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Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man #10
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man, Vol. 10
Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #88-99.
It's the return of one of Spidey’s oldest foes, Doctor Octopus, the two archenemies set into motion a gut-wrenching series of events leading to the death of Captain George Stacy. Ally to Spider-Man and father to Peter Parker’s ladylove, Gwen, Captain Stacy’s death marks Spidey for murder and pits the entire city against him. Now with hero, villain and even the man-on-the-street after him, there’s no moment for rest for the ol’ web-slinger as he wriggles his way through threats from the X-Men’s Iceman to the politicking Sam Bullit and former friend the Prowler. And it all leads into one of the landmark moments of Marvel history, when Peter Parker’s best friend, Harry Osborn, was revealed to be a drug addict.
It's the return of one of Spidey’s oldest foes, Doctor Octopus, the two archenemies set into motion a gut-wrenching series of events leading to the death of Captain George Stacy. Ally to Spider-Man and father to Peter Parker’s ladylove, Gwen, Captain Stacy’s death marks Spidey for murder and pits the entire city against him. Now with hero, villain and even the man-on-the-street after him, there’s no moment for rest for the ol’ web-slinger as he wriggles his way through threats from the X-Men’s Iceman to the politicking Sam Bullit and former friend the Prowler. And it all leads into one of the landmark moments of Marvel history, when Peter Parker’s best friend, Harry Osborn, was revealed to be a drug addict.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 10, 2008
21 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,567 books2,336 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 9, 2017
Stan Lee always wrote his comics as if each issue was someone's first entry into the universe of that particular hero or team of heroes. So there are times reading any collected edition of his works that you may feel like the story is repeating itself a great deal or going back to reflect on the origin of whatever hero or team he's chronicling.
And while that happens a bit in this collection of The Amazing Spider-Man, it's hard to find a few gems from a creative team that was firmly in a grove at this point. Collecting issues 88 to 99 of the original run, Spidey does battles some classic and not-so-classic foes all while Peter Parker's life is upended by his decision to continue being Spider-Man. The collection includes a couple of pivotal events in the life of Spider-Man from the death of Captain Stacy to the infamous drug addiction storyline that Marvel had the courage to print without the endorsement of the comic code authority. Re-reading this story now, it seems a bit light-weight and a bit like something you'd see on a daytime drama. But looked at through the prism of when it was published, it's downright revolutionary and hard-hitting.
The three-issue run that concludes this collection finds Harry Osborne becoming addicted to pills (what exactly he's addicted to isn't quite specified) in his attempts to keep up in college, Mary Jane Watson and the expectations of his father. Throw into the mix that Norman isn't feeling too well and his about one step from transforming back into the Green Goblin and you've got a classic mix of Peter Parker real-world angst coupled with a superpower dilemma for Spider-Man.
Sure there are a few less than stellar stories in here, but the good stuff more than outweighs the forgettable stuff. It's not quite as high on my list of Spidey favorites as the classic run of Lee and Steve Ditko, but it's still awfully good and well worth enjoying again.
And while that happens a bit in this collection of The Amazing Spider-Man, it's hard to find a few gems from a creative team that was firmly in a grove at this point. Collecting issues 88 to 99 of the original run, Spidey does battles some classic and not-so-classic foes all while Peter Parker's life is upended by his decision to continue being Spider-Man. The collection includes a couple of pivotal events in the life of Spider-Man from the death of Captain Stacy to the infamous drug addiction storyline that Marvel had the courage to print without the endorsement of the comic code authority. Re-reading this story now, it seems a bit light-weight and a bit like something you'd see on a daytime drama. But looked at through the prism of when it was published, it's downright revolutionary and hard-hitting.
The three-issue run that concludes this collection finds Harry Osborne becoming addicted to pills (what exactly he's addicted to isn't quite specified) in his attempts to keep up in college, Mary Jane Watson and the expectations of his father. Throw into the mix that Norman isn't feeling too well and his about one step from transforming back into the Green Goblin and you've got a classic mix of Peter Parker real-world angst coupled with a superpower dilemma for Spider-Man.
