The Amazing Spider-Man #300
Recap
Life has been pretty good for Peter and MJ lately, that is until a new and unknown villain shows up and has other ideas. Who is this new maniac that wants Peter Parker dead?
Review
What can be said about The Amazing Spider-Man #300 that hasn’t been said before? There is a special aura that surrounds this book that makes it easy mandatory reading and why it is coveted among Spidey and comic book fans the world over? The writing, the art, and the introduction of a villain that would forever change Spider-Man stories and create a fandom just as rabid and loyal as any character on the shelves today. That villain is Venom!
The Amazing Spider-Man #300 reads like a classic 80s thriller that takes hold and keeps you interested all the way through. David Michelinie does what he does best and narrates on hell of a story rich in character profiles regardless of reader familiarity. Setting the stage with Mary Jane huddled in a corner crying as Peter finds her and questions what is wrong. She talks a huge hulkling of a man dressed in a similar suit as him.
One of the fun things about this book is there is more going on than just Eddie showing up and throwing Peter around the pages administering as pain as possible. We get MJ and Peter trying to get their new condo ready, Aunt May being concerned about Peter and MJ’s marriage, Eddie and his damaged psyche and a brief history are just a few things that make up this fantastic story. It is so easy to have a story that barrels through the side stories to get you to the main plotline but David Michelinie takes great care in making sure there is an abundance of substance to go along with Venom’s first appearance.
How can you talk about this era of Spider-Man and not mention Todd McFarlane. From his unmistakably iconic webbing to Venom’s devilish grin there is no doubt who is at the helm. The close-ups of Mary Jane throughout the book really get you involved in feeling for her and what she goes through and how she deals with her fear. Even when Eddie is telling his back story Todd makes sure that the right amount of “mean mugging” is applied and you know that Eddie is a bad dude much like the person who drew him.
Final Thoughts
If you ask 10 people what is their version of a required comic book reading list you are going to get vastly different lists. Is The Amazing Spider-Man going to be on there? I am willing to bet that you will see this book on at least 2 or 3 lists for one reason or another. If you are a Spider-Man fan, I don’t see how this book is not your list. There is a reason why this book has aged so well and continues to read so well. It’s more than just a first appearance of Venom or the milestone 300th issue. It is all around a fabulous read. It was a fabulous read 30 years ago and it will be 30 years from now.
SUNDAY CLASSICS: The Amazing Spider-Man #300: You Can Call Me Venom!
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 8/108/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10