Web of Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #2

Story 'Treasures'

We begin with the Vulturians regoruping from their battering in issue one. They want to have another pop at Spidey and have an all-new secret weapon... poisonous blow darts!

A week later and Pete stops off to buy a hat for Aunt May's birthday. After dropping in at the Bugle, JJJ (who recently stepped down as editor) is bad- mouthing Spider-Man again and says he has new plans over what to do now he's no longer editor. He tells Pete he's going to need some Spidey pics.

While there, a report comes in about the Vulturians robbing a bank and Pete rushes off. They have heard that Kingpin is looking for a new assassin and so plan to kill Spidey in front of the Kingpin's building.

Spidey battles them ... whilst also trying to keep hold of Aunt May's hat! Our hero defeats the gang relatively easily but while doing so, the Vulturians' noise disturbs Kingpin's wife Vanessa (who is very ill).

The Kingpin isn't too happy at this and is quite happy to watch Spider-Man win.

Spidey has dropped the hat but as a sign of gratitude, Kingpin gets a helicopter to retrieve it and dangles it back for Spidey to get. There is a note attached from the Kingpin saying they are equal again.

General Comments

Another incredibly average story. The Vulturians are a poor foe and no threat at all. Of course we all like to see Spidey winning but, when there's little opposition, it just gets tedious.

The nice touch is, of course, Kingpin returning the hat. It increases his curiousity over what Spidey's true identity could be (why would a super-hero have reason to cradle a hat?) It also brings the villain into a much more three-dimensional role. He's not just a standard bad guy who wants to rule the world blah, blah, blah. There's a lot more depth to the character and it comes across well.

As with issue one, the art leave quite a bit to be desired. The actual characters themselves are fine but there's so little depth and background, the overall impression is very disappointing.

Overall Rating

Better than issue one but not by much. Web comes across as very much the 'third' book of the time with weaker stories and poorer art.