Starting tomorrow I’m going to be employed, so that means The Spider-Man Challenge is going to need to be tweaked a bit. So as of today, I’m going to abbreviate the issue synopsis’s and focus more on my observations. Let’s do this.
The Human Torch looks like he's having fun, doesn't he?
So the Green Goblin’s back and out for revenge against Spider-Man
I had no idea that the Green Goblin's weaponry included Halloween Beanie Babies
Meanwhile, Flash Thompson stars a Spider-Man Fan Club
NO PETERS CLUB
Naturally, Flash won’t let him in, but Liz begins to scheme…
Meanwhile, Spider-Man shows up to stop a robbery, only to realize that he messed up filming on a movie! Now everyone’s laughing at him. Everyone’s a jerk!
The Internet: A Dramatic Recreation
Then this happens:
Curb Your Spider-thusiasm
Then THIS happens:
That is one classy looking dude
Later, Spidey gets shown up by local jackass, Johnny Storm
But thankfully manages to miss Mary Jane Watson once again.
Peter you schmuck
Finally, the first meeting of Flash’s Spider-Man Fan Club comes together
I'm pretty sure Betty Brant is going to murder Liz Allan in the next few issues.
Spider-Man shows up, but so does his nemesis. Why he’s surprised to see one of the dozens of dudes who want to kill him at an event advertised in the NEWSPAPER isn’t clear.
Beware The Green Goblin's Strip-o-gram!
Everyone thinks it’s an act, but Storm wises up and jumps in. Peter changes back to dodge suspicion from Liz. But Peter overhears some very important news:
Go home, Spider-Man!
Green Goblin runs off and everyone leaves. Peter makes it to the hospital and the issue’s ending is a real downer.
Woof
Observations: This is an interesting issue, for a couple of reasons.
- Tone-wise, the end of the issue comes out of nowhere, but at the same time, it’s a great way to end the issue. This is the first issue where Spider-Man really loses. Yeah, alright, he’s been defeated in fights before, but he always makes a comeback by the end of the issue. But here, everyone thinks Spider-Man’s a coward, Green Goblin gets away, and Aunt May’s back in the hospital. It’s ballsy move and it totally pays off. Mad props to Lee and Ditko for taking that risk.
- With this issue, it seems really clear to me that the Human Torch is a recurring supporting character in this book. I love the friendly rivalry Lee builds up over time and giving Peter a superhero friend is an inspired touch. I picked up Dan Slott’s Spider-Man/Human Torch mini-series last week and it’s just a fun extension of stories like this. I can’t recommend it enough.
- Stories like this really just demonstrate how Aunt May needs to die already. Great supporting character, but this has been telegraphed for about 50 years. Aunt May still being alive is probably the hardest element of Spider-Man to suspend my disbelief about and I’m saying that as someone who likes the character.
- Flash Thompson sticking up for his idol is the saddest thing.
ehhhh!
Final Thoughts: Really surprising issue, pretty standard Spider-Man story until the last couple of page. Comics like this are why Spider-Man is such a great concept. Tomorrow, Sandman and stuff.
HIVE OF SCUM 