A (not-so) Brief History

Or why I created this page

Ok, this page is a huge exercise in self-indulgence. I recognize that, and I accept that. However, there are several reasons why I've spent the time to assemble this page. First, I wanted to design a web site. Secondly, it's fun categorizing and reviewing my Spider-Man collection. And finally, I thought other people find it at least amusing if not interesting.

Despite working with computers all my life, I've never gotten around to learning HTML. I really wanted the experience of designing, coding, and organizing a web site. To that end, I've spent more time working on the design and layout on this page than content at this point, and I'm sure it shows. Hopefully, issue by issue and character by character, content will be coming along. At least that's the plan.

Next, I've been reading comic as long as I can remember. I have fond memories of begging my mother for a quarter to get the latest Superman or reading Batman comics in the local drugstore. When I was old enough, and started getting a regular allowance, Amazing Spider-man was one of the first series I started regularly collecting. I can remember reading those first two issues "Amazing Spider-Man #269" and "Amazing Spider-Man #270" while walking from the drugstore to my grandparent's house. Spider-Man's fight against Firelord blew me away and still stands in my mind as one of the most epic Spider-Man battles ever. Shortly after that, I was introduced to The Hobgoblin, and as you can probably tell, he still remains one of my favorite villains. Anyways, I've been a regular collector ever since.

Finally, I love hearing other people's opinions. I'd love to hear your comments regarding this page in general, specific issue reviews or villain bios I wrote up, other Spider-Man comics new or old, the recently released movie, or whatever else is on your mind. If you have any comments, kudos, criticisms, or what-not, click the link below to drop me a line...

Click here to drop me a line!

Ongoing Development

Right now, I'm spreading out in four directions. I've finally collected the entire run of the original Marvel Team-Up series. I'm moving forward through that series documenting the issues and villains as the come along. I'm working back from Amazing Spider-Man issue 118 or so. I'll continue working backwards from here until I hit issue #1. I'm working forward through Amazing Spider-Man from 168 or so. I don't ever expect to stop moving forward this way. I'm also working my way though the entire run of Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man.

Villains and other characters are a little spottier. I'll include new villain profiles as they appear in the comics. I'll also update past villain bios to include new appearances. Hopefully, I can get a good shot of different characters as they are portrayed by different artists, and I'll include those in the character biographies as well. Any information that pre-dates my collection (including origins, first appearances, etc.) is courtesy of The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (Deluxe Edition).

Finally, just to make it a more complete site, I'll got a guestbook, links to any other cool Spider-Man sites I find, other Spider-Man related web sites (news stories, stuff regarding the movies, etc.). If there is something I've missed, point it out, and I may include it on the cool links. I'm sure I'll be periodically toying with the look or layout of the site. Regular updates on the site will be posted on the main page.