Amazing Spider-Man from the beginning

[matthewaos]

That was a slow but interesting issue, though with one flaw: I do not understand why Peter cannot enter his appartment from the front door. However the art looks great here. The script obviously was not much so the panels are larger and that helps here. I like the origin of the Prowler so far and it looks like a tragic character. He is like Peter in some ways and that makes him more interesting. JRjr helped in this issus by "sugesting the prowler", and I am glad he did. This was an issue where the suporting cast played major role instead of Spider-Man and there was almost no action. I liked the issue, though another flaw I can think is that if I had to wait for a month to read what happens next I would be mad!!

[matthewaos]

Amazing Spider-Man #79


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To Prowl No More!

Writer - Stan Lee
Artist - John Buscema
Inker - Jim Mooney
Cover - John Romita
Lettering - Sam Rosen

Directly continued after last issue. Stan Lee informs us that this was going to be a three parter but instead they turned it into a two parter.
Peter makes it to look like he lost his balance and falls from the window. The prowler never wanted to be accused for murder, so he is shocked end exits the scene, going to the roof, leaving the bag with the money behind. Jameson is shocked that the Prowler killed PEter, though Peter managed to break his fall by sticking to the walls as he was falling (ok, this is not 100% believable). He quickly changes into Spider-Man and goes to the roof to find the Prowler. The two fight, while Spider-Man realises that he sounds like a kid, though this is funny cause they are about the same age, suposedly. In any case the Preowler manages to escape Spider-Man.
Peter then goes in the Bugle offices to find JJJ and Robbie happy he is still alive. Peter says he was saved by Spider-Man and Jameson asks if he got a good picture, something that Peter obviously didn't.
Peter goes home to fall asleep, cause he is a little dazed from Prowler's gas, and wakes the other day to go to his class. Gwen sees him and wonders why he is distand and Peter tells her that he saw her with Flash. Gwen for some reason does not explain what happens. At the same time the Prowler is thinking how close he was to be framed for murder. Then he thinks that if he catches Spider-Man he will be a hero.
Spider-Man swings into action with a pocket gas filter and his camera, though he remebers he is out of film. He goes to a shop from the back window, takes a film, leave cash and go. He finds the Prowler and they fight. The Prowler is obviously no match for Spider-Man, especially with his gas filter. He beats him really fast and unmaskes him. Hobbie thn tells his story. Spider-Man realises that they have some things in common and that he is not a bad guy. He decides to let him go, since he has not stolen anything yet and he can stull undo his mistakes.

Next: The return of the mysterious Chameleon!

[matthewaos]

The story is mostly on four panel grid and is more fast passing than previous ones. Considering the fact that this was supposed to be a three parter I wonder if this is a sign of transition, since as comics evolve they became even more fast passing to the pressent point of decompression.
However the story is good, and the Prowler is a very interesting character. It was a good touch that Spidey let him go, since he was kind of innocent. I hope we will see more and more of him in the near future.
Buscema's art is even better than the last time. My only problem was that the resolution to the story happens in the last page and I would prefer to give it a little more space.

[matthewaos]

Amazing Spider-Man #80



On The Trail Of... The Chameleon!

Authir/Editor - Stan Lee
Illustrators - John Buchema, Jim Mooney
Art Consolidator - John Romita
Letterer - Sam Rosen

The Chameleon is back, after his appearence in ASM #15, along with Kraven, and his first appearence in ASM #1. The story begins with Peter on his room trying to fix his gear, when someone is coming. It's Harry and Flash who are there to explain the "love triangle". Peter however is pissed at Flash and goes and attacks him. Flash quickly explains that Gwen was only worried about Peter and asked Flash if he knew why he disapears. Peter happy that it was a misanderstanding phones Gwen and the two decide to go to an art exibition, with priceless paintings.
Gwen's father is head of the security in the excibit, though when he passes in front of them he does not talk and Peter's spider-sence is tinglying. After a while it is discovered that some paintings were lost and George Stacy is nowhere to be found. As Gwen and Peter go to her house they find her father just recovering. He says he was unconsious and never left the house. While somewhere else, the Chameleon brags about him being the master of disguise (well, he is).
Peter realises that he is facing the chameleon and decides to go to the Bugle and find Robbie. He tells him his plan, to write something in the front page to lure the Chameleon out, though Robbie tells him that a transfer of bonds IS happening tomorow. Robbie does put it in the front page and Peter as Spider-Man is there, with JJJ. He goes to change his cloths. His Spider-sence tells him that Chameleon is in a conference room, though he plays possum, probably, and no one else believes him. Spider-MAn looses him and searches for him outside. He then realises who he is and attacks to the man he is near JJJ who happen to be... Peter Parker. JJJ asks who he knew it and Spider-MAn tells him that that's his secret.

Next: The coming of the Kangeroo!

[matthewaos]

There are some pros and cons here. First the art, I think it's reaching unimaginable levels. As I understand it JR is doing the finishes. Whatever the thing is here, the three artists are doing a fantastic job!
Next is the simple fact that the issue features the Chameleon, who has not appeared for a while.
Finally it's a fun enjoyable issue.

Though I didn't like some stuff. Why Spider-Man thinks it's funny not to explain why he knew Peter Parker is the Chameleon is beyond me. I remember an episode in TAS where something similar happened but I think he said that he saw Peter somewhere else.
The Chameleon looks and acts like a comon thief. I think more could be done with a master of disguise. I understand though that Stan could not think of anything else, at least that's what it seems and I doubt he uses him again in his run.
Stan tells us that the Chameleon previously fought Spider-Man in issue #2.

I would say it's an ok issue. I liked it when I read it but if you think about it for a bit it starts to show its flaws.

However, with this issue we say goodbye to the 60s and hello to the 70s!!

[matthewaos]

Amazing Spider-Man #81



The Coming Of The Kangaroo!

Writer - Stan Lee
Finished Art - John Romita
Breakdowns - John Buscema
Inker - Jim Mooney
Cover - John Romita
Lettering - Artie Simek

It's really hard not to have in mind JM DeMatteis' Legion of Losers when thinking the Kangaroo. I started reading full of excitment, waiting for a fun issue with a loser vilain that makes Machendale look like the Joker. Stan seems to have something else in his mind though, so I'll do the whole thing pretending I do not know what happens next...

Spider-Man swings through the city and heading frantically on the train station to pick up Aunt May. JJJ makes a humorus appearence when he drops his cigar the one he had specially smugled from Cuba. Nice... Peter arrives at the train station and in his enxiaty pushes around several people. He finds May but she sees him in such a condition and believes he is sick. Next to them is a big blonde guy where two immigration officers try to depart him. The Kangaroo, as he says is his name leaps above their heads and escapes. Peter realises that as Spider-MAn he may catch him, but aunt May want him out of this scene, cause he is so fragile.
The Kangaroo explains to us his origin: He was someone who loved Kangaroos and started observing them in Australia, drinking and eating what they drunk and eat. Somehow he managed to have their "powers", meaning leaping too high. Right... Next thing he does is going to a boxing match and he ingures someone severely. He leaps from justice and tries to escape Australia. Immigration caught him and were ready to depart him. So he wears his jacket, that has fur and a pocket (?) and goes to start his villain carrier.
Peter, in his aunt's house does not feel sick in any way, though May wants him to stay put and try to babysit him. Peter realises that this may give her hapiness. However at the same moment some police men are carrying a deadly bacteria that can spread like a plague. The Kangaroo though, he is not too smart, and believes that there is money inside the case and steals it. He finds the vial inside and thinks it's jewels (???) and put it in the pocket of his fur vest, and goes to find real cash.
Peter hears about this, makes a web dummy and goes out as Spider-Man. He finds the Kangaroo and the two fight. Spider-Man has to be very carefull for the vial not to be opened, cause the virus will spread. He cannot make him listen what is going on, so they continue to fight.
As they fight, May discoveres the web dummy and faints. Spider-Man keeps fighting and anyway eventuially wins, by taking the vial. The KAngaroo however escapes. He gives the vial to the police though they don't really believe he is a hero. Spider-Man goes back to his aunt's house only to find May in the condition we left her. He changes backi to Peter and try to make her come around. When she does, she doubts her sanity for what she saw, so Peter feels very responsible for this.

Next: ELECTRO!

[matthewaos]

So... Stan seems that he did not have a funny version in his mind when he created the Kangaroo. So, not keeping in mind what JMD did, I think that the Kangaroo is what we all know, a lame villain with a silly origin that normally he should not pose any threat to Spider-Man. However this time the whole virus thing was the only thing that made things complicated, which gives justice to what I am saying. So that gives bad credit for the issue. Plus, those issues with aunt May absent show, for me, that she is useless for the series as an old lady who faints every five pages. For her to be so fragile is only a drawback. It sure was a great touch in the begining, but after 80 issues it starts to become boring. What I am trying to say is that I did not missed her. However I missed the supporting cast but I hope that this will be corrected in following issues. Anyway, the art is still amazing. It makes you wonder why Buchema did not do any more work on Spider-Man (though at least his brother had an amazing lenghtly run, in spec.)

[matthewaos]

Amazing Spider-Man #82



And Then Came Electro!

Writer - Stan Lee
Artist - John Romita
Inker - Jim Mooney
Cover - Marie Severin
Lettering - Sam Rosen

This issues marks the return of John Romita, and Electro! Last we saw him, if I am not mistaken was in Annual #1, with the Sinister Six.
Peter Parker is on May's house, where we left him, thinking all the things not going well in his life: He believes that George Stacy and Robbie will probably soon find out his identity, the rent, the bills, Gwen, JJJ... At that time Anna and MJ arrive at the house (Ann is leaving with May) to take care of May. Gwen then calls him and tells him about the farewell dinner for Flash. Peter realises that he has no money for it.
He goes out as Spider-Man to find something to take a picture but finds nothing. Instead he gets all dirty by a chimney. He goes to his pad but he can't go in cause Harry is there, shaving his mustache that he had for some issues now. He then has this idea, go to a tv station as a guest star on a show, to earn money. The producers agree.
At that time at the tv station some voltage cables are having some kind of malfunction. One of the workers there pulls the circuit breaker, and he manages not to die. It's Max Dillon, Electro! He then goes home, finds his parole officer, and tunrns the tv on. He hears Jameson on the news talking about Spider-Man's appearence on the tv show. Electro realises that if he goes and unmasks Spider-Man he will not break the law and be a hero. He then goes to Jameson to tell him this, while Peter and Gwen go to the party, where it does not turn well. Peter almost gets in a fight with Flash but he leaves. Gwen catches up with him and they talk about Peter's problems, though not about him not telling his identity.
Jameson is eager to go to the show and invites Robertson and George Stacy. Peter has to clean his uniform but in the laundry he goes it's crowded. So he... puts a paper bag in his head, with eye holes to do it! Ultimately he goes to the show and the interview begins. Electro appears. Jameson is happy about this and his company realises he knew about it. The fight begins, and Spider-Man has his usual problems. Though in the end manages to short circuit himself, by touching his legs with his own feet. The feedback though drops him unconcious and Electro manages to escape. Peter's costume is torn and burned after the fight, as well as his hands. He fells to his bed dissapointed.

Next: Indroducing the SCHEMER!

[matthewaos]

ccording to marvel wikia, Electro last appeared in Daredevil Annual #1 he next appears in Daredevil #87. I remember that in Electro's first appearence Spider-Man did not knew his name, however we guess that he learned it from the news.
Romita's return is pleasant, though I loved Buchema's short run.
The story is pretty much straight foreword. I was not excited, though I was not bored.
Electro is not my favorite villain, he may not be in the top ten, but he is a very interesting villain and I am interesting in the stories including him, which at that time are not essential, but later he gets some really great ones.
Electro also looks way better from Romita than Ditko. I know he is the creator, but Romita makes him look more alive.
A nice thing was the return of the suporting cast. Though I think that Lee does not give vey much characterization on Gwen, and MJ is a party girl that has nothing to do with the MJ most people know.
Also a good thing that Harry shaved... However it seems a little stupid that Peter can't change in the street and go in his appartment. What, he only goes in from the window, when Harry is out? When do they meet?
Spider-Man also appears in Silver Surfer #14 this month. I do not have this though, or any of my friends so I won't review it.

[matthewaos]

Amazing Spider-Man #83



The Schemer!

Writer - Stan Lee
Artist - John Romita
Inker - Mickey Demeo
Cover - John Romita
Lettering - Sam Rosen

The Schemer in his first appearence starts with a bang, since at the begining of the story he says to his men his plans on how he will take over Kingpin's domain. An explosion on a Kingpin's truck makes Peter change to Spider-Man, ane after he puts his camera on position he enters the stage. For some reason, after he gets his photos he leaves and the gangsters escape.
We then see the Kingpin and the first appearence of his wife Vanessa. She is worried about their son who is in Europe, but there are reports of an accident that he was involved and that he is dead. The Kingpin cannot accept this and does not believe it. Peter at the same time sells his picks to Johnah for five (!) dollars.
The Schemer has captured one of Kingpin's men, who however is willing to talk, while the gang say goodbye to Flash, who goes back to Vietnam. Stan gives us his political message of not really suporting the war. As he and Gwen are walking, and Peter tells her he wants to say something a truck is hit by a car and falls to them. Peter manages to hold it with his back, but Gwen is unconcious. He puts a spider tracer to the car and after he manages to put a parking meter under the truck, to hide his secret identity, Gwen is transported to the hospital.
Spidey is mad and goes to find that car. He finds the Schemer and attacks his men. After finishing with them, he has a vicious battle with him, though he manages to knock out Spider-Man and escape. Peter rushes to the hospital, but Gwen does not want to see him cause she thinks he abandoned her. Peter makes a mistake and gives a hint to George Stacy about his identity.

Next: The Kingpin takes over!

[matthewaos]

First the bad news:
This guy looks ridiculus, and there is no way he can take over Kingpin with this kind of name and costume. And hair. No wonder why on all my years of reading Spider-Man this is the first time I hear about him.
Why all the girls were kissing Flash mouth to mouth? Gwen says that she did so that Peter will be jealous. Was this the way back in the late 70s? That was wierd...
Why Spider-Man would so caresly leave those gangsters behind? Sure he pays for it later, cause the truck could have killed Gwen, but I find it pointless, and done only to show us again Peter's mral code.

If you exclude those three things the issue is great! Sure the guy is ridiculus, but it is a well writen issue. I liked the stuff revealed about the Kingpin. It's amazing how such little details played such great roles in the future. I am very interested in seeing what will hapen next, with Gwen, Kingpin and Schemer. And to think that I was bored and thought that this would be a slow issue.