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 #16 "DUEL WITH DAREDEVIL" (September, 1964)

Synopsis

Spider-Man saves a blind man from some hoodlums little realizing that the seemingly ordinary Matt Murdock is really Daredevil! Later, Peter sees a sign advertising a circus featuring Spider-Man! He doesn't know that the circus is really a front for criminal deeds and decides to show up as Spider-Man. (It is unclear why he buys a ticket, considering he's not actually going to be attending as a patron...)

At the circus itself, the Ringmaster hypnotizes the entire crowd including Spider-Man in order to rob them blind. Daredevil, naturally is unaffected by this trick (he's also at the circus) and tries to interfere, so the Ringmaster sets Spidey on DD. They fight, DD manages to break the trance and all is well.

Notes

• Spidey meets Daredevil for the first time

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: S. Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #15 "KRAVEN THE HUNTER" (August, 1964)

Synopsis

Kraven the Hunter is eager to tackle Spider-Man, hoping he'll prove a worthy foe. Despite having been deported, the Chameleon seems to be back in the country and helping Kraven. Who's the girl Aunt May wants to set up Peter on a date with? Aw, who cares!

Notes

• You should care! That girl is Mrs. Anna Watson's niece...
• First appearance of Kraven the Hunter
• Liz Allan's name is AGAIN misspelled as "Liz Allen"

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #14 "THE GROTESQUE ADVENTURE OF the GREEN GOBLIN" (July, 1964)

Synopsis

In a case of art imitating art....Spider-Man is going to star in a movie! That's right, in 1964 the plot of putting Spider-Man in a major motion picture had already happened. Unfortunately for our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man, the Green Goblin and the Enforcers are set to guest star! While fighting them off, Spider-Man runs fist-first into The Incredible Hulk! Ultimately, nothing changes and Spidey's movie never gets made.

Notes

• First appearance of The Green Goblin but his secret identity is still a secret, both to the public and us, the readers
• Montana claims that "The Enforcers don't take orders from anyone!" Yet the last time we saw them, they were taking orders from The Big Man
• Spider-Man reveals two heretofore unknown abilities: he can hold his breath for twice as long as a regular person, and the one mentioned in the above photo (perhaps they're related?)

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Illustrated by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #13 "THE MENACE OF MYSTERIO!" (June, 1964)

Synopsis

Someone is committing crimes as Spider-Man! Pete thinks he's cracking up and visits a psychiatrist. He quickly realizes that he can't undergo therapy without compromising his secret identity. A menacing figure who calls himself Mysterio promises that he can bring Spider-Man's reign of terror to an end. Mysterio beats Spidey the first time they tangle but the second time makes the mistake of revealing his entire back-story and arsenal while he thinks Spider-Man is beaten. Also, Betty begins to be jealous of Liz Allan in this issue.

Notes

• First appearance of Mysterio
• Mysterio will pretend to be a psychiatrist in a future issue to trick Spider-Man into revealing his identity

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #12 "UNMASKED BY DR. OCTOPUS" (May, 1964)

Synopsis

What's this?! Dr. Octopus has taken Betty hostage, and Peter feels the beginnings of a virus coming on! Pete is quickly bested and unmasked by Doc Ock. Fortunately for our intrepid hero, everyone thinks that Peter was just pretending to be Spider-Man to save Betty. 24 hours later, the virus wears off, and his strength returns! After an inane interlude involving wild animals, Spidey and Octopus tangle again, leaving Spider-Man the triumphant victor. Liz Allan also develops feelings for Peter in this issue.

Notes

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #11 "THE TURNING POINT" (April, 1964)

Synopsis

Dr. Octopus is released from jail! Is that Betty Brant driving him to Philly?! We find out Betty's terrible secret: her brother has gambling debts and she's trying to help him pay them off. Betty blames Spider-Man for the death of her brother. Poor Peter, nothing ever seems to go his way!

Notes

• First usage of the Spider-Tracer

Credits

Written by: Stan Lee

Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered: S. Rosen