Marvel Ultimate Graphic Novel Collection

Marvel have decided to release all their greatest comic books ever on a subscription basis. Now, most of us have had terrible experiences with 'subscribe-and-you-get-the-next-bit-we-can't-promise' companies, but this is the real deal. The first part of this collection is £2.99 and can be bought at any decent newsagent.

What you get is a beautiful hard-cover edition of 'Spider-Man - Coming Home' - which, even though i usually can't stand the puberty-hugging Peter Parker, this newer, more grown up rendition of him is quite interesting. He's mouthy, smarmy and quick witted, and he has lost his beloved Mary-Jane. This 2002 graphic novel follows Peter as he becomes a teacher, and Spider-man as he meets what is Marvel's answer to Ras-Al Ghul. Spider-man is outmatched and outgunned, and he must use his brain to stop this ancient evil.

Sorry about the low res image guys, looking for a better one now

 The story is really well written, and pose important and poignant hypothetical questions about the Spider-man. a compliment to this is that the art is flawless.

Obviously, the price is going to step up - The second issue is £6.99, and all subsequent issues are £9.99. However, this seems like a fair price - the graphic novels are actually gorgeously presented - i have never been so impressed by a hard-cover graphic novel and usually shy away from them in favor of a paperback. The cover is glossy and tome-esque, and the spines all connect to make a massive montage of Marvel mastery.

Although £19.98 a month seems steep (the books are released fortnightly) i think this is something i may have to dig into my pockets for - especially since the next in the series is the 1980s classic 'Uncanny X-Men - Dark Phoenix'. Another incentive is all the free gifts they are giving away with subscriptions.

Grab a shiny first part from your local or visit the website at http://www.graphicnovelcollection.com