Spider-Man

September 1, 2024
There's room for everyone under the multiversal spider-tent. A mysterious variant of Doctor Octopus is pulling strings across the multiverse in order to antagonize multiple Spider-Heroes at once! Will the plucky Ara�a reunite with her friend and fellow superhero, Miguel O'Hara? That question only covers the bookending entries of this wide-ranging selection of stories about different heroes who spin webs to help others, from keeper of stories Kwaku Anansi to the fabulously queer Cooper Coen, aka Web-Weaver. The characters all fully inhabit their chapters, which come complete with full-page illustrations to show off their costumes. References to the larger Marvel cast abound for fans to catch or let fly overhead. As an anthology, this book represents a string of successes when it comes to representing each protagonist's community. Foiling villains is but one part of Miles Morales' and his mother's visit to Puerto Rico, where his abuela was born. Pavitr Prabhakar celebrates Navaratri in Queens by participating in a garba dance. Zarina Zahari enjoys a British Eid breakfast of her favorite beans on toast. The heroes all feel fleshed out to the point of demanding their own novels, or at least an encore crossover to reunite so many talented web-slingers (and their respective authors). An appealing anthology that zooms in on various walks of life while playing with the larger Marvel universe. (author bios)(Science fiction anthology. 9-13)

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August 1, 2024

Gr 5 Up-Showcasing a diverse group of award-winning and best-selling authors, this captivating collection of stories will have fans of the Spider-Verse cheering for joy. The central villain Carolyn Trainer, alias Dr. Octopus, reveals her scheme to destroy all Spider-Heroes across the Spider-Verses. Ara�a, the initial Spider-Hero to confront Dr. Octopus, gives readers a sneak peek of what these heroes will be up against. Each story adeptly presents the unique abilities and cultural identities of its Spider-Hero. Particularly noteworthy is Steve Foxe's "Immaterial," delving into the life of Cooper King, aka Web Weaver, who navigates both the fashion world and their identity as a transgender youth. This narrative intricately weaves emotional depth into the character's backstory, adding extra layers of meaning to Web Weaver's adventures. Despite the engaging content, these stories lack connective tissue and feel very separate until the final story. Additionally, character ages (late junior through high school) and average story length (32 pages) may limit interest to upper middle school and above, despite character voice and narrative topics geared towards middle grade. While Spider-Man enthusiasts will find this anthology a delight, the mismatch between intended and actual audience may make this a tough sell for general readers and libraries. VERDICT This collection will be devoured by devoted fans but will find limited audience beyond that.-Louie Lauer

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