Marvel Team-Up #13Issue(s): Marvel Team-Up #13 Review/plot: ...and is upset that his recent trip there failed to take his mind off of Gwen. A drunken sailor, Nathaniel, previously seen in Marvel Team-Up #2, tries to cheer Peter up. The poor guy then gets turned to stone by the Grey Gargoyle. Meanwhile, Spider-Man stumbles upon some AIM agents running down the street... ...and finds that Captain America is fighting them. After lending a hand, he accidentally gets teleported up to the SHIELD helicarrier with Cap (the last i saw, SHIELD had a tractor beam, but they've apparently upgraded to teleportation)... A rookie SHIELD agent tries to arrest Spidey since he has been wanted for murder since the death of Captain Stacy, but Nick Fury puts a stop to it. Too bad he couldn't actually help clear Spidey's name, too. Nick Fury briefs Cap and Spidey on AIM; the attack that Cap stopped was only one part of the three pronged effort. SHIELD took care of the second part, but they need Cap and Spidey to take care of the third. Spidey is shamed/bullied into going along with Cap. It turns out that the Grey Gargoyle had been in contact with AIM's "superiors" (it would be interesting to know if that was Victorius, MODOK or maybe someone lower down the food chains) while he was in space, and he's just now returned. What's amazing, though is that after an issue of largely set-up, the actual fight with the Gargoyle and AIM is over very quickly, and there's no room left for any kind of wrap-up. It's a very truncated final scene. The Grey Gargoyle's previous appearance was a massive rampage that really showed him to be a top-tier villain. This issue is a stark contrast to that. But the way he keeps getting shunted off into space reminds me of the Abomination's early appearances; he's a villain that's so powerful it doesn't make sense to let him remain on Earth for extended periods. However, his long absences kept him out of the spotlight and failed to keep him in that top tier. I guess it could have went the other way; a few more appearances like this and he would have seemed like a real joke. Quality Rating: C Chronological Placement Considerations: This takes place after Daredevil #103, and before Amazing Spider-Man #124. References:
Crossover: N/A Continuity Insert? N My Reprint: Essential Marvel Team-Up vol. 1 Inbound References (4): showCharacters Appearing: Captain America, Dum Dum Dugan LMD, Grey Gargoyle, Nathaniel (Sailor), Nick Fury, Spider-Man 1973 / Box 7 / EiC: Roy Thomas CommentsI think Peter was supposed to be back in New York this issue. I believe he's thinking about his trip to San Francisco in past tense. Unless that drunk hanging around the docks moved from New York to SF for some reason. And what would Cap be doing in SF? Posted by: Michael | May 25, 2014 3:15 AM I looked at this issue again, and you're right. It starts with Peter thinking, "I thought the trip to San Francisco would help me get my mind off Gwen..." and i originally took that to mean he was still there, but that's clearly not the case from the Brooklyn Bridge which is right behind him! I've updated the entry. Thanks! By the way, we have several Michaels that post here so you may want to use something to distinguish you. We have an Uncanny Michael, but you could Spectacular Michael or Web of Michael. Or, you know, something more normal if you prefer. ;-) Posted by: fnord12 | May 25, 2014 12:39 PM How about Michael Team-Up or Michael Two-in-One? Posted by: Alex F | May 29, 2014 10:10 PM Despite the silver age being my favorite time of Marvel Comics, there were some duds. I agree with the rating as this was a C at the very best. Gil Kane's "shadings under the nose" trademark is very evident in this issue. I find it just an odd way of drawing faces, and I mark a comic down a few grades if the art isn't up to par because that's very important to me. Bad dialogue is annoying, but the art stands out and carries the comic. Posted by: Mike | June 23, 2014 9:51 AM The panel in this issue when Peter Parker suddenly starts ranting at a tiny, ordinary little spider is right up there with "No wire hangers!" and Johnny Mnemonic's "I want room service!" Posted by: Oliver_C | April 3, 2016 11:21 AM Fellow graybeards out there might remember that a T-shirt manufacturer in conjuncture with Marvel made up shirts with panels from this particular issue as its design. I remember getting mine at K-Mart back in the day, before shopping at K-Mart became uncool once you hit your teens, and were considered poor white trash if your family shopped there, at least in my neck of the woods. Sigh. Posted by: Brian Coffey | June 29, 2017 11:39 PM Comments are now closed. |
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