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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #41

The Amazing Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death

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THE SCORPION was just the beginning! Alistair Smythe, THE SPIDER-SLAYER, has returned, and Mac Garganisn't the only subjecthe's upgraded. The Spider-Slayer is about to unleash an entire INSECT ARMY on Spider-Man's world! And as part of his ultimate revenge, Smythe is out to turn one of Spidey's first ever victories into one of his biggest losses. Everyone is at risk. Big changes are coming!

Collecting Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #652-657 and #654.1.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2011

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About the author

Dan Slott

2,002 books450 followers
Dan Slott is an American comic book writer, the current writer on Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, and is best known for his work on books such as Arkham Asylum: Living Hell, She-Hulk, Silver Surfer, The Superior Spider-Man, and Ren & Stimpy.

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5 stars
348 (35%)
4 stars
373 (38%)
3 stars
197 (20%)
2 stars
39 (4%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Jeff .
912 reviews810 followers
October 1, 2014
Face it Tiger, you finally hit the jackpot!

I knew I would eventually stumble on a random Spider-man collection from the library that merits four stars. Dumb luck I suppose.

First, congrats to Aunt May. You’re looking chipper. I guess the prune diet is working for you. In the Silver Age of comics, from issue to issue, when she wasn’t trying to jump Dr. Octopus’s bones (she’s the original Marvel Comics cougar), Aunt May would alternately either have a “spell” or a heart attack every other issue. Let's add some tension as Molten Man is pounding Spider-Man - "Gosh, must get to the hospital and bring Aunt May flowers before it's too late." Sucker!

Spider-Man, the Charlie Brown of superheroes, gets a story that has the earmarks of a top notch comic: well-paced and compelling; a worthy villain in Alistair Smythe, funny, age-appropriate (for the AARP set) dialogue. Beyond the main story: the Military using Venom as some sort of weaponized suit on Flash Thompson was cool. The “oh, no, now I have guilt” dream sequence was also effective.

But that last story? The Looter? Look I realize the names, Dr. Doom and Galactus, Devourer of Worlds were taken, but The Looter? I'm also aware that Stan Lee was writing 20 comics a month, but even Paste Pot Pete showed more creativity. This last story was about as clever as this guy’s name.
Profile Image for RG.
3,084 reviews
May 9, 2018
I really like where Slott took this one. Spidey has some weaknesses and its exposed. Great storytelling!!
Profile Image for Molly™☺.
950 reviews110 followers
March 19, 2023
A slow start which leads onto some wonderful Spidey content once it manages to find its footing. It’s an exploration of loss in many ways for not just Peter, but other prominent names within the franchise. The repercussions are felt on a wide scale and Slott doesn’t shy away from taking a more mature approach and featuring some heavy themes and topics. Fun when it needs to be, overall, it’s a more thought-provoking piece that humanises the hero in a convincing and well executed way.
Profile Image for Subham.
3,046 reviews102 followers
June 29, 2021
This was actually pretty good!

It starts off with the Spider slayer and Scorpion teaming up and going after the shuttle mission that John is in and Spidey has to come in and save the day but the mayor and others are also involved and so Spidey has to call in the Avengers to help him and they do and he defeats the Scorpion meanwhile Spider Slayer kills a close member of Spidey and its a moment of regret and funerals and all. Meanwhile we learn of Flash and his future as Agent Venom and that was fun to see meanwhile in another place we have Spidey and F4 recall their times with Human Torch who recently died and that was an emotional part.

Overall it was good, too many funerals and Spidey has to move forward despite it and then his new zeal and resolve to save everyone and tough choices ahead with enemies both new and old coming in from all sides and despite the big time he will have to deal with them!
Profile Image for Wing Kee.
2,091 reviews37 followers
August 30, 2019
The bug army was pretty stupid. The rest was aight.

World: Couple of different artists for this book, bug army did not look good, the rest was pretty stylish and snappy, good. The world building is solid, there is the bumpy parts of how hokey the bug army is but the rest is solid, it's a culmination of pieces that Slott has had from the start and some new pieces and changing of status quo moving forward.

