Monte Cook's Ptolus - City by the Spire 1 of 6

Issue 1
Written by Monte Cook

Sheva Callister is a former adventurer and treasure hunter who is supposed to be retired after the death of her partner, Parnell. But a noble from the mysterious city of Ptolus meets her with a special task - he’ll give her something she desperately wants if she’ll retrieve a special brooch for him. Sheva takes the job, against her better judgment, and soon finds herself in a complex web of deception as some of Ptolus’s most infamous residents attempt to kill her and take her hungersword!

I only saw the project being advertised and decided to try and pick up some issues before it heads to TPB. I found each issue except for #2, so I got the first one to see if I like it enough to hunt down the second one. The issue begins with a narrator, identifying herself as Sheva Callister, the protagonist of the story, telling how she used to a be a popular sellsword. However, she no longer works for money, but an old "friend" request her help and that worries her. She meets the house leader of Khatru, Lord Dorant, who wants to use her as a thief. She agrees and that night tells her former partner, and now ghost, Parnell that Dorant wants her to break into House Vladaam. It turns out a diviner has pointed the finger at that house for having stolen the Brooch of Khatru. Elsewhere, a woman known as Lilith is contacted by demon messengers about a hound and she speaks of a prophecy.

Later, Sheeva and Pallen begin their infiltration of Vladaam only to encounter werewolves as they enter. Using her hungersword to dispatch the beasts, Sheva and Pallen enter the estate to find it is a trap. Waiting inside are Godfred and Allister Vladaam. Godfred begins to fight Sheva while Allister muses about alerting the guards to help Godfred after he took care of Pallen through the necromantic arts. Sheva comes to the realization that they knew it was going to be her and that she would have a hungersword, which Iristul Vladaam has been looking for. The issue ends with her vowing to find whoever set her on this path.

Well, I was hoping for a good comic here and I believe I found it. One of the first things that caught my attention in Previews was the art style and I was not disappointed. It was very beautiful and matched this medieval setting quite well. While certainly a primer to the full six-part series, I was hoping for a bit more background, especially on the mysterious Lilith and Iristul and why he wants the hungersword. I am sure, though, that this will come to be in the second issue though. I really like the character of Sheva. I have always appreciated a strong female character, be it Buffy, Faith, Thursday Next, Goldmoon, Laurana, ect. and I think Sheva is a good addition to these. I guess I am going to have to go searching local comic shops for the second issue and the rest of the series. This is one I want to see to the conclusion. I would give this a perfect 5 if not for some nagging questions I wanted.

Score: 4 / 5

Miracles - E05

The Bone Scatterer
First Aired: Monday March 10, 2003

The group gets a mysterious phone call from Deer Park, MI where bizarre murders are happening. When the caller says they believe they are doing the killing, the groups decides to investigate.

While Alva and Paul are playing chess, Evelyn gets a call from someone in Deer Park, MI claiming they are the one killing people when they fall asleep. Through tabloid "research", the group decides that it might be beneficial to check it out. The group talks to the local sheriff at the school and find a note on their car when they exit, asked to meet the people in the library. The boy turns out to be Travis, the sheriffs son, and he says that every time he falls asleep, someone he knows dies. The story begins to reveal that Travis is abused by his father and the father had also abused the mother. This lead to her miscarriage of Travis' fraternal twin in utero. When a death happens while Paul is watching Travis, the group starts to think that Travis' friend in the woods is actually the spirit of Jeremy, his brother who was buried by the sheriff in the woods. While being detained, Paul instigates the sheriff, who "accidentally" knocks Travis out. This allows Jeremy to come and he finally kills his father. The episode ends with Travis going to live with his aunt.

This was the first average episode of the show, in my opinion. It was a semi-interesting story, but nothing that was overall gripping. Marquette as Travis did some very good acting and I can see how he went on to other shows/movies. The end also seemed to wrap up a bit too easy. Wouldn't they be suspected of what happen to the sheriff? Was there no questioning at all because it looked too impossible to be human? It just left me with some questions that didn't get answered.

Score: 7.3 / 10

Miracles - E04

Little Miss Lost
First Aired: Monday March 3, 2003

Paul searches for his father and notices a little girl on a bus before it explodes. When he sees her again before an arena collapses, he knows something is wrong. Turns out she is linked all the way back to the 1940s through tragedies.

