By: Story A: Karl Kesel (writer), Paulo Siqueira (art), Fabio D’Auria (colors), Joe Caramanga (letters); Story B: Kurt Busiek (writer), Pat Olliffe (art), Steve Buccellato (colors) & Comicraft (letters)
The Story: In one story, we see “the first meeting” between Spider-Man and Captain America. In the second, we get a light-hearted fictional tale of how the first Spider-Man comic book was launched by Stan Lee.
What’s Good: The art in the first story is just great. The story is fun too and I’ll get to that, but the star of this entire issue is Paulo Siqueira’s art. His art is just so detailed and vibrant that it is worth a second look. That’s how you do it kids! Also kudos to Fabio D’Auria for busting out an old-school color palate, which is appropriate, considering this is supposed to be an older story. Buy this issue for the art of this first story alone and you won’t be sorry.
I really enjoyed the story for this Spidey meets Cap issue. You have to put aside serious continuity concerns and just enjoy it, but the whole thing centers around how Cap is the loved hero while Spidey is the guy who can’t catch a break from the media. And, just as I was enjoying this little bit of the story, it goes all science fiction on us and time warps in three dorky science-guys with a hot chick who are there to deal with Sandman before he can cause some horrid danger in the future. The way this whole scenario plays out is just the kind of fun you read Spider-Man comics for.
What’s Not So Good: The second story just pales in comparison to the first. It isn’t “bad”, it’s just dull. I love reviewing comics online (obviously) but the only thing that I hate about it is when I get an issue that is just dull/boring/bad. I’d love to just bail out on those stories and go read something better, but NO….I have a duty to our faithful readers to tell you just how bad/boring/dull that issue was and give it a score. This second story was one of “those stories”. 
Conclusion: Can a really fun story with awesome art make up for a mediocre “I-can’t-finish-this” second story? I say yes, but your mileage may vary.
Grade: First Story: A- Second Story: D Overall: B
- Dean Stell
Filed under: Marvel Comics Tagged: | Amazing Spider-Man, Amazing Spider-Man Annual, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #37, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #37 review, annual, Comic Book Reviews, Comicraft, Dean Stell, fabio d'auria, Joe Caramagna, Karl Kesel, Kurt Busiek, Marvel Comics, Pat Olliffe, Paulo Siqueira, review, Steve Buccellato, Weekly Comic Book Review
It was funny that I heard the guys on iFanboy saying how much they loved the 2nd story. Guess that shows there is something for everyone!
No kidding! Well, to each their own. I’m glad they liked it; that means different tastes are being served, and that can only be a good thing for the industry.
Well for what its worth, I believe that the first story is (even given the steep cover price) worth the cost alone. Now, I AM a huge Cap fan so that helps things immensely. But the real test of that story is that, while I like Spidy, he’s never been one of my favorite Marvel heroes. This story helped me understand, like, and sympathize with him a little more than I did before. (Probably because I could completely identify with his awe and hero worship of Cap
). So if you’re a fan of either of the characters involved here, I say go for it as well. If you’re not a fan of them its still worth getting, but probably not until you find it in a discount bin. That’s why read on it anyway.
That second story…ugh. Not only was it boring, I’m just not a fan of self-aware comics (unless that comic’s name is Deadpool.) I don’t WANT to read stories about Stan Lee meeting Spider-Man; I’d rather read a good story BY Stan Lee about Spider-Man!
Now granted, Spidy has always been one of the most “real world aware” comics (see the 9/11 issue and all), but still. For whatever reason this story doesn’t sit right with me, so I’m just going to pretend it doesn’t exist, and go read Spidy/Cap again
.