I hadn't planned on buying this series, but I was attracted by morbid curiousity. Besides, this was a light week, so might as well launch a discussion and see if it attracts any attention. this series has been described as "an unexplored chapter [of Peter Parker's college days at Empire State University] that promises major implication for today's Marvel Universe." (Yeah, I rmember the last time J. Michael Straczynski tried that.) First thing I've got to wonder is: "Who is the target audience of this series?" After reading the first issue, I can only conclude that it is intended for those who are aware of this period in Spider-Man's life but unfamiliar with it. There is no chance that JMS will ever be mistaken for Stan Lee, or Pere Perez for John Romita.
The anachronisms start right on the very first page, as Spider-Man battles the Sandman, who is wearing his original striped shirt and brown pants. At this time in (dare I say it?) continuity, Sandman was wearing his Wizard-designed green super villain costume. I don't suppose there are many people reading this series who would realize that, or realizing, care. Beyond that, the IRL anachronisms are too numberous to count. The only thing to do is pretend this story takes place today in some alternate reality. Mcuh of the dialogue is designed to be "ironic" based on what we know will happen to these charaters in the "future." Modern Spider-Man comics don't get any better than this (and I don't necessarily mean that as a compliment).
Replies
Are Gwen Stacy, Ned Leeds, Captain Stacy and Harry Osborn still alive? Does Flash Thompson still have his legs? Who is dating whom?
Peter Parker, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn and Mary Jane Watson are the four main characters. Neither Ned Leeds nor any other of the Daily Planet staff have yet been mentioned. JMS has introduced several new characters, however, including Dr. Dunkle (Peter's German 101 teacher), Mr. Ambrose (the head librarian), Lauren (his assistant), and Evangeline (the young woman who is transformed into a supernatural creature at the end of the issue). Evangeline is seeking a magical tome, the Proteus Maleficarum. the book is written in German, so expect to see more of Dr. Dunkle (whose name means "Dr. Dark" translated into English) next issue.
As to who's is dating whom... are you sitting down? Here is a scene between Peter and Gwen discussing Mary Jane:
GWEN: You know, she really likes you, Peter.
PETER: I know, and she's great... she's ridiculously beautiful, she's funny, smart, strong--
GWEN: So why the hesitation?
PETER: I -- can't say.
GWEN: Well, if you ever figure it oput and want to talk about it, I'm here.
PETER: You'll be the first to know.
I mean, that this story takes place in some alternate universe is the only possible explanation.
Maybe you'd better let me read this one (so you don't have to). I wouldn't want you to get an aneurysm.
Does Flash Thompson still have his legs?
Wha--? Is that some sort of "post-Flashpoint" development? Should I even ask...?
Flash lost his legs in Fallujah in Amazing Spider-Man #574 (December 2008). So he should have them in Spider-Man Torn. In fact, that should be before his alcoholism, his coma, his working for Norman Osborn, and possibly before Vietnam. Or whatever they're calling that now.
December 2008? Has it been that long since I've followed Spider-Man regularly? I guess it has.
EDIT: No, wait... I read it for a year or so fairly recently, at the start of one of the "new number ones" (but I don't recall a legless Flash Thompson.)
He has lost his legs, but that does not have a whole lot of consequences in the plots beyond giving a reason why he is now constantly bonded to some symbiote or another. In each case the symbiote provides fully functional legs of his own.