The episode begins with Paul at City Hall trying to find information on his parents. When he gets off the bus on the way home, he notices a strange looking little girl right before the bus drives away only to explode. While recovering from injuries he sustained from the blast, Paul notices the little girl again on the television during a pre-game broadcast at an arena. Seeing the little girl in the morgue unclaimed, he dismisses that he may have seen her on television until he hears that the arena has collapsed. Flying to San Antonio, in the morgue he sees the body of the same little girl after finding out it was cremated in Boston. He reveals all of this to Evelyn and Alva. Alva tells him that it is most likely related to the "Miss Lost", an urban myth from around the world about a little girl whose body is always found in major disasters that is never claimed. He connects it with a tragic circus tent fire from 1944 and suggests they investigate it anew in Connecticut. Through their research, they track down the surviving mother who failed to claim her because if she did, her family would know she was alive as well. It turns out she was on the run from her husband, who either was emotionally or physically abusive to the wife and may be to the child as well. Allowing the woman to claim the body of the little girl, all turns out right. At the end of the episode, however, Tommy visits Paul to tell him that the Darkness is real and that it wants everything.

This was an interesting little story, more mystery than anything. It was a little less good in cohesion then the previous episodes, but the writing and acting makes up for some of the problems. I think it was really curious how much Alva was pushing for Paul to possibly meet his father. Is it general concern or does he know something more? It was good to see Tommy again and get a sense of what may be coming for Paul.

Score: 8.3 / 10

Angel - S1E12

Expecting
First Aired: Tuesday January 25, 2000

When Cordelia goes out on the town with her friends, an unexpected surprise awaits her in the morning.

In the evening time, Wesley stops by to see if there is anything that he could help with. Angel tells him that things are slow and that Cordelia is going out with her friends. When her friends show up, Cordelia has a vision that she sends Angel and Wesley on while she still goes out. The guys destroy the creature that was hatched before it gets unleashed on the city. Elsewhere, Cordelia is having a deep conversation with her new boyfriend. At the end of the night, she asks him to stay the night, though Dennis the ghost protests at first. In the morning, Cordelia wakes to find her stomach has swollen to pregnancy proportions. Angel and Wesley coming calling when she has failed to show up for work and find her still in her bedroom. Angel starts to track down the guy while Wesley takes Cordelia to the doctors. From the ultrasound, they find out that there are seven heartbeats in Cordelia's womb and the two go back to Angel's place so Wesley can investigate. Shortly, Angel finds another of Cordelia's friends and sees she is pregnant as well. Tracking the group of guys to a gun club, he finds out that they are human and are working for a very large demon. Wesley, after being knocked out by Cordelia, says that he will meet Angel at the warehouse where the demon resides. They get there and see all of the women are in a bath awaiting birth. Angel ends up through a cryogenic canister, which the creature catches and Wesley shoots. With the demon frozen, Cordelia and the others revert back to normal.

This was a very good episode, especially the touching mini-speech at the end where Cordelia says she trusts Angel and Wesley completely. Being an episode I never remember watching, it was intriguing to find out exactly what was going on. It is a fun little precursor to the season 4 story arc where Cordelia becomes pregnant with Jasmine. I really like the way Angel and Wesley play off of each other and the way that Wesley continues to try sneaking into Angel Investigations.

Score: 8.5 / 10

Buffy - S4E12

A New Man
First Aired: Tuesday January 25, 2000

Giles has been out of the loop for awhile now, but when he finds out everyone has known about Riley and the Initiative, he gets more depressed. Then Ethan Rayne shows up and changes him into a demon.

During a surprise birthday party for Buffy's 19th birthday, Giles begins to look and feel out of place for the first time. He then later finds out that a demon prince is going to rise and he tries to find Buffy at Professor Walsh's office. After being discretely berated by Walsh, Giles just gets Willow and Xander to come help him. He turns out to be wrong in his prediction and the gang muses that perhaps the Initiative cleared it up. Giles is shocked to learn that Riley is part of the Initiative and that Professor Walsh runs it. As he is leaving, he hears Ethan Rayne trying to have a monologue and the two fight. Before it can go further, Ethan suggests that the two talk about this. They spend the night drinking away at the pub, where Ethan mentions the demons are all worried about the Initiative and something called "314". The next morning, Giles wakes up as a Feyarl demon and tries to get help from Xander, who can't understand his demon speaking. While the Scoobies assemble to find the demon, which they believe killed Giles, Giles enlists the help of Spike through money to find Ethan Rayne. Buffy has come to the same conclusion when she checks receipts at the Magic Box. Giles gets to the motel and confronts Ethan just before Buffy bursts in. She attacks and stabs Giles, but notices his eyes and realizes it is him. Ethan reversed the spell and was put into custody with the US government.

