Amazing from Beginning to End

[Kevin Roegele]

I love your Peanuts dancing observation.

I love this issue. Kraven was a genuinely new kind of supervillain. A cross between Tarzan and a big game hunter. He wasn't power hungry, he didn't want money, he didn't even hate Spider-Man - he simply wanted to hunt him and defeat him-! Awesome idea from Stan, and iconic design from Steve. If you think about it, not only has Stan created more classic superheroes than anyone else, he did more to diversify what a superhero or supervillain could be. A superhero could be a Norse God, or a monster, or a shy teenager. A supervillain could be a big game hunter, or a special effects wizard, or your best friend's dad.

[iloveclones]

I got this in one of Marvel's newsletters today, and I thought I'd post it in a few threads that I go to. I'm not big on doing surveys, but this is a comics related issue that I have more than a little interest in. Hopefully, it'll help Marvel, etc, start to craft a more sensible DL policy. Or not. It doesn't address directly some of the things that I'd most like to talk about, but it's a start.

Originally Posted by Marvel

We'd like to know what you think about Digital Comics. Please help us make our product even better by taking this survey.

Click on the following URL or copy it into your Web browser to take the survey:

http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe3a177071650...2&jb=ffcf14&t=

The survey should only take about 20 minutes to complete.
We thank you in advance for your help. All answers are strictly confidential.

Thanks a lot,The Marvel Digital Comics Team

[iloveclones]

Amazing Spider-Man #16 - Duel With Daredevil



There was something so cool about these early days of Marvel. In one sense, there's not much going on here: a team-up, a lame villain (group). But there really is a lot. Drama rolls along in Pete's personal life. Spidey is forced to battle an up and comer in the MU and then gets to Team-up with him. Spidey fans get introduced to a cool now hero. And a Battle Royale. What more could a comic fan ask for....




The circus is in town. And not just the Greatest Show on Earth, but the Circus of Crime. They have a great little schtick: the Ringmaster hypnotizes the audience, and the Circus performers go and rob the audience. Good work if you can get it. Except if one of the audience members is a blind superhero immune to the hypmotizing effects.

With my awesome color-coordinating costume, no-one will ever suspect that I'm actually blind!


Pete spends more time avoiding MJ than actually fighting crime...



Trying to captitalize on our favorite wall-crawler's popularity, The Circus of Crime advertises that Spidey is going to show up and do a little charity work. Pete figures that, even though he didn't sign on, he'll go give them a little love. After a little acrobatic show, he becomes an unwilling participant in the Ringmasters plot. Luckily, the Man without Fear is there to throw in a monkey wrench. Ringmaster sics Spidey on DD, and we get a twist on the "it's all a misunderstanding" fight between heroes.

This ticket obeys the same physics as the single bullet in the JFK assassination! (On a side note, is there another way to make spaghetti other than putting it in a pot and boiling it?)


Betty is awesomely bipolar...."Oh Pete, I love you so...huh....what's that...you're going to the circus without me...SOB!!!!"



Pretty....







DD catches on to the fact that it's Ringmasters hat that can reverse the effect, and does so. He then lets Spidey mop up the Circus of Lame (which produces a fun sequence where Spidey's humor really shines), and Matt Murdock goes back into the stands and enjoys the show.

[iloveclones]

The whole fight sequence with the Circus of Crime is a lot of fun. This is one of the better scenes....




A humiliating end for our villain...

[Themanofbat]

Excellent stuff....

[Kevin Roegele]

One of those issues that makes you wonder curiously exactly what was going on in the Marvel office at that point in the 60's...

I used to consider the Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime pretty lame Z-list Marvel villains, but whilst sitting here typing this, I have realised they are actually pretty cool and rather sinister. I guess it's actually a furthering of the Joker concept. Not just evil clowns, Stan and Steve have an evil circus! The James Bond movie Octopussy makes good use of the idea of an evil circus troop and how deadly they can be. Malevolent figures under the disguise of a benevolent, family friendly facade are always effective.

