Amazing Spider-Man #48 "THE WINGS OF THE VULTURE!" (May, 1967)

Synopsis

The Vulture is dying in prison, but before he breathes his last, he gives the secret of his flying power to fellow inmate Blackie Drago. Wouldn't you know that Spider-Man is completely under the weather with a fever and cold? Nonetheless, he heads out to tackle this new Vulture and the issue ends in a cliffhanger with our hero unconscious and left for dead.

Notes

Credits

An Awesome Aggegation of Airborne Thrills by: Smilin' Stan Lee and Jazzy Johnny Romita

Learnedly Lettered by: Whammy Sammy Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #47 "IN THE HANDS OF THE HUNTER!" (April, 1967)

Synopsis

This ish opens with with a flashback to a scene from Kraven's last appearance (#39) where it turns out the the Green Goblin had hired him to kill Spider-Man. Why Kraven needed any additional incentive isn't clear, but they've established that he had it.

Of course unbeknownst to Kraven, the Green Goblin doesn't exist anymore. So he goes to visit the man he met with earlier as a liason for the Goblin: Norman Osborn!

Meanwhile, Flash Thompson is enjoying a good-bye party since he leaves the next day to fight in Vietnam. Kraven shows up and kidnaps Harry Osborn as ransom. Peter has to duck away for Spidey to make the scene. Spider-Man beats Kraven in spite of his new "magnetizing ray." Hooray!

Notes

Credits

A Swingin', Super-Special Spidey Saga, by: Stan Lee and John Romita

Abetted and Lettered by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #46 "THE SINISTER SHOCKER!" (March, 1967)

Synopsis

A hilariously colorful villain shows up, destined to become a member of the inconsequential gallery. His name is Herman Shultz, and he vibrates. It may not sound that scary, but that's mostly because it isn't. He calls himself the Shocker and for his sake I hope that people weren't performing that particular sexual maneuver in 1967. Spider-Man puts the kibosh on his bank-robbing plans by webbing his thumbs up. The Shocker needs his thumbs to activate the triggering mechanism, so that ends his "spree."

Notes

• Peter moves in with Harry
• Aunt May moves in with Anna Watson

Credits

A Stan Lee & John Romita Spideriffic Spectacular

Lettered by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #45 "SPIDEY SMASHES OUT!" (February, 1967)

Synopsis

Spider-Man has to find and defeat the Lizard before his master plan to dominate the whole world with reptiles is put into action! He does. It's actually kind of clever, he tricks the Lizard into following him into the refrigerator car of a train. Poor cold-blooded Lizzy never had a chance.

In the B story, Peter is starting to realize how flighty and shallow Mary-Jane can be.

Notes

Credits

A Stan (the man) Lee---John (ring-a-ding) Romita Adventure in Agonizing Action

Lettering: Sam Rosen

Web-Untangling: Irv Forbush

Amazing Spider-Man #44 "WHERE CRAWLS THE LIZARD!" (January, 1967)

Synopsis

Peter is dropping off Aunt May at the train station for a nice relaxing trip to Florida and thinks that he sees Curt Conners. Dr. Conners was there but ran away when he felt himself changing into the Lizard!

Spider-Man confronts Lizzy and just when things look like they're going to be ok, the Lizard cuts through Spidey's web and he plummets to the street below. 

How will Spider-Man manage to defeat the Lizard with a wing in a sling? Tune in next issue to find out!

Notes

Credits

Story: Smilin' Stan Lee

Illustration: Jazzy John Romita

Lettering: Swingin' Sam Rosen

Luggage: Honest Irving Forbush

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3 "...TO BECOME AN AVENGER! " (1966)

Synopsis

The Mighty Avengers want Spider-Man to join their swinging ranks. His test is a "simple" one: find the Hulk and bring him back to the Avengers.

While fighting Hulk though, Spidey discovers the terrible fate of Dr. Bruce Banner/Hulk. He can't bring himself to turn Hulk over to the Avengers, thinking that they plan to imprison him. 

Spider-Man doesn't join the Avengers, which ends up being good anyway.

Notes

• The Wasp mentions several times that she doesn't want to allow Spidey into the Avengers due to her "natural wasp aversion to spiders." Um....Janet honey? You're not a wasp, your powers don't derive from wasps, and shut-up.

