marvel.com
sign-in: (or register!)   user name: pass: remember me
help
Subscribe To Comics
blogs
Letters!
2009-12-15 15:55:32


SW-Sharing a couple good ideas from out there in reader-land.

Dear Marvel,

              I am a big fan of Marvel comics. Spider-Man is by far my favorite character. I was recently reading an old issue of Star Comic's Masters of the Universe # 5. I found that in "Star Signals," Tom DeFalco said that Peter Porker's anniversary was going to be in twenty-three and a half years. That was back in 1987. If my math is correct, that is next summer in 2010.
              
Even though he isn't one of your more popular characters, I realized that when you said that the last Spider-Ham story was only demanded by tens of people, I am a fan of Spider-Ham and would like to see a 25th anniversary issue next year. I would hate to hear that you forgot his anniversary. Everyone should wish him a happy anniversary. Thank you for listening.

Vinny Cacciola

--------------------

Dear Spidey-Office,

As a busy college student, I am behind by a few issues, but I would greatly like to discuss a detail that caught my attention in ASM #607.  

In the opening of the comics Peter is thinking about Black Cat and says that she is 110 pounds.  That is simply not possible.  She is obviously quite voluptuous and presumably quite muscular, and according to the Marvel website, she is 5’10’’.  If she weighed 110 lbs. at that height, she would be a stick with no curves, no muscle, and visible ribs. 

Perhaps this can be laughed off as Peter’s ignorance when it comes to women, but that does not cut it for me.  He has a very scientific mind and can surely estimate better than that.  I think I reacted so strongly to such a small detail because of the message it sends out to your readers.  Women struggle everyday with unrealistic body images being thrust at them as the “ideal.”  Cat is drawn to be one hot girl but it should not get into anyone’s head that you need to weigh 110 lbs to look like that.  That is how eating disorders begin. 

I know the number of female readers is small, but this can have negative effects for male readers as well, causing them to have unrealistic expectations of the women in their lives, for example.  All I ask is that you be more aware of this in your future work and maybe add a few pounds next time (the website says she is 120 lbs. which is better but still nowhere near high enough).

Kathleen T.

 

SW-Excellent point, Kathleen. I'll see what we can do about the website entry.

Behind the Scenes
2009-10-19 16:50:46

 

As I was cleaning out my computer files, I  found some early notes from the Character Assassination story that we did this past January in Amazing Spider-Man 584-588.

Basically this is a running timeline I was keeping for myself as the scripts came in. This isn't final, so there may be mistakes that we corrected for the final books. (and if a mistake made it into the printed book, blame Brennan.)

Anyway, not sure how many people will find this interesting, but I hope you dig it. I just wanted to get it somewhere before I deleted.

-Wacker

CHAR ASS timeline

53 hours

- Bookie found by Shocker

???Hours

-Bookie found by Cops

-Spidey chased and shot

??? Hours

-Carlie gets device from Julian who mentions that Spidey was shot earlier in the day

-Spidey dreams

36 hours

-JJJ and Robbie at gym

-Dexter, Crowne and hollister looking at poll numbers. Hollister losing

-Lily/Harry at Statue

-Vin leaving Home. Pete returns

 

Less than 35 hours (Sunday evening - after 6:00)

-opening of 585

-Lily/Harry at statue

-Pete in bathroom while Vin confronts carlie

Spidey/menace fight at 14th street

33 hours (Sunday evening - after 8:00)

-Menace flies back to hollister HQ
-Harry and Lily scenes

32 Hours til polls open

-O'nell, Carlie and Vin in apartment

-Spidey taken into 5th precinct

24 hours till polls open (6 AM Monday morning)

Spidey in custody/Murdock comes in

Carlie talk to Palone

23 Hours until polls open (7Am monday morning)

Spidey in Rykers Throughout Monday

SPIDEY IN COURT. First part of Spartacus gamBit occurs

 

12 hours until polls open (6PM Monday)

Lily and Bill looking at new polls

Vin and Oneill talk in car

Vin arrested

10 hours until polls open (8PM Monday)

Spidey back in jail. Sees Vin

8 hours until polls open (10PM Monday)

Spidey call Murdock

Election Day - 8AM

Murdock gives Spidey law book

Election Day - 10AM - 11 hours until polls close

Norman realizes Goblin equipment gone

Spidey back in Rykers sees vin getting beat up

 

 

 

 

Today's Free Spidey Story
2009-10-17 12:10:45







I woke up this morning to find a story from my young son waiting for my on the nightstand.

I smell a crossover!

-Wacker

ASM 600 writer makes good!
2009-10-08 10:55:01

http://heroinitiative.blogspot.com/2009/10/stan-lee-day-in-la.html

See what can happen when you work for me?

-Wacker

They Shoot Webs, Dont They?
2009-09-14 18:43:53

Today's letter deals with what has been an ongoing topic in the Spidey letter column: Spidey's web-shooters.