This was a very good episode because of the funny circumstances that it puts Giles in, including having to work with Spike. The funniest moment was when he told Spike to pull over so he could run after and scare Professor Walsh. It was also very sweet how Buffy finally realized it at the end and a bit sad about how Giles has been left out of the group. I could already tell that there was going to be much tension between Buffy and the Initiative, in particular with Riley and Walsh. Also, the ominous "314" first shows up that leads to ADAM. Overall, this was a fun episode.

Score: 8.4 / 10

Miracles - E03

The Patient
First Aired: Monday February 10, 2003

A doctor, working with severely disabled patients of a disease, has had a breakthrough when one is patients is able to communicate using a computer. However, things are not what they seem with the man, so Paul and Alva investigate.

Alva and Paul attend a scientific forum headed by a brilliant neurosurgeon, who is working on a cure for a disease that leaves its patients unable move or even breathe. The previous night, one of the patients, Sherwood, began to communicate at length with the doctor about a better treatment. During the lecture, Alva asks questions relating to the paranormal while Paul hides in the back. It is here that he meets Rayna, the doctors daughter. As things become weirder with Sherwood, Rayna contacts Paul and asks him to investigate a bit into what is going on. Around the same time, the doctor contacts Paul and asks him to meet him at the hospital. Sherwood had requested that Paul join them and he reveals that he knows a lot more about Paul than meets the eye. Sherwood instigates both the doctor and Paul to the point where the doctor knocks Paul out. At Sherwood's suggestion for the truth, the doctor then goes to "cure" certain people in the hospital. Alva and Evelyn show up in time to revive Paul. He and Evelyn go to find the doctor while Alva tries to expel the demon in Sherwood. Both are successful and in the waning moments, it is revealed that Rayna had died two years previously from the very disease the doctor is trying to cure. Despite the demons intrusions, the doctors treatments are beginning to work.

This was another very good episode. The only thing I found curious was they had two episodes back to back with a severely disabled character being a central character, albeit in different ways. It certainly was very interesting to see Paul interact with Mr. Friendly, since he says that everyone knows who Paul is where he comes from. This was very foreboding and I liked it a lot. I have not been disappointed with the interesting story lines so far and look forward to what is in store for Paul next.

Score: 8.8 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E04

Wings
First Aired: Tuesday October 8, 2002

Bridget continues to hound Paul about getting her license. Also, Carrie decides to enter an art competition on Paul's urging but is denied.

After being 16 for two months now, Bridget really wants to get her license. Paul is too worried to allow that and tells her that she needs to know everything there is to know about cars before doing so. In a huff, she hijacks the Henesy car. She is brought home by a cop and Paul continues to worry further. Cate asks Paul why he is so worried and he reveals that it is because he doesn't want his eldest one to grow up. The next day, Cate take Bridget to get her license and, after passing, Paul relents his overbearingness. He allows her to drive to the store for milk. The other storyline involved Carrie and an art competition. Paul urges her to join but she is denied entry. She then decides that perhaps art is not her thing. As Paul goes to find out why she wasn't accepted, he sees her painting and, though brilliant, isn't appropriate to the sponsor of the showing. Carrie becomes happy when she knows that he painting caused a stir.

This was an above average episode with a good story to work with. While nothing ground breaking for either children in terms of sitcom material, it is presented well in script and by the actors/actresses. I enjoyed Carrie more than I had in previous episodes, which I liked. I also enjoyed having Kyle around again because him and Paul are fun foils for each other. The running gag about the milk was also good because I know how that happens. All around, a decent episode.

Score: 8.5 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E03

Bridget's First Job
First Aired: Tuesday October 1, 2002

After Paul tells Bridget to get a job, things to go exactly as Bridget planned.

Bridget had decided to take back some clothes from Carrie so that she could cut them up and use them for a car wash. When Paul finds out about this, he tells Bridget that she needs to get a job so she can learn the value of a dollar. She ends up taking a job at the local clothing store that caters to Bridget's crowd. Paul and the rest of the family show up to see how she is doing on her first day. It turns out that she is handling the job really well. For the rest of the week, she works a lot and is able to get the clothes at a 40% discount. This becomes a problem when her first paycheck shows that she actually owes the store over $400 because of these purchases. She decides to use the emergency credit card, but Cate finds out. When it is revealed what Bridget did, Paul and Cate are disappointed but are still proud that she is able to work the job. They cover the bill until Bridget can pay them back.

