Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man

   

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 111
Release Date: February 1986

Highlights

• First appearance and death of Maude Macchio, and Muramoto
• First appearance of Telithia Smith, and Louie
• The beginning of the story takes place in the middle of The Amazing Spider-Man 273, specifically when Beyonder sends Puma to Tokyo, Japan in the blink of an eye
• Puma being transported between space and time to Tokyo creates a problem for him since he can't leave until his passport is smuggled in with the appropriate entrance stamps tot he country
• Puma goes to see his old master, Muramoto, and finds out that Beyonder is there too, and that he and Muramoto have had many conversations already
• Reference is made to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars, The Amazing Spider-Man 271, 273, Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 110, Web Of Spider-Man 10, 12, 13, and Secret Wars II 6
• Spider-Man confirms that Mr. Popchik is in jail for shooting the three men who tried to mug him
• Page thirteen picks up with the events of The Amazing Spider-Man 273, when Beyonder appears before Peter and Thomas in Peter's apartment
• Beyonder makes Muramoto appear, and he's decked out like a rock star, guitar and all
• Beyonder tells Puma he's helped Muramoto discover his true calling, to become a rocker
• Beyonder is determined to help everyone he meets fulfill their destiny, and struggles that Puma's is to see him dead, yet he still feels compelled to oblige
• Puma heads to the club where Muramoto is performing to face Beyonder
• Inside the club, the owner, and widower of Maude Macchio runs towards Beyonder, also intent on killing him
• Muramoto gets between Beyond and Mr Macchio, taking the bullet meant for Beyonder
• Puma becomes one with the universe when he fits exactly into his life's roll - I guess that means he becomes all powerful, strong enough to kill even Beyonder
• Puma doubts himself for a moment, and the power of the universe leaves him just as he strikes his blow on Beyonder
• Disappointed, Beyonder explains to him what happened, and leaves saying the two are back to square one

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Editor's Day Off: Beyonder says, "I know what I want know." I think it was meant to say, "I know what I want to know."

• Spider-man makes reference to his landlord most likely issuing him a bill for the damages to his apartment caused by the gang who set it on fire - I still don't understand how that's not a landlord responsibility
• Editor's Continued Day Off: One of Thomas's employees says, "Any second now, he's gonna start ding out the pink slips!" I think it's supposed to say, "dinging"

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Public Image Ltd - This Is What You Want...This Is What You Get

While I'd call my previous experience of Public Image Ltd. (PiL) unique, it was also something that left me a bit worried for future album listening sessions. Either the band are a bunch of untalented folks who somehow got a recording contract or are musical geniuses. I can't quite decide which yet.

PiL returned to the studio in 1982 to record tracks for their fourth album. However, upon completion, the master tapes would be stolen by guitarist Keith Levene, who finished mixing the tracks himself, and delivered it to the record company as the final album.

Levene had found himself in conflict with the band over artistic direction, and his actions would be the final straw. He not only left the band, but John Lydon would abandon all the recordings for what was going to be Commercial Zone and went back into the studio. With only remaining member, Martin Atkins, and a series of session musicians, the band reworked some of the previous tracks, and released, 1984's This Is What You Want...This Is What You Get.

Prior to its release, Atkins and Lydon would set out on a tour, and record the live album, Live In Tokyo. This release is noteworthy for being the first digitally recorded album in the world. It was recorded specifically to test and take advantage of the Japanese digital technology.

Finally, we get to a PiL album that I actually bought for a reason. That would be track two, This Is Not A Love Song. Ironically, I would come to find out that the version of the tune I was originally introduced to is actually that which accompanied the MTV music video. While I don't hate this "newer" version, I do enjoy the harder guitar sound in the video cut.

At first, I was glad to see, as a whole, there was song structure for this album, vs. the previous incoherent chanting and noise of the previously released The Flowers Of Romance (1981). By track three, I was rather enjoying the bass and drum driven sounds coming through.

