Episode 126 Amazing Spider-Man V1 #658: The Fantastic Spider-Man

Unpacking the Power of Power Pack

You can listen to the episode by clicking: Episode 126

Great news folks! We have an actual expert on the show! You know, someone who actually reads comic books, studies them, and has written a few books! It's true, we actually got a real life author and he wanted to come on to our little show to talk about Spider-Man and his Fantastic Friends. So put your paws together and welcome Douglas Wolk, author of the Eisner award winning All of the Marvels!

And what are All of the Marvels, well it is a book. As we know, books are made with paper, the same type of material used to make comic books and bills. So, why am I telling you this? Why to waste your time of course.

But in all seriousness, All of the Marvels is one mans journey through the complex and twisted world of all of the stories published by Marvel Comics. That is right, this guy read all the comics.....at least the ones published by Marvel. So, that is pretty cool....right. Yeah....that is pretty cool.

Now, what has this to do with Spider-Man you may ask. First, thank you for asking, and second...well, Spider-Man is one of the main dudes in the Marvel bullpen. He is the guy, the web-head, the poster boy. He is the lynch pin. He is the world. Everybody wants to meet him.

Ok, he is one of many super-heroes in the Marvel Universe. Just like the former Fantastic Four. And together they make a wonderful team that goes wherever the story tells them to go. That is so cool. I wish I could go anywhere.

If I could go anywhere, it would be to the Marvel Universe. And I am not just saying that because it is on brand. No, I mean it. What an exciting place full of stories, and characters, and monsters, and horrifying death and destruction. Hang on....wait a minute...this may just be a horrible idea.

But what about this concept of all of the stories being part of one continuous saga that has not and will not end. That is pretty neat, having the legacy of characters and situations to weave multiple narratives throughout time. And to be able to say that you have read all of the books and developed a thesis on how it all works and fits...well that is just a mind bender itself.

I guess, in closing, we should remember one important thing. Comic books are fun, they are entertaining, they are influential and insightful. Like any art, they are subjective and reactionary. However you decide to incorporate them into your lives, that will probably be the best answer. I am not sure what question I am answering, but it is a statement that I have just made.

And so, until next time, have a good day, and check out Douglas Wolk's book, All of the Marvels.

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