Spectacular Spider-Man 89 & 90

Spectacular Spider-Man 89 & 90

Black Cat's Deal With The Kingpin

This two issues tells the story of how - and why - the Black Cat got her powers. Don't expect great art - Milgrom is better than Mooney but not by much. Milgrom's Black Cat though, is a joy to behold.

What you should expect is a wonderful, solid tale from the pen of Bill Mantlo, as usual. All throughout, Mantlo takes us inside Black Cat's mind and makes us feel her emotions. It's quite a ride. I keep trying to detect when Mantlo will slip up but the moment never comes. You will feel Felicia's driving obsession with getting superpowers and her anguish at finally getting it but in such unfortunate circumstances. I compare this with moments in my life when I have been troubled and Mantlo is really able to convey it very genuinely.

You should also note that Spider-Man exits the scene at the end of issue 89 and returns at the end of issue 90 - in between he's off to fight in the Beyonder's Secret Wars (the first one). Oh yes, when he returns he is wearing his new black costume.

Al Milgrom art sample from this issue :

Bill Mantlo, the writer of this comic, met with an accident in 1992 and has been in institutional care ever since. Find out what happened to him here. Ways to donate to Bill Mantlo's care are all over the web. If you can, please help him out.

Posted by Pete Albano - July 25, 2011

Did you like this post?

My Comic Shop Prices

Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) comic books