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Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man #17
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 17
J. Jonah Jameson has Peter Parker pegged as Spider-Man. Dr. Faustus is set to drive our hero insane. The Molten Man returns. The Punisher is back in town. And that's just the warm-up for the return of the Green Goblin, in the conclusion of Len Wein's celebrated Amazing Spider-Man run! When the Goblin strikes, all bets are off . Spider-Man's secret identity, the lives of Aunt May and Mary Jane, everything is on the line! COLLECTING: AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) 169-180, ANNUAL (1964) 11, NOVA (1976) 12, MARVEL TREASURY(1974) 14
272 pages, Hardcover
First published December 29, 2015
20 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Len Wein
1,587 books154 followersLen Wein was an American comic book writer and editor best known for co-creating DC Comics' Swamp Thing and Marvel Comics' Wolverine, and for helping revive the Marvel superhero team the X-Men (including the co-creation of Nightcrawler, Storm, and Colossus). Additionally, he was the editor for writer Alan Moore and illustrator Dave Gibbons' influential DC miniseries Watchmen.
Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
Wein was inducted into the Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 22, 2017
Not the greatest of the classic Spidey but solid old-school comic-booking.
January 21, 2021
The highlight of this volume is the return of the Green Goblin, but it's a double-edged sword. On the positive side, it's great to see another multi-issue epic saga. Binging through those is one of the great things about reading these collections.
On the negative side, the twist about who's wearing the Goblin mask is super easy to see coming. The Goblin first appears after a tussle between Harry Osborne and his therapist, who's already been presented as mysterious and sinister. After the fight goes behind a desk, a shadowy figure rises to proclaim that the Green Goblin lives again. There's no way it's not the doctor, but the series tries to keep the deception up anyway by having him hold the defeated party (Harry, obviously) captive, but hooded, because Goblin claims that he "can't stand to look at him."
It's a transparent ploy that I got tired of, but I was ultimately able to roll with it since there was no reason for Spider-Man to suspect it was anyone other than Harry in the costume. I was at least able to accept that Spidey was fooled, so the saga works on an emotional level as he tries to figure out how to help his friend.
Leading into all of this is some weird drama about Liz Allan and her step-brother, the Molten Man, who coerces her into breaking the law to help cure him. Her guilt over that (and Molten Man's death at the end of the adventure) leads Liz to run away, abandoning her fiancé Harry and sending him back into therapy.
There are some side-adventures, too, of course. One with the Punisher and a character called the Hitman worked better than I thought it would thanks to some shared history that's revealed to exist between the two villains. Another - a team-up with Nova that crosses over with his series - is a murder mystery with a great whodunnit setup, but a disappointing resolution. This volume also includes Amazing Spider-Man Annual #11, in which Spidey takes a job as a stunt man in a monster movie and has to save the production from a gang of spider-themed villains looking to disrupt it. I liked that one a lot.
In the personal lives of Peter Parker and his friends: Peter has flunked enough college classes that he's not going to graduate on time, Jonah Jameson is dating the woman who created the latest Spider-Slayer robot for him, Aunt May is hospitalized after a heart attack while demonstrating with the Gray Panthers, and Liz ultimately comes back to Harry, ashamed of herself for running away.
There's one unresolved plot seed that I don't want to lose track of, since I'm going to continue reading these volumes. A mysterious stranger leases Aunt May’s house, calling it a “return” and saying that he won’t leave until he possesses the house’s “secret.” I have no idea what that is and hope that the series doesn't forget about it.
For all of the goofiness in this volume, I enjoyed the long-form story and subplots that help connect even the shorter side-adventures. This is what I remember loving about superhero comics when I was a kid.
On the negative side, the twist about who's wearing the Goblin mask is super easy to see coming. The Goblin first appears after a tussle between Harry Osborne and his therapist, who's already been presented as mysterious and sinister. After the fight goes behind a desk, a shadowy figure rises to proclaim that the Green Goblin lives again. There's no way it's not the doctor, but the series tries to keep the deception up anyway by having him hold the defeated party (Harry, obviously) captive, but hooded, because Goblin claims that he "can't stand to look at him."
It's a transparent ploy that I got tired of, but I was ultimately able to roll with it since there was no reason for Spider-Man to suspect it was anyone other than Harry in the costume. I was at least able to accept that Spidey was fooled, so the saga works on an emotional level as he tries to figure out how to help his friend.
Leading into all of this is some weird drama about Liz Allan and her step-brother, the Molten Man, who coerces her into breaking the law to help cure him. Her guilt over that (and Molten Man's death at the end of the adventure) leads Liz to run away, abandoning her fiancé Harry and sending him back into therapy.
