Spider-Man: The Other Sketchbook

    (Marvel, 2005)
™ and © Marvel Characters, Inc.

There’s an entirely possible chance this sketchbook will prove more satisfying in the long run than the storyline it promotes. Marvel has promised big changes in “The Other,” a tale planned to launch Spider-Man and his alter-ego Peter Parker through some mighty changes. Going by the drawings contained herein, possession and cocoons frame heavy amounts of hospitalization. Not that any of that sounds bad, but Peter David, Reginald Hudlin and J. Michael Straczyinski are three fairly different breeds of talented writer. Similarly, the sketchbook gives us three very different views of how this crisis will play out from equally idiosyncratic artists Mike Weiringo, Mike Deodato and Pat Lee.

— Brendan McGinley

From the Comics Buyer’s Guide:

Gearing up for the 12-part crossover that begins with Peter David’s Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1, Marvel hoped to garner extra cash with Spider-Man: The Other Sketchbook, which promised to “go behind the scenes of this month’s Spider-Man mega-event.” Fans clamoring for the highly anticipated spider saga may have made the mistake of doling out cash for this pamphlet (to use the pejorative term for comic books) that is little more than 32 pages of sketches. There’s no commentary, no “making of” material, no interviews, and no character or creator bios.

The sketches in question consist of unused covers, character studies, character designs, poster layouts, and other drawings by three talented artists: Mike Wieringo, Mike Deodato Jr., and Pat Lee. Much secrecy has surrounded the various plotlines and life-changing happenings of Spider-Man: The Other. The sketchbook doesn’t give away much but it does provide a glimpse or three of things to come, such as a very sick (and possibly delusional) Aunt May.

Bottom line: nice sketches but not for three bucks.

— Brett Weiss
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  NotesWriterArtist
#1

April, 1998
Cover Price: $2.99
10 copies available from $0.99 		 Mike Wieringo, Mike Deodato Jr., Patrick Lee