Spectacular Spider-Man (UK Magazine) #153

Background

This UK magazine features a new Spidey story each issue, which is to say, each three weeks.

This relatively long-running mag started off by reprinting Spider-Man stories, but then swapped to producing original tales. Originally those new stories were one-off tales set in a "Generic Spider-Man" continuity which had much in common with the Spider-Man of the 1990's Cartoon series. More recently they attempted to construct their own "Ultimate Spider-Man-esque" version of young Peter Parker, though recent issues seem to have drifted back to the generic cartoon continuity.

Story 'The Hunted'

Spider-Man can't believe the story on the TV. The Fantastic Four have attacked a military base in Nevada. Surely they must be criminals, experience has clearly shown that there is no other possible explanation! The police/army/etc have shot down the fantasticar over Manhattan, and prepares the final assault on the fab four. Only Spidey seems to have faith in their innocence.

The police aren't interested in the negotiation Reed offers. That's weird, since I'd figure that they'd want to avoid a full-pitched battle in the middle of town. And the hundred times the FF saved the world, and the countless similar misunderstandings that have always been cleared up showing the FF were innocent. Some of those might count for something, you'd figure.

Ah well, Spidey joins with the FF. They scrap for a bit with the cops, then the Torch burns a hole into the sewers. Gotta love New York, you can always find a sewer when and where you need one. As Reed whistles up an FF plane, he explains that the TV footage of the attack was faked. Of course... a fake video is all it takes to have the government turn on their most powerful allies, without any discussion. Remind me to fire up Photoshop and whip up a nice fake picture to get America to invade Canada.

All five head to Nevada.

The place arrives unnoticed, and Spidey and Invisible Girl sneak onto the base as the other three lie in wait. Spidey's Spider-Sense picks out one hanger, and they quietly head inside to find... SKRULLS!

Ooops. Bio-sensors pick up the invisible pair, and force them to fight. Spidey falls for the old "I'm Reed Richards... HAH I'M A SKRULL! EAT HOT PLASMA PISTOL!" trick. But the real Reed Richards, Thing and Human Torch turn up and mop up the rest of the Skrulls. Reed hacks the Skrull's computers and discovers that the team they fought was only a scouting party. The real invasion fleet are still on their way, but are nearly here!

General Comments

Yawn. Another dopey, predictable plot. Nothing in here for anybody with a mental age in the double-digits. Everything here is out of the "Spidey/FF/Skrull plots for beginners", then dumbed down a little.

Overall Rating

I know this stuff is supposed to be for kids, but surely the writers might want to take a little bit of pride in what they're doing. Would it be so hard to add an original twist somewhere in this plot? Is it impossible to make the circumstances even slightly believable.

Apparently the answer is "Yes, it's too hard". Two dull and uninspired webs.