Hey gang,
First off, congrats on the book. Spider-Man hasn't been this much fun to read for quite a while, so kudos to you all! But I don't want to bore you with praise. I'm sure you get more than enough of that. I'm writing more in regards to the debate that was happening a while ago about Spidey's web fluid. People were asking, "Why doesn't Spider-Man have some kind of indicator on his web shooters to let him know when he's running low?". Well, I found the answer. He DOES! Or at least, he did. Way back in ASM #337, page 25, Spidey's tussling with his favorite starfish-faced foe, Electro, when a warning light on his web shooter starts blinking, warning him that his cartridge is nearly empty.

So why doesn't he still use this handy light? Here's my theory: After having his web-shooters crushed by numerous villains, Spider-Man has rebuilt them many times. Unfortunately, with money almost always tight, he can usually only afford the most essential components. So the light has to be put on hold until his next check comes around. But by then, he usually has so many other bills that he has to keep putting the light purchase off. That, and the Radio Shack he usually buys the LED's at is always out of stock! (darn it!) No Prize?

Keep up the awesome job, and bring back Rhino!

Adam Viklund
Penticton, BC
Canada

Letters
2009-08-21 18:37:30

Today's letter came in right after we announced #600 and captures a lot of the same sentiments we received at the time.
-Wacker
 ===================

 

 

Dear Amazing Spidey Crew,

 

600 issues…a few adjectives come to mind (all positive BTW), but I’ll just stick with the obvious one- AMAZING! To think it was only six years ago that I was reading #500, and though both my world and Spidey’s has changed significantly since then, through it all I can safely say I get the same amount of joy and excitement with each issue. Perhaps even more. 

 

Great to see Dan Slott work on Spidey fulltime and for me the math on #600 was simple: SLOTT + DOC OCK=SOLD! That plus 104 pages all for the LOW, LOW COST OF $4.99!!!! Kudos all around. Guess I’ll have to return the favor by buying all the variant covers, won’t I? 

 

Spidey has always been a huge part of my life and though I can’t recall exactly my first encounter with the webhead, I do know Spider-Man brought me back into comics and has kept me in since. After seeing the first Spider-Man movie 3x in theaters I got a subscription to ASM ASAP starting with #481. I regret not returning to read the title when Straczynski first took over, but I’m so glad right now to be able to be part of this new era of Spider-Man.

 

I’ll admit that I haven’t loved everything that’s happened in the past 1 ½ year in ASM and still have some unanswered questions regarding One More Day which I’m sure you’ve  probably heard enough already. Still waiting to hear about whatever happened to the organic webbing and Spider-Man’s other enhanced powers, but after everything else that’s been revealed thus far, I can wait a little bit longer.

 

Looking forward to see what you guys have planed going forward A new Sinister Six? Wonder who’s in this roster. Doc Ock? Ana Kraven? The new Vulture?

 

I hear that Slott and artist supreme Marcos Martin will be teaming up again for a Mysterio story (DROOLS). Eagerly waiting to read it and see who’s under the dome. Quentin Beck, Daniel Berkhart, Francis Klum, or even…..A NEW MYSTERIO! Could it have anything to do with police officers: Quentin Palone & Julian Beck?

 

Curious and curiouser. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see won’t we? And on the subject of baddies, I don’t suppose we’ll be seeing the comic debut of Swiss Miss a new villain created for the stage set to appear in the SPIDER-MAN: TURN OFF THE DARK musical around the time it opens this February? How’s that for a free plug?

 

What else can I say but keep up the great work and assuming the thrice monthly schedule continues I’ll see ya again in May 2012 for #700! So what are you guys waiting for? Better get a head start on it now. I can wait…

 

-Taimur Dar

Back in Wack!
2009-08-18 15:33:08



Sorry to be off the radar so long folks. We've been busy getting Spidey through his big 2009 (21 regular issues so far this year as well as and Annual and an ASM EXTRA, plus several issues of ASM FAMILY...not to mention #600 being 104 pages long!).

Throughout thre past few months, Brennan and I have been updating fans with new art from time to time on Twitter. Just follow "spideroffice" and you'll be up to date.

In the meantime, We're going to start using this blog as an addendum to the regular letter's page. Fitting in some letters we just may not have room for in the book itself. So if you have something to say, just let us know at spideyoffice @marvel.com.

And on that note, here's a letter that just popped up this morning.

-Wacker

 

====================================

Dear Marvel,

 

Thanks.

 

I grew up reading Spider-Man during the David Michelinie era beginning in the late 80s.

And boy was it a ride! I loved the stories so much, and every month I was treated to the amazing styles of Todd McFarlane, Erik Larsen and Mark Bagley. (Mark drew my favorite version of Mary Jane) Reading those high flying tales made me want to be Spider-Man and just like many people I related to Peter Parker.


