“Yesterday’s” Comic> Spider-Man Adventures #1

Holofoils, even when it’s only part of the cover, are a pain to scan.

Spider-Man Adventures #1

Marvel (December, 1994)

This comic is based on the 90s Fox Kids version of Spider-Man. The comic already claims it’s freely adapted so I know there are going to be differences. Therefore, I didn’t bother watching the episode since it’s unnecessary for the review.

Spidey’s out doing his late-night patrol when he comes across two crazed sewer workers he later learns were running from a creature people referred to as “the Lizard”. Peter learns that his teacher and mentor, Dr. Curt Connors, is the Lizard, a side effect of trying to use his Neogenic Recombinator to restore his lost arm. Spidey is able to subdue the Lizards when he kidnaps Curt’s wife and son to turn them into creatures like him, as well as turn Curt back to normal and help him cover his part in what went down, which isn’t good for reporter Eddie Brock.

What they got right: I’m glad Yomtov at least kept the Neogenic Recombinator considering what part Neogenics (a made-up science to replace the outdated radioactivity origin in light of what we know about radioactivity nowadays) plays in the 90s series. While it is freely adapted (for example Pete never dated Deb Witman on the show, much less having Aunt May reminding him) it’s still faithful enough to the episode to not be a problem and at least they admit it.

What they got wrong: The 90s art. While not as bad as it could have been, Eddie’s sporting a mullet. The series will later imitate the show’s character models (a rarity for Marvel at the time), except for some reason Peter, but I’ll get to that in due time. Also, the comic based on a kids show is talking about people being drunk. I don’t remember the episode well enough to recall if they did that on the show but it’s weird under the circumstances.

Recommendation: A decent start to this take on Spider-Man. It’s worth picking up for Spidey completists, but nothing exciting for the rest of us.