Late Show with Big-Time

I really hope that Big-Time is, somehow, the guest host. He does have an errand to run, after all, and he has television's Paul Shaffer. Also, why the heck does the Jameson-Lopez thing get three panels? Other than Mary Jane, who is doing pretty much squat, theirs is the storyline I care about least. At least show us what Aunt May has been up to. I've been doing this blog for... oh geez. Two years come Thursday, and we haven't seen Aunt May once.

TIL: The fact that Maria Lopez continues to make Jameson act all silly and stuff.

Maria Lopez Naked in a Tub Redux

Well, we have a recap of the past few days of strips. This means that there's another day of Maria Lopez, naked in a tub. Jameson's expression in the last panel of the middle row is one which will haunt me for the rest of my days, I fear.

TIL: The unexpectedness of Maria Lopez.

Nefarious Plot REVEALED!

So we finally see how the daring robbery was accomplished! Except, uh... did they take the silk rope with them? After all, Spider-Man's webbing dissolves after about an hour. If they left it there, it could be a tell-tale clue that this nefarious imposter is not the real web-slinger. That, and the fact that it's a length of silk rope.

TIL: The fact that Spider-Thug looks like Jimmy Olsen with a mustache.

Big-Time: Wearing a Clock

First off, some meta-stuff: new poll of the week and Panel of the Week up later today. Now, on with the actual post!Today, we get clarification that the classic snarky Spider-Man is not the same Spider-Man who went to go see Big-Time. There was some worry about that, yes. Spider-Man is also being rather cocky today, something else that's rather classic. Also, acrobatic, which is whiz-bang crackerjack.

We also see that Big-Time is, in fact, wearing a watch on a chain around his neck. Big-Time is fantastic, and while I'll no doubt regret saying this as the weeks drag by, I look forward to spending this time with him.

TIL: Big-Time. He may be this year's break-out character.

Spider-Man's New Power

Spider-Man: With the proportionate ability of a spider's knack for making things worse!

TIL: Either the fact that the police have established a sort of barrier separating the overturned car from the crowd, or that big exclamation point in the second panel of the second row.

My Goodness!

Oh my goodness. Spider-Impersonator just flipped over a car. In my book, that's tantamount to assault. I hope Peter Parker hears the news soon, and takes this dangerous fellow to task.

Thing I liked? The fact that this strip alone had more action than the previous storyline.

Nice Filler

This has pretty much nothing to do with any storyline. It's pure filler. Furthermore, it's fairly decent filler. I like that panel of the two people watching Spider-Man swinging by. You hardly ever get to see that, I think.

TIL: The whole thing is nice, but that NEXT box? It fills me with (false) hope.

Secret Identity, Schmecret Identity.

I had forgotten all about the direct-to-DVD and off-Broadway thing. Weren't those from the Krandis storyline? Back in January through March? I think it is. Also, the pair discussing Peter's secret identity in crowded places is starting to become a real sore point with this strip.

The Next box is somewhat promising. By Wednesday, I predict that any promise it has will be broken and we'll be exposed to three months of shoddiness.

TIL: The art is decent. I also think that restaurant is called Ojimbo's. That's sort of neat.

Conclusions

Spider-Man has now saved Jonah Jameson and subdued the Vulture, who decided to take a nap on the pavement. Soon, we'll be "entertained" by some criminals in suits. I am just so excited about that.

TIL: Spider-Man telling Jameson that saving lives is his job. I think that's a nice bit.

All the Strips Fall into Line

I've made my apologies, now let's do some comicky stuff. Ten days worth of it! With the return of Thing I Liked!

08/04:You know, wouldn't Jameson's arm be yanked out of its socket? He's an old newspaper guy, after all, his joints aren't what they used to be.

TIL: Jameson's pleading in panel two.

08/05:I'm not a man who knows a lot about helicopters, but I do know a bit about Spider-Man, and the man probably weighs under two hundred pounds. Would an extra person of that size have any visible effect on a helicopter?

TIL: Speed lines in panel two. You can't go wrong with speed-lines.

08/06:Flying man with hostage versus helicopter: I think we all know who the winner in that confrontation would be.

It would be us.

TIL: Once again, Jameson's pleading in panel two.

08/07:
Huh... my local paper started carrying the strip a bit ago, so I've read each of these the day they came out. I must say, though, that when you read them all together like this it does a pretty nifty job with suspense. Perhaps this week is just a fluke, though, as I doubt anything could make the Pestilent Parker bit be interesting.

Still have to wonder why the Vulture is using chemicals instead of his supposedly razor-sharp wings.

TIL: The alternating point of view is pretty keen.

08/08:The Vulture does something many villains never do: learn.

TIL: Tiny Jameson in panel one. I know it's perspective, but it's still rather silly to see.

08/09:
That is one cruddy anti-gravity device if you can clog it just with webbing. At the high altitude the Vulture operates at, you would think that frost would sort of build up a bit, and he'd compensate for this somehow. This would also take care of the thin veneer of webbing Spider-Man is putting on there.