Sure there are a few less than stellar stories in here, but the good stuff more than outweighs the forgettable stuff. It's not quite as high on my list of Spidey favorites as the classic run of Lee and Steve Ditko, but it's still awfully good and well worth enjoying again.
February 14, 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.
December 23, 2021
Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 10 by Stan Lee is Spiderman in the 1970's. This novel features more grown up storytelling it has the death of a supporting character, civil rights issues, and drug use / drug abuse of Peter's close friend. This volume brings big battles and big bads like The Green Goblin and Doctor Octopus back. Spiderman tangles with X-men's Iceman, The Beetle and The Prowler. This book brought the action in real fun ways, the Spiderman / Doctor Octopus battle is the best, a lot of iconic scenes and real stakes which leads to death. The drug abuse issue as one that broke the comic book code to no show drug abuse, it's pills and lightest of drugs, but it does show the effects of over dosing. Volume 10 features two 3 issue arc's with the grief from the death of a supporting character hanging over Peter Parker and influence his decisions in most issues in volume 10. This volume collects The Amazing Spider-Man issues 88-99.
The Plots: Doc. Oct is in prison and his mechanical arms are on display. The display is just too close to Doctor Octopus who can control the arms with his brain waves. The arms come alive and bust him out of prison so he can start his life of crime, luckily spiderman is there to stop him, but the fight breaks out into the public and some on close to Peter Parker dies. Ice man thinks Spiderman is responsible for someones death and wants to stop him and hand him over to the police. Peter Parker heads to London to clear his head and go for a new assignment, and Spiderman has to come out after terrorist. A series of robberies in aunt May's neighborhood send Spiderman on neighborhood watch and he finds a villain he has not seen in some time. The Prowler knows Spiderman knows the man he allegedly murdered and wants to find him. The Green Goblin's returns starts with a large group attending a performance of Hair starring Mary Jane Watson, when Norman Osborn is get with flashback of the old art house that Oscorp refurbished. Then he remembers that he stored the Green Goblin gear there and remembers, that Peter Parker is Spiderman.
What I Liked: The Spiderman Doctor Octopus fight was so good I loved every second of it, I though they could have played up the death more, but the fight was awesome. After reading 1-99 of The Amazing Spider-Man, Spidey and Doctor Octopus have the best fights and beat each other to exhaustion, followed by Mysterio, Vulture, Molten Man (i'm shocked too), and Kraven the Hunter. The death was shocking and will have consequences. The Iceman fight was actually good I've seen Spidey fight Medusa from the Inhumans, Black Widow, and Johnny Storm. The fight with Iceman is by far the best. I liked the hardcore flirting of Mary Jane to make Harry jealous. I liked the Joke about maybe Aunt May seeing Hair won't be good for her heart. I liked the conversation Randy Robertson had with class at Norman Osborn. I like how Harry beat Norman my using his son to break him away from the Green Goblin.
What I Disliked: I felt most of the Green Goblin fight was just okay. The Green Goblin had new inventions and new gear but he only remembered he was the Green Goblin again minutes before, why didn't he use the gear the last time he had plans to kill Spiderman. The Jail Riot reminded me the last jail riot issue. The London storyline could have been better.
Recommendation: This volume was way better than volume 9. I recommend this volume for the action and the consequences of that action. I thought the addiction issue was pretty bold, I did like it the Peter Parker took on the drug dealers, not Spiderman. I rated Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 10 by Stan Lee 4 out of 5 stars. Next volume will take me into issue 100.
The Plots: Doc. Oct is in prison and his mechanical arms are on display. The display is just too close to Doctor Octopus who can control the arms with his brain waves. The arms come alive and bust him out of prison so he can start his life of crime, luckily spiderman is there to stop him, but the fight breaks out into the public and some on close to Peter Parker dies. Ice man thinks Spiderman is responsible for someones death and wants to stop him and hand him over to the police. Peter Parker heads to London to clear his head and go for a new assignment, and Spiderman has to come out after terrorist. A series of robberies in aunt May's neighborhood send Spiderman on neighborhood watch and he finds a villain he has not seen in some time. The Prowler knows Spiderman knows the man he allegedly murdered and wants to find him. The Green Goblin's returns starts with a large group attending a performance of Hair starring Mary Jane Watson, when Norman Osborn is get with flashback of the old art house that Oscorp refurbished. Then he remembers that he stored the Green Goblin gear there and remembers, that Peter Parker is Spiderman.
