Hey, and welcome to another episode of the Look back series that I'm currently running. If you're new to this series, then let me inform you the purpose of this is to have a look back at all the Amazing Spider-Man Issue's in my collection.
The aim is to give you a brief insight into what the issue entailed, my thoughts on the book, how it came into my belonging. If you want to check out some of the earlier episodes of this series then you can check out the links down the side of this page.
As for this book, well this was a recent aqcuisition actually. I've had this issue only for around four months after winning it in an e-bay auction. I say winning when basically it was a steal, for the price i got it for and the condition of the book itself. given it's age.
Still enough about that, lets get into the book shall we?
the issue itself was written by the legendary Gerry Conway, and pencilled by John Romita Snr. In fact this issue was the first to be written in by Conway on the title and it was as a continuation of a story started by Stan Lee. another notable about this issue is the fact that, it contains the second appearence of the Gibbon, essentially the last Supervillain created by Stan. The issue continues from the last issue, and begins with Kraven the Hunter in the process of convincing Martin Blank (The Gibbon) to join forces with him to hunt down and destroy Spider-Man.
It transpires that, until this point the world was under the impression that Kraven was dead, following the events of ASM #104. The Gibbon isn't entirely convinced, until Kraven explains how he escaped death in the savage lands.
Fuelled by thoughts of revenge, which is the theme of this story the Gibbon, agrees to join forces with Kraven, as he still feels humilated by his previous encounter with Spider-Man, in which Spidey laughed at Martin's plans to become the newest Superhero to help New York.
in the meantime, we join Spider-Man, on his way to aunt may's apartment whilst lamenting, the lack of time that he's been able to spend with her recently. and also wondering how she's keeping after a fractious discussion between May and Gwen, the latter of which informing the elderly lady that, she's constant over-protection of her nephew was contributing to Peter's latest malaise. Upon arriving at the apartment, Peter discovers via a friendly window. that May isn't at home, but spies a note addressed to him. As he breaks in, he is unaware that a helpful neighbour has spied Spider-Man breaking and entering.
Peter reads the note from May, which informs him, that she's gone away for awhile. when the Police arrive tipped of by the neighbour. fleeing the scene the police jump to the conclusion that Spider-Man has in fact kidnapped May Parker, continuing the distrust between the hero and the New York public.
Back in the secret lair of Kraven. The hunter has plied The Gibbon with ritualistic herbs designed to release the animal within. It's a ploy that doesn't bode to well for Kraven in the beginning as Kraven has to fend of a series of attacks from the Gibbon, whom believes that Kraven is just attempting destroy him. Eventually the initial effects of the herbs stabilise. Then Kraven is able to explain that the two now have a form of telepathic connection allowing Kraven to see and here whatever The Gibbon does.
Spider-Man however has decided to hunt New York in an attempt to find where Aunt May, has gone, though soon starts to lament the fact that due to reports of kidnapping the citizens of the city are reluctant to help. It's at this point that The Gibbon attacks Spidey, under his mind controlled state and quickly gets the upper hand over the wall crawler, who's slightly distracted by the missing Aunt May.
Sensing, the course of the battle from his lair. Kraven instructs The Gibbon to kill Spider-Man.
However given that the potion and mind control is a form of hypnosis, Gibbon hesitates, rather than deliver the killing blow.
Its during this, hesitation that, Spider-Man how is able to land a blow on the Gibbon sending him hurtling off the rooftop, unconcious. Alarmed with how hard he hit the Gibbon Spidey dives off the rooftop to catch the prone would be villain in mid-air.
The issue closes with Spider-Man atop a building, wondering what was the cause of the sudden attack from Gibbon. and also unable to shake the feeling that the he was being controlled like a puppet by someone behind the scene's.
This is pretty much a transitional issue, seems odd, that the Powers that be at Marvel sanctioned a change of writer in the middle of a story arc, but still it's still an issue that has importance within the history of Spider-Man books. given that Gerry Conway was entrusted at the tender age of 19 years old to take over the reins from Stan Lee, with this story being published just shy of Gerry's 20th Birthday. says a lot for the talent he is, and shows the beginning of how great he was to become. Ably assisted in this issue by the excellent visuals and artwork by John Romita Snr.
So
i hope you've enjoyed reading my views on this issue have you read this
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