This was an average episode with a couple of good lines. The plot line was predictable and, though her acting was good, I am not a fan of Bridget-centric episodes. Rory's side story was really good and I wish they could have fleshed that out a bit. Overall, it is nice to see Bridget working a job, which I hope they keep her doing since it would build some character for her.

Score: 7.8 / 10

8 Simple Rules - S1E02

Wall of Shame
First Aired: Tuesday September 24, 2002

It's the biggest college football game of the season for Paul, but when Cate has to go to her first day of graduate school, he is left having to watch after the children.

Michigan vs. Ohio State. Man, that is always a big football game that usually ends with a spectacular finish. It turns out that Paul is a Michigan alumni and has also been waiting for this game. Though he goes to the game ever year when it is in Michigan, this year he can't because Cate has just started graduate school (on a Saturday?). This leaves Paul trying to watch the game while watching after the kids. Of course, problems ensue. The minor one includes trying to keep Rory from being inside all day playing video games. The major one involves Bridget apparently shop lifting at the local drug store. When Paul makes a quick judgment, Bridget becomes angry. Eventually Paul listens to her story and takes her side, but she would like him to get her picture down from the "Wall of Shame". He does this, but ends up on the wall himself when Cate goes to pick up her medicine.

Altogether, this was a fun little episode. While it got a little tired with the Carrie side story, I think the main one was pretty well handled. Bridget's acting was very good and, as usual, Ritter was awesome in his lines and delivery. It was a little bit slap-stick (in a good way) because one problem would exit the room and another would enter from the opposite end.


Score: 8.2 / 10

Miracles - E02

The Friendly Skies
First Aired: Monday February 3, 2003

Paul has now come to Alva Keel to see what him and his organization does. Though he doesn't seem to be interested at first, he joins Alva and Evelyn on an investigation into a plane that went missing for 64 seconds.

In this second episode, Paul Callan is still hesitant to join Alva Keel's cause, especially after he feels Alva has been following him. However, he does decide to join Alva and Evelyn as they investigate a problem at Logan Airport. It seems that a flight went missing as it was coming in to land. The people now have strange issues. One little girl saw her whole life laid out for her. A couple who never met before are now lovey-dovey with each other. A woman was burned to death in the bathroom. A woman who can't walk or speak suddenly can. A steward begins to babble about a possible way to destroy the world. As the group investigates further, it seems like the people are slowly reverting back to normal. By the end of the night, the various anomalies correct themselves, though Paul is particularly effect by the handicapped woman. Allowed not to see her husband, Paul swipes the video recording to give to the man after so he can see and hear his wife express her gratitude.

This was a really good episode with an interesting plot. It was a bit of a guessing game up until you realized the woman that burned had been thinking about it. While I mentioned that I liked the acting of the principle cast in the first episode, this one was really a stand out because of the guest stars as the passengers. The little girl and the handicap women were of particular interest. It was a sad ending until you figured out that Paul and Evy had managed to smuggle the tape out for the husband. A good follow up to the pilot episode.

Score: 9.1 / 10

Miracles - E01

The Ferguson Syndrome

First Aired: Monday January 27, 2003

Paul Callen is a priest who investigates miracles. When he decides to take a leave due to a question of faith, he investigates a young boy. Tommy's powers push Paul to the edge.

In this first episode of the show Miracles, we are introduced to Paul Callen, an orphan who became a catholic priest. He currently works special assignments to prove or disprove miracles. He begins to question his faith, since he has never seen anything to reassure his faith. While working in the desert, his old confidant Father 'Poppi' Calero calls him with a request to check out a young boy not far from him. Paul assents and meets with Tommy Ferguson. It turns out that Tommy can heal people, but for every heal he does, he becomes sicker himself. As Tommy's father continues to push him, his mother tries to take him away. Paul sees this and pursues them during a rain storm. Not paying attention to the road, Paul goes onto some train tracks and is hit by a train. Seeing this, Tommy's mom goes for help. Tommy ends up going to check on Paul. As Tommy tries to help, Paul sees written in blood the words "God is now here" as well as a dark figure looming behind Tommy. Despite Paul's pleas not too, Tommy uses his power to save Paul and he dies in the process. Reporting his findings that a true miracle had happened, the monsignor sees no scientific proof and Paul quits in a huff. Seeing Poppi on the way out, he becomes flustered when Poppi claims he never called Paul. Later, Paul sits contemplating the events in a diner and is confronted by Alva Keel, a freelance miracle investigator who had seen 16 other people who had seen blood writing before. Theirs, though, all said "God is nowhere." Alva says something big is coming and gives Paul his card as an invitation to come visit him. The episode ends when Alva's assistant answers the door for Paul and he enters their office.