I fell out of the series soon after issue 400 in the mid-90s. Not that I didn't like the idea of the Clone but just that I wasn't feeling the same excitement as before.

 

Unfortunately, it would be nearly seven years (2002) before I reconnected with my friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. But it would happen in a most seemingly random event and JM Straczynski would provide the first-class plane ticket.

I checked out the ASM: Coming Home TPB (on a whim) from my local library of all places and my jaw dropped. This gourmet quality of Spidey was what I'd been missing the last seven years?!? I freaked out and was unable to do anything else until I completed the book. 

 

Obviously I ran out and purchased all the current issues and began following Spidey monthly. I was enthralled with the beautiful writing by JSM and the lovely art from Romita Jr. And although I would not be blown away; until later, by the shear impact of what JMS was setting up, I was feeling something I hadn't felt in years in reading comic books - excitement.

 

I followed JSM down the rabbit hole for five years and he never let me down. Even through the rough patches; Gwen's return and Civil War, although CW can't be held against him.

 

When Marvel decided to drastically change direction at the end of Back in Black with BND, I felt it was too soon, especially since there was still so much to explore with Spidey's cool new powers and the intense experience he went through in The Other story arc. JSM's wonderfully laid out foundation seemed to have been wiped out and along with it was that feeling I had, my excitement was gone. So sadly, again, I stopped buying Spidey.

 

Now it's 2009 and Spider-Man celebrates a milestone - Issue #600. I was there for #300, #400 and #500. So after all that history I had to show my support and I had to celebrate too.

 

I picked up #600.

 

I read #600 slowly.

 

I finished #600.

 

And I welled up. I had that feeling again.

 

Make Mine Marvel.

 

Sincerely,

Anthony Pavelich

 

What's this?
2009-01-16 16:51:03
Dum-dee-dum, strolling along the internet when -- wait -- WHA?!

www.thedbonline.com

Ch-check it out.
Happy Old Year...
2008-12-31 13:53:13

Found this lettercolumn from issue #114 of Amazing Spider-Man and it hit home for me just how long all of us at Marvel have been screwing up Spidey.

Happy new year, everyone!

SW
What have I learned this year? Part 3.5: Scuse me while I lay this out!
2008-12-30 12:15:47
I mentioned a few weeks back that ASM580 was scheduled as an evergreen -- a story we could slot into the run as needed, with space open to ensure it reflected the current storyline. Here's a neat little insiders story for you:

When Roger wrote the outstanding page (originally planned to be issue #581 as you'll see), seen here, he also suggested the page's layout. Lee took his cure but put his own signature style on it before sending it to Dean White and Cory Petit who put the finishing touches.

Enjoy!

About this blog:
Freshly spun news and previews from the office of the Amazing Spider-Man

About the author:
Editor "Simperin" Steve Wacker and assistant editor "Typin" Tom Brennan take time out from bringing you Amazing Spider-Man thrice monthly and indulge your need to know everything now!!!
More entries by this author:
  (2009-10-19) (2 responses)
I woke up... (2009-10-17) (8 responses)
(2009-10-08) (1 responses)
T... (2009-09-14) (4 responses)
(2009-08-21) (4 responses)

you must be logged in in order to enter tags. enter your user name and password here:
login: password:
Tag this blog entry:
(enter words or phrases into the fields below)






Comics
» Blah Blah Blog by Tom Brevoort - 621 entries
» Blog by Knight by MarvelKnights - 60 entries
» Collected Ramblings by trades department - 86 entries
» Comics for All by Nicole Boose - 28 entries
» Cup of Blog by Joe Quesada - 24 entries
» Dark Tower Blog by The Dark Tower Team - 10 entries
» Panic Room by Mark Paniccia - 9 entries
» Spidey's Web Log by spideyoffice - 12 entries
» Spy in the House by Agent M - 105 entries
» Temple of Atlas by Mr. Lao - 16 entries
» THE NATHAN COSBY BLOG featuring Nate Cosby by Nathan Cosby - 91 entries
» The White Pages by Jordan D. White - 10 entries
» The X-Blog by the X-Office - 16 entries
» Tilting the Scales of Super Hero Justice by Mr. Kemp - 2 entries
» Ultimate Blog by John Barber - 14 entries
» World Wide Webhead by Spider-Office - 67 entries
Marvel.com
» Marvel.com Meta-Blog by pete - 28 entries
Movies
» Ghost Rider Video Blog by ghost rider movie - 25 entries
» spider-man movie blog by spider-man movie - 14 entries
Others
» BLOGDOK by I MODOK - 24 entries
» Ultimate Alliance Blog by Marvel Ultimate Alliance - 1 entries
Video Games
» Blip: the Marvel Games Blog by Marvel Interactive - 28 entries
Marvel News
Marvel Videos
Marvel Digital Comics
All contents ™ and © 2010 Marvel Characters, Inc., unless otherwise noted herein. All rights reserved.