Unless Peter Parker decides to pen his own autobiography someday, you're not going to find a better guide than this to the life and times of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. From that fateful radioactive bite in the science hall up to Spidey 2099, DK's Ultimate Guide recounts all the career milestones--major and minor--of Stan Lee's web-slinging wall-crawler. Organized and authored by Tom DeFalco, former Marvel editor in chief and the series' bestselling author, this guide pulls together the storyline's many twists and turns (chronologically, by decade) and devotes big spreads to nearly every noteworthy ally, friend, and villain (with one curious omission in the Shocker). Special sections cover episodes like the alien costume, the regrettable clone saga, and the wedding to Mary Jane, while panel after panel of original art (over 600 images in all) flesh out the action (a particular treat with the corny old dialogue and art).

DeFalco makes some small missteps--inevitable in any fan-boy project--and certainly The Ultimate Guide will feel dated as the series evolves, but as a comprehensive guide, it just doesn't get any better. Throw in a foreword by the inimitable Stan Lee, and you've got a book that would make even Peter Parker proud. --Paul Hughes


Book Description
Enter the world of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Ever since he was bitten by a radioactive spider and transformed into the amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker has been astounding comic-book fans with his breathtaking acrobatics, as well as his battles against a host of villains, such as the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, the Rhino, and Venom. Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide brings you everything you ever wanted to know about the wall-crawler, including the thrilling events and personalities that have shaped the life of one of the world's best-known comic-book characters. With unique access to nearly 40 years' worth of publications from the Spider-Man archives, Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide provides the in-depth guide to the world of the web-swinger. The book contains over 600 full-color images, including specially commissioned artwork that has never been seen before, and a detailed text which offers a comprehensive guide to all of the major characters and stories. Altogether, this book is a must-have for any Spider-Man fan.


About the Author
Ranking as the web-slinger's top-selling comic-book author, Tom DeFalco has written about the adventures of Spider-Man and his friends for over 20 years. At one point, he was even Marvel's Editor-in-Chief. Other titles Tom has written for Marvel include Fantastic Four: Nobody Gets Out Alive and Thor: Alone among the Celestials. He also edited the definitive Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
For more than 40 years, Spider-Man has been web-swinging his way into the hearts of comic book fans. Since that fateful spider bite, a lot has happened to him that we mere mortals just can't imagine. If you're unsure of how Spidey's story began, whom he's been battling over the years, and the many changes he's undergone, look no further than DK and Marvel's comprehensive guide to the friendliest neighborhood superhero.

In 168 full-color glossy pages, Spider-Man's legacy is thoroughly covered. The book is mainly divided into four sections -- Spider-Man in the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s -- with extra spreads devoted to "Strength & Agility," "The Ultimate Spider-Man," "Spider-Man 2099," and more. Within each section, Spider-Man's allies and enemies are given full spreads, including explanations of their powers, history, and relationship to Spidey. Descriptions of Peter Parker's time in high school, the death of his Aunt May, and the loss of his and Mary Jane's baby are also given ample room. Awesome bonuses include a foreword by creator Stan Lee, a list of the various characters' first appearances, and a map entitled "Spider-Man Around the World."

This will be a gem for any Spider-Man collection. It has all the information you need, and it contains hundreds of images, some of which have been specially commissioned just for this guide. Of particular interest will be Lee's foreword, in which he reveals his theory about why Spider-Man appeals to such a large audience. Fans are certain to climb the walls over this one. (Matt Warner)

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Enter the world of your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!

Ever since he was bitten by a radioactive spider and transformed into the amazing Spider-Man, Peter Parker has been astounding comic-book fans with his breathtaking acrobatics, as well as his battles against a host of villains, such as the Green Goblin, Doctor Octopus, the Rhino, and Venom. Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide brings you everything you ever wanted to know about the wall-crawler, including the thrilling events and personalities that have shaped the life of one of the world's best-known comic-book characters.

With unique access to nearly 40 years' worth of publications from the Spider-Man archives, Spider-Man: The Ultimate Guide provides the in-depth guide to the world of the web-swinger. The book contains over 600 full-color images, including specially commissioned artwork that has never been seen before, and a detailed text which offers a comprehensive guide to all of the major characters and stories. Altogether, this book is a must-have for any Spider-Man fan.