This was a very good beginning for the show, though nothing is really revealed about Alva's organization. I really like how the show felt more like a mini-movie in tone and cinematography then an pilot episode. I really like the characters of Paul and Alva. Paul is a priest, but he has to question his faith because he is very unsure. I also like Alva, though little of him is shown here, because of his demeanor that he wants to know what is going on. I am hoping that the following episodes continue to same acting and cinematography as this one.

Score: 8.6 / 10

Titus - S1E9

Episode Eleven
First Aired: Monday May 22, 2000

In the first season finale of Titus, the gang is called to the hospital when Ken suffers another heart attack. Titus blames himself, but something turns up that makes him question his hand in the medical emergency.

Titus starts the episode with a narration about how his father has suffered three heart attacks. Now in the hospital again, the gang comes to his aid. When Ken tells Titus that it was his fault, Titus decides that he should act nice to his father. He even agrees to build him a new car. When the cops come to question him, since he got into an accident on the way to the hospital, it is revealed what the real reason for him being there. It turns out that he was getting a blow job while driving. Naturally, the Dave and Titus decide to mess with their father for revenge. They end up getting the hospital to shave Ken's privates in preparation for a very long and arduous test. However, Ken confesses to Titus and they get into an argument. Ken does end up having a heart attack, but the doctors are able to revive Ken.

This was an amazing episode from start to finish. The middle part was especially good with how the boys were finding out and trying to devise their revenge. Dave was the funniest he has been so far in the series, I believe. While this was a very funny episode, I think it was also very dramatic at the end when his father did have the heart attack. Watching makes me think of the "Mom is Nuts" episode ending and it feels like a precursor to other dramedys I watch now like Rescue Me. This was a good way to end their initial season and I look forward to more episodes soon.

Score: 9.4 / 10

Titus - S1E8

Intervention
First Aired: Monday May 15, 2000

Titus and the others have become concerned about Ken's drinking problem and have staged an intervention. All goes well until Ken starts revealing secrets about the group to each other.

In this Ken-centric episode, the group has gotten together so they can address the issue about Ken's drinking issue. Actually, it is because he ISN'T drinking that the family is concerned. When off the wagon, Ken is lazy, unresponsive at work, and has stopped his womanizing ways. Titus is successful in getting him to drink again, but in response Ken starts telling the others about how Titus had taken money from the business to get a car. That ended up getting smashed by Dave. Other secrets revealed include Tommy having a naked dream about Titus and about how Erin fears Titus will snap like his mother as well. The episode ends with Ken leaving and laughing at the pain he has caused while the others look dumbfounded.

This was a very awesome episode where, as I have mentioned before, it was good because of being about Ken Titus. Stacey Keach is a riot and every episode needs to use him to a decent degree. The last five minutes really were laugh out loud funny, especially Tommy's dream problem. I highly recommend this episode.

Score: 9.3 / 10

Joan of Arcadia - S1E23

Silence
First Aired: Friday May 21, 2004

In the season one finale, Joan becomes sick and it is revealed that the past year that she may have been hallucinating.

The episode begins with Helen dreaming, first about the accident with Kevin and then about seeing God in a church. The version of God that Helen sees is the same God that Joan sees for the very first time on the bus. The next morning, she brings it up to everyone at breakfast, though Joan is busy adhering to a rash on her leg. As the day progresses, Joan gets sicker and sicker, becoming delusional in her visits from God. Finally, she passes out and is taken to the hospital where it is discovered that she had Lyme disease which may have been dormant. While all of this was transpiring, Helen was seeking answers at a church before she had a feeling to go to the hospital. Will had been at the station during a hostage standoff. It was ended after the man accidentally kills his mother. Will goes to visit the woman at the hospital and he ends up seeing Helen. Kevin notices them as well and lets them know what was going on. Before they tell Joan what is going on, various God incarnations visit Joan but she asks them to go away when they get to cryptic. Adam becomes worried because when Joan gets better, he doesn't know how she will be. Luke walks Grace home and they argue about their feelings before kissing passionately. Joan tells Adam that she has been talking with God and doing what he asks, but when Adam doesn't believe her, she asks him to go away as well. The episode ends with Will and Helen discussing God with Joan saying that he doesn't exist before falling asleep.

