Spider-Man Noir #1 (OF 4)

I'm one of the few who was letdown by X-Men Noir #1, so I went into this series with low expectations.  Well color me surprised, because I had a lot of fun with this issue!

Taking place during the Great Depression, we follow Ben Urich (name ring any bells?) and see what day-to-day life entails for an upstanding reporter working for The Daily Bugle.  And yes, it is being run by a kinder, calmer, J. Jonah Jameson.

While on assignment in the shantytowns getting pictures of life for the less fortunate, he comes across a outspoken May Parker being roughed-up by a couple of Norman "The Goblin" Osborn's thugs.  After saving both May and Peter from a good beating, Urich takes Peter under his wing, trying to show him the reality of their situation.

The thing that really made this issue fun for me was the characters.  Sure you know the names of the villains and heroes, but to see them transformed appropriately for the time period (and minus the spandex) makes it feel like something fresh and original.  The Vulture and Kraven are both circus carnies, and play the parts well, while Peter Parker hasn't even been bitten by a radioactive spider yet.  It's the Great Depression!  How is he going to make that transformation?

Although it's only a four-issue miniseries, it already has me onboard for the last three issues.  Urich is portrayed wonderfully as the main character (so far), and is what helped make this title really enjoyable.

Even in the modern day Recession, be sure to pick-up this issue because it's well worth the coin.  And if you don't like it?  You can always stuff it in your clothing to keep you warm.