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 #54 "THE TENTACLES AND THE TRAP!" (November, 1967)

Synopsis

Okay Faithful Followers! Reach back into your brains all the way to Annual #1. Remember when Doc Ock kidnapped Aunt May and Betty Brant? Did you think that ol' Stan was going to let a good plot like that go to waste? Heck no!

Doctor Octopus is boarding with Aunt May and Anna Watson, and you know that can only mean one thing. Trouble! With eight capital T's.

Aunt May is just so hilariously naïve. She completely trusts this man despite the fact that the newspapers, the radio, and the television have all talked about his being a nefarious criminal. She still treats Peter like a child, and lives with the delusion that he's a 'frail and fragile boy.'

Ridiculous.

Anyway, Peter desperately tries to find a way to confront Ock without terrifying actually frail and fragile Aunt May. Ultimately, he fails. She has another heart attack type of thing and faints when she sees Spidey and Ock tussling. The good Doctor escapes leaving Peter to deal with his Aunt.

Notes

• If you think that over time Aunt May would "get it" that Dr. Octopus is not a nice person, you're wrong. She won't find out for another 35 years or so (real time, not Marvel Time)
• I love John Romita but I can still admit when he goofs. Check out Pete's pupils in the above pic when he sees who's living with Aunt May.

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #53 "ENTER DR. OCTOPUS!" (October, 1967)

Synopsis

Harry is peeved at Peter because he's never around. Harry doesn't like feeling like a glorified answering machine. To make matters worse, Pete takes Gwen to a "Science Expo" blowing off Harry and Flash who recently returned from Vietnam. 

Professor Warren goes with the budding couple and he displays some delightfully creepy affection for Gwen. I doubt that Stan intended at this point for Prof. Warren to end up as horribly creepy as he does, but the groundwork certainly was laid here.

At the Expo, wouldn't you just know that Dr. Octopus would show up and start a big ol' fight. Spidey beats him soundly and Ock decides to lay low for a while.

Aunt May and Anna decide to take in a boarder to make some extra cash...guess who moves in?

Notes

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #52 "TO DIE A HERO!" (September, 1967)

Synopsis

In classic Super-Villain fashion, the Kingpin does not simply shoot JJJ and Spider-Man. He locks them in a room with a rising water level, simply leaving them to die. Do you think they escape? You bet your bippy they do. 

Meanwhile Flash returns from Vietnam earlier than everyone expected. 

Back at the his penthouse, the Kingpin manages to escape before Spider-Man can defeat him. While JJJ is escaping, a henchman tries to gun him down and Frederick Foswell takes the bullet. Foswell is remembered as a hero by all. 

Notes

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #51 "IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE KINGPIN!" (August, 1967)

Synopsis

Spidey is back in full swing since last ish. First item on his agenda: take out the newly organized mob under the reign of the Kingpin!

Meanwhile, Mary-Jane and Gwen both have the hots for Peter. Everyone seems to know it except for poor Harry, who thinks Gwen is digging him. Seeds are being planted!

Spider-Man, along with JJJ, is captured by the Kingpin in a thrilling cliffhanger.

Notes

• First appearance of Joseph "Robbie" Robertson
• In a rare display of integrity, Jonah refuses to alter the content of his paper to suit the Kingpin's needs

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #50 "SPIDER-MAN NO MORE!" (July, 1967)

Synopsis

Here we are folks at another landmark issue. What was meant to be mere filler for a soon-to-be-canceled comic, "Amazing Fantasy" has somehow stretched into a 50 issue run.  Well I'll tell you how! It's because of issues like this. 

Peter Parker is such a relatable character. He's faced with problems, in this issue:

• Aunt May has another attack
• he is spurned by the public he protects
• he has no time for a job doing what he loves
• his grades are slipping
• he doesn't have time to spend with Gwen or MJ

That he hasn't quit before shows his perseverance, and is a testament to his strength. Eventually though, enough is enough and he quits. Parts of the 2nd Spider-Man movie are an homage to this issue. 

It is when Peter is driving home one night, and hears a night watchman attacked that he bursts back into action. He saves the watchman's life without a costume, taking out two burglars. Peter realizes with a shock that the man reminds him of Uncle Ben, and Romita gets a chance to re-draw the origin. Peter renews his vows to Superherodom.

Notes

• Kingpin's first appearance
• Gwen begins to show strong interest in Peter

Credits

Stan (the man) Lee and John (ring-a-ding) Romita invite you to join the capricious company of

Mickey Dimeo: Inker

Sam Rosen: Letterer

Amazing Spider-Man #49 "FROM THE DEPTHS OF DEFEAT!" (June, 1967)

Synopsis

When we last left our intrepid hero, he was unconscious in the snow and the new Vulture was feeling cocksure. It turns out the cold revived Spidey and he limps home to lick his wounds. Meanwhile Kraven is upset that the Vulture is getting all the attention as a menace. (Remember he's still on the lam from ish # 47?)

Kraven plans to bring down the Vulture but just when he finds him, Spider-Man shows up to defeat them both. Hooray!

Notes

Credits

A Stan Lee and John Romita Action Epic

Lettered by: Sam Rosen