The Amazing Spiderman #25

June, 1965

Written by Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

Captured by J. Jonah Jameson

J. Jonah Jameson finally gets his wish. He can go after Spider-Man himself.

This issue introduces Sylvester Smythe, a builder of robots extraordinaire. Smythe walks into the Daily Bugle and Jonah immediately says, “I’m not listening to any more nutty mad scientists.” (Page 4) But I know that Smythe’s pitch will be successful because, though the robot he sells J.J.J is nameless, he will eventually become a prolific maker of Spider Slayers.

Oddly enough, it’s Peter Parker that talks Jonah into giving Smyth a try. Parker, who believes Smythe to be a crackpot, thinks, “Say! This would be a great chance to get even with Jonah for all the trouble he’s caused me in the past. I might even make some more dough selling photos of the Spider-Man ‘fight.’” (Page 4) And at this point in the series, Stan and Steve have the moral ebb and flow of the comics down to such a science that once we see Peter do something out of spite or greed, we know it will blow up in his face.

And it does. Smythe’s robot actually defeats Spider-Man. Jonah, controlling the robot remotely, tracks the webslinger down and binds him with the robot’s metal tentacles, gloating and blustering the whole time. Spider-Man only frees himself when Jameson and Smythe leave the controls to come and find the ensnared hero. He kills the battery and easily escapes, thus publicly embarrassing Jonah once again.
It was a good issue for the most part, heavy on action but left a bit to be desired in the drama department.

And, without further ado, on to the 25th Anniversary Spectacular of It’s Amazing.


Everybody loves a good list. So here is one.

Best Spider-Man Side Characters

5. The Human Torch: The Human Torch makes so many appearances in the first 25 issues of Spider-Man that I definitely consider him a side character. He and Spider-Man have a great back and forth and, in true bad comics style, often fight each other for little or no reason.

4. Mary Jane Watson: Mary Jane doesn’t appear in any of these comic books but she still makes the list. She was first mentioned in #15 and Aunt May brings her up nearly every issue for an entire year. She is actually in #25 but you never see her face. Her lack of appearance is hilarious.

3. Aunt May: Aunt May is the all-purpose tool of Stan Lee. She can be anything he wants at any time, depending on what the plot needs. Aunt May has been the doddering Grandma, sick in the hospital three times, inspirational confidante, amateur pimp, and obsessive mother.

2. Flash Thompson: Spidey’s #1 fan is a larger than life bully with a heart of gold. Flash hates Peter for his uppity attitude and loves Spider-Man for his believed altruism. The anti-wisdom of Flash is some of the best stuff in the series.

1. J. Jonah Jameson: This was a tough pick for me, because I’m a big Flash fan. But Jameson is definitely the best side character in these 25 issues. He’s a blustering blowhard who hates Spider-Man for his flashy style and his greed. And, although the newspaper man is willing to lie and cheat to bring Spider-Man down, many of his critiques are right on the mark.

Here are some basic rules we learned in the first 25 issues of The Amazing Spider-Man.

Laws of Spider-Man

1. Peter Parker is a teenager before he’s a hero. In these first few years of Spider-Man, the decisions are not always moral and heroic. They are often bratty and senseless, because we’re dealing with a super-strong fifteen-year-old.

2. Only Spider-Man’s villains of low social stature are naturally evil. I covered this in issue #20, but it’s true for the whole series so far. It probably has to do with Steve Ditko’s obsession with Ayn Rand. If the villain is educated he must have been driven crazy by something, but if he’s a blue collar worker he was already evil.

3. Spider-Man could have become a villain just as easily as he became a hero. The early, young Spider-Man was driven by greed and a desire for fame more than he was driven by good will. And this is the subject of the audience participation question.

Audience Question

Many of the essays focused on Rule #3, that Spider-Man could have easily turned out to be a villain. So, let’s say that happened. Spider-Man is a villain and not a hero. For the most part, villains don’t get their own comic books. So the question is, Whose comic book is Spider-Man a villain in? Would he be in Daredevil? Captain America? The Incredible Hulk? Leave your answer in the comment section.

Thanks for following through 25 issues! Hope you enjoyed them and I'll try to do at least 25 more. Since you read my 25th Anniversary Spectacular, here's a little treat. It's Jenny dressed as Spider-Man taken on Spring break a few years ago. Enjoy!

The Amazing Spider-Man #24

May, 1965

Written by Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

Spidey Goes Mad

Great issue. Great frickin’ issue. Let me tell you why.

