5. Superior Spider-Man Annual #2 by Christos Gage and Javier Rodriguez (Marvel)
Has it been a year already? Um... no it hasn't. It's been much less than a year since the first Superior Spider-Man Annual but we're already getting a second one because the series is ending soon! But Marvel wouldn't be that cynical would they...? At any rate, here's Superior Spider-Man (Bi) Annual #2 and it's pretty damn good! This issue focuses on two members of the Goblin Nation and their loved ones/friends' attempts to save them. Ben Urich (the reporter at the Daily Bugle who unmasked Daredevil) is desperately trying to save his nephew Phil who has embraced his alter-ego, Hobgoblin, while Carlie Cooper/Monster is being treated by Sajani in Parker Industries. The Urich storyline is enjoyable but sad as an uncle realises his nephew is beyond help after his futile efforts to make Phil see sense fail. There isn't much Spider-Man in this Spider-Man Annual but his appearance in this story is awesome as he and Hobgoblin fight in a small enclosed space and, while Peter's immediate family is out of danger, Spidey begins seeing the other people in his life beginning to pay for the Goblins' attack. The Wraith/Monster storyline that closes out the issue was ok. Wraith awakens in Parker Industries to find out her friend Carlie Cooper has been transformed into the goblin, Monster. There's some cool action and it looks like Carlie's story arc is resolved while Wraith's is about to become more involved as she enters the ring to take on the Goblin Nation. Superior Spider-Man Annual #2 is a very solid issue from Christos Gage and co. which pays closer attention to the sub-plots happening around the main one. Well worth a read for web-heads everywhere!