Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: July 8, 1965
Cover: October 1961
12 cents
Writing and editing by: Stan Lee
Plotting and drawing by: Steve Ditko
Lettering and loafing by: Sam Rosen
20 pages
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|---|---|---|
| Sgt. Fury #22 | Reading order | Daredevil #10 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #28 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #30 |
I don’t believe in false modesty! The best thing about being a publisher is you can write what you please about yourself!
Again, notice the plotting credit for Ditko. Ditko has plotted every issue and exclusively plotted the last several issues, but Stan is doing better at giving him credit in an attempt at appeasing Ditko’s concerns. It will prove to be too little, too late.
We’ve remarked repeatedly on just how many iconic villains Ditko came up with in a short period of time. By issue 15, we’d met: Chameleon, Vulture, Tinkerer, Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Lizard, Living Brain, Electro, Big Man and the Enforcers, Mysterio, Green Goblin, and Kraven the Hunter. That’s insane. Since then, Ditko has slowed down some, and Spider-Man has had rematches with foes like Green Goblin, Sandman, and Mysterio, while also borrowing foes from other heroes, like the Circus of Crime or the Beetle. However, we’ve still gotten some good creations in the latter half of this series, including Scorpion, the Spider Slayer, and just last issue, the Molten Man.
Ditko is basically done with creating cool iconic villains for Spider-Man. He’ll create a few more villains, but they won’t fall anywhere near the iconic camp: the Cat, the Looter, Robot Master… Otherwise, he’ll just have Spider-Man fight the villains he already has. Hence, this issue is a rematch with the Scorpion. The series is winding down. Ditko is winding down. He has one great Spider-Man story left in him, and then it’s time to say goodbye.
This issue is treading water. It’s still well told. Ditko’s a good storyteller and can churn out a solid action yarn. But we’re basically biding time.
We’ve often seen that when Spider-Man’s villains go to prison, they seem to be in their full weaponized costume. This time, they explain why. Scorpion faked a nervous breakdown, so they gave him his costume to calm him down. Makes perfect sense to me.
We get a nod toward more serialized storytelling. Jameson references ongoing crimes unrelated to the Scorpion: a cat burglar and robberies of scientific equipment. This foreshadows the next two issues. Based on the way the creators are working, and some confusion we will see next issue, this dialogue must have been supplied by Ditko in some form.
For all my griping, there is some good stuff here. Ned is back from Europe, so Peter once again has competition for Betty’s affections. This continues to be the series with the best soap opera elements.
Here’s a funny interaction between Ned and Spider-Man.
And it’s a particularly good issue for characterization of Jonah.
And some great action sequences.
We sort of get a new look for Peter. He’s worn a similar yellow vest for a while now, but always with a blue jacket over it. He doesn’t wear the jacket this issue, perhaps due to him outgrowing it, but then getting distracted on his way to buy a new coat. But it might just be it’s 1965 now, and a cool high school graduate can walk around town without a jacket in these modern times.
The issue ends with Aunt May suffering a dizzy spell. Another hint of plot threads to come.
This is a good comic. It’s almost a great comic. But the series is falling into a rut.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 59/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus vol. 1.
Characters:
- Spider-Man
- Scorpion
- J. Jonah Jameson
- Frederick Foswell
- Betty Brant
- Ned Leeds
- Aunt May
- Betty’s friend
Story notes:
- Possible full title: “Never Step on a Scorpion!” Or… “.. You think it’s easy to dream up titles like this?”
- Peter needs new clothes, so gets money from the bank.
- Scorpion escapes from prison, swears vengeance on Spider-Man and Jameson.
- Leeds returns from European assignment.
- Jameson tries to pretend he was not involved in Scorpion’s creation, acts as though he has no idea why Scorpion would be after him.
- Ned is taking Betty to see “Golden Boy” musical tomorrow night, so she turns down Peter’s suggestion of dinner.
- Scorpion can scale walls with pincer-like fingers. He can jump by using his tail as a spring against a wall.
- Jameson publishes extra edition claiming Spider-Man and Scorpion are allies. Goal is to convince Spider-Man to attack the Scorpion to prove him wrong.
- Jameson pretends to be upset about the furniture, but secretly is grateful insurance will replace it.
- He sends Betty home for her safety, and plans to deduct it from her paycheck.
- Ned took Betty to the doctor; she needs rest after today’s events.
| Previous | #433 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Sgt. Fury #22 | Reading order | Daredevil #10 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #28 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #30 |