There are some side-adventures, too, of course. One with the Punisher and a character called the Hitman worked better than I thought it would thanks to some shared history that's revealed to exist between the two villains. Another - a team-up with Nova that crosses over with his series - is a murder mystery with a great whodunnit setup, but a disappointing resolution. This volume also includes Amazing Spider-Man Annual #11, in which Spidey takes a job as a stunt man in a monster movie and has to save the production from a gang of spider-themed villains looking to disrupt it. I liked that one a lot.
In the personal lives of Peter Parker and his friends: Peter has flunked enough college classes that he's not going to graduate on time, Jonah Jameson is dating the woman who created the latest Spider-Slayer robot for him, Aunt May is hospitalized after a heart attack while demonstrating with the Gray Panthers, and Liz ultimately comes back to Harry, ashamed of herself for running away.
There's one unresolved plot seed that I don't want to lose track of, since I'm going to continue reading these volumes. A mysterious stranger leases Aunt May’s house, calling it a “return” and saying that he won’t leave until he possesses the house’s “secret.” I have no idea what that is and hope that the series doesn't forget about it.
For all of the goofiness in this volume, I enjoyed the long-form story and subplots that help connect even the shorter side-adventures. This is what I remember loving about superhero comics when I was a kid.
April 24, 2019
The second half of this collection is much better than the first. The first half has a crossover with Nova, the Spider-slayer (Mach III), and the last (one can only hope) appearance of the Molten Man.
The second half has the return of the Punisher and the Green Goblin (with a twist). I rest my case.
I was mainly a DC kid back then, and the "soap opera" approach of Marvel (as opposed to the sitcom approach) kind of annoyed me.
Dork though I was, I think even I thought the Punisher (who makes his fourth or fifth appearance here) was pretty badass.
The second half has the return of the Punisher and the Green Goblin (with a twist). I rest my case.
I was mainly a DC kid back then, and the "soap opera" approach of Marvel (as opposed to the sitcom approach) kind of annoyed me.
Dork though I was, I think even I thought the Punisher (who makes his fourth or fifth appearance here) was pretty badass.
November 10, 2022
Another round of low key stories. The so-called main feat of the volume- the return of the Green Goblin- suffers from a painfully obvious twist and doesn’t uplift the standard.
Ross Andru pencils most of the book. In-house decent job but a far cry from being memorable. Like this volume.
Ross Andru pencils most of the book. In-house decent job but a far cry from being memorable. Like this volume.
December 11, 2023
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man - Volume 17 by Len Wein is a fun-filled Spiderman adventure from 1977-78 featuring the return of The Green Goblin. The Green Goblin is Spiderman's biggest nemesis first it was the father of his best friend Norman Osborn then it was Harry Osborn, Peter Parker's former roommate and best friend, both know the secret that Peter Parker is Spiderman. Harry starts the book in good spirits but will be pushed to his limits and become the Green Goblin again. The book's first half is all forgettable stories but the second half makes up for it as it is full of great stories. The Punisher returns and now knows Spiderman is a good guy and must work together to save J. Jonah Jamison. Molten Man returns from the dead to seek a cure from Liz Allen his step-sister. I have to say every time I read these old Spiderman stories Molten Man has a killer story arc and is one of my favorites if you asked me before I would have just said Molten Man was lame. Nova is brought into Spiderman but with a weak two-parter storyline that is forgettable. The Rocket Racer is only briefly introduced and the scene is weirdly short like a page and a half. Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man - Volume 17 collects issues The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #169-180, Annual #11 and Nova (1976) #12.
Plot Summary: J. Jonah Jamison confronts Peter Parker about being Spiderman he has pictures that were taken of Spiderman getting rid of the Peter Parker clone. Peter Stumbles into bad guys led by Doctor Faustus who uses a drugged cigarette to poison Spiderman's mind and help him rob a high-tech lab. Nova believes Peter Parker is a suspect in the murder of his father, Spiderman helps to prove his innocence and find the true killer. Spiderman saves a stuntman in a bad Spider Monster costume that makes a costume designer. Spiderman dresses in the costume and is attacked by costumed Spider monsters on the set. Rocket Racer appears and Spiderman easily defeats him after a chase. Liz Allen is arrested for stealing drugs from the hospital. Molten Man is back and he needs his step-sister Liz Allen to administer a drug formula to him to turn him back into a man again. A hitman is sent after J. Jonah Jamison and The Punisher with Spiderman end up interrupting at the same time. The Green Goblin is back with a big 3 issue twist.