Basically it happened like this: J. Jonah Jameson has started a new campaign against Spider-Man. Again. This time he has a reporter on the street asking loaded questions to people about Spider-Man such as “Why do you hate Spider-Man?” and “Why do you think Spider-Man is a menace?” If the walkers-by say they don’t particularly hate Spider-Man the reporter retorts, “Look, do you want your name and picture in the paper or don’t you?” (Page 6). Sorta like a Fox News reporter.

Eventually some famous-in-Europe-Sigmund-Freud-knock-off psychologist catches wind of what the Daily Bugle is doing and pays Jameson a visit. The psychologist's name is Dr. Ludwig Rinehart (hee hee) and he thinks that Spider-Man is sure to lose his mind soon. He says, “It is only a matter of time before his Id and his Ego get so confused that he forgets who he really is…and then he will suffer a severe breakdown!” (Page 7) As you can see, it’s a pretty convincing diagnosis.

So the Daily Bugle publishes the doctor’s findings, basically that Spider-Man is leading a double life and this will cause him to eventually schizoid and lose his mind. Peter Parker, upon reading this diagnosis, decides that he has to meet this doctor, partly to convince him that Rhinehart’s wrong about Peter’s mental state and partly to make sure he’s not right.

But then the strangest thing happens: Spider-Man starts seeing shit. Hallucinations of his greatest foes, Dr. Octopus, The Sandman, The Vulture, all appear before him, angry and threatening. But when he reaches out to strike them he realizes they’re not actually there.

Parker starts freaking out. He’s convinced that Rhinehart’s prophecy is coming true and he’s terrified that he might hurt someone he loves. He finds the psychologist’s home office (and it’s weird that he has a home office because he told Jameson that he was just in visiting the states on vacation) and lies down in the chair to confess everything.

Dr. Ludwig stands, one arm behind his back, the other discreetly holding a smoking pipe, and says “The root of your problem is, of course, your dual identity. But, if you were to make you true identity known, much of the strain would be gone.” (Page 17) And Spider-Man is convinced. But just before he confesses to his secret identity to Ludwig Rhinehart, Jonah Jameson breaks in closely tailed by an irate Flash Thompson.

‘Where did they come from?’ you may wonder.

Well, Flash periodically appeared throughout the issue every time one of The Daily Bugle’s reporters were trashing Spider-Man. He grew angrier and angrier as the issue progressed and, by coincidence, saw Jameson getting out of a car in front of Rhinehart’s house while Spider-Man was inside. Jameson was visiting Rhinehart because his former-convict-turned-lead-reporter Foswell tipped him off that Rhinehart is actually a fraud.

Not a doctor at all!

Jameson, who has highlighted Rhinehart in several articles of his paper, is furious. He rushes into the doctor’s house to confront him and interrupts the scene before Spider-Man can confess his identity.

As things are sorted out we come to find that Mysterio is actually Dr. Ludwig Rhinehart (I can’t believe that’s not a real name!) and the whole thing was a scheme to convince Spider-Man to believe he was mad and give up being Spider-Man.

Mysterio is once again arrested, Jonah is crushed that he stopped what might have been the destruction of that menace Spider-Man, and Flash is jubilant that he helped save his hero and got to see him fight in person. And I just love when Flash is happy.

It was a great issue, well-plotted, funny, and it included all my favorite side characters. Home run.

Check back next week for the 25th Anniversary Spectacular!

The Amazing Spider-Man #23

April, 1965

Written by Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

The Goblin and the Gangsters

This is the Green Goblin’s third appearance and his character is beginning to have the depth needed to become a major character. He first appeared in the infamously terrible issue #14, The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin. In that issue he concocted some shitty scheme to convince Spider-Man that they were going to make a bio pic about him in order to lure him out to California where the Enforcers were waiting to kill him. It was totally stupid.

He came back in issue #17, The Return of the Green Goblin. But this title is a misnomer, the issue being much more about Flash Thompson than anything else. The Goblin didn’t exactly annoy me in any specific way, but I didn’t see how this character was on his way to being iconic. While I wouldn’t argue that he takes his first steps towards legend status in this issue, he at least holds my interest and at times even peaks my curiosity.

I suppose I’m hindered by the fact that I know the Green Goblin’s secret identity. Lee is definitely playing up the mystery of the Goblin’s identity and I’m well aware that it is Norman Osborn, a character who hasn’t even been introduced yet. This issue focuses on Frederick Foswell (first appeared in AS #10 as The Big Man) as a red herring. Foswell comes across the same information that the Goblin acquires and the two are shown in successive frames making the reader believe they are the same person. But, unfortunately, I know better.

