Spider-Ham Great power, no responsibility : an original graphic novel Great power, no responsibility :

Everyone's favorite crime-fighting spider turned pig, Peter Porker, aka the Spectacular Spider-Ham, is the guest of honor at the mayor of New Yolk City's reelection rally. The superhero swine is being awarded the key to the city, but there's been a bit of a misunderstanding; at the ceremony, Spider-Ham swings off with the key, which the mayor wasn't actually giving for keeps. Worse, while out celebrating, Spider-Ham loses the key! When he's asked to return it, he has to retrace his steps and encounters with old friends and foes from the night before. Spider-Ham, a character from the immensely popular Into the Spider-Verse movie, is a fan-favorite, and this graphic novel, part of Scholastic's new collaboration with Marvel Comics, gives a glimpse of his life and the re-imagined characters who call this corner of the Spider-Verse home. Foxe conjures up the best, silliest versions of the characters inhabiting this dimension through his storytelling, and they're all brought to life in Amin's entertaining, zany artwork. A perfect pick for younger fans of Marvel's Spider-Verse.

Gr 2--5--"A pig with the strength and ability of a spider," Spider-Ham, a memorable and hilarious Marvel character who was also featured in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, finally stars in his own graphic novel. When the mayor gives Spider-Ham the key to the city (every other superhero the mayor contacted was unavailable), the pig decides to take it with him, instead of returning it. When Spider-Ham discovers that the key is missing, he needs to find out when and where he dropped it. What follows is a fast, funny, and weird adventure featuring Spider-Ham, his alter ego Peter Porker, and a cast of wild characters who are skeptical about Spider-Ham's prowess--and let him know exactly how they feel about him. Easter eggs will delight fans of Into the Spider-Verse and the Marvel Universe. The art is filled with color and energy, and the action spills over the panels as the story gets more and more zany. The cartoony art style and visual gags will keep even the most reluctant readers entertained. VERDICT For readers who love Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse, fast-paced adventures, and funny superhero stories.--Andrea Lipinski, New York P.L.

Spider-Ham isn't the brightest, despite his good intentions. In this funny comic, a porcine version of Marvel's Spider-Man must make sense of responsibility and adventure when he is given--and then loses--the keys to the city! A pig with all the superpowers, strength, and agility of a spider, he's also "the funniest hero in the multiverse" who still cannot seem to get any respect. After accidentally accepting the key to the city and then losing it, Spider-Ham must retrace his steps to figure out what happened. In doing so he crosses paths with villains and friends who move him along in his attempt to retrieve the lost key. Many of these characters will remind readers of their human versions from the classic Marvel comics. Even the real Spider-Man shows up for a very brief conversation about responsibility. All the characters except Spider-Man are animals. The book is fun and will get younger readers turning pages. However, while the snappy language and glibness in this text might amuse early-elementary readers, the Spider-Ham character doesn't have much depth. He's playing video games while being honored by the city, issuing snark and wisecracks and sarcasm in the name of humor--a technique that comes across as pandering to the early-elementary audience. Younger readers familiar with the genre may enjoy this funny alternative story. (Graphic adventure. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.