This was a very good season finale for this show. It puts Joan, and the audience as well, to the test as to whether she is seeing God or not. The subject is handled very well in a logical way. I especially felt bad for Adam, since he didn't know Joan before the supposed sickness kicked in. It will be interesting what happens between them the next season. I was also very happy when Luke and Grace got together finally. Looking forward to that as well. Overall, I think this was a good way to leave a cliffhanger for this show and look forward to what happens next.

Score: 9.1 / 10

Joan of Arcadia - S1E22

The Gift
First Aired: Friday May 14, 2004

God asks Joan to give Adam a gift. After she finds a condom in his backpack, she begins to worry that this gift is related to sex. Also, as Kevin begins his new job as court reporter, he makes a bad call that challenges Will.

It is getting near the end of the school year and the group has to cram for finals. Adam in particular seems distracted, having to juggle school, studying, and work. God appears to Joan and tells her to get Adam a gift. She begins to mull and fret over what Adam could possibly want, ultimately trying to enlist the help of Grace and Luke. During this time, Luke has joined the group to study because he wants to keep away from Glynis, who he broke up with the previous episode. He had bought a geode for Grace, but is worried about giving it to her. During a discussion with her about Adam and Joan, he does give it to her, and that story is left for now. When Joan finds a condom in Adam's book bag while looking for clues, she wonders if sex is the gift she needs to give. She decides to go to Adam's job at the hotel and possibly have sex with him. During the course of their conversation, he reveals that he feels he is nothing since he has work his job to pay his dads bills, which has cut into his time to work on his art. In the end, all Joan needs to give Adam is faith in him.

The other story involves the fact that Kevin has become a court reporter. Will and his partner had collared a guy who had committed theft to keep his daughter. During the arraignment, Will asks for a softer sentence. Kevin is appalled by this and writes a scathing article. This in turn destroys the plea bargain setup for the guy and Will is furious because Kevin didn't take into consideration facts outside his sight. The two end up reconciling over the boat and coming to a sort of agreement.

Overall, I felt this episode was average. I think the hemming and hahing that Joan goes through is a bit heavy-handed. I understand why it would be such a hard decision for her, but I felt that storyline was lacking a bit. The storyline involving Kevin and Will was pretty good, but faltered at the end because it seemed like too easy an out for Kevin. My favorite moments of the episode were between Luke and Grace, especially when he gave her the rock and she blushed a bit before they went back to studying. I am hoping for a real good finale to end this great season.


Score: 7.8 / 10

Ultimate Spider-Man 3

Wannabe
January 2001
Written by Brian Michael Bendis & Bill Jemas

This issue begins with Norman Osborn reiterating the incident with Peter that happened at Osborn Industries to his board of directors. He wishes to sway them so that they can do the same thing to him, but with his own DNA instead of that of a spider. Elsewhere, Peter and MJ are attending a local professional wrestling match where Crusher Hogan is willing to take on all-comers. When Flash's pal Kong tries to take on Hogan, he is stopped since he is not 21. A confrontation between Flash and Peter then happens, but MJ gets disgusted and leaves before anything can develop. That night, Peter, wearing a makeshift costume, goes back to the arena to fight Hogan for the money. Peter handles him with ease, gets the money, and is invited by the manager to come back on Monday to fight for more money. At home, he secretly gives the money to Ben and May with an anonymous note that says the money is from a special collection at the school.

At school, Peter is approached by his gym teacher who used to berate him. He is looking for Peter to join the basketball team to help fill Flash's spot. Peter does so with relish when Flash protests and he quickly becomes the star player, thanks to his powers. Later, he has to blow off being with MJ studying so that he could go wrestle Crusher Hogan again. He does so with ease and the announcer gives him his stage name of the amazing and spectacular Spider-Man, though Peter asks just to be called the Spider. While the manager is pissed about Peters anonymity, he asks Peter to come back again and gives him a better get-up. It turns out to be the familiar red and blue costume, sans spider and webbing which Peter remarks it needs. Elsewhere, Norman is shown being strapped in for the experiment by Doctor Octavius (with his metal arms). Harry walks in, but is escorted out before it begins. However, he returns and hears his father scream right as the issue ends.

This was a very good issue with my only real problem being with the way Peter is acting, so cocky and full of himself. I am sure with the death(?) of Ben, this will change as in the movie, but he is a very crass character right now. Some of the things I did like were the pacing of the issue and the look of the comic itself. It is a touch more cartoon-y then the main universe Spider-Man, but still had a dark edge to it. I also liked how it was the manager of the wrestling event that gave him his first red and blue suit.

Score: 4 / 5