Credits

Script by: Smilin' Stan Lee

Layouts by: Jazzy Johnny Romita

Pencilin' by: Dashin' Donnie Heck

Inkin' by: Mirthful Mickey Demeo

Letterin' by: Adorable Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #43 "RHINO ON THE RAMPAGE!" (December, 1966)

Synopsis

Betty Brant and Ned Leeds are engaged! Much more importantly though is that Flash receives his draft notice. Looks like ol' Flasher is off to Vietnam. Oh yeah, and the Rhino returns, but Spider-Man beats the crap out of him with the help of a special webbing from Doc. Conners.

Notes

Credits

Writer: Stan (the man) Lee

Artist: John (ring-a-ding) Romita

Letterer: Artie (stout-hearted) Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #42 "THE BIRTH OF A SUPERHERO!" (November, 1966)

Synopsis

John Jameson is finally affected by the space spores, he goes kinda crazy and tussles with Spidey. Who cares? Nobody. Why? Because this is it! This is the issue. Mary-Jane Watson waltzes out from behind the panels and delivers her now immortal line. Nothing in the Spider-Verse will ever be the same. 'Nuff said.

Notes

• Mary-Jane's first appearance
• Gwen starts wearing her trademark head band

Credits

Writer: Smilin' Stan Lee

Artist: Jazzy Johnny Romita

Letterer: Slammin' Sammy Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #41 "THE HORNS OF THE RHINO!" (October, 1966)

Synopsis

The Rhino is coming towards New York! Y'see, JJJ's son, John (remember him from waaaaay back in Spidey #1?) has returned from space and he's got some "space spores" on him. The Rhino plans to sell him to nefarious countries behind the Iron Curtain.

Fortunately Spidey stops him and they have a great battle filled with sound effects. Peter bumps into Betty Brant, and they realize they no longer have romantic feelings for each other. Ned Leeds shows up and he and Betty pick right back up again.

I'd like to take a moment here to talk about John Romita (naturally at this point, he wasn't John Romita Sr., because his son wasn't doing anything in comics yet). Look, Ditko created Spidey--he came up with the look which has lasted until this very day. It's a great look, and I gave him all the credit there is for coming up with it, and drawing the first all-important issues. He also designed and drew the villains who will be around for our web-slinger's career. I come here not to knock Steve Ditko, plenty of praise goes his way.

That being said--he wasn't great with the ordinary people. Spider-Man wouldn't be the great comic it is if it was just fight after fight. It's all about the supporting cast. Romita turned Gwen Stacy from an arched-eyebrow, weird hair-corner-thingie, forgettable character, into a vivacious, tangible, person. Betty Brant transformed from a Ditko Template into an individual woman with a life all her own. Did anyone else ever notice that Liz Allan and Betty Brant had the exact same face when drawn by Ditko?

JJJ's gruffness became written across his face, in the lines, in the hair, and in his "smile." Characters' eyes shone with pain, lit up with joy and widened in surprise. Villains moved from cartoonishly evil, to realistically evil.

Maybe I'm just having a love affair with John Romita, but DAMNIT, he's so good! His Peter Parker is definitely my favorite, and obviously his Mary-Jane is my favorite. I'm forever happy that Marvel held off on showing her to us before Romita took over.

Notes

• First appearance of the Rhino.

Credits

Writer: Stan Lee

Artist: John Romita

Inker: M. Demeo

Letterer: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #40 "SPIDEY SAVES THE DAY!" (September, 1966)

Synopsis

The Green Goblin has Peter unmasked and captured. Turns out, he was Norman Osborn all this time. It also turns out that he's completely insane. He tells Peter the story of how he became the Green Goblin. It's the familiar tale of a distant father, too wrapped up in his work to spend time with his son. He gave Harry everything he could, financially that is. The one thing he didn't give Harry was the only thing Harry really wanted: a dad.

Okay, put away the tissues. Stan & co then piss away the rest of the issue in a sort of "flashback episode" to catch up all the potentially new readers. 

The end is a real doozy though, GG gets an "electro-chemical" shock which causes him to completely lose his memory of the Green Goblin identity. Now he's just plain normal Norman Osborn. I'm sure that this will be permanent, and the Goblin will never threaten anyone again.