Things did ultimately return to chanting and ambience type music. I suppose this is simply the style of the band. Definitely not my favorite, so I suppose I'll have to settle for the first three from the album, which consisted of Bad Life, This Is Not A Love Song, and Solitude, as well as the album closer, The Order Of Death. If nothing else, there is potential here, so I'm intrigued to continue my PiL journey.

By 1985, Atkins would depart PiL. However, his leaving doesn't appear to have been a result of frustrations with the band, but rather the industry as a whole. With just $80.00 in his pocket by 1988, he turned his attention to starting his own label, invisible Records, which was founded in 1994. It remains active, and has even formed the sub-label, Underground, Inc.

Essentially left a solo act, Lydon would pick up the pieces and carry-on Public Images Ltd. as a solo act for the 1986 released Album (that's the actual title). Though he would work with several studio musicians to complete the project, one specific guitarist would be crucial in completing the tracks which ultimately became the final product. I'll dive into all of that tomorrow.

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Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 273

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 273
Release Date: February 1986

Highlights

• First appearance of Mr. Chumley, Barry Foxxe, Belinda Barkley, Dr. Arnold, and Clifton
• First appearance of 88th Street
• Thomas Fireheart meets with the Shaman and his tribe, to learn more about the threat of the Beyonder, and to prove he is worthy as the Puma to protect the world
• The tribe gives Puma a new costume
• Shaman senses that Thomas doesn't believe in their ancient legends, and he's right
• Shaman suggests Thomas seek aid from Spider-Man in his upcoming battle 
• Thomas would rather be in Japan, working on his oil deal
• Reference is made to Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 107 - 110, Secret Wars II 2, Web Of Spider-Man 6, 11, 12, 13, The Amazing Spider-Man 256, and 257
• The Cult of Cosmic Oneness has taken to the streets to spread their message
• Ned Leeds and his wife Betty are at it again, arguing in public
• When Peter arrives home, Thomas is sitting in his apartment, and while Peter doesn't recognize the man, he does know of his alter ego, Puma, which Thomas refers to himself as, and then call's Peter, Spider-Man
• Ned witnesses Betty meeting Flash Thompson
• Thomas offers Peter $5,000.00 as a retainer to help him against the Beyonder
• Puma tracks Barry Foxxe, the head of the cult down, with Spider-Man in tow
• Barry gives Puma the address to "Frank", AKA Beyonder
• Spider-Man tells him the way to the address, but then turns down the retainer, and the job from Puma
• As Puma contemplates his plan of attack from a rooftop, Beyonder appears to him, reading his thoughts, and sending him to Japan, where he knows Puma would rather be
• Thomas returns to New York, and Peter's apartment, offering a new retainer of $100,000.00 for Spider-Man's help
• Peter tells Puma he's nuts, that Beyonder is far too powerful, that all you need to do is call his name, and he will appear, which Peter does, and Beyonder does

Low Points

• None

Oddities

• Editor's Day Off: Panels with Spider-Man's lenses colored red
• Mrs. Muggins tells Peter she intends to deduct the cost of repairs for his apartment from the $1,000.00 check he recently gave her - These repairs would be her responsibility, not his

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Public Image Ltd - The Flowers Of Romance

I started picking up Public Image Ltd. (PiL) albums around the same time that I grabbed my first few from The Psychedelic Furs. Admittedly, I'm not hopeful for something that's going to blow me away. My knowledge of the band is minimal; having found a handful of tracks from them enjoyable during my many listening sessions of the 10,000 eighties songs playlist I found online a while ago.

Did that mean I had to rush out and get their entire 80's discography? Probably not. Do I suspect I'm going to regret it? Yeah, I kind of do. Deep down, I know that if I were to really go through my CD collection, I could probably whittle it down considerably. My biggest hangup being that I don't want to, and I suppose that's okay. For now, anyway, since space hasn't become a deadlock issue. But yes. I suppose there are a lot of albums on that shelf that I simply don't need or honestly want after hearing them. Let's see if the next five Retro Spins qualify for those categories, kicking it off with Public's 1981 released, The Flowers Of Romance.