Story: The bug army is pretty dumb and though it does end with something okay big it was really poorly paced and really hokey. The stuff with Powerman was also kinda janky. The fallout from the bug thing was actually very expected and been done so many times. How Peter reacts (I'll get to that below) was also fairly standard and been done so many times. I did enjoy the FF story.

Characters: Peter's reaction was very standard for when stuff like this happens, the emotions were expected, nothing special there. The stuff with Marla was also fairly standard and I don't like Fridging in general so we have it here again. Then there's Johnny and that thing so that's two in a small span. We have what? Spy armor and now FF armor? I kinda like that.

It was solid but nothing special.

Onward to the next book!
Profile Image for Quentin Wallace.
Author 34 books177 followers
January 15, 2016
This was a fairly lengthy hardcover with some pretty heavy Spiderman action. We see the death of a fairly major character , along with the death of ANOTHER even bigger character . We also got to see the repercussions, going a little deeper than some comics do when a character dies.

There is also the first major appearance of Flash Thompson as Venom, which is the real reason I picked this one up. We also have the Scorpion, Alistair Smythe and some others showing up, targeting the family of Jonah Jameson.

Overall it's a good volume, maybe a tad wordy but that's just me. If you're looking for typical light-hearted Spiderman, this isn't the volume for you. If you prefer a little more drama in your comics, you'll probably like this one.
Profile Image for Gary Butler.
806 reviews45 followers
January 3, 2019
5th book read in 2019.

Number 309 out of 753 on my all time book list.

This one is just shy of 5 stars due to the crap Power Man team up tacked on at the end.
Profile Image for Tesutamento.
796 reviews
January 21, 2023
Hikaye önceki sayının bıraktığı yerden başlıyor. Alistair Smythe ve Scorpion intikam peşinde. Jameson ve çevresindeki herkes tehlike altında. Bu ikili kendileri yetmezmiş gibi bir de Jameson'dan nefret edenlerden oluşan bir böcek ordusuyla geliyor. Bu genetiğiyle oynanmışları yenmek için Peter örümcek hislerinden vazgeçiyor. Umarım yakında geri kazanır çünkü örümcek hislerine o kadar alışmış ki o olmadan büyük zorluk yaşıyor. Bu intikam planı bir noktada işe yarıyor ve Jameson'ın eşi Marla hayatını kaybediyor. Jameson ve Peter'ın yası çok güzel aktarılıyor. Peter rüyasında geçmişte kaybettiklerini görüyor ve küçük bir hesaplaşma yaşıyor. Artık kimsenin ölmemesi için elinden geleni yapmaya and içmiştir. Şehirde Menace adında bir manyak katil ortaya çıkınca bizimki de onu yenmek için yeni bir kostüm yapar. Önceki sayıdaki temennim gerçekleştiği için mutluyum.

Bir yandan da Irak gazisi Flash venom simbiyotuyla birleşip Agent Venom oluyor. Kendisi büyük bir Spider-Man hayranı olduğu için yeni bir Spider-Man olmak istiyor fakat Venom teröristlerce korkutucu bulunduğu için o isim verilmiyor. Çıktığı bir iki görevi de görüyoruz ki keyifliydi o kısımlar.

Fantastic Four'un yas tuttuğu dönemde onlara da uğrayan Peter Johnny ile olan anıları yad ediyor ve ekibe Human Torch'un yokluğunda katılıyor. Anılar pek özel olmasa da ikilinin çok eskiye dayanan dostluğunun getirileri güzel.

Iron Fist'in çırağı Power Man'in olduğu son hikaye çok sıkıcıydı. Hiç olmasaydı da olurdu ama başka bir çizgi romanın çaktırmadan reklamını yapmak istemişler işte.
Profile Image for Mike.
1,579 reviews148 followers
June 23, 2013
Some powerful storytelling in the Revenge of the Spider Slayer arc - great, out-of-control action, serious peril for a whole beloved pantheon of supporting characters, and great evocative art.

Then seeing the origin of the new Venom was pretty cool - looking forward to chasing that tangent into however long a run that new book got.

Slott + Martin do sombre and dream sequences amazingly well. Not just the funeral and aftermath, battles, but the wistful reminiscing that came with the FF-heavy issue. I'm damned impressed at how the creators pulled off those stories.

