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| The Entertainment Review |
| By: Seth Grahame-Smith Publisher: Quirk Books |
Since his creation in the early 1960s, the Spider-Man series has brought in millions of dollars in revenue and sold
countless copies of comic books, movies and toys. It's also inspired author Seth Grahame-Smith and illustrator Carlo
Barberi to write what fans have craved for more than 40 years. "The Spider-Man Handbook," is a tongue in cheek
look at all of the aspects of the superhero's life. It is a 173 page guide that uses every reference possible to create
an amazing satire of both comic-book characters and training manuals. Complete with a foreword by Marvel Comics'
own Stan Lee, the handbook aims to remind its readers of why the web-slinger still maintains his popularity after more
than four decades of saving New York City from every threat imaginable, both from on this earth and from outer
space.
Because of the fact that this book has no plot at all, Grahame-Smith freely moves around in Spider-Man's history,
making humor the only goal throughout the manual's five different chapters. The book will never be on any summer
reading lists, but Grahame-Smith's writing is clever, and at times brilliant. By presenting a variety of old clichés in new
ways and inserting subtle humor into each line, stating the obvious has never been so funny to read. The great thing
about this book is the fact that readers are able to pick it up to read for a couple minutes and can easily put it back
down and return to it at a later time. Each of the areas of the book are short and don’t require a lot of time on the
reader’s part.
Though the writing throughout this ultimate guide makes the journey through Peter Parker's world enjoyable, it is the
illustrations that really hold this book together. Barberi, who regularly sketches for comic books, presents his unique
technique of drawing. Every illustration is easily recognized as being drawn in the style of a Spider-Man comic book,
but the colors are all shades of red or blue, Spider-Man’s signature colors. A step up from the usually boxed in comic
book illustrators, Barberi displays his artistic ability and in some ways surpasses the author's humor. This of course
isn’t a good thing for the author, but it is a great thing for the reader because they are able to get a look at some
great classic Spider-Man comic book style art outside of the comic book realm.
Despite the amazing illustrations and the many one liners of Grahame-Smith, "The Spider-Man Handbook" is not
enough for the $15.95 price tag that is attached to it. The book lacks any moments wherein anyone besides a comic
book fan would laugh out loud. In addition, it is almost too saturated with little jokes and quick puns that at times it
seems that the author is trying a little bit too hard to get a tiny chuckle out of the reader. Also, because of its timing
with the third Spider-Man installment, the handbook may have been constructed out of promotional purpose instead
of creative genius. Indeed, the book is clever, but in no way does it demonstrate genius.
countless copies of comic books, movies and toys. It's also inspired author Seth Grahame-Smith and illustrator Carlo
Barberi to write what fans have craved for more than 40 years. "The Spider-Man Handbook," is a tongue in cheek
look at all of the aspects of the superhero's life. It is a 173 page guide that uses every reference possible to create
an amazing satire of both comic-book characters and training manuals. Complete with a foreword by Marvel Comics'
own Stan Lee, the handbook aims to remind its readers of why the web-slinger still maintains his popularity after more
than four decades of saving New York City from every threat imaginable, both from on this earth and from outer
space.
Because of the fact that this book has no plot at all, Grahame-Smith freely moves around in Spider-Man's history,
making humor the only goal throughout the manual's five different chapters. The book will never be on any summer
reading lists, but Grahame-Smith's writing is clever, and at times brilliant. By presenting a variety of old clichés in new
ways and inserting subtle humor into each line, stating the obvious has never been so funny to read. The great thing
about this book is the fact that readers are able to pick it up to read for a couple minutes and can easily put it back
down and return to it at a later time. Each of the areas of the book are short and don’t require a lot of time on the
reader’s part.
Though the writing throughout this ultimate guide makes the journey through Peter Parker's world enjoyable, it is the
illustrations that really hold this book together. Barberi, who regularly sketches for comic books, presents his unique
technique of drawing. Every illustration is easily recognized as being drawn in the style of a Spider-Man comic book,
but the colors are all shades of red or blue, Spider-Man’s signature colors. A step up from the usually boxed in comic
book illustrators, Barberi displays his artistic ability and in some ways surpasses the author's humor. This of course
isn’t a good thing for the author, but it is a great thing for the reader because they are able to get a look at some
great classic Spider-Man comic book style art outside of the comic book realm.
Despite the amazing illustrations and the many one liners of Grahame-Smith, "The Spider-Man Handbook" is not
enough for the $15.95 price tag that is attached to it. The book lacks any moments wherein anyone besides a comic
book fan would laugh out loud. In addition, it is almost too saturated with little jokes and quick puns that at times it
seems that the author is trying a little bit too hard to get a tiny chuckle out of the reader. Also, because of its timing
with the third Spider-Man installment, the handbook may have been constructed out of promotional purpose instead
of creative genius. Indeed, the book is clever, but in no way does it demonstrate genius.
