This is an outstanding debut for a book that, while maybe not absolutely necessary, is at least not completely unnecessary.

This is MARVEL TEAM-UP in everything but name, and it’s perfectly poised to deliver just what makes such a series strong: a creative team that gives Spidey the voice we know and love, and can make the most of him playing off various guest stars in crazy action-packed situations. This isn’t a book for deep storytelling; it’s Marvel’s popcorn book, that provides laughs and a wild ride without the baggage of other series.

Readers who have not read a Spidey comic for ages (like, say, me) will find very little barrier to entry here, because this is Spider-Man as he’s always been, really, somewhere. We aren’t expected to know about his love life or the whole Spider Island thing or anything else. Just – he’s Spidey. He’s the super hero with the day job and the bills and the generally bad luck. Likewise, his guest star – the Red Hulk for these first few issues – doesn’t bring a lot of continuity into things. Just, here he is, here’s how he plays of Spidey. Go.

If this first issue is any indication, this series is not going to tell any genre-defining stories or blow your mind with their meditations on the human condition. But it could well be the most fun you’ll have on Wednesdays for a long while.