Notes

Credits

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciler: John Romita

Inker: Mickey Demeo

Letterer: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #39 "HOW GREEN WAS MY GOBLIN!" (August, 1966)

Synopsis

The Green Goblin hires a bunch of thugs to hit Spidey with some gas which will dull his Spider-Senses! This enables the Goblin to follow Spider-Man home and learn his secret identity. 

This is pivotal. The Green Goblin at this point, hasn't really differentiated himself as an arch-nemesis any more than any of the other villains. He's never kidnapped Aunt May, or Betty Brant like Dr. Octopus or the Sinister Six (led by Ock) have. 

He is however, the first villain to learn that Spider-Man and Peter Parker are one and the same. He won't be the last to learn that, but this is the beginning for the Goblin; this is the first step down a path that separates him from simply being a member of the rogues gallery, to being the legendary arch-rival that he will eventually become. 

The Green Goblin could've been another "corny costumed villain." His name is certainly dumb, he's got gimmicky weapons, and he doesn't particularly have any incredible powers. The fact that he was the first to attack Peter and not Spider-Man is significant. Obviously issue #121 (no spoilers here!) is the biggest catalyst for the epic, decade-spanning fight between our hero and villain, but even as early as issue 39--the Goblin knows that to destroy Spider-Man, he must attack every part of his life.

Another interesting thing to note is that instead of having the Goblin be some anonymous figure that we've never met, he's Harry Osborn's father! Do we really care about Max Dillon, Sergei Kravinoff, Adrian Toomes, Flint Marko (William Baker), Dmitri Smerdyakov, Mark Raxton, Herman Shultz, Mac Gargan, Otto Octavius or Aleksei Systevich?

By contrast, Norman Obsorn is an actual character in the Marvel Universe. He interacts with other characters outside of the realm of fighting with Spider-Man. He attends an elite club with JJJ, and is the father of one of Peter's classmates (and future best friend). All of this is part of what will eventually make him into the most feared name in Spiderdom.

Anyway, I'll step off my soapbox for now--Excelsior!

Notes

• The title seems like a question, but it has an exclamation point instead
• John Romita's first issue drawing Spider-Man--Ditko may have created the look, but Romita perfected it

Credits

Script by: Smilin' Stan Lee

Art by: Jazzy Johnny Romita

Inks by: Mighty Mickey Demeo

Lettering by: Adorable Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #38 "JUST A GUY NAMED JOE!" (July, 1966)

Synopsis

If a man gets bathed in chemicals and then electrocuted a bit, would you assume he would develop super-human strength? Yer darn right he would! Joe Smith is a pretty unassuming nobody, until one day the aforementioned happens on a movie set. Boom, instant one-issue-villain. 

Spider-Man beats him, and the guy goes back to normal, gets a movie contract, and lives happily ever after. Y'know even I'm getting tired of this completely uninteresting A-stories, but fortunately the B-stories are awesome.

Norman Osborn hires every goon in the city to kill Spider-Man, offering a reward of $20,000. Harry and Flash are still picking on Peter, but Gwen sure seems to be whistling a different tune. Meanwhile, at the Bugle, Ned Leeds is back from California but he doesn't know where Betty is either!

Stay tuned frantic ones!

Notes

• there were several other panels that I loved and wanted to show you, here I present a few choice lines from a protest on ESU's campus

Peter: Another student protest! What are they after this time?

Some Kid: Didn't you hear? They're protesting tonight's meeting!

Peter: It figgers!

Another Kid: Hey, Parker! Not so fast! We can use another man to carry a sign! C'mon, join in the protest march!

Peter: Not me! I haven't got time! Besides, I've nothing to protest about!

Third Kid: Nothing to protest about?? What are you -- some kinda religious fanatic, or somethin'?

Another Kid: What 'smatter with? Aren't you interested in saving the world?? Anyway, it's an excuse to cut classes!

Third Kid: --and maybe you'll get your picture in Newsweek!

Fourth Kid: C'mon, Parker--If you join our protest meeting, we'll join one of yours some time!

Fifth Kid: Sure! And, if you've nothing to protest, Don't worry about it! That won't stop us!

Peter:  Forget it!

Sixth Kid: Aww -- your cousin likes Lawrence Welk!

