Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: February 11, 1965
Cover: May 1965
12 cents
Mighty script by: Stan Lee
Powerful art by: Steve Ditko
A lotta lettering by: S. Rosen
20 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Tales of Suspense #65, Story B | Reading order | Strange Tales #132 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #23 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #25 |
I declared last month’s cover the best we’ve yet seen. Two months earlier, I’d declared it that cover. I really don’t want to keep doing that, but man, look at that crazy cover. It brings to mind Ditko’s roots in weird horror tales, and captures some of the madness of his Dr. Strange work.
The comic more than lives up to the cover.
The opening splash is also excellent. It shows Spider-Man haunted by the same ghost images of his villains, but makes it clear that’s a psychiatrist’s office, and it’s Spidey in the chair. And from the look on the doctor’s face, not about to receive a favorable diagnosis regarding his mental stability.
Aunt May is still struggling with the bills, and Peter plans to make more money taking pictures of Spider-Man to help out. Remember the theme of responsibility. Most often, it’s assumed his responsibility is to do good as Spider-Man, but he also has a responsibility to his aunt.
Sometimes, he seems to lack of bit of integrity, both as journalist and superhero. But the judgment of him can be softened by remembering the money is for his aunt. He fights criminals, but makes sure to keep them in range of the camera. And then is very peeved when Foswell happens by.
With another reporter on the scene, Peter Parker won’t be able to explain how he got the pictures, so he won’t be profiting off the morning’s superheroing.
Generally, Betty had been the jealous one in the relationship. But the last couple issues, it’s been Peter unhappy to learn Betty’s been corresponding with Ned while he’s overseas.
Normally, the Daily Bugle features editorials where Jameson explains why he hates Spider-Man. His new idea for a feature is to ask the public why they hate Spider-Man and print the responses. The questions are asked according to strict journalistic standards.
Of course, Flash is always the one to stick up for Spider-Man. The Bugle won’t be printing his opinion.
Liz asks Peter to tutor him in science. I suspect she has an ulterior motive besides her poor science grades.
A psychiatrist from Europe is visiting and thinks he can prove Spider-Man is on the verge of insanity. “He wants to be a spider… but of course he is a human being!”
Peter reads the article and fears the doctor is correct.
Hey, check out the random cat. My friend Ben Herman collects pictures of comic cats from different artists. I’d point this one out to him, but he already has a Ditko cat.
As the cat watches, we see what the cover has hinted at, that Spider-Man will fight ghost visions of his old foes. Evidence he is going crazy.
Now there’s a random bat. Apparently, New York City does have a lot of bats. I looked it up.
We get a good line from a distraught Aunt May, concerned about her nephew. “Why are teenagers so afraid to confide in those who love them?” Makes me wonder if he should just tell Aunt May the truth after all.
We then see Spider-Man slipping even further into insanity as he starts seeing the world upside down. I like how even the word balloons are upside down. In fact, I love this comic.
One problem the comics have is they want to bring the characters from the hero’s personal life into danger. How to do that without contrivance? Most of the titles don’t try. This one puts effort into it. It makes perfect sense why Jameson shows up, and that Flash would be following Jameson to complain flows naturally from character.
Jameson calls Rinehart a fraud at just the wrong time. Spider-Man seemed ready to open up about his true identity. Could that have been Rinehart’s plan all along?
Who is Dr. Rinehart really? (Spoiler in the character listing below. Very strong hint here.)
The letters page features a letter from future Marvel writer Don McGregor, then 20.
Dear Stan and Steve,
After reading SPIDER-MAN #20 I have to tell you that you have hit another high peak. The Scorpion was different and there were enough side plots to keep the story moving. The death of the doctor was handled nicely, the fight scenes were good, although the Scorpion looked a bit awkward, and having J. Jonah create the villain was a novel idea. I think you’d better keep Jonah thinking about the Scorpion for a while because, in real life, he would not forget about such an incident so easily. I hope that in your M.M.M.S you’ll let us readers know about stories on the drawing board before you announce them in your Special Announcements Sections. These tasty little tidbits tend to arouse the curiosity and keep you looking for the next issue.
Donald McGregor
Rating: ★★★★☆, 78/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus vol. 1. You can also find it in Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man vol. 3. Or on Kindle.
Characters:
- Spider-Man/Peter Parker
- Mysterio/Dr. Ludwig Rinehart
- Frederick Foswell
- J. Jonah Jameson
- Betty Brant
- Flash Thompson
- Liz Allan
- Aunt May
- Connie
Story notes:
- Splash page shows Spidey haunted by ghosts of Dr. Octopus, Vulture, and Sandman
- Aunt May receives new hat for Mrs. Watson’s tea party; COD $6.75.
- Peter sees Betty is still writing to Ned Leeds.
- Jameson has an idea for a series of articles on why other people hate Spider-Man.
- Flash Thompson, captain of the Midtown High football team, still Spider-Man’s biggest fan.
- Liz asks Peter to tutor her in science.
- Spider-Man fights fake: Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Vulture.
- Mysterio has wanted revenge “for years”. He means months.
| Previous | Next | |
|---|---|---|
| Tales of Suspense #65, Story B | Reading order | Strange Tales #132 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #23 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #25 |
“…both as journalist…”
Yeah, he’s not a journalist, just a photographer. He’s not even a photo-journalist. He’s not reporting on anything or writing a story, he’s just selling Jonah what he wants…pictures of Spider-Man. I see no ethical dilemma or qualms about his integrity, here. He’s just gettin’ that job done! Jonah owes him a lot of Christmas meat. 🙂
And one of my favorite Silver Age Marvel stories. Spider-man as (very) dark comedy with secret identity shenanigans at the forefont is just the best ever.