This better affect Spidey for a measurable period - there's no way this should get shaken off in a trade or two (at least not if they wish us to believe this the next time they throw a "big change" at us). Be forewarned, in-the-past Steve Wacker: you better have come through on this one or I'll invent a time machine and come back to kill you while such bad decisions are still fresh on your mind.
Profile Image for Sananab.
291 reviews15 followers
September 18, 2022
The first (and longest) story felt a bit jumbled to me. I really enjoyed the last two stories, though.
Profile Image for Adam Stone.
1,972 reviews30 followers
July 10, 2021
I'm reading this as part of my Venom/Carnage/symbiote readthrough of the Spider-verse.

If Act 1 of Venom is Peter Parker finds an alien suit and it causes havoc.

And Act 2 is journalist Eddie Brock bonds with the suit and vows to destroy Spider-Man while saving innocents.

And Act 3 is Eddit Brock gets cancer, puts the suit up for sale, and it eventually finds its way into the hands of Mac Gargan (previously The Scorpion) who ends up working for the government, but like the Totally Evil Government run by Norman Osborn (formerly{?} The Green Goblin).

Then this begins Act 4. One of Peter Parker's friends from high school, and devoted Spidey-fan, Flash Thompson is hired by the less evil (but not unevil) governent to be a hero using the suit for short windows of time so that he won't permanently bond with the symbiote. He's referred to as Venom, as opposed to Spider-Man to invoke fear.

This is a welcome change to the previous formulas. Garagan's story, in particular, got real stale, real fast, as they didn't know what to do with his personality. Thompson is a straight forward, naive, milary, wannabe-super hero who wants to use the suit for good. I'm curious how this will play out when he interacts with Peter Parker/Spider-Man.

This volume also begins with Peter Parker vs The Scorpion, so we get a bit of an epilogue from Scorpi-Venom before we meet the new host. There's also a tragic death, a silent issue, and a new Spider-suit for Parker, but those only slightly involve the new Venom.

I like this story on its own, and it's a nice redirect of the symbiotes' storyline. It's not exceptionally good but it's competent storytelling, and I'm genuinely curious about where the story goes next.
Profile Image for Shane.
1,397 reviews22 followers
April 3, 2015
This was fun. The first story was cool. The story with the Fantastic Four was touching and some of the banter between Jameson and Spidey was hilarious. Spidey without spider senses seems kinda lame but I'm assuming he gets them back sooner or later. I want to know what happens with Flash Thompson as Venom, though I'm pretty sure I know the outcome.

This is a note for me. Read at your own peril. Not trying to bring anyone down but I don't want to forget.






This is the last graphic novel that Kelmy read and suggested to me before the accident. I'm not trying to attach any metaphysical connection to the title and his death, but it is a strange coincidence. Yesterday was two weeks and it's still impossible to think that we'll never talk about comics again.
Profile Image for Paul Hasbrouck.
264 reviews23 followers
July 12, 2016
In this chapter of Spider-Man he is not the target, but the protector for his arch-pain in the ass, J. Jonah Jamison, Mayor of NYC. A lot of JJ sins return, are out to destroy his family and by the end of the main story someone does die. What follows are two interconnected stories of grief, guilt and life changing vows. The times are getting tougher in the city, a new villain-MASSACRE, who seems to kill and kill the innocents. Plus in the background is the dying Doc Oct, putting together a plan that will target our dear Spidy.
1,607 reviews12 followers
March 4, 2019
Reprints Amazing Spider-Man (2) #652-657 (March 2011-May 2011). Peter Parker’s life might be on track with his new job at Horizon Labs, but it doesn’t mean that the people around him are safe. J. Jonah Jameson’s “monster” the Spider-Slayer returns, Jameson learns that his actions have consequences in a deadly way. One of Peter’s old villains returns, and Spider-Man finds himself in a team-up with the new Power Man to defeat him. Plus, Peter Parker learns the sad truth about his friend Johnny Storm’s fate…and it could mean a new adventure.