TIL: Panel two is funny, I think.

08/10:I like how this makes Spider-Man out to be the world's biggest jerk. "Oh, so I can only save one of you? Nah, not choosing. See you later!"

TIL: Jameson in the final panel.

08/11:Now, Spider-Man is being a bit less of a jerk by only letting the super-criminal die. While I could argue that we both know he won't, I remember when the Scorpion was in the strip and Spider-Man sort of let him drown. Will we have a repeat of passive homicide?

TIL: Jameson continues to be a highlight of this falling adventure.

08/12:
Jameson shouldn't be so surprised: Spider-Man has saved him hundreds of times before.

TIL: Jameson clinging to the top of that building. Magnificent.

08/13:
Huh. Sort of underwhelming, really.

TIL: Speed lines, and the fact that the Vulture looks like he's clawing at the air.

Spider-Man Makes How Many?

Spider-Man makes three? Who are they counting? You have the Vulture, Jonah, Maria Lopez, and her pilot, and then Spider-Man which makes five. Also, I think the NEXT box is lying and no one is going to die in the sky.

On a side note, I'm moving today, but I've been assured that I'll be able to Internet again pretty promptly, so I shouldn't miss an update.

The Week in Review

Today is basically a recap of the previous week of strips. What sort of nonsense is that? The bad sort, that's what kind!

Ah, and unless Jameson is being sarcastic, he is putting way too much stock in Peter's photos here. My goodness.

Challenge of the Clowns

I like the last two panels. The Vulture's pose in the center bottom panel is priceless. The final panel pretty much promises that this is the last part of the storyline, as well, which is a double-edged sword. Peter will be free of his flu, but we'll have to put up with some random no-name gangster once the Vulture is back in prison.

I thought the NEXT box said "The Challenge of the Clowns" at first. It does not, though some may argue that my misread is accurate.

Repeats and Regrets

Nothing but a repeat of the same old song we've been hearing this whole storyline.
-Spider-Man promised nothing, but everyone is acting as if he did
-Mary Jane won't let Peter leave the bed, and will tie him down with his own webbing if she needs to
-The Vulture is flying about, looking to do some crime and defeat some Spider-Man
-Mary Jane has, for some reason, decided to wear a bright pink midriff-baring tank top and mini-skirt. This is not a repeat, but pretty much the only thing in today's strip actually worth mentioning.

I can't wait to see what the hero regrets. Most likely the fact that he promised to catch the Vulture. Except that's not a fact at all, and therefore nothing he should regret.

Tired Logic

So the flu subplot and the Vulture thing might be clashing soon, maybe? Perhaps I was wrong, and the Vulture is going to attack Spider-Man on Maria's show. If only the Vulture realized that being inside a television studio removes his advantages of flight, maneuverability, and speed, then he may have been able to avoid capture. However, despite Spider-Man having a physical advantage there (it being spacious enough for him to move around pretty well, yet enclosed enough to hinder his enemy), the flu might prove to be his undoing.

The NEXT box is really atrocious this time.

Not Worth Noting

Today, we have Jameson being a jerk, Peter being mopey, and Robbie Robertson being concerned about both of those things. So really, there's absolutely nothing worth noting today, as all that stuff happens all the time.

Spider-Fall Day One

We're going to get a week of Spider-Man falling through the air and saving himself at the last minute. Part of me thinks this might be pretty funny, as we watch him tumble. Another part of me just wants to get to the next storyline, as this whole Vulture thing has kind of worn out its welcome. Then again, the next storyline is going to feature some sort of mobster. On the plus side, mobsters and whatnot have the best henchmen. On the downside, they're freaking mobsters and most of them are boring as heck.

Please fight some good henchmen next storyline, Spider-Man. Please?

Insane Pilot Adventure

Either that man who is exclaiming that he's died and gone to heaven has mistaken the slightly demonic-looking green man for an angel, or he has a very specific fetish. In either case, that man is insane and in really no state to fly a helicopter, let alone anything more complicated than a wagon.

Predictions!

The Vulture is going to do something to Maria Lopez which will require Mary Jane to release Spider-Man from his promise. Spider-Man will get his butt kicked, but will save Maria Lopez. This will lead to a confidence boost for the Vulture, Maria Lopez being sad that Spider-Man failed, and Jonah Jameson reveling in that very same fact. The Vulture will then go on a crime spree, which will only end once Spider-Man is feeling better. He will then fight the Vulture, restoring Maria Lopez's faith in him and making Jonah look silly.

Also, I like the little Hulk cameo. That's nice.

Spider-Dreams

Spider-Man likes to dream that his enemies are somewhat competent (what's in the mysterious brown satchel? State secrets? Diamonds?) and that he's about ten times more competent than they are, apparently. Also, at this point, Mary Jane should be wearing more... conservative sleepwear. I would want as much clothing as possible between me and the dreaded Spider-Flu.

Anyway, it should be nice to see Jonah Jameson doing what he does best- trashing Spider-Man- for a little while. Note I say "should", as there's a good chance things will get screwed up.