I think the Green Goblin improved because he now has a clear goal. He wants to be the “King of Crime” (Page 3). He wants to rule the New York underworld and has begun threatening local gangsters in an attempt to take over their mob. This might sound trite, and to some degree it is, but just seeing the Goblin focus on something that isn’t dip-shit-crazy is enough to turn him around. Because he is an engaging character if all the distractions and imperfections are removed.

He’s the only villain with a secret identity, he’s arguably the creepiest looking villain that Spider-Man faces (besides the Chameleon from AS #1), and he’s actually too much for Spider-Man to handle in a fight.

Spider-Man’s had his ass kicked by nearly everyone he’s fought, but he generally comes back in the second half of the issue to give back harder than he received. Not so with the Goblin. And it’s not because the Green Goblin’s incredibly strong or he has such great weapons. It’s all speed based. He’s the only villain Spider-Man has fought who is faster than he is. As simple as that sounds, it makes for interesting battles.

So, I’m turning around on the Green Goblin. But he still needs to go through a lot of improvement before I think it’s acceptable that he gets to kill Gwen Stacey. It’s quite an honor for a villain to be allowed to kill a major character, especially a love interest. If it were right now, that is, right as in April 1965, I’d say that that would be Dr. Octopus’s right.

The Amazing Spiderman #22

March, 1965

Written by Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

Bizarre Reference:

Ringmaster: Who said that?

Spider-Man: One things for sure, I’m not Tuesday Weld.

Wikipedia tells me that Tuesday Weld is an actor, prominent in the 60s and 70s and still working today. She was most notably in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, The Winter of our Discontent, and Once Upon a Time in America. I don’t know why Spider-Man would bring her up.

She was married to Dudley Moore at one time. So…there’s that.


Preeeeeesting: The Clown and his Masters of Menace

This issue is goofy. It’s the second appearance of the Ringmaster and his crew and this time there is division in the circus ranks. The Ringmaster, as his name would imply, is normally the leader of this silly group consisting of two gymnasts, a man who is regularly shot from a cannon, a snake lady, and a clown. But the circus has had a rash of bad luck and the Ringmaster has lead them into trouble time and again.

The Ringmaster begins to talk about his “next great scheme” (Page 3) and the others shoot him down before he can pitch them. And I don’t blame them. The Ringmaster’s scheme is always the same. They roll into some unsuspecting town, throw a circus and then hypnotize the crowd so that they can steal their wallets. They do this every time.

Every time but this time. This time the snake lady, Stan Lee likes to call her Lady Python, says, “Forget it, top hat! Just because you’re a cool hypnotist doesn’t mean we have to make you head man.” (Page 3) Lady Python has done a lot of talking so far and, while I was reading this, I thought she was going to lead the group. She continues, “(We need) someone clever and crafty. Someone who can think on his feet- someone people can trust.” (Page 3) Still seems like she’s going to suggest herself right? Then she finishes, “Someone like- the clown!”

Yeah. So the clown leads the group. Good call.

Their plan, however, does change. They don’t throw a circus and rob everyone. Instead The clown shows up at an art show that J. Jonah Jameson is throwing (apparently Jameson is really into art) and pretends to be a hired entertainer while the others clean the place out.

They get back to their hideout and sit around congratulating each other. Instead of trying to move their product and actually make some money, they start kicking around ideas on a name for their criminal group. They suggest The Carnival Champs, The Big Toppers, and The Masters of Menace. Each one of them lamer than the next. Luckily Spider-Man breaks in an punches everyone in the face.

He has some trouble with Lady Python because he doesn’t want to punch a girl. And there's also trouble because she tries to sleep with him. Unambiguously. She says, “We could make beautiful music together.” (Page 16) To which Spider-Man replies, “Sorry ma’am. I’m tone deaf.” You can decide for yourself whether that means he’s impotent or not.

The rest of the comic plays out as corny as the beginning of the comic and nothing of importance really happens. The only thing I take away from this issue is the opinion that Spider-Man needs to learn how to punch a girl. If you just do it once it’s a lot easier from then on.

Steve D. and Ayn R.

Here's a little follow up on Steve Ditko's affiliation with Ayn Rand's philosophy, Objectivism.

http://www.adherents.com/people/pd/Steve_Ditko.html

So, yeah. My essay on Amazing Spider-Man # 20 was totally on the mark. In your face.

The Amazing Spider-Man #21

February, 1965

Written By Stan Lee, Illustrated by Steve Ditko

Where Flies the Beetle

This issue should almost be named “The Amazing Human Torch.” There’s a lot more time dedicated to Johnny Storm than to Spider-Man and the bad guy was originally a Torch foe.