What I Liked: The Spiderman Doctor Octopus fight was so good I loved every second of it, I though they could have played up the death more, but the fight was awesome. After reading 1-99 of The Amazing Spider-Man, Spidey and Doctor Octopus have the best fights and beat each other to exhaustion, followed by Mysterio, Vulture, Molten Man (i'm shocked too), and Kraven the Hunter. The death was shocking and will have consequences. The Iceman fight was actually good I've seen Spidey fight Medusa from the Inhumans, Black Widow, and Johnny Storm. The fight with Iceman is by far the best. I liked the hardcore flirting of Mary Jane to make Harry jealous. I liked the Joke about maybe Aunt May seeing Hair won't be good for her heart. I liked the conversation Randy Robertson had with class at Norman Osborn. I like how Harry beat Norman my using his son to break him away from the Green Goblin.
What I Disliked: I felt most of the Green Goblin fight was just okay. The Green Goblin had new inventions and new gear but he only remembered he was the Green Goblin again minutes before, why didn't he use the gear the last time he had plans to kill Spiderman. The Jail Riot reminded me the last jail riot issue. The London storyline could have been better.
Recommendation: This volume was way better than volume 9. I recommend this volume for the action and the consequences of that action. I thought the addiction issue was pretty bold, I did like it the Peter Parker took on the drug dealers, not Spiderman. I rated Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 10 by Stan Lee 4 out of 5 stars. Next volume will take me into issue 100.
March 27, 2020
This volume is mostly average superhero stuff, but it's elevated by the art and the historical importance of George Stacy's death. The art on Spider-Man has always been great, though John Romita shares the drawing duties with others in this collection and I like the series best when he's doing it by himself.
The big story this volume is the death of Gwen Stacy's father and the other stories either lead up to it (with involvement by Doctor Octopus) or deal with the fallout of it. The biggest consequence is probably Gwen's feelings about Spider-Man, whom everyone thinks is somehow responsible for George Stacy's death. But there's also a shady politician who tries to take advantage of the situation and then other heroes like Iceman and even the Prowler who try to bring Spidey to justice. And Gwen takes off to live with family in London for a while, leading Spidey to go have an adventure there before deciding to leave her alone. (Peter is the worst boyfriend.)
Towards the end, the Green Goblin makes a reappearance for a few issues, but that story ultimately goes nowhere and resets its own status quo.
Another interesting thing though is that Mary Jane is a huge jerk. She's always been self-absorbed, but with Gwen temporarily out of the picture, MJ ignores her current boyfriend Harry to flirt openly with Peter. That's just sort of left unresolved in this volume because Gwen comes home and makes up with Peter, but I'm really eager to see MJ develop out of this super shallow character in future volumes.
The big story this volume is the death of Gwen Stacy's father and the other stories either lead up to it (with involvement by Doctor Octopus) or deal with the fallout of it. The biggest consequence is probably Gwen's feelings about Spider-Man, whom everyone thinks is somehow responsible for George Stacy's death. But there's also a shady politician who tries to take advantage of the situation and then other heroes like Iceman and even the Prowler who try to bring Spidey to justice. And Gwen takes off to live with family in London for a while, leading Spidey to go have an adventure there before deciding to leave her alone. (Peter is the worst boyfriend.)
Towards the end, the Green Goblin makes a reappearance for a few issues, but that story ultimately goes nowhere and resets its own status quo.
Another interesting thing though is that Mary Jane is a huge jerk. She's always been self-absorbed, but with Gwen temporarily out of the picture, MJ ignores her current boyfriend Harry to flirt openly with Peter. That's just sort of left unresolved in this volume because Gwen comes home and makes up with Peter, but I'm really eager to see MJ develop out of this super shallow character in future volumes.
