Spectacular Spider-Man 9
There's a very real sense of Marvel trying to "push" the White Tiger in this issue. Push as in "build up". The White Tiger is an Hispanic hero, so kudos to Marvel for going for multi-ethnicity; I just hope that the student unrest which is the backdrop of the tale was not something Marvel thought fitting for a Latin hero storyline. Nah, it's just me being overly sensitive.
I like the look of the White Tiger, and I also like the supernatural aspect to him, which, among other things, gives him a ghostly voice (if the dialog boxes are any indication). The power is derived from his Tiger amulet. The talisman multiplies his natural physical abilities by a factor of three and gives him mystical knowledge of the martial arts. Not exactly Spider-Man level capability but if Daredevil can duke it out with Spidey, so can the White Tiger.
Another detail worth noting this issue is a valuable document called the Erskine Manuscript. Erskine, if you will recall, is the scientist who invented the serum which changed Steve Rogers into Captain America.
Lastly, don't forget to read Bronze Age comics with Bronze Age standards; that's the only way to enjoy it - otherwise you'll be griping why its not like a 21st century comic. You have to be willing to go to a simpler time and enjoy the slightly camp nature of seventies comics.
Posted by Pete Albano - February 12, 2012
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