What I Liked: Seeing Harry Osborn driven by anger back into the Green Goblin costume once again. The big twist revealed in the Green Goblin story, no spoilers but it was fun. The Punisher and Spiderman jumping through windows at the same time to save Jonah was fun. The brutal way the hitman dies in a Spiderman comic by The Punisher. Molten Man goes out like a boss. I love the cure angle and the twist with it. I liked that this is the first comic where Aunt May becomes political and becomes a huge part of her character further in the comics.
What I Disliked: The Nova and Spiderman story didn't do anything exciting to get me to read Nova and I did not like what it did with Peter Parker and Spiderman. The quick Rocket Racer intro was bizarre. The Doctor Faustus storyline was kind of a rehash of what Mysterio has done in the past. I could have gone with a brief explanation of what happened to Silvermane, since the last time he was in a Spiderman comic he was turned into a baby.
Recommendations: Half of this novel is really good and half of it is not so good. I would read the first issue then skip to where Molten Man appears then read to the end. I have to read everything which can sometimes lead to disappointment. The Green Goblin 3-part saga is good with some surprising twists and turns that make it the highlight of the novel.
Rating: I rated Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man - Volume 17 by Len Wein 3 out of 5 stars.
Plot Summary: J. Jonah Jamison confronts Peter Parker about being Spiderman he has pictures that were taken of Spiderman getting rid of the Peter Parker clone. Peter Stumbles into bad guys led by Doctor Faustus who uses a drugged cigarette to poison Spiderman's mind and help him rob a high-tech lab. Nova believes Peter Parker is a suspect in the murder of his father, Spiderman helps to prove his innocence and find the true killer. Spiderman saves a stuntman in a bad Spider Monster costume that makes a costume designer. Spiderman dresses in the costume and is attacked by costumed Spider monsters on the set. Rocket Racer appears and Spiderman easily defeats him after a chase. Liz Allen is arrested for stealing drugs from the hospital. Molten Man is back and he needs his step-sister Liz Allen to administer a drug formula to him to turn him back into a man again. A hitman is sent after J. Jonah Jamison and The Punisher with Spiderman end up interrupting at the same time. The Green Goblin is back with a big 3 issue twist.
What I Liked: Seeing Harry Osborn driven by anger back into the Green Goblin costume once again. The big twist revealed in the Green Goblin story, no spoilers but it was fun. The Punisher and Spiderman jumping through windows at the same time to save Jonah was fun. The brutal way the hitman dies in a Spiderman comic by The Punisher. Molten Man goes out like a boss. I love the cure angle and the twist with it. I liked that this is the first comic where Aunt May becomes political and becomes a huge part of her character further in the comics.
What I Disliked: The Nova and Spiderman story didn't do anything exciting to get me to read Nova and I did not like what it did with Peter Parker and Spiderman. The quick Rocket Racer intro was bizarre. The Doctor Faustus storyline was kind of a rehash of what Mysterio has done in the past. I could have gone with a brief explanation of what happened to Silvermane, since the last time he was in a Spiderman comic he was turned into a baby.
Recommendations: Half of this novel is really good and half of it is not so good. I would read the first issue then skip to where Molten Man appears then read to the end. I have to read everything which can sometimes lead to disappointment. The Green Goblin 3-part saga is good with some surprising twists and turns that make it the highlight of the novel.
Rating: I rated Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man - Volume 17 by Len Wein 3 out of 5 stars.
June 8, 2024
The return of the Green Goblin in a tension filled arc with some nice twists and turns. Not as classic as the original Goblin stories, but still a heck of a lot of fun.
January 30, 2018
Whilst perhaps not the best volume, this contains a cracking Harry Osborn/Green Goblin saga, as well as a fun murder mystery in the Nova crossover.
March 12, 2022
The second half of this particular volume is more engaging than the first, mostly because we get the return of the Green Goblin, one of Spider-Man's better villains. Plus, there's a little twist with that villain. Granted, it's one you can probably see coming, but it still makes for fun reading.
It's interesting reading these earlier comics all at once, because you can definitely see trends and see how they're evolving a bit. It's great getting this background of Spider-Man as well.
It's interesting reading these earlier comics all at once, because you can definitely see trends and see how they're evolving a bit. It's great getting this background of Spider-Man as well.
November 11, 2017
Considering how most of the other Marvel titles had challenges in the 70s, with frequent creative roster changes and numerous fill in issues, its impressive how solid these Spider-Man issues are.
October 30, 2021
Its Spidey - what's not to love?
November 17, 2024
I enjoyed the end with Harry/the Green Goblin’s return but overall Wein isn’t my favorite Spidey writer.
February 15, 2016
The Marvel Masterworks volumes are fantastic reprints of the early years of Marvel comics. A fantastic resource to allow these hard to find issues to be read by everyone. Very recommended to everyone and Highly recommended to any comic fan.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews