Marvel Team-Up #2
Published and © by Marvel, May 1972
Title: “And Spidey Makes Four!”
Synopsis: The Human Torch is happy to see Spider-Man but isn’t prepared for a visit from the Frightful Four. Also: Annihilus!
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Ross Andru
Inker: Jim Mooney
Review: Marvel Team-Up #2 is an utterly average comic for its time, with adequate story and adequate art. Writer Gerry Conway tries to generate some spark from the Human Torch/Spider-Man pairing but the potential bromance doesn’t have much chemistry. That leaves the villains to carry the story. Unfortunately, the Wizard continues to be the dumbest “genius” in the Marvel Universe while Paste-Pot Pete isn’t any less silly as the Trapster. Sandman has a few decent moments, though, and the unexpected addition of Annihilus to the proceedings raises the stakes. A solid-but-unessential outing.
Grade: C
Second opinion: “More a Human Torch story than a Spider-Man tale.” – Jim Beard, “Walking the Wider Web: A Fan’s Journey Through One of Comics’ Greatest Series!,” 2024
Cool factor: It’s fun to see Brave-&-the-Bold-style team ups at Marvel …
Not-so-cool factor: … but let’s bring on some different guest stars.
Character quotable: “The ignominy of it – to be a god in one world – and to be beaten – by children in anotherrrr ….” – Annihilus, fading
Editor’s note: This review was written March 6, 2026.
