What Now? Amazing Spider-Man
That was pretty awesome, right? You just watched/read/heard/experienced something you absolutely loved, and you can’t wait to get your hands on more things like it…if only you knew what those things were. Times like these, you’ve got no choice but to ask What Now?
So you just saw Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man, huh? You loved Andrew Garfield. You loved Emma Stone. You’re not sure what was up with that piano key during that one climactic scene. But one thing is for sure: you want more Spider-Man. Well lucky for you, that’s exactly what we’re here to do. Let’s take a look at some of your best options if you’re a fan of the film.
Ultimate Spider-Man
If you don’t have much Spider-Man experience, this may be the best place for you to start. Hell, even if you DO have a lot of Spider-Man experience this is a great place to start. Ultimate Spider-Man creates a brand new version of classic Spider-Man, and scribe Brian Michael Bendis takes full advantage while he tells a wonderful tale of Peter Parker. You can pick up digital copies of Ultimate Spider-Man from the fine gentlemen of Super-Fly Comics, or you can contact them if you’re interested in a printed collection.
Spectacular Spider-Man
Airing a few years back, this is my vote for the best Spider-Man cartoon of all time. While there is currently an Ultimate Spider-Man cartoon airing on DisneyXD, Spectacular Spider-Man offers a less childish version of the wallcrawler, and is still appropriate for the whole family. You can grab the series on DVD here.
Spider-Island
(Amazing Spider-Man #666-673, Venom #6-8)
The big Spider-Man crossover of recent years finds Peter Parker trapped in a Manhattan where everyone has been given spider powers. Spectacular Dan Slott teams with Web of Humberto Ramos (see what I did there?) and delivers a crossover that was beloved by most fans. While the story bled into many side issues, sticking with the ones above will get you by. You can pick up digital copies of Amazing Spider-Man here, and Venom here.
Shed
(Amazing Spider-Man #630-633)
The villain in Amazing Spider-Man, The Lizard, has had many stories told over his long tenure as a thorn in Spider-Man’s side, but Shed is possibly the best one. Finding a Curt Conners who is just trying to live a normal life, Shed examines what happens when he loses control to the reptilian side. You’ll never forget it. Grab your digital copies here.
The Night Gwen Stacy Died
(Amazing Spider-Man #121-122)
Sorry for the spoilers folks, but 40 something years ago Gwen Stacy died one of the most heartbreaking (and well known) deaths in comics. If you want to prepare for the inevitable Green Goblin/Gwen Stacy movie universe throw down you’ll have to find a hard copy, because Comixology doesn’t have these in digital format yet. You can pick up these two issues as part of this Amazing Spider-Man Marvel Masterpiece collection here.
Crane operator school
Special thanks to PoP!ulation member @ComicGeeKelly for helping me out with these suggestions!
Also thanks to Lee and Junkle who chimed in, but after I was distracted writing this!
Marvel (and DC) should offer a free 1 shot comic to be given out during opening weekend of these movies. Marvel did the .1 issues to drive up sales, wouldnt a .1 initiative to give these movie goers an opportunity to jump into the story be just as good?
I agree – but I’ll even bring it a level lower. When I saw The Avengers at midnight, a local comic shop was at the theater, with cosplayers, handing out free swag and information about Free Comic Book day. I had never heard of that shop before, now I recognize their name every time I see it. Yesterday at Amazing Spider-Man, they were running ads for the shop before the film. I’d love to see more shops coordinate with the theaters to bring this type of “event” to the theater itself. Getting casual viewers to the comic shop will always be difficult, but bringing a long box of Spider-Man comics you’re willing to give away, stamped with your digital storefront info, to those same viewers isn’t.
Wow what a great idea Mahoney. I always thought Marvel/DC should offer a commercial package to local stations where LCS can pay a small bit to put their info on the ad (on tv).
Crane. Operator. School.
LMFAO!