Welcome to the nineteenth issue of Convention Sketches!

We feature a convention sketch here every week. We’ve got a whole pile of our own, but we want to see yours, too. Email us convention sketches you want to show off and let us know what website you’d like credited for it. (bigshinyrobot(at)gmail.com)

This week, Sean Leslie from the Wednesday Warriors podcast sent in this great Punisher sketch by Mark Texeira.

This week I am writing about the newest issue of one of my all time favorite comic books; Ultimate Spider-Man. The newest issue, out this week, is #155. It is a prelude issue to the Death of Spider-Man, which is pretty much another ploy from Marvel to get people off their asses and buy some comic books.

But I digress, back to issue #155, and like I state in all of my reviews, SPOILER ALERT! This issue starts out with Peter getting fired from his job because he was missing a lot of work when he fights crime. Peter hangs his head in shame and walks out the door only to get a call from J. Jonah Jameson telling him they need to talk. For people not keeping up with the series, Jameson has found out that Peter Parker is actually Spider-Man when Peter and him were kidnapped by the Chameleon. Jameson ended up getting shot in the head, leading readers to believe he would lose his memories of Peter’s secret identity, but Jameson and his memories survived. Since then, he has had the Daily Bugle writing stories in Spider-Mans favor instead of blasting him. The fact that Jameson calls Peter out of the blue got me pretty excited as I had almost forgotten he knew about Peter and I am now ready to see where this story goes.

The majority of the issue takes place in Jameson’s office at the Daily Bugle where he has a heart to heart with Peter. It is revealed that Jameson would have died if the bullet had been three centimeters to the right. Because of this, he feels he owes a debt to Peter. This is a new side to Jameson we have not seen before; a man searching his soul for the right thing to do. Of course, his first initial reaction was to out Peter in the Daily Bugle knowing damn well this would bring more business, but after much contemplation, he decided this would not be the wisest choice.

Jameson decides he wants to do something for the boy who saved his life and asks Peter what he would like. All Peter asks for is to get his old job back working for the Daily Bugles website, but on the condition that he can miss a day or two or three when he must be out doing his good deeds as Spider-Man. Jameson does not believe that Peter’s request is anything special and asks Peter why he wants a job when he has such powers. Peter simply states that with all he can do, it will never pay his bills and he would like to go to college someday. Hearing this, Jameson states he will pay Peter’s way through college, but that is not what Peter wants. Like a sucker, he wants to earn the money himself. Jameson really seems like he wants to help Peter so he agrees to give him his job back with a hefty pay raise and opens Peter a college scholarship. But what would a story be without a catch.

Jameson states to Peter he just wants one thing in return – the Daily Bugle gets all exclusive story rights to Spider-Man stories. With a shake of the hands Peter agrees and then leaves. As he is heading home, he comes across a fight between another costumed hero and a bunch of crooks on roller blades. Spider-Man swings in to help save the day and discovers the costumed hero is none other than Kitty Pryde, formally of the X-Men. A while back, she had been revealed as a mutant (a crime in the Ultimate universe now) and ever since has been in hiding. After the fight is won, Peter talks her in to coming home to see Booby Drake (Iceman), Johnny Storm (the Human Torch), and Gwen Stacey, whom are all living with Peter and Aunt May. Just one big happy family. Kitty Pryde decides to go home with him and they walk into a surprise birthday party for Peter (his 16th). The party is a great success. When Mary Jane gets a private moment with Peter she hands him Tony Stark’s gift, a pair of newly redesigned web shooters.

In last month’s podcast, we discussed some theories on how the ‘death’ of Spider-Man was going to go down. My own personal theory was that Marvel won’t kill off their huge money maker (even if it is only in the Ultimate universe), but that they would kill Tony Stark and have Peter Parker take over as Iron Man. Essentially, this would “kill off” Spider-Man. After reading this issue, I believe my theory is soon to be fact!

In conclusion, Brain Michael Bendis, who has written Ultimate Spider-Man since the beginning, has always been a favorite of mine. For a while there he was pumping out dozens of comics each month and I have never been disappointed. Bendis has kept Ultimate Spider-Man at the top of my reading pile for years and I’m sure it will remain there for years to come. I will admit I miss Mark Bagley’s art, the artist for the first hundred plus issues, but for me it’s more about the story nowadays. I am finding that when the art in comics is great, it is just an added bonus.

