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
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.
Featuring: Spider-Man Release: October 11, 1966 Cover: January 1967 12 cents Story: Smilin’ Stan Lee Illustration: Jazzy John Romita Lettering: Swingin’ Sam Rosen Luggage: Honest Irving Forbush 20 pages
Ditko and Lee created a number of great villains for Spider-Man: Chameleon, Vulture, Tinkerer, Dr. Octopus, Sandman, Lizard, Living Brain, Electro, Big Man and the Enforcers, Mysterio, Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, Scorpion, the Spider Slayer, Molten Man, the Cat, Looter, Robot Master, a Guy Named Joe…
A temptation when writing a Spider-Man story is to have the premise: “Spider-Man fights _ again.”
Which is the worst idea for a Spider-Man story. In fact, two of Ditko’s weakest issues, written after he had basically given up on the series, involve Spider-Man fighting Kraven or Molten Man again.
That’s not to say these villains shouldn’t return. They should. But their return needs to tell a different story with them or move their own story forward.
That’s the big question. Is this story advancing the saga of this villain or bringing it in circles?
Dr. Octopus fought Spider-Man. When they fought again, it led to the death of Betty Brant’s brother and Spider-Man being unmasked. The villain returned but it was a new story. When they fought again, Dr. Octopus assembled six of Spider-Man’s most sinister foes to battle him. Again, a different story. Finally, they had their greatest battle with Dr. Octopus in the guise of the Master Planner. I heaped plenty of praise on that saga at the time. But suffice it to say, I think there was more of a premise to that story than “Spider-Man fights Dr. Octopus again.”
Spider-Man fought the Lizard, but then learned he was a good man Dr. Connors transformed by his own science experiments.
We saw that man again, cured of his Lizard ways, now acting as a scientific advisor to Spider-Man. We saw him again last issue in a similar capacity, advising against the Rhino. That time he idly wondered if the powers of the Lizard could be used against the Rhino. Spider-Man convinced him that thinking is dangerous.
So as we read stories where Spider-Man fights a classic villain again, I have a couple thought questions. Is the story moving the villain’s story forward? Is it telling a new story with the villain? Is there more to the premise than “Spider-Man fights _ again”?
I’m not objecting per se to Spider-Man fighting the Lizard again. Romita is an artist with a distinctive style from Ditko, so it’s fun to see his take on Ditko’s villains.
And the story will be good because Romita’s art is good and because he’ll do a good job with the side characters and soap opera. But will the story be good?
Featuring: Spider-Man Release: November 11, 1965 Cover: February 1966 12 cents Script and editing: Stan Lee Plot and illustration: Steve Ditko Bordering and lettering: Artie Simek Reading and enjoying that ol’ web-spinner: you! 20 pages
I’ve failed! Just now– when it counted the most– I’ve failed! But, I can’t give up! I must keep trying! I must!! I’ve got to free myself– no matter how impossible it seems! And lifting is the only way! The– only– way–! Uhhhhh I can’t! — So exhausted– after all that fighting– I- I feel so weak–! It’s lying there– just beyond reach– as though mocking me– taunting me– It’s the one thing– the only thing– that can save Aunt May! And I can’t bring it to her–! If she– doesn’t make it– it’ll be my fault! Just the way I’ll always blame myself for what happened to Uncle Ben…! The two people in all the world who have been kindest to me! I can’t fail again! It can’t happen a second time! I won’t let it– I won’t! No matter what the odds– no matter what the cost– I’ll get that serum to Aunt May! And maybe then I’ll no longer be haunted by the memory of– Uncle Ben! Within my body is the strength of many men…! And now, I’ve got to call on all that strength– all the power– that I possess! I must prove equal to the task– I must be worthy of that strength– or else I don’t deserve it! The weight– is unbearable! Every muschle– aches–! My head– it’s spinning– everything’s beginning to whirl around–! The strain! It– it’s unbearable! The crack in the ceiling– it’s growing wider– getting bigger every second! I’ll never make it– I can’t–! No! I dare not give up now! If I close my eyes– I’ll go under! Must stay awake– must clear my head! Keep trying– trying–! I’ll do it, Aunt May! I won’t fail you! No matter what– I won’t fail–! Anyone can fight– when the odds– are easy! It’s when the going’s tough– when there seems to be no chance– that’s when it counts! Everything going black– my head– aching! Hold on– I must hold on–! It’s moving! Can’t stop now! Last chance! Must keep the momentum–more! Just a little more–!
One of my all-time favorite comic covers.
The Final Chapter. Perhaps the most aptly named comic ever. That’s certainly how I’ve come to view this comic.
Most Ditko stories begin with a splash page opening that serves almost as a second cover. This leaves that out in favor of panels to recap the story so far. Aunt May dying because of a transfusion from Peter’s radioactive blood. Dr. Connors unable to help unless Spider-Man can retrieve this canister. Dr. Octopus and his henchmen in the underwater layer. Spider-Man trapped beneath tons of steel in the base, which seems on the verge of flooding.
How strong is Spider-Man? We don’t really know. “Proportional strength of a spider”. He’s not as strong as Thor, Hulk, or Thing, all of whom could probably lift the equipment with ease. But he’s stronger than Captain America, who couldn’t possibly do it. He’s strong enough to lift several tons, but not strong enough to do that easily, and not strong enough to be confident he can do it at all. This is him at his physical limit.
He does lift the machinery off, but it takes 5 pages, a full quarter of the comic spent on Spider-Man lying on the floor, trapped. It’s a famous sequence.
I’ve always felt I was partly responsible for the death of Uncle Ben, because he was killed by a criminal whom I didn’t catch!
Chapter 2 of The Master Planner Saga.
On a personal note, this is the earliest issue of Amazing Spider-Man I actually own.
When we turn to page 2, we’ll learn the identity of the mysterious Master Planner. There were plenty of clues last issue, so maybe you’ve already guessed. Don’t read any further if you haven’t. This is your last chance.
I’ll get that masked menace if it’s the last thing I do!
Six issues in, and we meet Spidey’s fifth iconic villain. We’re only short one because he fought Dr. Doom last issue.
We learn newspapers around the nation are printing stories about the Lizard menacing the Flordia Everglades. I imagine the headlines read something like: “Florida Man sees human lizard in swamp.” Of course, not the Daily Bugle headline. That focuses on Spider-Man.
Notice that Spider-Man is also lowering the payment with his web.
The Lizard is a great villain. His character has a lot in common with the Hulk, except it’s much better. They both draw from the Jekyll/Hyde trope. Unlike the Hulk, which never settled on anything in the comic, the Lizard as a character is very clear. Dr. Connors is a good guy. When he first transforms into the Lizard, he has his own mind, but feels it slipping fast. Soon, the Lizard personality is entirely in control. The Lizard has plans to lead an army of reptiles to conquer the earth and destroy all humans. Once cured, he is back to being a decent man.
