Spider-Man

by Peter David

Book Overview

The explosive tale of "Marvel Comics " crime-fighting superhero SPIDER-MAN It begins with an orphan named Peter Parker, raised by his beloved Aunt May and Uncle Ben in Queens, New York. A quiet... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345450051
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Del Rey
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.0" x 1.0" x 4.0"

Customer Reviews

But then, I'm biased

Having actually *written* the book in question, this is more by way of an FYI than an actual review. I just wanted to give a heads up to the reviewer who listed all the scenes which he believed were deleted from the script and would have better served the film if they'd been in there. Of all the scenes he listed, the *only* one that was originally in the script was the Curt Connors scene. I conceived and wrote all the other scenes, all on my own. It's a common practice; scripts are only 120 pages long and simply much too short to be novel length. So novelizers always develop their own material to interweave it. I have no idea if that changes anyone's opinion of the book one way or the other, but I just thought I'd make it clear that the "deleted scenes" were for the most part nothing of the sort.PAD

Web-Slingin' Wonderful!

If the movie's even half as good as the novelization - and with Sam Raimi directing, it oughta be terrific - we're in for a treat. And even if it isn't, it won't diminish this wonderfully written Spider-Man novel. Spidey's never really had a good incarnation outside of Marvel Comics - until now.Purists may cry foul at the few changes made to the original character(s), but those changes only help to tell a more epic story in a more reasonable amount of time. Without stating any spoilers, the story of Spider-Man presented here covers the origins of Peter Parker's transformation into the friendly neighborhood webslinger, that of his arch-nemesis the Green Goblin, and of course his romance with Mary Jane.Structurally, it resembles the dramatization of the first Batman movie, though stylistically it has a great deal more humor. Comic book fans will be delighted by the numerous in-joke references to other superhero characters, as well as phrases and lesser villains from Stan Lee, and the astute reader may catch some subtly placed jokes referring to the actors playing the roles in the movie.But the most pleasant surprise about this version of Spider-Man is its maturity level. The character as originally written always suffered somewhat from too juvenile a mindset, which this Spider-Man does not. Peter Parker is a credibly modern young man of post-high school/pre-college age. Mary Jane, similarly, is a more realistically fleshed-out character, with recognizably real home problems and issues. The Green Goblin is not a mere sneering carnival spook-house caricature, but an inwardly tormented and unwisely desperate man who sets the wheels of his own destruction in motion. The very questions of heroism and villainy are dealt with not as clear-cut issues of black and white, but more as psychologically complex developments occurring largely by accident and partly by design, stemming from innate character strengths or flaws inherent in the individual. Responsibility for one's own actions, all random accidents of life notwithstanding, is at the story's core.Even readers completely unfamiliar with Spider-Man will enjoy this book. I'm only sorry it's over. Hey - maybe they'll write some more! (Hint, hint.)

A Real Spidey Fan's Novel

I loved this book! It had everything that a Spider-Man fan needs to really get into the upcoming film. It's great reading, both intellectual and may have you turning to Webster but never frustrating. Books are normally better than the film they're based on and in reading this I can tell that I'll have one leg up on most of people in the theater since I'll have insight on the charaters thoughts away from the main action, thanks to the novel. Peter David does a great job of really placing you in the moment and capturing the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Also, we all know this is make believe, but the writing and events that take place all make sense. Green Goblin isn't out to take over the world but rather a confused and very desparate man with a true Jeckl and Hyde case of craziness. What also brings it to life is the little hints of other characters in the Spider-Man and Marvel Comics universe. Peter works for Doc. Conners (The Lizard), saves the father of Matt Murdock (Daredevil) and Eddie Brock can't stand Peter even when he first meets him at the Daily Bugle. A great book! If you're even a mild Spider-Man fan and plan to see the film, get this book. You'll be a "true believer" (as Stan Lee would say) after it. MUST BUY!!

Peter David RULES!

For comic book nerds like me (or for literate Trekkies) then the name Peter David puts an instant smile on your face. I've only read one Peter David Star Trek novel, but it was the most entertaining Star Trek story I had ever read. His run on the Incredible Hulk was the best ever written. But I digress.Die hards who even have interest in this novel already know the story behind Spider-man. So are there any real spoilers? Not really. We all know about his relationship with Uncle Ben and Aunt (ug) May. We all know about his pining for Mary Jane Watson (sorry, no Gwen Stacy this time around). We all know about Norman Osbourne and son Harry and their developement into Green Goblins. What might not be translated on screen is the motivations and the incredibly well-written and fleshed out thoughts provided by the clever Mr. Peter David in this novel. I found myself once again thoroughly entertained by this man's writing style. Unless Sam Raimi is a genius (okay, so he's close) he won't be able to fully communicate the "radioactive" spider's motivation behind wanting to bite Peter as Mr. David does so well in the novel. Peter David knows comics and Spider-man so well that this movie will most definitely be more entertaining after reading the novel.After reading this novel, I believe that you'll feel like a well-educated art lover who will get to go to the Louvre for his first time this May. You'll know the ins and outs and thoughts behind scenes...but seeing the real thing will be just that, "the real thing".There's nothing to spoil essentially although there are a few "surprises". But one real surprise I believe will be seeing if the acting abilities of Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Willem Dafoe, and company can portray these characters faithfully as I've made them out to be in my head over all these years. Sam Raimi's action sequences will be the true star and the films greatest surprise.Fear not, reading this novel before seeing the movie should not spoil more than you will gain. It's a great read and it'll just get you prepared for appreciating this movie as it should be viewed. I bought the book today and finished it tonight, and darn it all, I wish that opening day were tomorrow.

Great book sure to be a great movie

Friends said that I shouldn't have read this book because it would ruin my experience when I see the movie, but I said, "the heck with it." The fact of the matter is, if you knew Spider-Man from the comics and if you were like me checking Spidermanhype.com every so often then there wasn't much left to be ruined by it. I read the book not to spoil the experience (weren't any big plot twists or anything), I read it because I am a die hard Spider-Man fan. Sure the movie will make slight changes to the original characters and stories (as I found out in the book), but the movie will probably be different from the book as well (It was like that for X-Men. I read the book and saw the movie and I noticed there were some alterations between the movie and the book). I enjoyed the Spider-Man book immensely! I am looking forward to the visual portions of the movie that I read in the book. I find it easier to enjoy movie book adaptations when you read the book first then see the movie and not the other way around. If you read this far, then do yourself a favor, buy the book.