Arch Reading - Spectacular Spider-Man #74-78

I just finished reading Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and these were awesome issues!  Bill Mantlo really picks up the pace in these issues and does a really good job juggling multiple story lines without sacrificing details.  If you're a fan of Spider-Man you know that the PPTSS title was created to put more focus on Peter Parker and deal with the effects of being Spider-Man on his personal life.

If I'm being honest this series really dragged for me in the beginning and was really hit and miss which is part of the reason why these issues stuck out to me.  Five awesome issues in a row has been unheard of to me with this series but it finally happened!

PPTSS #74 was the perfect setup issue.  Bill Mantlo brings closure to an ongoing Deb Whitman story line, introduces the main players (Doctor Octopus, The Owl and the Kingpin), advances the Ock/Owl war and heralds the return of the Black Cat all with great pace and fluidity.

PPTSS #75 is a double sized action packed issue full of some really great fight scenes drawn by Al Milgrom and Jim Mooney.  The gang war between Doc Ock and The Owl comes to a head in this issue as both of them pull out all the stops and go at each other head on!  Of course Spidey would never miss a party like this, especially since Doc Ock kidnaps Black Cat soon after her big return.  As Spidey foreshadows the Owl is felled in battle against Doc Ock's power but the best part in this issue comes when Spider-Man and Doc Ock are at the height of their battle and Doc moves to make the game changer and Spider-Man is forced to RIP OFF HIS ARMS!

PPTSS #76 Typically after a battle packed issue like 75 I would expect the follow up issue would start off with minor aftermath follow up and an intro into the next arch but apparently Mantlo isn't finished.  In the after battle confusion the Black Cat and Spidey count out Doctor Octopus as finished, which is a huge mistake.  An attack by Doc's unattached arms and remainder of both gangs catch them off guard and the Black Cat is shot and stabbed multiple times while destroying Ocks plans for good.  Barely clinging to life Spider-Man gets her a hospital in time to save her.

PPTSS #77 While the Black Cat is recovering Doctor Octopus has his arms reattached and made stronger than ever before.  Furious about his defeat he attacks the Cat at the hospital and defeats Spider-Man.  Instead of finishing them off he lets them both live so they can live in fear and vows to destroy them both in 24 hours. (oh, and the Gladiator makes a meaningless appearance)

PPTSS #78 By far my favorite book of this series so far.  This story follows Peter through his day as he prepares to face Doctor Octopus and probable death.  Bill Mantlo masterfully presents this story with great pacing and personal meaning.  It was easy to see myself in Peter's shoes as he spent time with each of the people he loved most in the world as he prepared to leave it.  Seriously great story telling all leading up to the first moments of battle.

Descriptions and story details can be found for Spider-Man titles all over the net but since I'm actually reading through the books thought I should share some of my favorite panels along with my favorite stories!

Next: Peter Parker the Spectacular Spider-Man #79 "The Final Battle!"

Thinking about taking issue review requests,
~Steve