If you haven’t checked out Ultimate Spider-man, do it! I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Now let’s get off our collective asses and buy some comic books.

SO, the folks at Marvel sent us a First Look of their “Hero Formerly Known as Captain America” Annual #1. I can’t really comment on it, because there is just art in this preview, but at least it’s good art! Apparently, this is the second part in a 3-part annual event. Like I said, I’m not terribly sure of what’s going on, but I will say it’s kind of cool to see Namor in a hybridized X-uniform! Don’t tkae my word for it, here’s is the the take, directly from the House of Ideas!

Marvel is pleased to present your first look at the second cataclysmic chapter of “Escape From The Negative Zone,” from writer James Asmus and artist Ibraim Roberson in Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier Annual #1! The X-Men have been marked for execution by King Blastaar but luckily, Steve Rogers is on his way into enemy territory to save them! Can the original Sentinel of Liberty take on the entire Negative Zone alone?

Spinning directly into next month’s Namor: The First Mutant Annual #1, the senses-shattering crossover event of the spring continues in Steve Rogers: Super-Soldier Annual #1! With their biggest threat still a mystery, can Steve and the X-Men make it out of the King Blastaar’s realm alive?

Plus don’t forget to see how this epic story begins in Uncanny X-Men Annual #3 on sale next week!

STEVE ROGERS: SUPER-SOLDIER ANNUAL #1 (FEB110542)
Written by JAMES ASMUS
Penciled by IBRAIM ROBERSON
Cover by BLACK FROG
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 3/21/11, On Sale – 4/13/11

So- the facebook page for X-Men: First Class just released two of the new teaser posters for their film and I just have to say… they are just awful.

No really- they are BAD:

Someone had a deadline and forgot about it until 3 o’clock that morning, hopped onto their computer and clicked the “learn how to photoshop” button… these were the results… How many millions of dollars are being spent on this film? So far EVERY image, official or not, that has been released of the film has made it look like it was made in my backyard with Li’l Stevie’s allowance. His dad has Photoshop and Premiere too!

The only thing they can do to salvage this mess is; on April 1- put up some PROFESSIONALLY designed posters, none of this cheap LiveTrace crap- and announce that these original releases were all just a big “April Fools” joke.

Hey there True Believers,

This week Marvel released some teaser posters for the upcoming Thor and X-men: First Class movies. There is a lot of mixed buzz about both of these films. I hear just as much consternation and doubt as I do excitement and praise for both titles. It seems like every one keeps waiting for new images, trailers, interviews – ANYTHING that releases more details to help tip the scales of judgment one way or the other. Oddly – Both of these posters seem VERY lack luster to me. Not giving any more away than has been previously.
With the Thor banner – yeah I am pretty sure we all know who was cast in it. Idras Elba being the most obscure actor on the poster to American audiences. Is Heimdall more predominant in the film than we thought? Is THAT the only gem of knowledge we can gleam from this? Or did the studio think that Elba was simply more recognizable to American audiences than the basically unknown-to-Americans Tom Hiddleston who plays Loki (which anyone that knows anything about Thor – is kind of infallibly the Villain)??? With the X-men: First Class poster – um, why are we seeing this film? OH yeah – THAT is right, I remember now. Because we can not help our selves. Curiosity in the most glaring voyeuristic fashion has us at the edge of our collective nerd seat. We all want something that is amazing – to be as awesome and spot on as the first X-men movie was. But I think every one loves a train wreck in some regard as well. And there is plenty to suggest that X-men: First Class may be a film that Marvel will wish we all forget in a couple of year when they reboot the franchise AGAIN.

This week in comics is rather tepid. But that might be the quiet before the storm. As NEXT WEEK marvel starts moving out the first of the “FEAR ITSELF” story arch that promises to consume the entire Marvel Universe (i.e. – all the standard titles) for the summer. For those of you such as my self that have been following the Age of X story arch in the X titles – the Third chapter continues on this week with X-MEN LEGACY #246. But back again to FEAR ITSELF. Is it JUST me – or is Cyclops TOTALLY making the “Blue Steel” face in this poster??

Here is the official list of Marvel Releases this week.

