Amazing Spider-Man #30 "THE CLAWS OF THE CAT!" (November, 1965)

Synopsis

A two-bit cat burglar is threatening the city. New York's Finest actually get the credit for his eventual capture, while Spider-Man just gets the assist. The real story here though is that Ned Leeds proposes to Betty! Peter wants to tell her how he feels, but knows that she wants a stable man, not a man who seeks out danger and excitement. Poor Peter.

Notes

• This is one of those issues that makes Spider-Man the best...yeah they still throw in the obligatory villain, but there's so much more to it than just the fight. There's more time spent on Peter Parker than on his web-swinging alter-ego

Credits

Written & Edited by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered & Bordered by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #29 "NEVER STEP ON A SCORPION!" (October, 1965)

Synopsis

Scorpion is back! He's broke out of jail and is hungry for revenge against Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson. He attacks Jonah, but Spidey manages to beat him by dropping him in the hudson river and webbing him up. At the end of the issue we are treated to information that Peter is not privy to, Aunt May is getting faint and dizzy!

In the B-Story, Ned Leeds as returned from Europe and is courting Betty once again. 

Notes

• Scorpion can curl up his tail like a tightly wound spring to launch himself through the air. Seriously.

Credits

Writing & Editing by: Stan Lee

Plotting & Drawing by: Steve Ditko

Lettering & Loafing by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #28 "THE MOLTEN MAN!" (September, 1965)

Synopsis

Spidey goes to pick up his costume from the lab of Spencer Smythe and witnesses cheap hood Mark Raxton get covered in a bizarre untested metallic alloy. Clearly this has all the makings of a new super-villain, and Lo, the Molten Man is born! His powers? He's pretty strong...that's it. 

The real story is Peter Parker's graduation! At long last he's done with Midtown High, and is off to Empire State University on a full scholarship. Who's coming with him? Why, none other than Flash Thompson!

Notes

• Peter thinks Liz's name is "Liz Hilton" on page 2
• JJJ is introduced to Aunt May for the first time, but he recognized her from a distance back in Annual #1
• The above picture is one of my favorites...the Molten Man seems to think that being completely golden and shiny is not a recognizable enough "costume." Tattered pants! That's the answer!

Credits

Edited & Written by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered & Bordered by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #27 "BRING BACK MY GOBLIN TO ME!" (August, 1965)

Synopsis

In the thrilling conclusion to last ish--Spidey manages to break free and beat up all of the Goblin's hoods. Gobby himself gets away, but the Crime-Master is tracked down by the cops with help from Frederick Foswell. It turns out that Foswell was the stool pigeon known as patch. All-in-all, a lackluster issue

Notes

• First appearance of Barney Bushkin, a minor character if ever there were one

Credits

Edited & Written by: Smilin' Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Scowlin' Steve Ditko

Lettered & Gift-Wrapped by: Swingin' Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #26 "THE MAN IN The CRIME-MASTER'S MASK!" (July, 1965)

Synopsis

The Crime-Master is planning to take over the rackets. One might wonder why he calls himself "The Crime-Master" when he hasn't actually committed any crimes...but who am I to quibble? The Green Goblin shows up too and he demands to run the mob. If you're thinking that he already did that, you'd be right. It was in issue #23. Anyway, he manages to knock out our intrepid hero and there's a cliff-hanger ending of the goblin presenting the mob with the unconscious body of Spider-Man!

In a vague side-story, Peter gets into a fight with Flash Thompson and when caught by the principal, accepts full responsibility.

Notes

• We have a first sign of Flash's humanity as evidenced in the panel above

Credits

Scripted by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #25 "CAPTURED BY J.JONAH JAMESON!" (June, 1965)

Synopsis

A scientist named Smythe approaches JJJ with the dandy idea of catching Spider-Man using a robot. It actually ends up working, but Spidey manages to use his scientific know-how to deactivate the robot and replace himself with a dummy. Much more importantly, Mary-Jane appears in the flesh, or at least in the ink. Stan and Steve continue the trick of not letting us see her which ends up being a brilliant idea, because it means that her first real appearance will be drawn by John Romita, who is a far superior artist.

Notes

• First appearance of Spencer Smythe
• First "appearance" of Mary-Jane Watson

Credits

Script by: Stan Lee

Drawings by: Steve Ditko

Lettering by: S. Rosen 

Amazing Spider-Man #24 "SPIDER-MAN GOES MAD!" (May, 1965)

Synopsis

A european doctor named Ludwig Rinehart shows up in New York with evidence that Spider-Man is going to lose his mind. His theory states that no one could lead a double life and stay sane. Of course, Rinehart is really Mysterio and he uses projecting robot animals to convince Spider-Man into thinking that he really is going crazy. Fortunately the whole thing is foiled with a little help from Fred Foswell, JJJ, and Flash Thompson.

Notes

• first appearance of Mysterio's alter ego as Ludwig Rinehart
• the picture....what the crap Steve? Is Peter supposed to be an anime character?

Credits

Script: Stan Lee

Art: Steve Ditko

Lettering: S. Rosen