Spider-Man Comic Appearances for March 7, 2012

Just 7 new Spider-Man appearances this week with a variant cover, a 2nd printing and several non-Spidey titles.

The new Ultimate Spider-Man series continues to be very good, and Amazing Spider-Man is exceptionally fun to read lately.  There's been an obvious shift to ensure the stories are well written and it shows.

Here are this week's appearances:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for February 29, 2012

Wow!  We are variant free for the second week in a row.  I think Marvel has kicked the variant disease and wants to put out meaningful books once again.  And I truly appreciate it because now we can afford to buy their comics each week.

Not to mention, there were only 4 new comic books this week with a Spider-Man appearance.  That keeps things light on the wallet too.

There is an end to this happiness though.  I'm sure you've all seen the promos for the upcoming Avengers vs X-Men mini-series.  There are plans for a boat-load of comics and variants for that one to be sure.  Not the least of which are two retailer variant covers that local comic shops can opt to get personalized for heir store if they purchase the minimums required.  The jury is still out on how many will be taking them up on that one.

From a store participation standpoint, the personalized retailer variants have severely decreased in popularity since Amazing Spider-Man #666 kicked off the trend for Marvel -- it wasn't the first company to use the gimmick, but it was wildly popular with roughly 140 stores participating.  I would guess the AvX mini-series has the potential to persuade a few dozen stores to get involved, but not the 140 or so that bought into Spidey #666.

Recent reports have over a 1,000 local comic shops signed up to participate in the AvX preview parties that are set to occur the night before the book is released.  And I'm guessing that will be enough for most stores.  Buying 500 of a variant cover in addition will just be too costly.

All of that said, no matter how many stores get their own variant, rest assured that SPIDERMANFAN.com will assemble a set because of an appearance by our favorite webhead.

Now on to this week's books:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for February 22, 2012

I never thought I'd write these words, but this week there were NO VARIANT COMIC BOOKS with a Spider-Man appearance.  It's been a while.

With that said, there were eight new comics with Spidey in them, and one of those was a freebie promoting the upcoming Avengers vs X-Men (AVX) series.

And speaking of the AVX series, Marvel has announced there will be another round of retailer-specific variants.  Only time will tell how many decide to pony up for the minimums needed to get their own variant.  I keep hoping they will get past this fad.

Here is the list of new books for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for February 15, 2012

This week there are 8 new comic books featuring Spider-Man appearances.  Not too surprising for Marvel is the fact that only 3 of those issues actually have new content.

Everything old is new again as Marvel returns to the past with a release of many second printings of month-old books.  Interestingly, my local comic shop still had plenty of the first printing issues, but who am I to question Marvel's judgement.  I suppose since they are axing several lower selling titles, they feel the need to fill the shelves with something...and second printings are cheap to produce.

On another note, this week's Amazing Spider-Man #679.1 is released with a different cover stock.  The paper was first used back on Fantastic Four #601, and I really like it.  It has a stronger feel and is less prone to casual handling damage, plus it has more of a matte finish that appeals to me.  It appears this new stock is being used on Marvel $2.99 price point comics, while the $3.99 and above issues still have the thinner glossy covers.  I say go to the new stuff across the board.

Here are the new Spidey books for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for February 8, 2012

It's a lite week with only three new comic books featuring a Spider-Man appearance.  I guess, technically, only two of the books actually have Spidey in them, but Scarlet Spider #2 came out and I'm counting that as a Spider title.

With the Daken series coming to a close, and Marvel cutting the necks of several other titles based on sales, it'll be interesting to see if Scarlet Spider can withstand that pressure and survive.  I'm enjoying the storyline and the fact it is set in nearby Houston, Texas.

Here are the latest appearances for this week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for February 1, 2012

We're kicking off a new month with new comic day.  And this time around we have 7 new comic books featuring an appearance by the webbed wonder, Spider-Man.

Every comic type is represented with regular issues, a second print, and some over loving cover variants.

I have absolutely loved the 2-issue story in Amazing Spider-Man that concluded this week -- ASM issues #678 & #679.  Some fun time travel with a concise and tidy ending.

This month we also get another non-Marvel Spidey appearance with the first issue of Simpsons Illustrated.  It's less of an appearance than it is a spoof with Groundskeeper Willie taking a turn as the Friendly Neighborhood Willie Webspinner -- complete with blue tights and a red kilt.

Here is the full list for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for January 25, 2012

A pleasantly small week for Spider-Man comic book appearances with only four new finds at my local comic shop, and only one variant cover in the bunch.

Spidey's role in FF has trailed off, and I wonder how much longer Marvel will milk his appearance in the flagship Fantastic Four title now that the Human Torch is back.  I suppose time will tell, but his head-shot has already been removed from the inside front cover synopsis.

Here's the list for this week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for January 18, 2012

With 11 new comic books this week that have Spider-Man appearances, we have a good mix of regular and variant issues.  Marvel has really stuck to their guns with the variant covers, and it's a little annoying.

Also this week, nearly every recurring Spider-Man title came out.  Somehow, they're bunched up in one week instead of spicing through the month.  It makes it more expensive when the group of Spidey books also are polybagged and have cover variants.

Here's the list for the week:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for January 11, 2012

So this week we have 14 new Spider-Man comic book appearances, but they are comprised of only 5 titles.  Mucho variantos this week.  But the books are pretty good, so it's all good.

The big Spider story this week is the release of Scarlet Spider #1 along with its five variant covers.  It's a good setup issue establishing the character's past and what his motivations were and are.

Just like the recently restarted Ultimate Spider-Man, this is a good book and worthy of joining the collection.

The weakest appearance this week is Wolverine #300.  There's a back-up cover gallery -- which Marvel has been prone to do in their anniversary issues -- and blink and you'll miss the couple covers with Spidey.  Strike that.  Spidey appears in costume on a few (thanks Peter), along with a spoof of the 1990's Spider-Man #1, and another features Peter Parker.  You don't have to tell me how weak that is.  I know.

Here are this week's books:

Spider-Man Comic Appearances for January 4, 2012

This week there is an unbelievable number of comic books that feature a Spider-Man appearance.

Seriously.  Unbelievable.

One.  Can you believe it?  Only one new comic on the shelves at my local comic shop that features the red and blue costume of Spider-Man.

New Avengers Annual #1 is it.

My good buddy in the Netherlands, Peter Kroon, passed along an appearance I missed from last week.  And it burns because I was holding the book up until I checked out, because doggonit I didn't see Spidey in there.

And technically he wasn't.

The FF #13 variant cover version is drawn to be pared with Fantastic Four #601 variant edition to create a two page spread of all the characters in the books.  The Fantastic Four issue features Spidey prominently swinging on the cover amid the other heroes, while on FF #13 you get a continuation of his web line from the other cover.

Now I realize this is a mighty weak "appearance," but there is a precedence.  Back in Sensational She-Hulk #30 the voluptuous green goliath gets snagged in some of Spidey's used web lines (from the previous issue #29) that are hanging around town.  It was too priceless to pass up including in the appearance collection.