the Characters

Background

This book is hardback, 5.75" x 9.5". Inside there are 18 pages, which is 9 double-page spreads, each one focusing on a different character in the Spiderverse. The pages are glossy card, rather than paper. Each page has a "tab" like a file-o-fax with the character's image on the tab, so that you can quickly find the page you're looking for. I guess that would be handy just in case you were watching the 1990's TV series and suddenly forgot who Hobgoblin was.

Story Details

The first double-page spread includes a fold-out sort of simple pop-up which almost makes this a four-page spread. Spider-Man is the star, but all the villains feature in a montage. A text paragraph introduces Spider-Man.

The next page gives more background to Spider-Man and summarizes his powers. Unfortunately, his Spider-Sense (in many ways his greatest and most amazing power) is overlooked in the description.

Subsequent spreads introduce Lizard, Venom, Doc Ock, Mysterio, Hobgoblin, Aunt May & MJ, and finally Jonah J. Jameson. The versions given are essentially those of the 1990's TV show, which was popular at the time of publishing.

General Comments

Overlooking Peter's Spider-Sense is a major fumble. But the format is interesting an original, and I reckon your average 1990's pre-teen Spider-Fan would have been delighted to receive a copy of this book.

Overall Rating

Excellent production values and a creative approach need to be balanced against one major omission in the content. Lets's go for an above-average three and a half webs.