Seventh Kid: Gowan back to Squaresville you rosy-cheeked reactionary!

Credits

Written & Edited by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered, Unfettered by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #37 "ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A ROBOT...!" (June, 1966)

Synopsis

Robot. When I think of a robot, my mind usually goes to R2-D2 or Robby the Robot. I don't often think of a green blob with tentacles. That's probably because I'm not Mendel Stromm!

Professor Stromm is released from jail and immediately sets on a plan for revenge. His ex-partner cheated him out of his share of profits, and planted false evidence to get him landed in prison. Normon Osborn shall suffer for what he did! Stromm builds some crazy robots and looses them upon Osborn. Spider-Man manages to defeat both robots, but Stromm is killed by  a mysterious sniper before he divulges a secret. 

We know that Norman was the sniper, but Spidey doesn't. We also don't know how he managed to do it! It's all very plot-developing!

Notes

• Norman Osborn is finally mentioned by name
• First appearance of Professor Stromm (he isn't actually given a first name yet)
• The relationship between Norman and Harry begins to develop
• Okay, seriously--how are we supposed to pronounce these titles that have "...!" at the end of them? Try it. 

Credits

Edited & Written by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered & Cherished by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #36 "WHEN FALLS THE METEOR" (May, 1966)

Synopsis

Here comes the candidate for "Worst Named Villain of 1966." The Looter. Guess what he does? You win, he loots. Norton G. Fester was an ordinary, albeit kooky scientist who finds a meteor and gets exposed to strange meteorite gasses. He gains incredible strength and becomes The Looter!

Spider-Man beats him up for having a stupid looking costume/name. Meanwhile at ESU, Gwen Stacy is ever more annoyed with Peter because he ran away from danger, she didn't realize he was just going to change into Spidey!

Notes

Credits

Script & Editing by: Stan Lee

Plot & Artwork by: Steve Ditko

Lettering 'n Stuff by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #35 "THE MOLTEN MAN REGRETS...!" (Apr, 1966)

Synopsis

The Molten Man returns! Honestly, the title of the issue has him regretting something. Not once in the whole comic does he seem regretful, remorseful, or even introspective enough to regret anything.

That being said, he's back. Remember the "costume" incident last time? Well now he's wearing what appears to be underwear with some sort of emblem in the center of his waist. It's unclear whether he just painted the underwear to match his "molten" skin or whether he was wearing them when he got covered in that stuff in the first place. Ditko also gives him a "boot line" on his calf, so this also raises questions about his footwear. He was definitely barefoot in his first appearance.

Spider-Man beats him, and spends more time worrying and wondering about Betty's disappearance. Ned Leeds has left too, so he assumes that she's run off and forgotten about him.

Notes

Credits

Script & Editing by: Stan Lee

Plot & Artwork by: Steve Ditko

Lettering & Loitering by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #34 "The THRILL of THE HUNT!" (March, 1966)

Synopsis

Kraven must know a really good lawyer because he's managed to get back into the US. Alternatively maybe he just disguises himself as something other than an incredibly large and hairy Russian man. 

Okay, here's the scene. Aunt May is on the mend which gives Peter a chance to concentrate at school. Unbeknownst to him, the entire freshman class at ESU thinks he's a snob. None of them know that he was just wrapped up in his Aunt's illness. 

Oh yeah, and Kraven impersonates Spider-Man to ruin his (already ruined) good name. Spidey fights him and wins. Hooray! But where has Betty vanished too?!

Notes

Credits

Scripted and Edited by: Stan lee

Plotted and Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered and Relished by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #33 "THE FINAL CHAPTER!" (February, 1966)

Synopsis

This is it. The epic story arc comes to an end. Spider-Man triumphs, we all learn a lesson about perseverance, and about what it means to be a hero. I could go on, but suffice it to say that this issue is a Must-Read. For those of you who were worried though, Aunt May ends up okay.

Notes

• Enjoy this issue.

Credits

Script and Editing by: Stan Lee

Plot and Illustration by: Steve Ditko

Bordering and Lettering by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #32 "MAN ON A RAMPAGE!" (January, 1966)

Synopsis

Continuing from last issue, Aunt May is deathly ill. She's absorbed a radioactive particle into her bloodstream and Peter blames himself. How was he to know back in ish #10 that the blood transfusion he gave her would end up hurting her? 