Abner Jenkins, which is one of my favorite plainclothes names, has been released from prison. He was placed there by the Human Torch after battling in Strange Tales #123, as Stan Lee tells us in a boxed note at the bottom of the panel. When Jenkins dons his armored suit he becomes the Beetle, and he carries this suit while walking out of the prison. He says, “They had to give me back my Beetle equipment. There’s no law against a man owning an armored costume.” (Page 1) There probably is a law because the suit is actually a high-tech weapon that Jenkins has mastered and used for evil purposes. But if there isn’t a law, there should be. Because Abner throws on the suit in the woods outside the prison and then flies to New York City in order to murder Johnny Storm.

The Torch, upon hearing about the Beetle’s release, cancels a date with Doris, his lady friend. This is Doris’ second appearance. She made her Spider-Man debut in AS #8, The Threat of the Living Brain. This means that she’s had one more appearance than the Lizard, one of Spider-Man’s major villains. And, in a way, she deserves it. She’s funny, smart, and constantly sassing Johnny Storm. They have a bit where she is forever unimpressed with the impressive Human Torch. He does something amazing and she points out how unamazing it was, constantly keeping the flying man firmly grounded. The Human Torch of the 60s is almost incomplete without her.

The Human Torch, and Doris to a lesser extent, have become regulars in Spider-Man’s world. A few articles ago I pointed out that every time there is a guest star the issue is ruined. And for the most part it’s true. But the Human Torch has appeared so many times now (six times in twenty-one issues) that he’s become a Spider-Man character. Just like Flash Thompson or J. Jonah Jameson, the Human Torch has his place and his role in the Spider-Man world.

The Torch, firstly, highlights Spider-Man’s competitive nature. Their fights are composed more of one-upmanship than an actual intent to do harm. Peter Parker, who attempts to scoff at the vanity of Liz Allen and Flash Thompson, can easily be pushed to the limit when going tic for tac with Johnny Storm.

Secondly, Storm’s inclusion shows Spider-Man’s inexperience. Two times, once in issue #19 and again in the fight with the Beetle, the two trip over each other’s feet in an attempt to beat the bad guys. It’s a joke, it’s bumbling Three Stooges bits from two normally graceful heroes, but it also shows that Spider-Man is no good working in tandem whereas the Torch, with his three Fantastic friends, is used to having someone watch his back.

And lastly, though Peter Parker will never admit it, The Human Torch is an idle. The respect that the Torch commands with the public is something that Spider-Man always strives for. Spider-Man has saved an astronaut from crashing to the earth, performed in a circus free-of-charge, tried to star in his own movie, appeared at a ball for his fan club and on and on, yet, at this point in his career, no one is even sure if he’s a criminal or a hero. P.R. comes naturally to the Torch.

But it’s not just the hero ego of The Human Torch that Spider-Man strives to emulate. Johnny Storm also lives the life that Peter Parker yearns for. Storm has no secret identity, he has a family member, Sue Storm, the Invisible Woman, that he can discuss his life with, he has no money problems, and he has a girlfriend who is smart and challenging. Peter Parker has to keep his heroic life a secret. He constantly has to lie to and worry about his Aunt May. He is always on the look-out to make a buck. His girlfriend, Betty Brant, is weak and whiny and, really, no match for him. At least, not in the sense that Doris is for Johnny.

Ultimately, the freedom that Johnny Storm has to be himself is what makes Spider-Man jealous. At the end of the issue he stands over the city he protects and thinks, “I wonder if the world will ever acclaim me as it does others. Or am I always to go through life shunned and loathed? If only I could reveal my secret identity…if I could let people realize who I am…but I just don’t dare!” (Page 20)

22 Songs for Jeremy

Jeremy Sangster passed away in a fire this fall (www.jeremy22.com) Over the past few months, his friends have been working to compile a CD in his memory. The CD entitled 22 songs for jeremy consists entirely of friends or friends of friends of Jeremy’s, who donated a song to raise money for the scholarship in his honor. The songs on the CD run the gamut including Adult Contemporary, Electronic, Kid Folk, Reggae, Country, EMO, Punk, Alt-Country, Blue Grass and Indie Rock there is literally something for everybody.

The CD is available online for the suggested donated price of $10 http://www.jeremy22.com/songs.html
LOOK OUT FOR THE UPCOMING EVENT. Later this summer either in Bloomfield, NY or NYC or both some of the bands from the CD will get together to put on a benefit concert to raise more money for he scholarship.