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 #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 #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