Featuring: Spider-Man
Release: November 10, 1966
Cover: February 1967
12 cents
A Stan (The Man) Lee — John (Ring-a-ding) Romita adventure in agonizing action
Lettering – Sam Rosen
Web-untangling – Irv Forbush
20 pages
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| Amazing Spider-Man #44 | Reading order | Daredevil #24 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #44 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #46 |
When your two arms were helpless against me before, what did you expect to accomplish now?
In this story, Spider-Man fights the Lizard again. With one arm tied in front of his back.
Romita gets the same credit Stan had been giving Ditko and Kirby. Rather then merely crediting him with illustration, Lee gives them each co-credit for creating the entire story, acknowledging that Romita is doing much of the writing.
At first Pete was afraid to let people see his injured arm, for fear they’d connect it to Spider-Man’s injury. But he gives in and tells people he had a bike accident. Nobody suspects he’s Spider-Man.
Flash is getting drafted and Gwen is throwing a party for his induction. Harry invites Peter to it. Peter wonders why Gwen didn’t invite him herself. Harry notes Peter hasn’t been around much since Mary Jane showed up. But Harry learned of MJ’s existence two days earlier. That we know of, Pete and MJ have had two dates. And, before MJ, Pete was never around either; he declined every invitation we saw. As far as we know, he has never hung out with Gwen or Harry.
Peter also reflects that MJ always comes between him and Gwen. She’s come between them exactly once before and it was two days ago.
Harry thinks Peter could get a job with his father. Peter’s responsibilities as Spider-Man make it hard to get a real job. Freelancing as a photographer works better with his schedule. And it may be awkward to have the Green Goblin as a boss.
Spider-Man tracks Lizard to Philadelphia to an exhibit with the world’s largest collection of reptiles. Which the Lizard plans to turn into an army. I think Spider-Man is making the same mistake as last issue. He has no plan for how to beat the Lizard. He really needs to go make an antidote, and then fight.
I think Romita does a good job with all the reptile illustrations.
Anna Watson tries to bring vegetable soup to Peter, but he’s not home. She didn’t think he was the type to go out at night.
Spider-Man does use his brains a little bit, luring the cold-blooded Lizard to a train’s refrigerator car.
Spider-Man drags the Lizard to the Connors’ residence where Billy and Martha are, and then starts working on the antidote. I really think he did this in the wrong order. Having the Lizard there just endangers the child. And puts unneeded time pressure on Spider-Man.
Spider-Man again just leaves Connors to not answer for his crimes.
Stan gives us a fun challenge, to write our own dialogue for a panel.
I’ll take a couple stabs at it.
Harry and MJ are on a date. Recall they just met two days ago. One of them works fast.
Peter realizes MJ won’t miss him if he breaks a date; she’ll just find another guy. He finds her shallow. Basically he is insulting her because he keeps standing her up. Obviously if he isn’t free, she should sit and home and mope.
Mrs. Watson brings the soup and offers to do Pete’s laundry. I also needed someone to do my laundry at Pete’s age.
Peter delivers a fine monologue that brings it all together. No new themes, but all succinctly said. And the Connors family reflects on how great it must be to be Spider-Man.
Next issue’s villain is a real shocker.
Rating: ★★★☆☆, 53/100
Significance: ★★★☆☆
I read this story in Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection vol. 3: Spider-Man No More.
Characters:
- Spider-Man/Peter Parker
- Lizard
- Martha Connors
- Billy Connors
- J. Jonah Jameson
- Fred Foswell
- Ned Leeds
- Betty Brant
- Flash Thompson
- Harry Osborn
- Aunt May
- Anna Watson
- Mary Jane Watson
Story notes:
- Spider-man takes out hijackers with one arm.
- Spider-Man still needs to pick up camera he left behind after last Lizard fight.
- Lizard seeks Connors’ notes on formula that he can drop into swamp waters to create a lizard army.
- Martha thinks Lizard won’t harm her or Billy.
- Lizard can’t understand scientific notes. So he seeks out Connors, unaware he is Curt Connors.
- Foswell wants to tail Parker, but Jameson assigns him to investigate the Lizard.
- Ned and Betty still working on the guest list for their wedding.
- Pete finished painting cycle red to impress MJ.
- Pete will claim he injured his arm on his bike.
- Flash does connect Pete’s injury to Spider-Man but suspects nothing further.
- Flash grabbing a java with Gwen.
- Harry invites Pete to Gwen’s party for Flash’s induction. Pete asks why Gwen didn’t invite him herself, and Harry notes Pete hasn’t been around since MJ.
- Harry notes his dad is a chemist and could use Pete as an assistant.
- Spider-Man searches for Lizard.
- Spider-Man sees sign at zoo that world’s largest collection of reptiles is on exhibition in Philadelphia.
- Spider-Man seems surprised Lizard was after the reptiles, but he had guessed it. That’s why he came to Philadelphia in the first place.
- Spider-Man must fight army of reptiles. With one hand.
- MJ off To Frenzy Ville A Go-Go.
- Lizard taking train with reptiles to Florida swampland to recruit millions more.
- Train operator helps Spider-Man find a train heading back to New York. He must get there before webbing holding Lizard dissolves.
- Spider-Man accidentally calls Lizard Scorpion.
- Payment for May’s vacation due; no usable Lizard photos. May will be home soon and worry about Peter’s sprained arm.
- The Connors reflect how Spider-Man is the man who has everything.
| Previous | #639 | Next |
|---|---|---|
| Amazing Spider-Man #44 | Reading order | Daredevil #24 |
| Amazing Spider-Man #44 | Amazing Spider-Man | Amazing Spider-Man #46 |
