This is one of my favorite Spidey issues of the Lee/Ditko era. A very engaging premise and the reveal of what's actually happening is satisfying!

Perfectly sets up Season 1 with short stories focusing on several of the core characters. Riddler, Two-Face, Catwoman's and Robin's are my favorite but all are very enjoyable.

A solid start and follow up to the Season 1 finale. I'm very curious to see where each of these threads are going. A fun set up issue that continues this wonderfully bizarre world of "Life and Death in Gotham City!"

Oh yes! A lot of pieces are being moved on the board here in intriguing ways!! Really exciting knowing that Batman is going to be confronting Ra's soon. In his five years of fighting crime in Gotham, Batman has never gone up against someone like the Demon's Head. The Demon's Brood who approached him last issue are not quite what they seem... There's a missing artifact in Gotham and Batman is one the case, Meanwhile, Killer Croc's subplot (in addition to showing the consequences of Joker's Dark Purple Dawn chemicals) begins to become clearer to the bigger picture and Robin the Boy Wonder has a case of his own to solve. This issue was a blast to read. I highly recommend listening to at least Season 1 of Audio Adventures before reading this series (Season 1 is widely available on most podcast sites) as you'd get more enjoyment from details such as the mysterious word in question along with a certain frozen prehistoric pachyderm being in the mix (I really can't believe that it is still relevant to the story and I mean that in the best way after all that build up in Season 1). This interlude is shaping to be a very enjoyable and classically chaotic entry of "Life and Death in Gotham City!"

I'm very thankful for this issue and this series. This really fills a hole in the fact that these are light, adventure filled comics that can also pack a punch when you least expect it. I felt bad for Croc in issue 1 when he got hit the Dark Purple Dawn because love isn't an emotion he has felt much if at all. This issue we get insight into Croc's backstory and this interpretation of him has a unique twist that makes him different from other versions of Croc. While Batman searches for the Sword, Robin is out trying to figure out what fearsome plot Scarecrow is cooking up. It's just a great time and it keeps getting better every issue. Dennis McNicholas, Anthony Marques, J. Bone, Dave Stewart, Ferran Delgado, Katie Kubert and Andrew Marino are all doing great work with this series. It's easy for anyone to pick up and enjoy (though I'd still reccomend people listen to Season 1 first). I can't wait for the next issue!

An very underrated DeMatteis story. Vulture is back but not for long. The clock is ticking for Adrian Toomes and he has some accounts to settle before he meets his end. DeMatteis writes a ruthless and vengeful Vulture but beneath that is a bitter old man with regrets. DeMatteis also shows Peter's desperation in trying to help Harry after the events of "The Child Within" and how they impacted Peter and Mary Jane. Great, great stuff!

A fantastic issue. Vulture confronts May Parker but why?! The answer is one that gave me immense satisfaction is DeMatteis knows his continuity with Vulture and follows up on what Roger Stern and David Michellene did with Vulture previously. Amazing, no Spectacular issue.

A brilliant ending. Vulture and Spidey have one final fight (not really obviously). There are great moments Vulture has with Spidey and a heartfelt scene with Aunt May. All this and an old friend is back in town... A wonderful and underrated arc. J.M DeMatteis AND Sal Buscema are a dream team!