There's little joking, and few quips in this issue. Spider-Man enlists the aid of Dr. Curt Conners to cure Aunt May. He recommends a serum called ISO-36. Unfortunately the shipment is snatched by the Master Planner who is revealed to be Dr. Octopus. Spider-Man races to get back the ISO-36 but ends up trapped under tons of steel. The issue closes with him thinking he's been defeated and Aunt May slowly fading...

DON'T MISS NEXT ISSUE!! 

Notes

Credits

Script & Editing by: Stan Lee

Plot & Illustration by: Steve Ditko

Lettering & Kibitzing by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 "THE WONDROUS WORLD OF DR. STRANGE! " (1965)

Synopsis

By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth! Spidey and Dr. Strange team-up to tackle Xandu, and you just know that the Wand of Watoomb makes an appearance. In fact it makes more than an appearance, it's the object of note in this lame Annual!

Notes

• This is Spider-Man and Doc Strange's first meeting

Credits

Written and Edited by the toast of Marvel: Stan Lee

Plotted and Drawn by the boast of Marvel: Steve Ditko

Lettered and Bordered by the ghost of Marvel: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #31 "IF THIS BE MY DESTINY...!" (December, 1965)

Synopsis

Get ready...because this three issue arc, seemingly about "The Master Planner" is actually about the very nature of Spider-Man. It will be referred to time and again in the future, both in Spider-Man and in comics in general. This issue though is just the set-up, the real action happens in the next one. Aunt May has another attack and this time she's hospitalized. Peter is so wrought with worry and concern that all of his new classmates at ESU think that he's a stuck-up snob. 

Ned is still pestering Betty for an answer to his marriage proposal, but she still hasn't spoken to Peter. The issue ends ominously with two doctors discussing Aunt May's grave condition.

Notes

• The Master Planner's gang seems to be the same gang as we saw in the previous issue, although they were working for The Cat
• First appearance of Gwen Stacy
• First appearance of Harry Osborn, wearing his trademark bow-tie
• First appearance of Professor Miles Warren
• While this is Gwen's first appearance, she doesn't really come to life until Jazzy Johnny takes over

Credits

Masterful Script by: Stan Lee

Magnificent Artwork by: Steve Ditko

Mellifluous Lettering by: Sam Rosen

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

Amazing Spider-Man #23 "THE GOBLIN AND HIS GANGSTERS" (April, 1965)

Synopsis

Things sure are jumping in Peter's life. Fred Foswell has been re-hired? Ned Leeds is writing Betty? The Green Goblin tried to bust up a local mob?! That last one doesn't make any sense! Nah, ol' Gobby just made it look that way, he's really trying to take over the rackets himself.

Spidey puts the kibosh on the Goblin, doesn't confront Betty, and ends up on top again. So why is Peter filled with a sense of foreboding dread?

Notes

• the pumpkin bomb has become a signature weapon of the Green Goblin
• Norman Osborn appears but neither speaks, nor is spoken to (see photo above, is that Captain George Stacy next to him?)

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #22 "The CLOWN and his MASTERS OF MENACE!" (March, 1965)

Synopsis

The incredibly lame villains, Circus of Crime, are back. Honestly, I'm not even sure how they came up with the idea. Their big trick is that they hypnotize their circus crowds and then steal all the valuables. I mean, how often can that work? You read the newspaper, and the headline says "EVERY SINGLE PERSON ROBBED AT CIRCUS." Okay, let's say that they move to another city, and try it again there. That is not going to work. A mass robbery is going to attract national attention. Maybe it'll work twice. Maybe. After that, no way. 

So despite the Circus of Crime being a poorly thought out troupe of villains, they're back. They decide to kick out their leader, the Ringmaster, because he's an incompetent leader and a general idiot. The newly formed gang tackles an art gallery and steals a bunch of valuable paintings. During the commotion, JJJ gets wonked on the head and is hospitalized. The new circus of crime decides to rename themselves "Masters of Menace." Spidey manages to track down the crime gang and bust 'em. JJJ recovers and everyone is happy.

Notes

• Check out page 5, there's a painting of a foot and a man thinking that he wishes he "could draw feet like that" This is Steve Ditko, who's well known for not being good at drawing feet. IN JOKE

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #21 "WHERE FLIES THE BEETLE...!" (February, 1965)

Synopsis

Doris Evans, Johnny Storm's occasional girlfriend, decides to make the Torch jealous by talking about 'Peter Parker,' that nice boy who helped her. When the Torch confronts Peter, not realizing that he's Spider-Man, both are dissatisfied with the meeting. Peter changes to Spider-Man so that he can properly defend his honor, only to run into the Beetle who'd been stalking the flying matchstick.

Big fight occurs--Spidey and the Torch set aside their differences to tackle the Beetle. The forces of good win the day.

Notes

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #20 "SPIDEY BATTLES SCORPEY" (January, 1965)

Synopsis

JJJ has finally hit on a great plan to destroy Spider-Man. With the help of Dr. Farley Stillwell, he plans to artificially give a thug the powers of a scorpion! As an aside, the guy who's been tailing Peter was Mac Gargan. JJJ hired him to find out how Peter gets those amazing pictures, but instead wants him to be his guinea pig. 

The Scorpion is born! (Dr. Farley Stillwell also had a cybernetic costume complete with tail sitting around) He tackles Spidey and beats him heartily. Before Spider-Man can go for round two though, Stillwell realizes that Gargan's "evil nature" will take over unless he can concoct an antidote for the treatment which made the Scorpion. Ultimately, Stillwell dies, Scorpey is defeated and everything is the same...

Notes

• The Scorpion can use his fingers as "pincers" to cut through Spider-Man's webbing, but he can also just punch with them as a fist...it is unclear how he does this
• In the above picture...where the heck are they?!

Credits

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Written by: Stan Lee

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #19 "SPIDEY STRIKES BACK!" (December, 1964)

Synopsis

After Spidey puts the kibosh on a gang of hoods, everyone knows that he's back in action. That includes the Enforcers and Sandman who have teamed up to battle do-gooders. First they hit the Human Torch and beat him soundly. Spidey shows up, frees the Torch, and together they trounce the Enforces and ol' Sandy. Ultimately, the most interesting part of this issue is that Betty has started seeing someone else, Ned Leeds. Also someone mysterious is tailing Peter Parker...

Notes

• Spider-Man self references the hypen in his name
• First appearance of Ned Leeds
• In the picture above...what is his web attached to?!

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man ANNUAL #1 "THE SINISTER SIX! " (1964)

Synopsis

Chronologically speaking, this issue takes place before Aunt May's heart attack in issue #17. Six of Spidey's most dangerous villains team up to beat him. Peter sees Aunt May mourning Uncle Ben and begins to reminisce about his origin. So lost in the past is he, in his own feelings of sorrow, that he psychosomatically blocks out his powers and thinks that he's lost them.

Naturally, the villains kidnap Betty Brant (and get Aunt May in the bargain) forcing Spidey to tackle them, now "power-less". Each one gets his own splash page showing off Steve Ditko's inability to draw feet. The Web-Slinger saves the day, defeats each villain in turn, and learns a little something along the way. He "gets his powers back" quickly when he realizes that he never really lost them.

Notes

• The origin story is re-told for the first time...but don't fret frantic ones, they'll be telling it again...and again
• Aunt May meets Dr. Octopus for the first time, setting the stage for the ludicrous plot-line in the future when they get engaged
• Every single Marvel hero shows up at some point to give Stan a chance to plug his growing empire--say what you will, the man knows how to promote
• This is the first time Doc Ock controls his arms from a distance via his mental control

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #18 "THE END OF SPIDER-MAN!" (November, 1964)

Synopsis

If you're just joining us, Spidey was seen running away from a fight last ish. You and I know that it was because Aunt May had fallen ill again. Unfortunately, everyone in town (thanks to JJJ) thinks that Spider-Man is a coward!

So Aunt May's sick, and Peter is worried that if anything happens to him, no one will be left to take care of her. This means that he avoids a fight with Sandman and ends up looking even worse in the eyes of the public, not to mention the Human Torch!

Finally Aunt May ends up being the one who snaps Pete out of it, reminding him that she's not at death's door, and he needs to go live his life.

Notes

• Both Peter and the omniscient narrator refer to Anna Watson, as Anna Watkins

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Sam Rosen