Written by Dan Slott with additional stories by Fred Van Lente, Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death follows the events of Spider-Man: Big Time. The collection features art by Stefano Caselli, Paulo Siqueira, Ronan Cliquet de Oliveira, Carlos Cuevas, Marcos Martin, and Reilly Brown and is divided into “Revenge of the Spider-Slayer (Amazing Spider-Man #652-654) and “No One Dies” (Amazing Spider-Man #655-656) with the stand-alone issue “Torch Song” (Amazing Spider-Man #657). The collection also features the introduction of the new Flash Thompson Venom in Amazing Spider-Man #654.1. The issues in the volume were also collected in Spider-Man: Big Time—The Complete Collection Volume 1.

Spider-Man: Big Time presents things going well in Peter’s life while Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death present things going wrong…which is more in line with classic Spider-Man. Spider-Man’s life has been surrounded by death since its induction and Uncle Ben, and Slott adds his own death to the history.

While in the big picture the death of Marla Jameson isn’t a big character, it does have a big impact on the story. The impact on Spider-Man is possibly a bit more than it should have been, but Jameson’s reaction is more appropriate. There have been multiple times where Jameson’s actions have come back to bite him, but this seems to be the topper which is about time. While Jameson’s hatred of Spider-Man is generally painted as his showboating and his outshining Jameson’s astronaut son John, it has never matched the level of venom toward Spider-Man considering the number of times Spider-Man has saved him…this presents a different Jameson which is nice.

The idea of Spider-Man becoming a member of the Fantastic Four (or Future Foundation) is a fun throwback since Spider-Man tried to join the Fantastic Four in the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man. While I don’t see Spider-Man as a team-player, I do see him much more of a member of the Fantastic Four than an Avenger. While constantly evolving stories, you know it won’t last long, but it is a fun idea to explore.

Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death seems like a step-up from the previous collection and hopefully a bit of a better direction. The stories are a little more self-contained and shorter runs (which I think helps), and there is more of a focus on the traditional stars of Amazing Spider-Man. Spider-Man: Matters of Life and Death is followed by Spider-Man: The Fantastic Spider-Man.
11 reviews
May 6, 2018
I haven't read many spider-man comics, but I love the superhero and would like to read more. This was the second complete comic I read of spiderman, the first being Spider Island (Funny enough, I think this is the prequel to that comic, good luck I guess). The stories within this book all had good pacing and interesting enough characters. My personal favorite is the story where Peter struggles with all the deaths that he feels he could've stopped, but didn't. In that same story, he also questions weather his no killing rule is actually a viable way to do things, is killing sometimes necessary? Are some people too dangerous to keep alive? I've always been a fan of emotional growth and struggle, so I really liked that particular part, and honestly wish it would've lasted longer.

There was another story I really liked which involved someone's death, but I can't talk about that 'cause I don't wanna spoil anything.

All in all I was satisfied, but at the same time I've read way better comics, like Gwenpool (my personal superhero favorite). If I had to compare it to another comic, it would be Flash Vol. 1: Move Forward. So if you liked that comic, I think this is definitely for you! Though to be honest, I think this a little better than The Flash.
Profile Image for Eduardo S..
13 reviews
August 8, 2025
Marcando aqui os chapter 655-656 em que é o: No one Dies Parte 1 e 2. É fascinante como Dan Slott conhece a estória do homem aranha e faz isso ao relembrar e ao mesmo tempo falar sobre a estrutura editorial das hqs. Dan aborda uma das questões centrais: a morte e o luto. Então estando presente em várias passagens do teioso, como trabalhar com isso? Ele mostra que essa relação fez o personagem, mas também apresenta o carácter trágico dele em questão de narrativa das hqs: O sempre atormento que esse personagem sofre por estar na lógica das hqs, de precisar sempre de novas edições, logo necessita de novos desafios(alguns bons como esse, outros horríveis como o New Da) e brinca com essa lógica com diálogos macabros( a personagem esposa do JJ falando que iria voltar como vilã, mas como ela é uma "pessoa comum", não iria.) e a própria presença dos vilões.
Além de tudo apresenta uma rítmica maravilhosa: O drama no começo com o acordar dos personagem, a formação de teias nos sonhos do Peter e o estado perdido continuo que isso apresenta. É lindo e ainda apresenta um personagem que é perfeito para o dilema da vida e da morte: um psicopata que parou de sentir, logo o herói vai seguir esse caminho ou vai sentir o luto e melhorar?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kris Shaw.
1,414 reviews
April 25, 2024
Wow. There is a vast improvement in the art department after the crapfest that was Humberto Ramos' artwork in the Big Time hardcover. While he is on hand to crap up issue 654.1, it is only one issue out of seven in the book. Stefano Caselli, whose artwork I did not enjoy on Avengers Academy, is actually pretty good here. He has improved over the last few years, which is what an artist should do. Marcos Martin is an incredible artist, a worthy heir to the thrones of Steve Ditko and John Romita, Sr.

Dan Slott's writing really hits the sweet spots, from a new Spider Slayer, to the rebirth of the Scorpion to the Flash Thompson/Venom development. I look forward to reading more of his run on the title. These are fun, enjoyable reads that should please longtime fans of the series.
Profile Image for Jo.
399 reviews20 followers
November 2, 2020
This reading was... well, quite sad, actually. After watching Pete in a nice place, with his life in order, it seemed just a matter of time before everything went wrong. I didn't expect it to happen so soon. Title is perfectly fitting and, avoiding spoilers, I'll just say that those deaths put Peter in a really dark place. Plot also cripples our hero to some extent, which is an interesting turn of events, and the book maintains the attention even though the arch could have a better polished ending. Art is nice, but I feel that retro style that reminds you of classic Spidey comics is not for me.
Profile Image for Stewart D. Jenkins.
88 reviews
May 27, 2022
An amazing trade for Spider-Man.

Slott is really knocking it out of the park(er).

Like the title states this is a lot about Peter dealing with death and has a great back to basics Spider-Man story.

Really can’t say much about this book except if you are a fan of adult Peter doing science and being Spider-Man then this will be for you.

Don’t love the Smythe villain but that can be excused.

I’m giving this a low 5 stars.
Profile Image for Muzaffer Gümüşsu.
112 reviews4 followers
June 27, 2022
Esas numarası 2010-2011 dönemi içerisinde ana karakterlerden biri haline gelen birinin ölümü, Akrep'in yenilenmesi ve Agent Venom'un orijinini tanıtması. Ek olarak Örümcek'in yeni kostümü de fena değil. Aralara sıkıştırılan çerezlik kısa öyküleri hiç beğenmedim, ne zaman bir ciltte karşıma çıksa ana olaylardan uzaklaşıyorum hemen. Esasında zaten bu ciltte çok fazla kısa olay vuku buluyor, bunun yerine tek ve uzun bir macerayı tercih ederim.
Profile Image for Amanda Shepard (Between-the-Shelves).
2,305 reviews45 followers
May 20, 2024
It feels like there are some odd issues tacked on at the end of this volume, but overall, a pretty good read! I especially liked the way that this explored loss, with that one issue taking us through a lot of people Peter Parker has lost over the years. It also finds him recommitting to the idea that everyone deserves to live. I like Slott's writing, so I'm interested in seeing where it goes next!
43 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2025
Another Spider-Man book that emphasizes on Peter’s intelligence which is delightful to read. And also new suit! Again! Which is cool and also it is great to see Peter using the benefits of being an Avenger and seeking help when needed. 657th issue is the highlight of the book with especially coolest art from Ty Templeton. Amazing issue (pun intended)
Profile Image for Maciej.
431 reviews18 followers
July 4, 2018
PL
Ogrom bardzo kiepskich przeciwników Spider-Mana, zbędni sojusznicy narysowani tragicznie oraz duży rozpierdziel, którego nie sposób ogarnąć. Tak mniej więcej wygląda ponad 200 stron tego tomu. Niespecjalnie się tytuł podobał choć szanuje starania Dana Slotta. Cóż, bywa...
Profile Image for Trevor.
601 reviews14 followers
February 1, 2023
Peter Parker was happy at the end of the previous volume. We can't let that last, can we?

After a friend of Peter's is murdered by a super-villain he declares a new rule: from now on, no one is going to die when he's around.

Yeah, I see this going well.
60 reviews
August 28, 2018
Will love it if your a spider-man fan. so yeah byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. PS: it's a comic book incase you didn't know.
Profile Image for Glenn.
17 reviews18 followers
August 7, 2019
This was a good continuation story from Spiderman "Big time." although it is strongly written, the story becomes heavy to read towards the end. Nevertheless I enjoyed it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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