Spider-Writer Sundays: Roger Stern

[Billium 3]

Perhaps one of the greatest, most talked about writers in all of Spider-Man lore, Roger Stern left an indelible mark on the Spidey mythos. From such classics as "Nothing Can Stop the Juggernaught" to "The Kid Who Collects Spider-Man", Uncle Rog, as he is affectionately called by his fans, gave us many years of top notch stories on Amazing Spider-Man as well as Spectacular, and some Spidey mini-series.

My favorite Roger Stern contribution, as if you couldn't tell, was his introduction of the Hobgoblin. He is quite possibly one of the coolest villains of all time. I loved everything about him: He was always scheming, plotting, and being a lovable, yet nasty narcissist. And that's just scratching the surface. I could rant all day about how cool he is, but I do want to get this in on time and let you guys have your say.

I'd say the only downside to Mr.Stern's tenure is that he left Amazing too early, but that's not entirely his fault, as far as I know.

So what sayest you, the Spidey fans, about Roger Stern? Let the discussion commence!

[Ben Smith]

Not just a great Spider-Man writer, Roger Stern was a great comic book writer, and one of my personal favorites.

But yes, I have much love for the Roger Stern Spider-Man run, and that original Hobgoblin saga.

[Aziz Abbasi]

To me, his best work is the thing he did in Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man, that is the most I recommend of his work

Best thing he wrote in Amazing Spider-Man is the Tarantula/Will O' The Wisp/Brand story, and the Foolkiller issue

The rest of his work is not less than very good. The thing I like the most he did recent years is the Giant Size Incredible Hulk with that dude working to write a book about the Hulk, showing him to be a hero

One of the most powerful things about the writing of Uncle Rog is he works to make less room for questions and confusion

[Duy]

One of the best there ever was. I think Stern got everything he tried to write beautifully, be it Spider-Man, the Avengers, Captain America, or Superman.

[Billium 3]

One of the best there ever was. I think Stern got everything he tried to write beautifully, be it Spider-Man, the Avengers, Captain America, or Superman.

Isn't that the truth? He adds a certain level of enjoyment to eveything he writes, and hasn't lost his touch. I loved his recent "Fill in the Blank" and "Something Can Stop the Juggernaut" stories in ASM.

[matthewaos]

Roger Stern is one of the best Spider-Man writers. If I had to make a list it would be

Stan Lee
Roger Stern
DeMatteis

[Duy]

Roger Stern is one of the best Spider-Man writers. If I had to make a list it would be

Stan Lee
Roger Stern
DeMatteis

I named him 2nd in my list of most important Spider-Man writers as well.

[Dog]

I was surprised "Something Can Stop the Juggernaut" wasn't received better. I thought that was a fine story.

[Duy]

I was surprised "Something Can Stop the Juggernaut" wasn't received better. I thought that was a fine story.

It came during BND. It must be evil.


No, seriously, I think the reason Stern's stories haven't gotten as much attention as they probably would have in the 80s is because it's so self-contained, so there's not really much in the way of development. They're great, great solid pieces of writing, but the market is such that the audience wants something big to happen in each issue.

[oldschool]

I was surprised "Something Can Stop the Juggernaut" wasn't received better. I thought that was a fine story.

I think it would have been received much better as either a mini-series or if it weren't awkwardly wedged into the "Gauntlet" mega-arc. It seemed strangely out of place and broke the flow of what had been a year-long tale. Taken on it's own, I thought it was very, very good without (of course) being as good as the original 1980's story.

[Dog]

Well, besides all that, people were complaining about why the Uni-Power would choose Juggernaut, and a bunch of other, nitpicking criticisms. Seems unwarranted.

[Aziz Abbasi]

Amazing Spider-Man 206 is a one of the finest pieces written by Stern IMHO
Dude, does that one have a tricky cover or what? Facts flipped

[oldschool]

Amazing Spider-Man 206 is a one of the finest pieces written by Stern IMHO
Dude, does that one have a tricky cover or what? Facts flipped

IIRC, that was a one-issue stint by Uncle Rog to clean up the mess of the JJJ going mad storyline that was setup by Marv Wolfman and that Denny O'Neill was following up. Not really sure but I think Wolfman really intended for JJJ to have a legit breakdown and O'Neill then decided (or an editor) to have it e a villain. Also not sure why Uncle Rog was brought in to mop up when O'Neill's run then continued for another while on ASM while Rog was on Spectacular.

[Jim Thompson]

For my money, Uncle Rog was one of the two best writers to ever work with the character (JM Dematteis being the other).

[Aziz Abbasi]

IIRC, that was a one-issue stint by Uncle Rog to clean up the mess of the JJJ going mad storyline that was setup by Marv Wolfman and that Denny O'Neill was following up. Not really sure but I think Wolfman really intended for JJJ to have a legit breakdown and O'Neill then decided (or an editor) to have it e a villain. Also not sure why Uncle Rog was brought in to mop up when O'Neill's run then continued for another while on ASM while Rog was on Spectacular.

Nice to know

The cover has it Peter is the only one gone berserk, the story has it he's the only one in the office still right in the mind