The Amazing Spider-Man #19

December, 1964

Written by Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

Embarrassing Reference: "If anyone asks you guys what happened to you, remember to spell my name right. There’s a hyphen in it remember!” (Page 3) So, thank you Uthor, but Spider-man himself would have told me eventually. (See the comment section of issues #11 and #12)

Spidey Strikes Back

After the fightless issue #18, Spider-man goes on a rampage of ass-kicking. He beats up a large gang of bank robbers (who, along with jewel thieves, seem to be abundant in 1960s New York), fights the Enforcers twice, and tackles the Sandman along with tons of faceless henchmen mixed in.

The Enforcers are now working for the Sandman. Apparently, the Enforcers are terrified of Spider-man (as well they should be, having lost to him more than any other villains up to this point). When Sandman finds out that Spider-man has returned after his short hiatus he tells his thug, “Quiet, fool! I don’t want the Enforcers to hear. They only joined forces with me because they figured they wouldn’t have to worry about Spider-man.” (Page 5). The four of them have captured the Human Torch and are planning to capture any costumed hero they can get their hands on so that they can go on their crime spree uninhibited.

Spider-man gets on the case and begins tracking down the Enforcers. I believe this issue and the last mark a maturing for Spider-man in a few different ways. The first noticeable thing is experience. He’s known around the crime circuit at this point and has certain people he goes to for information, much like a private detective would. He finds Louie. Louie, in previous Spider-man comics, would have been a nameless thug. But Spider-man’s been around the block a few times and he and Louie, and assumedly a cast of other seedy characters, are on a first name basis. Spider-man confronts Louie and the terrified criminal asks what he wants. “Just a little information, Louie. The kind a stoolie like you is sure to have. I know the Sandman and the Enforcers are back in town. Where are they holed up? Talk, you weasel!” (Page 14). Spider-man has turned from a young punk into a Raymond Chandler detective.

When Spider-man breaks into the hideout, he doesn’t fight his way in, like he did with the Enforcers hideout in issue ten. He sneaks all the way through the lair and finds the cage they’re keeping the Human Torch in before he’s jumped by the Sandman. And in his fight, he doesn’t try to take on all comers single-handedly, like he did in the first Annual when he turned down the Torch’s help. (AS Annual 1, Page 36). He makes sure to break the Torch out of his cage so they can fight together.

And even in Peter Parker’s life, the decisions seem to be more mature. Parker finds that his former girl, Betty Brant, is now dating a writer for the Daily Bugle named Ned Leeds. Instead of stressing about it or trying to steal Betty back, he introduces himself to the guy and they become friends. (Page 10).

These examples, combined with the abstinence from fighting in issue # 18 in order to spend more time with Aunt May, shows a dramatic change in Peter Parker’s demeanor. Just a few issues ago, in Kraven the Hunter (Issue #15), Peter is terrified that Aunt May will fall on hard times if Kraven manages to take him down. But in that instance, he was unable to quell his desire for competition. He used to think about fame and money for his own personal gain. Now, the only time it comes up is when he needs it to give to Aunt May. His motives have turned from juvenile to adult. The maturation of Spider-man has taken nearly twenty issues, and he’s not fully there yet, but growth is happening and the adventurer is becoming the hero.