Peter Porker is back! After stealing all the scenes of last year's Into The Spiderverse, the Spectacular Spider-Ham returns to print!
An Inter-dimensional mishap on earth-616 involving the Ringmaster has resulted in a host of Peter's enemies to take refuge throughout the multiverse. With the help of Spider-Guin, Spider-Ham must gather his foes who are going on crime sprees on new and very different earths.
I know that this was a one-shot story. But it set things up for a potential new Spider-Ham series; which is something I very much would like. Black Cloud's Jason Latour penned a good story. But it was the artwork of All-New Doop's David LaFuente that really won me over.
There was a second story in this annual. But other than some very clever modern Marvel parodies of more recent heroes and villains turned into animals, I could have done without this yarn. In the middle of yet another universe rebooting crisis, Spider-Ham and Howard the Duck sneak into a bar and share a drink while pining philosophical over the Buddhist-like reincarnation sure to happen with the Marvel Universe. It read like a Grant Morrison story. That would okay if only I wanted to purchase and read a Grant Morrison story. But I only wanted a soft-hearted funny animal parody!!!
This book was available with several amazing covers. But the cover I choose was a no-brainer. I went with the wonderful 'Spiderverse' version crafted by John Tyler Christopher. It was just so classic.
I loved the first act. I rather had an extra 6-8 pages added to it instead of that mind-boggling of a downer second tale. I really do hope that Marvel brings back Spider-Ham in an all-new title. Just please don't make it in the style of that last piece. Cause I will not buy it if you (Marvel) do!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.
The adventures of an immortal every-man and a teen-aged fallen acolyte continue in A&A: The Adventures of Archer & Armstrong. I was a little bit afraid that I was going to be lost with this series considering that I hadn't read all of the rebooted Archer & Armstrong regular series. But for the most part, writer Rafer Roberts does a great job not hinging the plot too much on that series- as long as you have read the first issue.
This volume's first story arc explores more of Armstrong's past. When a former partner dies, Armstrong goes searching through his bottomless satchel. When some of the immortal's secrets start pouring out of the bag, Archer must trek into it's contents to find his new friend. Leaving his untrustworthy step-sister to guard the bag, Archer and especially Armstrong will learn that some secrets are best not forgotten.
I bought this book along with some other books at a con. Valiant was in attendance and they had a 5 for $20 sale. Well, 3 books in and so far not a dud among them. This book was very funny, had great action and art by David Lafuente and the story was really engrossing. I don't care what that dunderhead from HBO thinks about comic books! Sequential art can have intellectual merit especially when they build upon established tropes of myth and legend.
I was just at another convention that Valiant was at. I should have stopped there to see if there were any further volumes of Archer & Armstrong were in stock on sale. I know from now on; when Valiant is involved, always check for discounts!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