September 29, 2021
Great art. Bad bad bad writing with a slice of dumb dialogue to go along with it.
February 17, 2013
Whilst this volume is full of lows as well as highs, the highs more than make up for it. Lee's writing on this title has matured to such a point that he's no longer content to simply face Spidey off with a bunch of villains, or even create the little multi-issue sagas that he'd done a few years previously. In this series of issues Lee has started to play with the idea of every little showdown having knock on effects in Parker's life that build and multiply in elegant ways. The first storyline in this volume sees a somewhat ordinary showdown with Doc Ock have terrible consequences as Captain Stacey is killed - a bold move in itself. The death of Gwen's father leads her, over a number of issues, to hate Spiderman and this scenario is expounded over a number of highly entertaining mini stories - in which the police hunt Spidey, Gwen starts to support a near-fascist politician who promises Spidey's death, then Gwen flees to London - until Gwen finally realises she's been projecting a little bit. It's a tight piece of planned writing over 6 months worth of comics regardless, but it holds up well - and has its own charm - alongside more modern plot-focussed efforts.
The volume closes out with a slightly less sucessful mini-arc in which the Hreen Goblin returns and, unrelatedly, Harry Osbourn turns to drugs and starts to hate on Peter and MJ.
Spiderman is continually sucha compelling comic because, even though Stan Lee has some kooky writing techniques at times, he imbues his stories with a lot of warmth and heart. The saga is always about Peter and not the hero. lee always likes to throw in political issues and he always firmly throws himself down on the liberal side of them and little things crop up such as negative typing of black people or support of anti-pollution campaigns. And, of course Peter personal relations with his girlfriend and friends, whilst they might seem a little twee to us now, I also find particularly heartwarming.
This is another great volume in a consistently great series. I'm sure it can't be this good forever, but from #1-#99 the quality has just continually grown and grown.
The volume closes out with a slightly less sucessful mini-arc in which the Hreen Goblin returns and, unrelatedly, Harry Osbourn turns to drugs and starts to hate on Peter and MJ.
Spiderman is continually sucha compelling comic because, even though Stan Lee has some kooky writing techniques at times, he imbues his stories with a lot of warmth and heart. The saga is always about Peter and not the hero. lee always likes to throw in political issues and he always firmly throws himself down on the liberal side of them and little things crop up such as negative typing of black people or support of anti-pollution campaigns. And, of course Peter personal relations with his girlfriend and friends, whilst they might seem a little twee to us now, I also find particularly heartwarming.
This is another great volume in a consistently great series. I'm sure it can't be this good forever, but from #1-#99 the quality has just continually grown and grown.
September 29, 2013
We're getting later into classic-era Spider-Man, but the stories (and the problems) are still moving. Doc Ock and the Green Goblin have ominous turns as villains, and tragedy hits hard as a favorite supporting character meets a surprising--and noble--end.
There are parts that don't work. The preachiness about "hard drugs," while well intentioned, lands at an after-school special tone. Surprisingly, the Gil Kane art in the same issues suffers, becoming increasingly sketchy and washed out. Looking online, I see these issues are well regarded, but the art seemed like a downturn to me.
But Peter grows in satisfying ways, standing up to J. Jonah Jameson, resolving to be more honest with Gwen Stacy and showing real courage in facing a showdown with Doc Ock that he doubts he'll walk away from. The core of the character is present in these pages, and it's still strong after 99 issues.
Read digital versions.
There are parts that don't work. The preachiness about "hard drugs," while well intentioned, lands at an after-school special tone. Surprisingly, the Gil Kane art in the same issues suffers, becoming increasingly sketchy and washed out. Looking online, I see these issues are well regarded, but the art seemed like a downturn to me.
But Peter grows in satisfying ways, standing up to J. Jonah Jameson, resolving to be more honest with Gwen Stacy and showing real courage in facing a showdown with Doc Ock that he doubts he'll walk away from. The core of the character is present in these pages, and it's still strong after 99 issues.
