Title Page
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by Mark Waid & Salvador Larocca
Synopsis: Peter Parker stands over his wife Gwen and their child Richard while they sleep. Gwen awakes and wonders what Peter's problem is, he tells her to go back to sleep. Peter then goes to work out in his private gymnasium. Just then Uncle Ben arrives to take Peter out because it's his birthday. Peter then asks him to wait while he goes to shave, however Peter doesn't shave off his facial hair, he shaves off the hair on top of his head. Uncle Ben and Peter's personal body guard the Rhino are shocked by his new look.
Across town Captain Stacy is trying to get into the presentation that he's giving but the rasist mutant Skrill is denying his access. Just then J.Jonah Jameson Peter's publicist comes over and gives Skrill crap over what he's doing, as soon as Skrill finds out who he is he let's him in. Skrill is then invited to participate in the presentation. Captain Stacy then has Skrill attack him, Skrill does this during the presentation. Stacy then wips out the gadget that his daughter and son-in-law have wipped up. It's webbing, for the average solider, or police officer.
Gwen is overseeing the corporate take over of Osborn Industries. Norman and Gwen ingage in cival banter. However Norman eventually leaves in intense anger due to the fact his company has now been taken over and he's been let go. Aunt May and Richard are watching television she's shocked to see Peter shave his head. Just then Crusher Hogan barges in and frightens Aunt May. Crusher plays with Richard and puts him on his back carying him on his shoulders. He was just stopping by to drop off Peter's present.
Later on in the evening Peter hob nob's with all the socialites of New York. His birthday bash is going well, it's one luscious party. Peter then rips into J.Jonah Jameson about sucking up, and gives him a lot of crap. Uncle Ben is ashamed of Peter's actions. Later that evening someone by the name of the Green Goblin bursts in. He's dressed up in some weird purple and green halloween costume. He then makes a deal with J.Jonah Jameson to take down Spider-Man.
Review: For a reality-altered tale this one was well done. Waid and Peyer show that they still have the right mix they brough to "The Flash" during the mid 90's. They wrote an entertaining tale, also the subplots introduced through the issue show promise for the rest of the mini-series. Salvador Larroca delivers good work in his pencils, however doing two books a month have taken it's toll on him. His work is still decent, however his pencils are not up to the caliber they used to be back in his X-Treme X-Men days. However overall this issue was entertaining and well done, which makes me happy to read the next issue in the series.