Comics On-Sale:

5 RONIN #2 AJA COVER

5 RONIN #2 BROOKS VARIANT

CAPTAIN AMERICA & THE KORVAC SAGA #4

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND THE FIRST THIRTEEN #1

HAWKEYE: BLINDSPOT #2

INCREDIBLE HULKS #624

INCREDIBLE HULKS #624 CAPTAIN AMERICA 70TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT

NEW AVENGERS #10

ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED #2

PUNISHERMAX #11

SIGIL #1

SIGIL #1 MCGUINNESS VARIANT

SUPER HEROES #12

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #155

ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #155 PICHELLI VARIANT

UNCANNY X-FORCE: THE APOCALYPSE SOLUTION #1

VENOM #1

VENOM #1 QUESADA SKETCH VARIANT

VENOM #1 SIQUEIRA VARIANT

X-23 #7

X-23: INNOCENCE LOST MGC #1

X-MEN LEGACY #246

Collections On-Sale:

DEADPOOL VOL. 5: WHAT HAPPENED IN VEGAS TPB

DEADPOOL VOL. 6: I RULE, YOU SUCK PREMIERE HC

GIRL COMICS TPB

HULK VOL. 6: WORLD WAR HULKS TPB

MARVEL ADVENTURES THOR: BRINGERS OF THE STORM DIGEST

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VOL. 13 HC

NEW MUTANTS: FALL OF THE NEW MUTANTS PREMIERE HC

POWER PACK CLASSIC VOL. 3 TPB

SHADOWLAND: MOON KNIGHT PREMIERE HC

THOR THE MIGHTY AVENGER VOL. 2 GN-TPB

ULTIMATE COMICS THOR PREMIERE HC

WOLVERINE WEAPON X VOL. 3: TOMORROW DIES TODAY TPB

To find a comic shop near you, call 1-888-comicbook or visit www.comicshoplocator.com

So, have you had enough Marvel Zombies yet? Marvel is hoping he answer is no, because they have a “new” direction they are taking the long running series of mini series! That’s right, starting in May (which is odd, considering the subject), Marvel is retelling Charles Dickens’ classic tale… with zombies!

Marvel Zombies Christmas Carol is a decidedly macabre twist on the time honored tale of Ebeneezer Scrooge. As the Hungry Death consumes the land, Ebeneezer Scrooge must be sent back to Christmases past with his undead friend Jacob Marley to learn the origin of this vicious scourge. Written by Jim McCann with art by David Baldeon, this comic is sure to make you shudder, one way or another. Here is McCann’s take on the concept:

“When we started working on this idea, I was amazed at how well the original text worked in with the concept of the undead. We’ve taken a way to introduce ‘zombies’ in a Victorian manner, keeping with the chilling tale Dickens crafted in the 1800s. I think that David’s amazing designs show you how well it will look. We aren’t going for campiness or shoving zombies into a popular story, but for true Victorian horror…and a small glimmer of hope that lies in one man’s cold heart: Scrooge!”

I like his enthusiasm, but isn’t adding zombie to a Christmas Carol literally “shoving zombies into a popular story”? Artist Baldeon had this to add:

“This book is not about drawing zombies just because they’re fun. It’s about the characters, the horror, and a fresh yet horrifying look at Victorian terror while following along the lines of Jim’s great script. It’s about giving this book its own atmosphere and feel and making it look like no other version of Christmas Carol ever has.”

Yes, because exchanging ghost for zombies is a fresh take! I kid Marvel and the creators. While it’s easy to take potshots at a tired, tired concept, I’m sure the creators involved are giving it their all. This obviously isn’t a book for me personally, but I am sure that it’ll hit the spot for some of you. I have to admit though, getting Michael Kaluta to do covers is awesome. Marvel Zombies Christmas Carol #1 will be on sale May 4th and will retail for $3.99. Take a look at some of the concept art and sample covers below!

It’s time for another installment of This Week IN Comics!

Big Shiny Robot! has a weekly column in the Salt Lake City alt-weekly IN Magazine and every week we bring it to you on the site.

If you live in the greater Salt Lake area, you can pick up a copy of IN Magazine up from one of their ubiquitous newsstands, and we would highly suggest that you do.

You can read the online version of the story here.

This week we talk about Wolverine’s healing factor…

Of course, we already knew Hugo Weaving was playing. the Red Skull. We even got a split second glimpse of him in the Captain America trailer. Now, thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we get a full shot of Weaving in full Skull regalia.

