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