J. Michael Straczynski and Mike Deodato's Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 9: Skin Deep collects Amazing Spider-Man nos. 515-518. The story focuses on Charlie Weiderman, a character from Peter's past who shows up looking for Peter's assistance in developing new technology to get rich. Unlike Peter, who suffered bullying in high school and rose above it, Charlie developed a massive inferiority complex and cuts corners in his work, leading to an accident that coats him in vibranium. The psychotropic effects of the unstable chemicals cause him to go on a killing spree to get revenge on all who wronged him. Through flashbacks, the story helps to show a different side of Peter's life before the spider's bite. While Deodato illustrates all of the "present day" sequences, Mark Brooks illustrates the flashbacks in the same style he used for high-school-set Anya Corazon: Araña: The Heart of the Spider. This relatively short story isn't one of Straczynski's more memorable, as it primarily helps to set up Pete and MJ's move into Stark Tower in New Avengers. Deodato does have some fun, though, including an usher blocking Peter's way into MJ's play who looks and acts a great deal like Bruce Campbell in Spider-Man 2, which was in theaters at the time these comics were published. Additionally, one image of Tony Stark closely resembles Timothy Dalton. This may not be the best in this run, but it's far from the worst. It's greatest weakness is that it's relatively forgettable and doesn't take many chances. ( )

A fine complete storyline interspersed with flashbacks to Peter Parker's year or so before the fateful spider bite, when his status as the bullied school geek was temporarily supplanted by the arrival of Charlie Weiderman, an even geekier science student. As an adult, Charlie reappears in Peter's life, begging for his recommendation to Tony Stark for a grant to study the application of a dangerous metal, Vibranium, in designing a metal "second skin" for soldiers in the field. Peter agrees, mostly out of guilt from how he at first revelled in the transfer of the school bullies' attentions to Charlie. Charlie gets the grant, but against Peter's instructions ignores safety guidelines in his work, and there is an accident which coats him in the liquid metal, giving him great strength and invulnerability. When Peter tries to get him to turn himself in for the deaths the accident caused, Charlie tries to get revenge on Peter, burning both his apartment and Aunt may's home to the ground in the process. Spider-Man eventually finds a way to solidify the metal skin, perhaps trapping Charlie inside forever. This book has a lot to recommend it. The art is marvelous and expressive, the humor is at its best, even during the dark moments, and the flashbacks are innovative and poignant, especially the ones that show a rare side of Uncle Ben: what a stern and loving father figure he could be. A very good book. ( )