Founder, John Lydon, had already rooted himself in the punk scene as lead singer Johnny Rotton of the nefarious Sex Pistols. However, when the group suddenly disbanded after just one studio album, he found himself headed to Jamaica with head of Virgin Records, Richard Branson. Initially, Branson, who also flew the band Devo out to the island country, wanted to install Lydon into their band as the new lead singer. Devo declined.

With no luck abroad, Lydon returned to the UK and placed advertisements for members. Additionally, he approached his old friend, Jah Wobble, to join. The problem, however, was that Wobble was not an established player. Instead, much like he had with Sid Vicious, Lydon felt he would pick it up as they went, which he proved to do.

Another friend, Keith Levene, who had worked with The Clash until 1976, was asked to join, and accepted. The group would then be rounded out by Jim Walker, a newly arrived Canadian student to the UK, who answered the add in Melody Maker.

The four would begin rehearsing, soon adopting the name Public Image, and adding Ltd. in July of 1978. They debuted in October with their single, Public Image, a song written by Lydon while still with the Pistols and discussed his feelings of being exploited by their manager Malcolm McLaren. The song would become successful in the UK, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. It would also start some buzz in the USA upon being imported over. This was followed by their debut, Public Image: First Issue.

Walker would depart the band, making way for a series of drummers who also came and went, and three of which contributed to their follow-up album, Metal Box (1979); David Humphrey, Richard Dudanski, and Martin Atkins. The latter would say in 2001 that recording sessions were chaotic, with his audition for the band actually being the recording session for what would become the singe, Bad Baby.

PiL would have a series of contentious live shows between 1980 and 1981. Among them was their infamous appearance on American Bandstand, where the band abandoned lip syncing, and instead invited the audience on stage. Despite what one would think, Dick Clark would name it among his one hundred favorite Bandstand performances.

Consisting of Lydon, Levene, Wobble, and Atkin at this point, the band released the 1980 Live album, Paris au Printemps. However, shortly after its release, Wobble would depart. Because the band didn't formally replace him, their 1981 released, The Flowers Of Romance, was noted for its complete lack of bass.

The combination of Atkins' propulsive marching band-style drumming, the lack of bass and guitar, and Lydon's increasing lyrical abstraction made this album a difficult listen for rock fans, and contemporary reviews expressed great confusion. Levene would describe it as, "the least commercial record ever delivered to a record company."

Despite this, Flowers would peak at number eleven in the UK, making it another success for the band. The album's title track would be the only single released, and it too would reach a respectable number twenty-four on the UK charts. Though it's worth noting, the single version differed from the album recording.

And after all of the above, we finally jump into today's Retro Spin.

From the above, right off the bat, the album sounds like it's a complete mess. High hopes I do not have.

The opening track, Four Enclosed Walls is actually quite intriguing. Incredibly different from any other type of music I was listening to in the 80's. I think what actually hooks me the most is the drumming, which makes sense to my personal tastes. Though Lydon's chanting got a little annoying, I dug it overall.

This, however, wore thin fast. It became very apparent by track two that PiL wasn't actually delivering any songs. Rather, just ambience. I dare say this album would have been better suites as the soundtrack to Dune.

I'm not going to hate on it because The Flowers Of Romance is definitely unique. However, I do hope that their remaining albums of the decade aren't like this. Otherwise, I see myself tapping out fast. Overall, the album feels like it was done by a group of untalented amateurs, who were afforded some time in a studio, with the end result being nothing coherent.

Drama for PiL would continue, seeing members coming and going, and even a fourth studio album in which the masters were stolen by one of the band's own members. Perhaps, if nothing else, the internal turmoil of the band is more interesting than the actual music. But we'll catch up with that tomorrow.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.