[iloveclones]

Originally Posted by Kevin Roegele

One of those issues that makes you wonder curiously exactly what was going on in the Marvel office at that point in the 60's...

I used to consider the Ringmaster and the Circus of Crime pretty lame Z-list Marvel villains, but whilst sitting here typing this, I have realised they are actually pretty cool and rather sinister. I guess it's actually a furthering of the Joker concept. Not just evil clowns, Stan and Steve have an evil circus! The James Bond movie Octopussy makes good use of the idea of an evil circus troop and how deadly they can be. Malevolent figures under the disguise of a benevolent, family friendly facade are always effective.

That's what I love about doing this thread. Because I was first thinking, "Man, what interesting things could I possible say about the Circus of Crime?!" But the truth is, it's a really fun issue, with lots of little parts to it, with DD, dramatic Betty, Aunt May and MJ, and the fight itself is just gobs of fun. I hope other people are rediscovering how cool these early issues are.

The problem with them, is that they're kind of a one-trick pony. Once you discover they're ripping you off, the gig is up. Which is why you didn't see much of them in the MU over the years.

[iloveclones]

damnable double post

[Kevin Roegele]

"Sure Betty, I'd love to.....wait! Me and Aunt May-? Why the hell would you want my Aunt to come along with me on a date?"

[iloveclones]

Amazing Spider-Man #17 - The Return Of The Green Goblin







Gobby returns, and he starts to look a little more like the villain that we'll all grow to hate. He redesigns his broomstick into a glider (because he realizes that only chicks fly on brooms and all the other supervillains are making fun of him) and adds a bunch of toys to his repetoir.


Boy, is someone going to regret adding pointy ears to his glider.....




In Pete's world, Flash Thompson has decided to start the first Spider-Man fan club..Forest Hills chapter! For some reason, Liz is obsessed with getting Flash to let Pete in, that she convinces daddy to let them use a Downtown Dinner club that he owns. (Today, Liz would have starred in My Super Sweet 16). Aunt May (who by now must be seriously suspecting that her nephew doesn't like girls) tries once again to push Petey into a date with the as-yet-to-be-seen MJ. Luckily, for our hapless teen, she has the flu.


Long before it was in vogue.....Dark Liz!




Has there ever been a more ominous and foreboding telephone




Spidey, in the meantime, foils a robbery plot by guys in costume, only to learn that he's stumbled on to a movie set. A scene like this loses a bit today, where heroes manage to accidently blow up entire schoolyards of children, but this was the era where heroes just didn't blunder about. They were the modern day gods and just didn't make mistakes like this. That was what really set early Marvel, and especially Spidey, apart. Stan and co must have looooved writing those kind of scenes.


It's alright, I'm a member of SAG...




Pete is also about to jump into action when he hears a gunshot, but the Human Torch is on the scene to provide us with this Spidey classic......


Rodney Dangerfield before there was a Rodney Dangerfield....




Spidey shows up at the Fan Club Meeting......but so does the Green Goblin. Spidey tries to pretend as though their battle is part of the show, so as not to panic the crowd. The Human Torch is in the crowd, and joins in when he realizes that something is amiss. And then, Spidey overhears a phone call intended for his alter-ego.....his Aunt May has been rushed to the hospital. And he runs away from the fight. This is what makes Pete such a hero. He wasn't conflicted, or spend a second thinking about his reputation. He just ran to his Aunt.


Hero....

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Originally Posted by iloveclones

Amazing Spider-Man #17 - The Return Of The Green Goblin







Gobby returns, and he starts to look a little more like the villain that we'll all grow to hate. He redesigns his broomstick into a glider (because he realizes that only chicks fly on brooms and all the other supervillains are making fun of him) and adds a bunch of toys to his repetoir.


Boy, is someone going to regret adding pointy ears to his glider.....




In Pete's world, Flash Thompson has decided to start the first Spider-Man fan club..Forest Hills chapter! For some reason, Liz is obsessed with getting Flash to let Pete in, that she convinces daddy to let them use a Downtown Dinner club that he owns. (Today, Liz would have starred in My Super Sweet 16). Aunt May (who by now must be seriously suspecting that her nephew doesn't like girls) tries once again to push Petey into a date with the as-yet-to-be-seen MJ. Luckily, for our hapless teen, she has the flu.


Long before it was in vogue.....Dark Liz!




Has there ever been a more ominous and foreboding telephone




Spidey, in the meantime, foils a robbery plot by guys in costume, only to learn that he's stumbled on to a movie set. A scene like this loses a bit today, where heroes manage to accidently blow up entire schoolyards of children, but this was the era where heroes just didn't blunder about. They were the modern day gods and just didn't make mistakes like this. That was what really set early Marvel, and especially Spidey, apart. Stan and co must have looooved writing those kind of scenes.


It's alright, I'm a member of SAG...




Pete is also about to jump into action when he hears a gunshot, but the Human Torch is on the scene to provide us with this Spidey classic......


Rodney Dangerfield before there was a Rodney Dangerfield....




Spidey shows up at the Fan Club Meeting......but so does the Green Goblin. Spidey tries to pretend as though their battle is part of the show, so as not to panic the crowd. The Human Torch is in the crowd, and joins in when he realizes that something is amiss. And then, Spidey overhears a phone call intended for his alter-ego.....his Aunt May has been rushed to the hospital. And he runs away from the fight. This is what makes Pete such a hero. He wasn't conflicted, or spend a second thinking about his reputation. He just ran to his Aunt.


Hero....

This was the first REALLY OLD issue I got. The previous old ones were only a few years old and from my brother's collection. But this was the first silver-age issue. I think my babysitter's boyfriend (also a comic fan) got it for me as a present when I was about nine years old. It was a crappy copy obviously. Maybe it cost about thirty bucks. The cover looked like a rabid dog had used it as a chew-toy. All shredded and creased. And it only had two staples rusted to brown remaining. The thing was falling apart. But I still read it over and over again, savoring that old comic smell with each turn of the page.

[iloveclones]

I think my head would have literally exploded had I gotten a gift like that from anyone at that age. But more importantly....was the babysitter hot?

[JJJ's Ulcer]

Originally Posted by iloveclones

I think my head would have literally exploded had I gotten a gift like that from anyone at that age. But more importantly....was the babysitter hot?

No. She was in her 50's. But she was like family. Unfortunately I've long lost contact with her. Yeah, it was a really nice gift. I was a very happy chappy that day. I remember quite clearly carrying that issue everywhere I went (dinner-table, bed, bathroom, school) for about three days.

[iloveclones]

Amazing Spider-Man #18- The End of Spider-Man





After running away from the Green Goblin, Pete finds that SPidey is none too popular anymore (not that he was starting out from a respectable position). In what should be the most boring issue ever, but is anything but, Pete goes through a real crisis of conscience about whether he should be risking his life as Spider-Man when his Aunt May depends on him so much. JJJ, of course is pleased as punch with the turn of events and spends the entire issue with another of his creepy-uncle smiles plastered on his face.




Spidey or not, Pete still has to make some money to pay for medicine for Aunt May. He tries to get someone to make trading cards with his likeness, but no-one likes him anymore. He tries to sell his webbing formula (to Peerless Paste!) but they don't like glue that lasts for a limited time. So no go there.








He can't even fight crime for fear of Aunt May being left on her own. Throw in Betty's usual drama and crying, and Pete is just living the life.Flash gets it in his head to dress up as his hero (again) and wander around fighting crime to rehab his hero's image. He quickly gets the crap beat out of him. And Pete sees Betty out on a date with some other guy (not referred to by name, but probably the first appearance of Ned Leeds) All in all, life is pretty Suckville for Pete.









In the end, Pete gets a pep talk from Aunt May, who tells him that Parkers aren't quitters, and that a person needs the will to live and to fight. Pete decides she's well enough, and that he can suit up again.

[SpideyInATree]

Ditko is such an amazing artist. This thread makes me wanna bust out my Essential Spider-Man trades and dig in!

[iloveclones]

Do it! Do it! DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in between periods of course

[Themanofbat]

Man, did the Pens ever get smoked today...

[iloveclones]

Yeah, that was a little painful..... guess I'll have to relax with a little Spidey!

[iloveclones]

Amazing Spider-Man #19 - Spidey Strikes Back !






Now that Aunt May is better, Pete is free to websling again. And what better way to shake the rust off of the ol' webshooters than beating up on some hapless thugs...




Of course, not everybody is happy...




Meanwhile, the Enforcers have joined forces withthe Sandman (who must be thinking, "Why am I partnering up with these losers. I mean, Ox is even dumber than me for God's Sake!") and they capture the Human Torch. It seems they have some grand plan of capturing all the heroes, putting them in cages, and going on a crime spree BWAHAHAHA! ahem


Yeah, ok, the burritos were definitely a bad idea...



Spidey notices Fancy Dan wandering around town, and decides he better round up that nuisance. In his investigations, he finds out that they've captured the Torch. Rather than leaving the snotty little brat where he is, he decides to rescue him (you'd think the FF could throw him some part-time work for his efforts...)


I wonder where Aunt May keeps her cash....



Spidey fights his way through a bunch of thugs, and then it occurs to him that if he frees the Human Torch, it might be a little easier....or not. The two of them trip over each other's feet, and get caught up in Spidey's web. Luckily the Police are around to catch Sandman escaping.


Dudes, who's bright idea was it to spend ALL the money on the oxygen-sucking contraption, and now we have to use the ****ing payphone?!


Torch: ...and when they stopped the car.....THERE WAS A HOOK HANGING FROM THE WINDOW!!!!
Spidey: I love campfire stories

[iloveclones]

You can only post 8 pics in one post, but I liked these ones too:


Don't judge me, but I find this to be vaguely homo-erotic...



Hi, I'm the schlup that's going to eventually kick your ass as the Hobgoblin. Sort of. Well, not really.... But I'm gonna bang your girfriend, so suck on it.


Seriously, mooning me again? How about you free me from this contraption?

[iloveclones]

On a side note guys, I'll be tying the proverbial knot in a few weeks. So my already slow pace may become glacial. Just hang in there. I'll try to keep at it, but my attentions may be elsewhere. ( I keep noticing this Red bird following me around....I hope it doesn't mean anything!)

[Themanofbat]

Originally Posted by iloveclones

On a side note guys, I'll be tying the proverbial knot in a few weeks. So my already slow pace may become glacial. Just hang in there. I'll try to keep at it, but my attentions may be elsewhere. ( I keep noticing this Red bird following me around....I hope it doesn't mean anything!)

Hey congrats man...

You're finally making an honest woman outta your girl... W00T!!!

[shinlyle]

Originally Posted by iloveclones

On a side note guys, I'll be tying the proverbial knot in a few weeks. So my already slow pace may become glacial. Just hang in there. I'll try to keep at it, but my attentions may be elsewhere. ( I keep noticing this Red bird following me around....I hope it doesn't mean anything!)

Congrats!! Hopefully all goes off without a hitch!!!

[iloveclones]

Originally Posted by Themanofbat

Hey congrats man...

You're finally making an honest woman outta your girl... W00T!!!

Originally Posted by shinlyle

Congrats!! Hopefully all goes off without a hitch!!!

We just wanted a quiet little ceremony, but my family is making sure that it's all spiralling out of control.

[moraldeficiency]

Originally Posted by iloveclones

On a side note guys, I'll be tying the proverbial knot in a few weeks. So my already slow pace may become glacial. Just hang in there. I'll try to keep at it, but my attentions may be elsewhere. ( I keep noticing this Red bird following me around....I hope it doesn't mean anything!)

Congrats buddy.