Amazing Spider-Man Annual #4 "THE WEB AND THE FLAME! " (1967)

Synopsis

Another year, another annual. Am I the only who thinks these are stupid, hokey, and just a way to sell a comic for 25 cents? Probably not, the stories aren't better--just more ridiculous in their story-telling. Human Torch and Spidey get tricked into fighting each other by the Wizard and Mysterio. It'd be mildly interesting if we hadn't already seen the idea of a movie set being a trap back in ish 14. 

Notes

• this issue had a "surprise penciller." We find out at the end that it was Larry Lieber, although Stan neglects to mention that Larry is his younger brother. 
• The continuity of when this issue is supposed to take place isn't totally clear. Aunt May is on some sort of vacation, but in ish 55, she was being treated by Dr. Bromwell. Maybe she just dashed off for a quick pick-me-up. Or maybe Stan just doesn't read his own comics?

Credits

Stan Lee - Writer

Mickey Demeo - Inker

Larry Lieber - Penciller

Jerry Feldman - Letterer

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 #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 #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

Amazing Spider-Man #17 "THE RETURN OF THE GREEN GOBLIN" (October, 1964)

Synopsis

Flash starts a Forest Hills chapter of a Spider-Man Fan Club! Betty wants Peter to go with her, Liz Allan wants Peter to go with her, and Aunt May has set up another date with "Mary-Jane" for our poor hero. Of course since Pete has to appear at the club meeting as Spider-Man, they'll all have to wait.

The Green Goblin also notices the club meeting and decides to pay a visit. He's armed with new and more dangerous weapons! Spidey is in the process of saving the day when he overhears that Aunt May has had another heart attack. He races off to her side, causing everyone gathered to think that he's a coward. Fortunately the Human Torch is there to drive away the Goblin.

Notes

• The Goblin is now riding on a true Goblin Glider...as opposed to the Goblin Broomstick that he sported in his last appearance
• While Pumpkin Bombs do appear, they are simply part of a larger bag of tricks and not an essential part of his arsenal

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #2 "versus DOCTOR OCTOPUS!" (July, 1963)

Synopsis

Spidey tangles with a new foe, Otto Octavius, known to the world as Dr. Octopus! Along the way, he gets some sound advice from the Human Torch.

Notes

• First appearance of Dr. Octopus
• First appearance of the Spider Signal
• First meeting of the Torch and Spidey

Credits

Story by  Stan Lee

Art by      Steve Ditko

Letterer: John Duffy