Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 26

The Hobgoblin unmasked - but what does it mean for Spider-Man?

Tom DeFalco and Ron Frenz lay a trail of clues that leads to…the Hobgoblin! The heir apparent to the Goblin mantle — and the title of  #1 nemesis in Spider-Man’s life — has been a compelling mystery since his debut. When his shocking identity is revealed, will you be able to believe it? And when the cosmic Beyonder returns, Peter Parker and the Puma will pair to face him with Mephisto waiting in the wings. Spidey’s exploits will also bring him back to his early days and Crusher Hogan, the pro wrestler he grappled with way back in AMAZING FANTASY #15. And topping off this Masterworks volume is the stunning painted art and color of Bernie Wrightson in the Spider-Man graphic novel Hooky!

COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 271-278, Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) 111, Marvel Graphic Novel (1982) 22, material from Marvel Fanfare (1982) 27

Tom DeFalco’s earliest comic-book scripts were for Archie and DC; he soon moved to Marvel, where he wrote Avengers, Machine Man and other titles, also launching Dazzler, a hit series of the early ’80s. In addition to writing long and well-received runs on Amazing Spider-Man and Thor, DeFalco edited many titles, eventually becoming editor in chief. During the 1980s, he headed the creative team that provided fictional biographies for G.I. Joe members, originally included with Hasbro’s toys and later used as the basis for multiple storylines on the animated series. Perhaps his best-known work is multi-title character Spider-Girl, whom he introduced in 1998. DeFalco has authored multiple books, including Ultimate Guides for Avengers, Fantastic Four, Hulk and Spider-Man.

Peter David is one of the industry’s most prolific and versatile writers whose record-breaking stint on Incredible Hulk remains a fan-favorite to this day. His similarly long-running — and critically acclaimed — association with X-Factor began in the early 1990s and continued in 2005. His other Marvel work includes Captain Marvel, two lengthy stints on Spider-Man 2099, Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider and the smash-hit Symbiote Spider-Man limited series with artist Greg Land. David is also a novelist and screenwriter. Among his credits are some forty Star Trek tie-ins; original novels such as Sir Apropos of Nothing, Howling Mad and Knight Life; movies Trancers 4 and Trancers 5; and episodes of Babylon 5 and Crusade. He also co-created the TV show Space Cases with actor-writer Bill Mumy.

Also renowned as an editor on both long-running and short-lived series, Jo Duffy has written runs of Power Man and Iron Fist, Marvel Team-Up, Wolverine and others. In addition, she regularly penned Marvel’s adaptations of Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian and Akira. Duffy wrote the New Mutants tie-in miniseries Fallen Angels and cowrote several Speedball stories from Steve Ditko’s plots. Her later work includes DC’s Catwoman and Image’s Glory.

Few can match Ron Frenz’s record of substantial stints on two of comicdom’s most influential and revered characters, Spider-Man and Superman, both of whom he provided with controversial new looks. Frenz succeeded John Romita Jr. on Amazing Spider-Man, and his artwork was favorably compared to Steve Ditko’s original web-slinger. With Roger Stern, he introduced the Hobgoblin, covering the mysterious villain’s debut and revealing his identity more than a decade later in Hobgoblin Lives. With writer Tom DeFalco on Thor, Frenz debuted a new look and identity for Marvel’s Thunder God, eventually branching into Thunderstrike. Later, Frenz and DeFalco launched the MC2 Universe, home of Spider-Girl, the only Marvel heroine to reach 100 consecutive issues.

Bernie Wrightson’s artwork has graced the covers and interiors of multiple anthologies at both Marvel and DC. He illustrated two Punisher miniseries for the former and, with Len Wein, co-created Swamp Thing for the latter. He has also worked for Warren Publishing and Dark Horse Comics. A multiple Shazam winner, Wrightson collaborated with Stephen King on the Creepshow adaptation. He has also illustrated Cycle of the Werewolf, Wolves of the Calla and other King works.

Charles Vess wrote and/or penciled stories for multiple Marvel anthologies, most notably Epic Illustrated. At DC, he provided artwork for Books of Magic, Swamp Thing and Sandman. Vess and Sandman writer Neil Gaiman teamed again on Stardust, which was adapted for film, and other projects, including children’s book Blueberry Girl. The pair’s collaborations have earned multiple honors, including two World Fantasy Awards.