The later issues were better but this is still a superb collection.
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These are great stories from a time well before the Marvel universe was torn apart by anti-Mutant laws, civil war and other catastophes.
Right from the early days Marvel's main characters were popping in and out of each others titles so this was a logical extension mainly featuring Marvel's main character Spider-Man with the Human Torch taking up the slack.
Included here are the first 24 issues of the first Team-Up series, the first few issues featured Spider-Man and the Torch together. The opener featuring the Sandman in a seasonal Christmas tale of good will. The Sandman returns next issue with the Frightful Four, with a hypnotised Spidey making up the numbers and Annihilus almost escaping from the Negative Zone.
The last of the opening tales features the return of Morbius, the living vampire. The Morbius tale is the first of the multi-part tales included here which starts with Spidey and the Torch and ending with a Spidey and X-Men team-up defeating Morbius.
From here-on we get The Vision then the Thing in another extended tale with the Puppet Master and the Thinker. Then Thor, with a trip to Asgard followed by The Cat in a women's lib tale. Next along is a great 3 part series set in the future as first Spidey fights along-side Iron-Man then the Human Torch and the Inhumans as they battle Zarrko, the Tomorrow Man and Kang the Conqueror, also featuring the Avengers.
A series of one offs follows featuring The Werewolf, Captain America and SHIELD, Sub-Mariner seeking revenge against Dorcas and Tiger-Shark, then the Ghost Rider. Captain Marvel appears in a tale that sees the first appearance of the Basilisk that overlaps into the next tale as Spidey and Mr.Fantastic go in search of the imprisoned Captain Marvel in the realm of the Mole-Man.
Giving Spidey a brief rest the Torch and Hulk take on Blastaar.
Spidey returns as he journeys to the Savage Land and takes on Stegron the dinosaur man featuring Ka-zar, a tale that is finished off as Spidey and the Black Panther tackle Stegron's dinosaur horde in New York in a tale that is visually great but marred by a weaker plot with some very obvious holes.
The closing tales see Spidey with Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, then The Torch and Ice-Man team up to fight Equinox and this volume ends with Spidey teaming-up with Brother Voodoo.
Events in Spidey's own mag are not ignored with Harry Osborn and Mary Jane appearing. The artwork is superb throughout, The Gil Kane issues do look much better in colour though.
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This is a great introduction into the Marvel Universe
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This is the Essential book to buy for your son or nephew. If you are an ageing comic (or ex-comic) fan who despairs at the lack of interest the kids in your family have for the Marvel Universe. I cannot think of a better (or cheaper) way to introduce them to so many of the great characters created by Marvel. Each story is only one or two issues long and features as guest stars many of the greats such as Iron Man and the Fantastic Four down to the less well known Brother Voodoo and Ka-zar.I remember reading these when I was about 10 and thinking how fantastic it was for Spidey to be sharing an adventure with Captain America or the Thing! Although these stories are not classics They did get pretty good in later issues though) they are an ideal jumping on point for the casual reader or youngster. I would highly recommend this volume as a gift (especially for a child between 7 to 11) or for a trip down memory lane for yourself. The only reason I have not given it stars is because the quality of writing does not begin to shine until later issues of this title.
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