It is interesting to note that in this shot, the Red Skull is wearing a comics-perfect insignia of the evil Hydra organization in his belt buckle. Before you get into a tizzy though, EW in their article explicitly states that the Red Skull is the end product of Nazi super-soldier experimentation. This is thankfully true to the character, and all I can say is, at least he’s not Italian!

The EW article is also chock full of other useful information, such as the fact that, in the movie, the Super-Soldier serum amplifies traits already present in the subject. For instance, if you’re a paragon like Steve Rogers, you become Man Plus. If you’re a not-so-goodnik like Johann Schmidt, you become a symbol of death. It’s also worth mentioning that the title of the movie will be The First Avenger for international release, due to concerns about the name “Captain America” no being salable overseas.

So, enjoy the pic, share your thoughts, and be sure to read the rest of the EW article, for more general Cap info, including the full interview with director Joe Johnston.

Hey there True Believers!

This week brings all sorts of goodies. If anything – I have to say I have been so impressed by Marvel’s commitment to get a wide variety of talented artists it made me wish that the monthly comics were 48 pages at a go. Per example; ASTONISHING THOR who’s 3rd issue comes out this week sports some amazing art by Tim Bradstreet and a larger more cosmic story than we might expect for Thor written by Robert Rodi. Should you need a justifying example to some n00b that comics are a higher medium of story telling then the juvenile stuff so often assumed – this issue is a fine specimen. BUT- if juvenile be what you seek, if you long for the manic sheer goofiness of comics from ,oh, say – the 90’s? Then I HIGHLY recommend hunting down ANNIHILATORS #1 staring Rocket Raccoon. Its just plain F***ed up. But in a glorious kind of way. I don’t know how old the writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning are. But if I see either of these guys at a convention I am going to ask them where the fountain of youth is, cause I think they might just have it.

This week in particular brings a special kind of thrill for me. How so you ask? Is it my birthday? No. Is a much anticipated story arch starting? Well – sorta. See my fellow nerds – this week, I am proven RIGHTEOUS. And WHAT nerd doesn’t LOVE being righteous?!?. In May of 2009 Marvel released their comic book version of Jane Austin’s classic “Pride and Prejudice”. I vehemently hated it – and wrote a blog enumerating my extreme dislike of it not only as a female comic book reader, but also as the daughter of a Jane Austin fanatic. This week – they are releasing ANOTHER Jane Austin novel adapted into a comic book; the classic “Emma”. And I have to say – it looks like maybe – just MAYBE some one at Marvel was listening (and that I was most likely NOT alone in vocalizing distaste in the run).

So If you are a comic nerd with a young daughter (as many a nerd I know) – I HIGHLY recommend Marvel’s EMMA #1. Janet K. Lee’s art is quirky and whimsical and fits the subject matter with a Cinderella slipper-like perfect fit. It is great to see Marvel figure out that if you are going to try to tap into the romantically inclined tween demographic – maybe you should actually make it appealing to young girls.

After all – they don’t have that whole Rogue/ Gambit thing going on in the X-men like they did when I was a tween (which WAS the Twilight of my generation).

Here is the official list of Marvel comic, trades, and posters out as of TODAY.

Comics On-Sale:

5 RONIN #1 AJA COVER

5 RONIN #1 CASSADAY VARIANT

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #651 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #652 2ND PRINTING VARIANT

ANNIHILATORS #1

ANNIHILATORS #1 MIGNOLA VARIANT

ASTONISHING THOR #3

ASTONISHING X-MEN MGC #1

AVENGERS ACADEMY #10

AVENGERS, THOR & CAPTAIN AMERICA: OFFICIAL INDEX TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE #11

CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1

CAPTAIN AMERICA: HAIL HYDRA #3

DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #6

DEADPOOL #33.1

EMMA #1

FEAR ITSELF SKETCHBOOK

FORMIC WARS: BURNING EARTH #2

HEROES FOR HIRE #4

HEROES FOR HIRE #4 TOLIBAO VARIANT

INCOGNITO: BAD INFLUENCES #4

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500 2ND PRINTING WRAPAROUND VARIANT

