Spider-Man: The Octopus Agenda

By: Diane Duane, Marvel

Narrated by: Tim Paige

An investigation into a simple cellular-phone fraud leads both Peter Parker and his alter-ego, the Amazing Spider-Man, to a fiendish plot: using unique counterfeiting equipment and a devastatingly large stock-pile of bombs, someone plans to destabilize the world's economy and destroy several major cities. The mysterious corporation CCRC is involved in this plan - and they have caused trouble in the past for Spider-Man and for the alien symbiote Venom, who has sworn to kill Spidey.

Soon both hero and villain learn that the mastermind behind that old trouble and the new danger is none other than Spider-Man's oldest, most dangerous enemy: Doctor Octopus. Now Spider-Man and Venom must put aside their differences and join forces to stop the greater menace of Doctor Octopus before the villain devastates the planet!

©2020 Marvel (P)2020 Marvel

Spider-Man Vs the 5000 phone bill

The book starts like a typical 90’s Spidey story. Pete and MJ are struggling for money. Then they get hit with a 5000 bill. MJ is enraged. The mob has been cloning phone numbers to make fast money. Spider-Man investigates the rabbit hole. So much fun. 😃

Meh.

The story reads like a detective thriller with a bit too much emphasis on mundane (and irrelevant) things. It really needed more Spider-Man and Doc Ock, and less secondary characters. Oh and Venom is there too... Though if I'm being honest he seemed like much more the hero than Spider-Man was in this. It's not horrible, but it left a lot to be desired.

Mostly RL Mary Jane drama

The supposed main villan is barely in the story. More time us spent on MJs boring job stuff than Spider-Man activities. Very well performed, but poorly written and structured.