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