MARVEL SUPER STARS MAGAZINE 1

MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME #1

MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME #1 SUYDAM VARIANT

OZ PRIMER

POWERS #7

SECRET WARRIORS #25

THE STAND: NO MAN’S LAND #2

THE ULTIMATES MGC #1

THOR POSTER BOOK

THOR SPOTLIGHT

THUNDERBOLTS #154

ULTIMATE COMICS CAPTAIN AMERICA #3

WOLVERINE/HERCULES: MYTHS, MONSTERS & MUTANTS #1

WOLVERINE: THE BEST THERE IS #4

X-FACTOR #216

Collections On-Sale:

ESSENTIAL X-MEN VOL. 2 TPB

TAKIO GN-HC

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE MIGHTY THOR VOL. 2 TPB

THE THANOS IMPERATIVE HC

MARVELMAN FAMILY’S FINEST PREMIERE HC

WOLVERINE: WOLVERINE GOES TO HELL PREMIERE HC

DARK TOWER: TREACHERY TPB

SPIDER-MAN: GRIM HUNT TPB

THOR: FIRST THUNDER TPB

THOR: TALES OF ASGARD TPB COIPEL COVER

THOR: TALES OF ASGARD TPB KIRBY COVER

VENOM BY DANIEL WAY ULTIMATE COLLECTION TPB

Posters On-Sale:

FEAR ITSELF BY STUART IMMONEN POSTER

I like doing the Secret Origins column, I really do. I also like alliteration, which was great when I was posting these on Sunday. Now it seems that Tuesday into Wednesday is my de facto time to post them, I decided to drop the day of the week from the title. This probably concerns no one other than me, but I figured why not have an explanation just in case someone wonders. That being said, on with the show.

Since March ushers in springtime, and springtime means all the little fuzzy animals are coming out to play again, this month in Secret Origins will feature nothing but animal heroes! Now, I don’t mean folks like Puma, Wildebeest, or the Blue Jay, though that would be cool too. I mean I am showcasing heroes who are animals and to start with is my personal favorite. I credit Peter Porker for helping me get into comics at a young age. I would get a dollar every month from my aunt to spend at her workplace, which was an IGA. Since comics back then were 60 cents, I could pick up an issue of Spider-Ham and get some candy for good measure. It was a good time. Spider-Ham also became the first book I ever sent a letter to, it never got published, but I remember to this day I wrote about issue 13 which had movie monster parodies. Anyway, enough reminiscing. You guys came here to read an origin, but not mine. Let’s get on with, the Secret Origin of Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham!

As with many Spider-Ham stories, this one opens in the offices of the Daily Beagle. J. Jonah Jackal and his apprentices the Junior Newsboys (Upton Cat, Bunsen Bunny, and Jeremiah Jackal Jr.) are having a brainstorm. An epiphany is reached, but we aren’t told what it is. J.J.J. whisks the youngsters out and they run into Peter Porker who is told by Jackal to meet them at the Junior Newsboy Clubhouse with his camera, as there will be shots galore to take. Peter, who decides he has a few hours to kill trolls around the Beagle offices. He decides to give his love life a shot in the arm by trying to romance the charming Batty Brant. She doesn’t seem to be interested…

Ah, Romance.

With an internal monologue to rival Spider-Man himself, Porker dries himself off and thinks to himself that he’s a grown pig, this won’t phase him! He’s gonna get right back on that horse and show Batty how much of a mature, cool and collected pig he is. And so:

Really, they’re as good a couple as David & Maddie

Peter then sulks to himself. As he continues his inner monologue, he knows he’s been stung to the core. He paces the offices of the Beagle, cursing his lack of social graces and his own abilities, asking whatever did he do to deserve this? Just as he is on his knees in a puddle of his own tears, the omniscient narrator takes us to flashback land, where we’ll indeed learn how Peter Porker’s lot and life became so “grim”.

Hey it's Peter! Waitaminnit...

Yes, our humble hero started out as a lowly spider, what a twist, eh? Wait, it gets better. As Peter sits in his web, heretofore unknown genius, May Porker is about to test her nuclear-powered hairdryer! She is convinced that this will make her the envy of scientists and hairdressers all over the world, but what happens instead could only happen in a comic that is a parody of another fantastic use of radioactivity!

Radioactivity! It's good for what ails ya! (Unless radioactivity ailed you)

Of course it went haywire! May, driven quite nutty over getting a healthy dose of nuclear power attacks the first thing in her sights. It is, of course, Peter the Spider. May shuffles over in zombie-like fashion and chomps the poor spider on the head. While you may think this would kill the arachnid, keep in mind we are dealing with comic book physics here…

Of course it did, Pete.

After that, Mr. Porker’s origin plays out much like Spider-Man’s own. he is spooked by a car and scales a building and the like, wondering all the while if he’s a spider with the limitations of a pig, or a pig with the proportionate strength and agility of a spider. He even meets with some of the locals…

Even after all these years, the book is still pretty funny.

After testing his new (old) abilities, Peter realizes that he left May unattended. I’m not sure if he goes back because he’s genuinely concerned or if he wants to make sure she doesn’t bite anyone else. At any rate, he gets back just as she is coming around. The ordeal really messed with May, as she immediately recognizes Peter as her nephew and offers to make him some cookies, her boundless intellect seemingly gone. Peter immediately plays along, and we find out it’s because he doesn’t want the shock to kill her and not because he wants free room and board. Go figure. The days go on, and Peter makes do with what he has…

Paranormal Crimbusterdom, eh? At least the narration is original.

Having made the decision to be a super hero out of the blue, Peter may not be the most committed hero in the books, but the Spider-Ham is born, which brings us back to the present. No sooner do we get back to Peter on his way to the clubhouse, he gets accosted by his high school nemesis, Flash Tomcat. rubbing Peter’s nose in the fact that he never has a girlfriend. This is the last straw for our hero, and he swears off superheroing for good (I told you he wasn’t committed). After his decision, Peter gets to the Junior Newsboy Clubhouse, where he finds Jonah and his three young charges dressed to the nine in superhero regalia. Rather than recount all four origins of the Black Jackal and his Beagle Brigadeers, I’m just gonna show you.

I want a novelty weight that says “several tons” just for fun.

The new heroes take off in their souped up Beaglemobile and take to the streets, with peter tagging along for photo ops. Before you know it, they come across Jonah’s old pal, Andy Warthog. Andy is enamored with the groups outfits and says they simply must attend his party later that night. Quicker than you can say “Campbell’s Tomato Soup”, they arrive…

Save me from bad pun names, someone, anyone!

We’re treated to another page of punderful name-dropping (I will admit Mel Gibbon was pretty inspired, though) before my prayers are answered with the arrival of the Hobgobbler!

You have to love a villain who picks a motif and sticks with it.

Peter is sitting on the sidelines as this happens, seeing as he’s quit the hero biz. Just then, Hobgobbler kidnaps Barbara Mandrill, the famous country singer! Luckily, we have super heroes already on the scene! Andy Warthog goes to fetch the be-costumed folk, but they are fast asleep, the lateness of the party catching up with them. Peter laments that no one can save Mandrill now, but he’s looking out for number one from now on. Peter then proves he has what it take to be considered a hero, and his uncle didn’t even need to be shot!

In case you were wondering, that’s Mick Jaguar.

And so, the Spectacular Spider-Ham is in hot pursuit. He chases Hobgobbler across the rooftops, dodging tomato bombs all the way. Some choice banter back and forth ensues, until Spider-Ham decides it’s time to end this…

“Oh, Hi there Mr. Fi– OWWW!”

With the first (and only) punch thrown, Hobgobbler high tails it, dropping Ms. Mandrill as he makes his getaway. Spider-Ham makes a spectacular catch, and returns her safely back to the party. Back in his civilian clothes, Peter is now tasked with taking the still sleeping Jackal boys back home, lamenting a hero’s work is never done. Don’t feel too bad for our stalwart hero though, things may finally be taking a turn for the better in his love life once he gets home to Aunt May.

And there you have it. I was actually pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed reading this story as an adult. It does what all ages books should do, appeal on multiple levels. Sadly, a mere two issues after this was published, Spider-Ham started walking the road to obscurity, forced into the backup of Marvel Tales, and then limbo. Recently, he has re-appeared in a truly awful Civil War one-shot, and a pretty great 25th anniversary issue. Time will tell if the whole hog is back for good!

This story originally appeared in Peter Porker #15 May, 1987 As far as I know it has not been reprinted, but Marvel has made a digest of early Peter Porker stories available.

Ok readers, still here? I hope you liked this week’s Secret Origin! What animal would like to see for the rest of this theme month? Captain Carrot? Rocket Raccoon? Just a Lotta Animals? Tell me in the comments, and I’ll see what I can do!