Read digital versions.
November 22, 2020
Drugs are bad, mkay?
October 2, 2020
Wowzers, this was a super solid volume! Back-to-back stories first pitting Spider-Man against an escaped Doctor Octopus, and then ending with another return of the Green Goblin. And both story arcs included some pretty epic fight scenes that really showed some of the best moments of the different characters involved and really had Spider-Man under threat.
And somehow the Green Goblin arc also coincided with a story about substance abuse, which was pretty controversial for its time. But on the whole they were great stories and I really enjoyed going through this volume.
And somehow the Green Goblin arc also coincided with a story about substance abuse, which was pretty controversial for its time. But on the whole they were great stories and I really enjoyed going through this volume.
February 8, 2018
Spidey Hits 99
(Spoilers) This collection is one where the politics ramp up again as drugs and prison reform make their way into the fray of issues PP/SM and the gang are dealing with, like pollution and housing projects, and they writers go back to more storylines that span multiple issues. One question though: What the hell happened to Ock? He just vanished after Capt. Stacy's death... Cool span of issues nonetheless.
(Spoilers) This collection is one where the politics ramp up again as drugs and prison reform make their way into the fray of issues PP/SM and the gang are dealing with, like pollution and housing projects, and they writers go back to more storylines that span multiple issues. One question though: What the hell happened to Ock? He just vanished after Capt. Stacy's death... Cool span of issues nonetheless.
August 14, 2020
Though Stan’s scripting was getting better at this point, I’m still docking a star for the Very Special Episode featuring Harry Osborne getting hopped up on pills and having a bummer trip, maaan. Thumbs up for getting through a run of issues without Aunt May having a heart attack or fit of nervous exhaustion.
February 15, 2018
This collection features major Spider-Man moments - like the death of Captain Stacy and key Green Goblin stories, told mainly by writer Stan Lee and artists John Romita and Gil Kane. Essential stories for any Spidey fan, with these future legends making it look all too easy.
July 1, 2020
The Green Goblin became a much more potent adversary, and the death of Capt. George Stacy was the most emotionally invested I've ever been in Peter Parker. This collection was the best of this title so far.
November 10, 2017
Slightly better than the last volume, and Stan Lee dips his toes into talking about social issues, but there's no subtlety to his stories, making his points rather painful to read.
June 29, 2019
Fun to revisit stories I read as a kid...and maybe an "older" kid, lol.
June 23, 2020
Great read
Less expensive than hard copies. Nice gap filled between hardback as some are rare and priced to high. Can't wait to start the next book.
Less expensive than hard copies. Nice gap filled between hardback as some are rare and priced to high. Can't wait to start the next book.
February 18, 2023
Classic Spider-Man. Some entertaining stories and cool artwork.
September 17, 2023
The Amazing Spider-Man #88-99.
August 26, 2024
Peak Stan Lee’s Spidey 👌🏼
November 6, 2024
Spidey goes to London looking for Gwen
January 7, 2025
Gil Kane takes over as penciler and immediately kills off Captain Stacy, following it up with stories on the rise of fascism and hate-groups, drug addiction, and prison conditions. Just as Spider-Man was getting pretty stale, this is the mix-up it needed.
July 29, 2014
A lot happens in this volume. Fights with Doc Ock, a major character dies, Spiderman accused of murder - fights with iceman, goes to London and the Green Goblin returns. But be warned Peter is in major 'Oh woe is me' mode throughout the book, and at times it can get irritating. The overall stories are well thought out, and though the drugs plot was a bit heavy handed it was done well. A very good read.
July 28, 2024
Simply put, this is as good as it gets. Brilliant writing by Stan Lee with superb artwork by Gil Kane, John Romita, Sr., and Jim Mooney. I owned Nos. 96-98 at one time, and they rank among my all-time favorite comic books. Green Goblin + Harry's drug abuse + Gil Kane's artwork = one of the best arcs of the '70s.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews