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The Amazing Spider-Man (1999) (Collected Editions) #24
The Amazing Spider-Man: Crime and Punisher
Whatever happened to Flash Thompson? A powerful story taking Peter Parker's former nemesis and Spider-Man's biggest fan from the avenues of New York to the war torn Middle East along with his fellow brothers in the US Army. And then, as the Mayoral election ramps up, gang activity is at an all time high, and Mr. Negative's newest enforcer, Hammerhead, works to bring all the gangs under one banner - or else! With some of the kids from Aunt May's F.E.A.S.T. center caught in the crossfire, Spidey stands up to his old foe... but Hammerhead's got some new tricks and even Spider-Man can't stop him this time! Collects Amazing Spider-Man #574-577, Hammerhead story.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published March 18, 2009
8 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Marc Guggenheim
930 books175 followersMarc Guggenheim grew up on Long Island, New York, and earned his law degree from Boston University. After over four years in practice, he left law to pursue a career in television.
Today, Guggenheim is an Emmy Award–winning writer who writes for multiple mediums including television, film, video games, comic books, and new media. His work includes projects for such popular franchises as Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Star Trek, and Planet of the Apes.
His next book, In Any Lifetime, coming from Lake Union Publishing on August 1st.
Guggenheim currently lives in Encino, California, with his wife, two daughters, and a handful of pets.
Keep up to date on his latest projects with LegalDispatch, a weekly newsletter where he shares news and notes about writing, comics, and the entertainment industry.
Today, Guggenheim is an Emmy Award–winning writer who writes for multiple mediums including television, film, video games, comic books, and new media. His work includes projects for such popular franchises as Percy Jackson, Star Wars, Call of Duty, Star Trek, and Planet of the Apes.
His next book, In Any Lifetime, coming from Lake Union Publishing on August 1st.
Guggenheim currently lives in Encino, California, with his wife, two daughters, and a handful of pets.
Keep up to date on his latest projects with LegalDispatch, a weekly newsletter where he shares news and notes about writing, comics, and the entertainment industry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
June 26, 2021
The first story was good but then the story with Hammerhead was bad like really bad and its great t see a Flash story where he joins the military and the bravery he displays and that is an emotional one considering how he got inspired from Spider-man and watching him. Plus the story with Hammerhead now working for Mr Negative and going after people in Bronx and coercing a guy into something until Peter has to step up and stop him.
August 1, 2025
Relevant and graphic! Spider-Man owns most of the volume, even though Punisher only shows up in the last issue.
November 16, 2015
Artistically, this was a mixed bag but the stories and the creative team attached to each suited the them and mood, none more so with the first story of Flash Thompson's Medal of Honor. Normally, having multiple artists could compromise the cohesiveness of a collection but this collected edition was cohesive because each story was very good.
There are three main stories and I'll explain in three bullet points on how each contributed in earning the 5 stars.
1. The Flash Thompson story gave it the best reason why the character deserves an ongoing title, as Agent Venom of course.
2. The reinvention of Hammerhead as less of a joke he was once was pretty cool and the Bachalo art gave Spider-Man the creepy factor that Ditko once gave it.
3. Paolo Rivera on Punisher. Nuff said.
I surprised myself, enjoying trade immensely. It deserves the five stars.
There are three main stories and I'll explain in three bullet points on how each contributed in earning the 5 stars.
1. The Flash Thompson story gave it the best reason why the character deserves an ongoing title, as Agent Venom of course.
2. The reinvention of Hammerhead as less of a joke he was once was pretty cool and the Bachalo art gave Spider-Man the creepy factor that Ditko once gave it.
3. Paolo Rivera on Punisher. Nuff said.
I surprised myself, enjoying trade immensely. It deserves the five stars.
June 6, 2018
It was aight.
World: The art is solid, I liked the Hammerhead art more and I did find the Punisher art a bit too scratchy, it was okay. The world building is small and contained for the stories. Sure there is the bigger picture with Hammerhead and Mr. Negative but as I said it's small and that's fine. The world is not the focus.
Story: Solidly paced and entertaining for what it was. The Flash issue was nice and Hammerhead story a bit heavy handed and the Punisher story is like every other forgettable Punisher team up story. The banter was fine the action was fine. Just fine.
Characters: Spidey is Spidey, no huge revelations and growth here, simply a filler story. There was little development in Hammerhead but also not really and her same could be said for Punisher. Just status quo.
Solid but unremarkable and forgettable.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is solid, I liked the Hammerhead art more and I did find the Punisher art a bit too scratchy, it was okay. The world building is small and contained for the stories. Sure there is the bigger picture with Hammerhead and Mr. Negative but as I said it's small and that's fine. The world is not the focus.
Story: Solidly paced and entertaining for what it was. The Flash issue was nice and Hammerhead story a bit heavy handed and the Punisher story is like every other forgettable Punisher team up story. The banter was fine the action was fine. Just fine.
Characters: Spidey is Spidey, no huge revelations and growth here, simply a filler story. There was little development in Hammerhead but also not really and her same could be said for Punisher. Just status quo.
Solid but unremarkable and forgettable.
Onward to the next book!
May 10, 2012
I actually liked the flash thompson issue. It seemed to be written by someone who actually gives a crap about men in uniform. The Hammerhead issues were just stupid, only someone seemed to think they were "important" and "relevant" because children are gang members. I think we've all seen Boyz in da Hood. The /punisher issue was thankfully brief. I really don't think the punisher/spidey relationship is nearly as interesting as a lot of comic writers seem to. It places spidey in a boring superman role he doesn't fit.
November 8, 2025
Just some old-school Brand New Day fun. My favorite part was the Spider-Man/Punisher team-up story, "Old Huntin' Buddies." Rivera's Punisher is hideous. Love it!
March 10, 2013
The first issue is a good try but doesn't convince me - an interview by a general of Flash Thompson. It reads like a very paper-thin setup to show off Guggenheim's research into military tactics and lingo, when the general couldn't possibly have been in the military for this long and had to ask so many dumb questions. It's really hard to try to just read this when it keeps getting interrupted by these silly writer's tics. I'd love to see how Greg Rucka would've written this issue.
Further, the allegorical flashbacks to comparative Spidey challenges just didn't work - how would Flash remember them, when he wasn't there for most? And if it's not Flash remembering, what is the point of these tenuously-related scenes?
I know I'm an evil man for anything but lavish praise on a soldier-worship story, but I expect better of the tributes for such sacrifices.
The Hammerhead story is *glorious*. Bachalo's art just screams "fun" - exaggerated movements, poses, facial expressions and framing that seems like something out of Robot Chicken, Family Guy or Simpsons. How can I *not* enjoy it?
Joe Kelly writes Spidey like an intelligent, self-deprecating Deadpool. And I like it. This story is hilarious and heartfelt, believable and tightly plotted. This is a gold standard of what good comics could be for everyone.
The Wells/Rivera story is good but not as good as the Hammmerhead one.
Further, the allegorical flashbacks to comparative Spidey challenges just didn't work - how would Flash remember them, when he wasn't there for most? And if it's not Flash remembering, what is the point of these tenuously-related scenes?
I know I'm an evil man for anything but lavish praise on a soldier-worship story, but I expect better of the tributes for such sacrifices.
The Hammerhead story is *glorious*. Bachalo's art just screams "fun" - exaggerated movements, poses, facial expressions and framing that seems like something out of Robot Chicken, Family Guy or Simpsons. How can I *not* enjoy it?
Joe Kelly writes Spidey like an intelligent, self-deprecating Deadpool. And I like it. This story is hilarious and heartfelt, believable and tightly plotted. This is a gold standard of what good comics could be for everyone.
The Wells/Rivera story is good but not as good as the Hammmerhead one.
August 8, 2011
The first story from Amazing Spider-Man #574 was a wonderful tribute to the (American) armed forces serving overseas. Well drawn art combined with a poignant story to create a great issue.
The second ‘story’ from Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Extra!! #1 was a nice little filler that would make no sense if you didn’t follow Spider-Man from Civil-War to Brand New Day, especially One More Day. For this reason, the graphic novel/collection’s value/utility is diminished for casual readers. However, the story about Hammerhead was well done, with the black and white sections of art well utilised.
The third story from Amazing Spider-Man #575-576 contained some positive and negative elements. The greatest negative element was the truly off-putting portrayal of Peter Parker who seemed at times 12, chubby faced or verging on boring. The story was generally solid, with the parts involving Hammerhead standing out, especially in the stylised portrayal.
The fourth story from Amazing Spider-Man #577 included the interlude story. The main story was decent story with art that seemed too simplistic and lacking the quality found in the other stories. The interlude was almost the opposite, with good art with a forgettable story that did, I admit, contain one nice panel.
The second ‘story’ from Spider-Man: Brand New Day – Extra!! #1 was a nice little filler that would make no sense if you didn’t follow Spider-Man from Civil-War to Brand New Day, especially One More Day. For this reason, the graphic novel/collection’s value/utility is diminished for casual readers. However, the story about Hammerhead was well done, with the black and white sections of art well utilised.
The third story from Amazing Spider-Man #575-576 contained some positive and negative elements. The greatest negative element was the truly off-putting portrayal of Peter Parker who seemed at times 12, chubby faced or verging on boring. The story was generally solid, with the parts involving Hammerhead standing out, especially in the stylised portrayal.
The fourth story from Amazing Spider-Man #577 included the interlude story. The main story was decent story with art that seemed too simplistic and lacking the quality found in the other stories. The interlude was almost the opposite, with good art with a forgettable story that did, I admit, contain one nice panel.
July 16, 2013
If I'm just reviewing issue #574, Marc Guggenheim's Flash Thompson story gets 5 stars hands down. Inspired by a real life Marvel fan who was serving overseas, this story raises a fairly minor character into a bigger role, but mostly serves as a very nice tribute to the armed forces overseas and the sacrifices they make for everyone back home. It's simple, but in the best way, and the last page is just a heartbreaker, though you suspect it's coming.
The rest of the book, including the return and revamping of Hammerhead, is meh, OK.
The Punisher/Spidey story is better than the Hammerhead, but I hate how Punisher is drawn in this book, he looks stupid.
Not an essential collection, I'd suggest just picking up issue 574 instead. That one is essential.
The rest of the book, including the return and revamping of Hammerhead, is meh, OK.
The Punisher/Spidey story is better than the Hammerhead, but I hate how Punisher is drawn in this book, he looks stupid.
Not an essential collection, I'd suggest just picking up issue 574 instead. That one is essential.
February 11, 2014
Opening one-shot story is superb. The Hammerhead one takes some time to get going and is a little confusing to someone not familiar with the character. Frank Castle doesn't appear until the final tale and it's a little basic.
There is a reference to the Spider Tracer Killer who cropped up in another book I read recently. I really should read these in order.
There is a reference to the Spider Tracer Killer who cropped up in another book I read recently. I really should read these in order.
June 3, 2015
The best story in this one has Flash showing how Spider-Man changed his life. The Hammerhead story is nicely done, but without his gimmick (a wannabe 1930s gangster) he's completely generic. And the Punisher ... feh.
January 21, 2018
Book Info: This collection contains
Amazing Spider-Man
issues #574-577.
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3+/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
ABSOLUTE RATING: {3+/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <3/5 stars>
February 21, 2015
Great story about Flash and how he lost his legs.
September 11, 2015
The Flash story was good. Never cared for Bachalo's art though and I don't think it was necessary to turn Hammerhead into a Terminator. Didn't care for the Punisher story or art at all.
December 22, 2021
Coming in to give this a five since it's criminally underrated on here.
I'm really surprised by all the reviews too since I feel like my opinion is backwards. The first issue here, #574, is a really sappy war story about Flash Thompson. Not my thing for numerous reasons.
Flashbacks (#575-576) by Joe Kelly and Chris Bachalo was a really great Hammerhead story. Aside from some distasteful jokes I thought the writing was very strong, especially for Spidey. Bachalo's art is gorgeous as always and the almost Black and White coloring really makes these issues standout.
Finally we have Old Huntin' Buddies (#577) by Zeb Wells and Paolo Rivera. Punisher stories told in the greater Marvel universe can feel censored and OOC but that was absolutely not the case here. Telling this kind of story in a more family oriented comic forced the art to represent violence in some really clever ways, while still giving us classic Punisher killings.
Speaking of the art, Rivera brings some of the best art thus far for the Brand New Day initiative. Evoking a real 1960's feel elevates this in such a great way. It makes sense given he had just done a Origin Retelling project for Marvel titled Mythos.
In short, this is by far the strongest volume to come out since J.M's exit.
I'm really surprised by all the reviews too since I feel like my opinion is backwards. The first issue here, #574, is a really sappy war story about Flash Thompson. Not my thing for numerous reasons.
Flashbacks (#575-576) by Joe Kelly and Chris Bachalo was a really great Hammerhead story. Aside from some distasteful jokes I thought the writing was very strong, especially for Spidey. Bachalo's art is gorgeous as always and the almost Black and White coloring really makes these issues standout.
Finally we have Old Huntin' Buddies (#577) by Zeb Wells and Paolo Rivera. Punisher stories told in the greater Marvel universe can feel censored and OOC but that was absolutely not the case here. Telling this kind of story in a more family oriented comic forced the art to represent violence in some really clever ways, while still giving us classic Punisher killings.
Speaking of the art, Rivera brings some of the best art thus far for the Brand New Day initiative. Evoking a real 1960's feel elevates this in such a great way. It makes sense given he had just done a Origin Retelling project for Marvel titled Mythos.
In short, this is by far the strongest volume to come out since J.M's exit.
July 11, 2024
Yet another handsome hardcover in the Brand New Day line of Premiere Hardcovers. The story is great, but Chris Bachalo's manga-crap artwork is a total buzzkill. I subscribe to the notion that every issue is somebody's first issue. Building on that train of thought, let's say that little Tommy, an 8 year old kid from Anytown, USA, sees a Spider-Man movie or cartoon and decides that he wants to read a Spider-Man comic book. If he is lucky enough to live near a comic shop or Borders, he may actually convince his parents to plunk down $3-4 on a floppy, and then find...this? Bachalo is not meant to draw a mainstream superhero comic book like this. And this is the most mainstream superhero comic book on the market, and as such, should only have top flight artists working on it.
June 29, 2022
I usually enjoy Wells' writing, but this collection was lackluster at best. The artwork was not great either. I know you can love or hate Bacchalo, and in this case, it was more the latter. Same with the Punisher artwork (I forgot who drew that), mediocre at best, and overall, a throw-away story.
It was interesting to see the evolution of Hammerhead, but the story was just bland and uninteresting. Really boring, and mediocre art throughout.
Easily skippable unless you are a Hammerhead fan.
The opening story, though, about Flash was redeeming, and by far the best part of the story. Sad, and actually has lasting impact in the spidey-verse. Check out that story if nothing else.
It was interesting to see the evolution of Hammerhead, but the story was just bland and uninteresting. Really boring, and mediocre art throughout.
Easily skippable unless you are a Hammerhead fan.
The opening story, though, about Flash was redeeming, and by far the best part of the story. Sad, and actually has lasting impact in the spidey-verse. Check out that story if nothing else.
December 12, 2017
Bait-and-switch warning -- certainly enough crime, not enough Punisher. Frank Castle does not even appear until about the last quarter of the book. His story was good, as he and Spidey make a good 'odd couple' in action, but not great. The long central portion, featuring Hammerhead and teen gangs, falls flat the most of the time. The opening story - with Flash Thompson recovering in a military hospital - was refreshingly respectful to those who service in the U.S. military, and the best part.
March 27, 2023
The issue with Flash and the parallels between him and Spider-Man was probably my favorite aspect of this volume overall. The rest was really just okay for me. Wasn't really a huge fan of the art in parts of this, mostly due to the way that Peter Parker looked. But to each their own! Also thought there was going to me more Punisher in this because of the title, but he wasn't in it as much as I thought.
All in all, really just an okay volume for me.
All in all, really just an okay volume for me.
February 14, 2020
Ortaya karışık hikayelerin derlendiği bir cilt. Hammerhead'in orijin hikayesi ve yenilenme dönemine iki koca sayı ayırıp iki sayfada oldu bittiye getirilerek bitmesi hayal kırıklığı, Punisher'ın hikayesi kapağın yarattığı beklentinin aksine çok kısa ve zorlama, Chris Bachalo'nun felaket çizimleri de cabası. Aksiyon özürlü bu çizer nasıl oluyor da TASM çizmeye devam edebiliyor anlamıyorum.
November 29, 2022
çizgi-romana olan tutkum - özellikle de spiderman'e - sanırım hiç bitmeyecek. büyük bir zevkle okudum. arada böyle tatlı kaçamaklar beni kendime getiriyor. bu gerçek dünyadan sıyrılıp süper kahramanların dünyasına dalmak muazzam bir şey. iyi ki süper kahramanlar var. bir gün gerçek olmanız dileği ile...
November 5, 2023
El numero de Flash Thompson recordando sus días en la guerra es muy muy bueno, el resto es bien fome. La historia de Hammerhead usando niños soldados es tematicamente interesante, pero Joe Kelly no tiene la capacidad de escribirlo como algo real entonces se siente como una wea que intenta ser edgy no mas. El arte es consistentemente bueno eso si uuuu.
April 30, 2018
This was just okay. This is not really a strong collection nor is it really a cohesive bringing together of a story. The first one is by tear the best and is a tribute to those who fought in Iraq. Very good, but it had nothing to do with the rest. This was a very disjointed collection.
September 21, 2018
Don't be misled by the title, the majority of this collection is decent Spidey stories involving Mr. Negative and Hammerhead. There is a 2-part Punisher and Spider-man story at the end of the book with an interlude which I thought was junk.
June 25, 2019
This was a pretty underwhelming volume again. As much as the interactions between the Punisher and Spider-Man are somewhat interesting, the actual story was pretty shallow and lacked any real substance. It had a lot of good moments but altogether it didn't really shine.
June 27, 2019
While fun, it's the weakest of the Brand New Day trades...however, the Flash Thompson story alone is worth the entire volume.
I'm currently doing a big retrospect of the Brand New Day era. Check out part one here
I'm currently doing a big retrospect of the Brand New Day era. Check out part one here
October 28, 2018
Flash Thompson propaganda section - 0/5
Hammerhead section - 2/5
Punished section - 5/5
Hammerhead section - 2/5
Punished section - 5/5
December 29, 2018
The flash storyline is literally the only good part of this entire book. The other two stories are absolute garbage.
February 13, 2020
The best one since brand new day started.
May 18, 2025
3.5/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews