READING IN PROGRESS – Next to Read: #128 (Jan. ’74)
Information below only reflects series history through current reading progress.
Dates Published
March 1963 – November 1998, December 2003 – February 2013, February 2014
The Amazing Spider-Man (Volume 2) continues the story between November 1998 and December of 2003.
Significant Characters Introduced (So Far)
– The Chameleon: #1
– J. Jonah Jameson: #1
– The Vulture: #2
– The Tinkerer: #2
– Doctor Octopus: #3
– Sandman: #4
– The Lizard: #6
– Electro: #9
– Mysterio (Quentin Beck): #13
– Norman Osborn/The Green Goblin: #14
– Kraven the Hunter: #15
– The Sinister Six: Annual #1
– Mac Gargan (Future Scorpion and Venom): #19
– Spencer Smythe – #25
– Mary Jane Watson: #25
– Molten Man: #28
– Gwen Stacy: #31
– Harry Osborn: #31
– Miles Warren (Future Jackal): #31
– Rhino: #41
– Shocker: #46
– The Kingpin: #50
– “Robbie” Robertson: #51
– Vanessa Fisk: #70
– Silvermane: #73
– The Prowler: #78
– Richard Fisk: #83
– Morbius the Living Vampire: #101
– Hammerhead: #113
Significant Story Arcs (So Far)
– The Master Planner Saga (Issues #30-33)
– The Six Arms Saga (Issues #100-102)
– The Night Gwen Stacey Died (Issues #121-122)
Synopsis & Review (So Far)
This series is early Marvel at its best. Spider-Man is the perfect Marvel archetype, a flawed hero who struggles with his great power and responsibility.
Spidey’s rogue’s gallery is out in full force, and its filled with villains destined to torment heroes across the Marvel Universe. Doctor Octopus, Norman Osborn and the Kingpin are easily among the upper echelon of Marvel villains, especially the human variety. Throw in icons such as Sandman, Rhino, Electro, Kraven, Mysterio and all the rest and you have the best baddies on the block, which is too bad for Spidey.
The Master Planner Saga is among the best Spider-Man tales. It checks in at only four issues, nothing compared to the epic yarns of today, but it perfectly encapsulates Peter Parker’s life. His Aunt May is at death’s door, his increased vigilance as Spider-Man is straining his relationships with his friends (and potential girlfriends), he’s out of money, and he’s been tasked at tracking down and capturing a new fiend in town operating from the shadows. Through sheer force of will, Spidey wins the day and the happy ending. This is essential Marvel reading, as is Spidey (and Jonah’s) first conflict with the Kingpin.
Issue #90 is a stunner. The death of Captain George Stacy sends earthquake waves through Parker’s life. This is the kind of story that Marvel was so good at telling. Spidey vs. Doc Ock, an innocent bystander killed who happens to be the father of the girl he loves. A true masterpiece. Of course, this was later followed by “The Night Gwen Stacy Died,” which, as you can read more comprehensively here, shattered the boundaries of comic book lore. It was the end of innocence for Spidey, a true flashpoint that tore apart his close-knit circle of loved ones.
As the 70’s rolled around, Marvel was getting back to their horror roots, which led to the Six Arms Saga at issue #100, which coincided with the debut of Michael Morbius, the Living Vampire.
Cool Covers
The Marvelologist 