Today the 50th Anniversary issue of Amazing Spider-Man arrives in comic book stores. Marvel celebrates issue #692 with an overstuffed issue by fan favorite Spidey writer Dan Slott and artist Humberto Ramos. Slott spins a new story with a new twist on Uncle Ben’s “with great power comes great responsibility” motto.
Spider-Man is getting a sidekick. This Anniversary issue’s introduction of Andy McGuire/Alpha moves Peter Parker forward into all new story possibilities.
Daredevil artist Marcos Martin created variant covers celebrating Spidey’s past through the decades. I have to say this 70’s variant is my favorite because it’s one of Peter Parker’s most emotional and vulnerable moments with his (and our) beloved Gwen Stacy.
The 80’s variant is basic black and white just like the costume that defined that era. Each decade has a color theme. Happy Anniversary Spidey! Thank you Stan Lee and Steve Ditko! Thanks to Dan Slott for continuing the legacy!
A new cinematic Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) scored on the big screen and rebooted the Spider-Man movie franchise. This week get ready for a huge change in Spidey’s flagship comic book. Spidey is getting a sidekick in this week’s 50th Anniversary issue –Amazing Spider-Man #692.
Writer Dan Slott and Artist Humberto Ramos give Peter Parker a new partner. Slacker teen Andy McGuire becomes “Alpha” when he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time…in a lab with Peter Parker.
Amazing Spider-Man #692 courtesy Marvel.com
Spider-Man is an Avenger, part of the Future Foundation and has co-starred in his own team-up book but he’s never had a teen sidekick. Marvel Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso revealed to Fox why this is the time for a partner?
“Part of it is that Spider-Man is grown up,” said Alonso, “He’s older, more seasoned, but young at heart. He’s still a young man, but he’s been around. It’s interesting because it flips the paradigm. Teen hero Spider-Man is now responsible for this teen hero sidekick. He’s responsible because one of his inventions caused this kid to get his powers. He’s directly responsible for the responsibility this kid now has with his new powers. He feels he has a responsibility to make sure this kid walks the right path, which won’t prove easy.”
Amazing Spider-Man #692 courtesy Marvel.com
Amazing Spider-Man scribe Dan Slott says don’t expect this team to be exactly like DC’s dynamic duo.
“If you put Spider-Man and Batman in the same situation, you’re going to have way more fun with Spider-Man,” said Dan Slott. “With Batman, he never really screws up the way Spider-Man does; he always seems to make the right decision. But with Spider-Man, he always screws up. He’s us as a superhero. Batman is a paragon of what we’d like to be, but in reality, we’re more like Spider-Man. He makes all the mistakes we make.”
Fans will see a new cinematic Spidey (Andrew Garfield) on the big screen and a big change in the comic book. A web of intrigue started spinning when Marvel Comics asked “Who Is Alpha?” in an mysterious tease online. Today Marvel.com revealed the answer: Spidey is getting a sidekick as part of his 50th Anniversary. This August in Amazing Spider-Man #692 Writer Dan Slott and Artist Humberto Ramos give Peter Parker a new partner. Teenager Andy McGuire will become Alpha when he’s in the wrong place at the wrong time…in a lab with Peter Parker.
Amazing Spider-Man #692 courtesy Marvel.com
Spidey is an Avenger, works with the Future Foundation and has co-starred in his own team-up book but he’s never had a teen sidekick. Marvel Entertainment Editor-In-Chief Axel Alonso reveals to Fox why this is the time for a partner?
“Part of it is that Spider-Man is grown up,” said Axel Alonso, editor-in-chief of Marvel Entertainment. “He’s older, more seasoned, but young at heart. He’s still a young man, but he’s been around. It’s interesting because it flips the paradigm. Teen hero Spider-Man is now responsible for this teen hero sidekick. He’s responsible because one of his inventions caused this kid to get his powers. He’s directly responsible for the responsibility this kid now has with his new powers. He feels he has a responsibility to make sure this kid walks the right path, which won’t prove easy.”
Amazing Spider-Man #692 courtesy Marvel.com
Amazing Spider-Man Dan Slott says don’t expect this team-up to be like another famous comic book dynamic duo.
“If you put Spider-Man and Batman in the same situation, you’re going to have way more fun with Spider-Man,” said Dan Slott. “With Batman, he never really screws up the way Spider-Man does; he always seems to make the right decision. But with Spider-Man, he always screws up. He’s us as a superhero. Batman is a paragon of what we’d like to be, but in reality, we’re more like Spider-Man. He makes all the mistakes we make.”
What do you think of Spidey getting a partner? It’s easy to compare Alpha to Batman’s Robin. And the obvious question: will Alpha will a sidekick like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd or Tim Drake?
Marvel is spinning a new mystery for Spider-Man again. The teaser for Amazing Spider-Man #692 features “Who Is Alpha?”
The official press release below:
“This August, celebrate Spider-Man’s 50th anniversary as the amazing dream team of Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos introduce someone new to the Marvel Universe that will have everyone asking – “Who Is Alpha?”
But in order to find out, you’ll have to be amongst the first to pick up Amazing Spider-Man #692 – the special anniversary issue you’ve been waiting 50 years for!”
Could this be a direct tie into The Amazing Spider-Man movie which features scenes of Peter Parker figuring out formulas and searching for answers about his parents? The round of teasers earlier this year promoted the Spider-Men series starring Peter Parker and Miles Morales. Maybe Alpha could mean a battle for title of Spider-Man – the Alpha male?
