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The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus
The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus, Vol. 3
Few comic books have ever come close to reaching the page-turning power, action, and drama of Amazing Spider-Man.
Guided by Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and Gil Kane, Spidey grew to become not just the most relatable hero in comics, but also the industry’s top seller! And you’ll see the reasons why again and again in this truly amazing third Omnibus collection. One iconic story follows another: the Stone Tablet Saga, the debut of Black Widow’s new look, Kingpin’s Shakespearean family drama, Captain Stacy’s tragic death, the pathos of Peter Parker’s love triangle with Gwen Stacy and Spidey, the historic Comics Code-defying “drug” issues, and Morbius the Living Vampire’s debut!
Collecting: Amazing Spider-Man 68-104
Guided by Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and Gil Kane, Spidey grew to become not just the most relatable hero in comics, but also the industry’s top seller! And you’ll see the reasons why again and again in this truly amazing third Omnibus collection. One iconic story follows another: the Stone Tablet Saga, the debut of Black Widow’s new look, Kingpin’s Shakespearean family drama, Captain Stacy’s tragic death, the pathos of Peter Parker’s love triangle with Gwen Stacy and Spidey, the historic Comics Code-defying “drug” issues, and Morbius the Living Vampire’s debut!
Collecting: Amazing Spider-Man 68-104
912 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1972
15 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Stan Lee
7,566 books2,334 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.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 12, 2017
Maybe it was nostalgia, but the first multi-issue story in this volume made me giddy. It was a reminder of how well Stan Lee can juggle all of the aspects of Peter Parker's life: the bad luck, lack of money, girl troubles, dealing with Jonah and of course fighting super villains. The reader weaves back and forth through all of these aspects and through it all Peter is still a hero, although even he stumbles sometimes.
While most of the stories aren't significant, there are a few notable entries, but in spoiler territory: In addition, there is the introduction of Morbius (not one of my favorite villains but you do get his full origin) as well as the infamous "drug issues" when Stan Lee published the books without the Comics Code Authority seal of approval.
This era of stories also marks the beginning of the end of Lee and Romita. Lee bows out for a couple of issues, filled in by Roy Thomas, returning for only a few more in the next omnibus volume. In this volume, Romita begins "overseeing" the art taken over by Gil Kane, but still penciling an occasional issue.
Again, while not full of the landmark stories, there are memorable ones, not to mention getting a clear comparison of Lee's writing to Roy Thomas' and then Romita's art to Gil Kane's (I still prefer Romita.)
While most of the stories aren't significant, there are a few notable entries, but in spoiler territory: In addition, there is the introduction of Morbius (not one of my favorite villains but you do get his full origin) as well as the infamous "drug issues" when Stan Lee published the books without the Comics Code Authority seal of approval.
This era of stories also marks the beginning of the end of Lee and Romita. Lee bows out for a couple of issues, filled in by Roy Thomas, returning for only a few more in the next omnibus volume. In this volume, Romita begins "overseeing" the art taken over by Gil Kane, but still penciling an occasional issue.
Again, while not full of the landmark stories, there are memorable ones, not to mention getting a clear comparison of Lee's writing to Roy Thomas' and then Romita's art to Gil Kane's (I still prefer Romita.)
May 4, 2025
This review is my 999th on Goodreads. And this book has been a special celebration of the many things I love about Spider-man, the art of comics and the lifesaving habit of reading. It has started with a feast of connected stories and ended with a treat of poetic love letters to certain icons of popular culture. What an amazing journey.
June 29, 2023
Spider-man moves into the 1970s and Stan Lee passes the writing torch and Romita gives main art duties to a series of others before leaving Gil Kane in charge. Though it’s more uneven, there’s a lot to love in this omni. The Prowler stories are particularly good with Hobie Brown’s parallel to Peter Parker being a great idea. There’s also a pair of good trilogies with Doctor Octopus and Green Goblin! For major events, it has one big death and a Harry Osborn Revelation. I’d say it’s still quality.
Amazing Spider-Man #68 ⧫ 3 Stars “Crisis On The Campus!”
I really like Peter Pater calling for unionization, but he’s so wishy-washy about the protests! It’s only more frustrating when the protest stereotypically becomes a riot, not Stan’s best.However, it does have the iconic Kingpin workout scene that Frank Miller would perfect. It’s a mixed bag.
Amazing Spider-Man #69 ⧫ 4 Stars “Mission: Crush The Kingpin!”
This issue is a bit better, though Gwen falls into a few of the traps that Peter did in the previous issue. I believe this is also the first mention of the Kingpin’s wife Vanessa, noice! I like the effect that her name has on the Kingpin. Also, the Kingpin fight and its conclusion are classic Spider-man.
Amazing Spider-Man #70 ⧫ 4 Stars “Spider-Man Wanted!”
Great cover! It really builds on the previous cliffhanger; also, it’s a classic: homaged many times! I love the police stuff, and I think the Kingpin mystery builds nicely. Gwen’s talk is great. I just wish the crisis on campus stuff didn’t have such a shit end. It’s the weakest part of this section, and it really should have been the strongest. Another great cliffhanger, though!
Amazing Spider-Man #71 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Speedster and The Spider”
And, return to the status quo! It’s kind of a shame as I think this could have been built more climatically. The Quicksilver stuff is fine, but it seems to be more of an ad for Avengers and . Decent, but lackluster.
Amazing Spider-Man #72 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Rocked by… the Shocker!”
A heck of an opening puts this above an average Spidey adventure, but it’s mostly an average punch out with the Shocker with a side of Peter being a jerk.
Amazing Spider-Man #73 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Web Closes!”
The action starts up again with a new (more defeatable) player: Silvermane! He and Marko are the first of a few new villains over the next ten issues and actually some of the more successful. It’s a solid issue that sets up for the next two parts that conclude the “Tablet Saga.”
Amazing Spider-Man #74 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “If This Be Bedlam!”
The middle bridge of the Silvermane section of the Tablet Saga is fairly plot heavy, but full of enough of what makes Spider-man fun.
Amazing Spider-Man #75 ⧫ 4 Stars “Death without warning!”
Some great Spidey drama and action with a one-two punch at the end. Also, solid cover, I wish that it was more significant.
Amazing Spider-Man #76 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Lizard Lives!”
It starts as a pretty standard Lizard issue, but the end is where things change up with a fiery guest appearance. As a fan of Marvel’s greatest friendship, I approve. I do wonder why we got another flashback to the previous Lizard defeat as we just got one a few issues ago… Also, the art team changes a bit to Mooney and Bushema. Both are artists I like, but I do feel like they’re a step down from John Romita. The action just isn’t quite there. Ah well, on to the main event!
Amazing Spider-Man #77 ⧫ 4 Stars “In the Blaze of Battle!”
Spider-man must protect the Lizard from the Human Torch! I really like this idea, and I think it’s a good step in their relationship. Also, shout out to the pure Romance comic panel of Mrs. Connors on page 7. Good stuff!
Amazing Spider-Man #78 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Night of The Prowler!”
The Prowler! I actually love this issue. The moody opening with the usual Peter Parker issues transitions to Hobie who is very similar to Peter Parker, but he’s had fewer breaks. I also like how Jameson tries to help Hobie and isn’t just a jerk. It shows depth. Also, the Prowler has a good design, from an abandoned Romita sketch shown at the end of the previous omnibus. It updated very nicely to the excellent version in the Into the Spider-Verse film. Strong start to a new “villain!”
Amazing Spider-Man #79 ⧫ 4 Stars “To Prowl No More!”
Damn, Peter’s solution is cold. It creates great inner turmoil for Hobie that I really wish this issue had more time for. It also has some unnecessary Peter Parker aggression, but it is still a strong end to the Prowler two parter with the end being particularly great.
Amazing Spider-Man #80 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “On the Trail of the Chameleon!”
A quick Chameleon one-off that also smooths out the strain between Peter and Gwen. I got about four pages in and flipped back to note that John Romita is back for awhile; I really think his style adds more emotion. It’s a solid Chameleon story, but it doesn’t beat his first appearance.
Amazing Spider-Man #81 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Coming of the Kangaroo!”
New villain number four for this omni! And, he’s really ridiculous. From Meeting May at the train to the ending, this is all stuff that has been done better before. I guess the vial thing is new, but it wasn’t that interesting. I hate it when a new villain becomes filler.
Amazing Spider-Man #82 ⧫ 3 Stars “And then Came Electro!”
This one’s remixing things, but it’s been a longer time since we’ve seen Spidey try to make money by being on TV, so I think the second attempt is warranted, though no Uncle Ben reference? Weird. I also liked the attempt for the gang to hang out, though it was all too brief. Also, Electro gets his cred back, which is nice.
Amazing Spider-Man #83 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Schemer!”
I think having the Schemer make a more personal connection with Peter is a good choice, making it more distinct from some past crime stories. The Schemer looks really dumb, and his plans aren’t all that well thought out. I think the Gwen stuff at the end is unfortunate, but it’s a decent start to the trilogy.
Amazing Spider-Man #84 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Kingpin Strikes Back!”
Between the Schemer’s super car and the lucky breaks that lead Spider-man to him, this trilogy gets pretty rough here. I didn’t mention the foreshadowing last issue, but here, it’s near deafening. The Gwen stuff smooths out, but not in a particularly dramatic or interesting fashion.
Amazing Spider-Man #85 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “And now...the Secret of the Schemer!”
That cover copy is definitely a lie as there’s a way more interesting event in the future. The Schemer trilogy ends rather badly as I feel like both the Kingpin and Spider-man act rather out of character here. The Captain and Gwen Stacy stuff is actually better, so that’s good.
Amazing Spider-Man #86 ⧫ 4 Stars “Beware...The Black Widow!”
Another issue that acts as a pilot for a former Avenger. I think I give this one more slack as it isn’t chance, and it gels more with the Gwen Stacy stuff. Also, any excuse for Romita Black Widow is fine by me, especially with the debut of her Emma Peel costume that is still iconic!
Amazing Spider-Man #87 ⧫ 4 Stars “Unmasked At Last!”
I rather liked this one as the first time Peter must go to an ally to protect his secret identity. Mary Jane’s behavior is questionable, but not necessarily inconsistent with the later revelation about her. It forms a pretty good duo with the previous issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #88 ⧫ 4 Stars “The Arms of Doctor Octopus!”
As a Doc Ock fan, I’m glad to see him back and fairly deadly. John Jameson also makes his return, and on the whole, it’s a good issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #89 ⧫ 4 Stars “Doc Ock Lives!”
I was actually a little worried about the art with Gil Kane penciling and John Romita inking, but the destruction of the plant and the dizzying fall at the end really show that the art works well. Also, the Mooney and Romita team have been a bit lackluster of late. I have to say: for a fight issue, it’s impressive.
Amazing Spider-Man #90 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “And Death Shall Come!”
It feels a little random, but I really like the circumstances of the death in this issue. They set up a lot of drama and work well.
Amazing Spider-Man #91 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “To Smash the Spider”
Spider-man gets political, though in a more vague way. Reading this issue makes me laugh at those who think the modern series is “getting too political.”
Amazing Spider-Man #92 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “When Iceman Attacks!”
I wish bigots were taken care of that easily. This is a solid issue with some good moments for Jonah and Robbie. Iceman was a nice touch, long before Amazing Friends. I question some of the Gwen/Peter stuff, though.
Amazing Spider-Man #93 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Lady And—The Prowler!”
This is a nice culmination to the Gwen Stacy and Prowler storylines that have been building over the past several issues. It’s always nice to see that characters aren’t just doing nothing while they’re off panel.
Amazing Spider-Man #94 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “On Wings of Death!”
It’s an okay filler issue, but it’s all been done before and better.
Amazing Spider-Man #95 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Trap for a Terrorist”
I like the idea of Spidey going to England and catching a terrorist. The issue is a little more mixed for me. The way Spidey solves the puzzle is very “American writing England.” Gwen is a little too emotional, though she may just be brainwashed by the “emotional female” thing that the male characters keep saying. The bittersweet ending partially works, though Peter knows the Bugle knows he’s there, so why not see Gwen?
Amazing Spider-Man #96 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “...And Now, The Goblin!”
The famous drug issue that went without the Comics Code Authority! Honestly, it has a drug subplot that Randy explicitly comments on. It’s a good message and the Comics Code Authority was an institution that lasted way too long. Anyway, this is also a solid character issue and a great start to this Goblin three parter.
Amazing Spider-Man #97 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “In The Grip Of The Goblin!”
Ominous and surprisingly story-driven. This starts as a punch up and then shifts to more character-driven stuff. Mary Jane is a bit harsh, but hey, she’s making her play. There’s also the long-running Harry subplot that starts here.
Amazing Spider-Man #98 ⧫ 5 Stars “The Goblin's Last Gasp!”
A little corny? Maybe, but I think this might be my favorite Stan Lee Green Goblin story. It moves several characters forward, has some tragedy, but still manages a solid ending. If I have one gripe, it’s that Giacoia is a rougher inker than Romita, but I really liked this trilogy.
Amazing Spider-Man #99 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “A Day in the Life Of—”
It’s an average issue with stuff that has definitely been done before, earlier in this omnibus even, but the ending made me smile, so I’ll give it a bump.
*The chronological Marvel Team-Up starring Spider-Man starts around this time. The actual first issue came out the same month as Amazing Spider-Man #106*
Amazing Spider-Man #100 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Spider or the Man?”
The only thing really memorable here is the finale and that it’s Stan Lee’s last consecutive issue. He’ll be back for a few runs in the next omni, but 70s Spidey really begins next issue with Roy Thomas. As for the twist, it comes so out of left field, especially after the last issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #101 ⧫ 3 Stars “A Monster Called Morbius!”
Most of this issue is spent dealing with Stan’s hilarious send off, and it’s fine. Peter gets crazy irritated, but I guess it’s fine. Morbius’s opening is basically just Dracula arriving in England (Marvel already has a Dracula), and there’s not much hint at his antihero status.
Amazing Spider-Man #102 ⧫ 3 Stars “Vampire at Large!”
Morbius’ backstory is a kind of haphazard remix of the Lizard’s, but the Lizard/Spider-man team up is pretty neat, and the art team does a great job making a variety of unique locations. The big problem is that this whole thing doesn’t do much. Thomas’ scripts are overly flowery, and he’s still working on characterization.
Amazing Spider-Man #103 ⧫ 3 Stars “Walk The Savage Land!”
It’s another one where I appreciate the art, but I find the story pretty meh. Also, it’s King Kong… At least Gwen is along this time.
Amazing Spider-Man #104 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Beauty And The Brute”
It’s a fine end, but I feel like the art breaks down a bit, that T-Rex looks bad. Otherwise, it continues to be very average. Not the most exciting way to end an omni. Oh, and Kraven did almost nothing.
Other Omnibus Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #1
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #2
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #4
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #5
Spectacular Spider-Man Omnibus #1
Amazing Spider-Man #68 ⧫ 3 Stars “Crisis On The Campus!”
I really like Peter Pater calling for unionization, but he’s so wishy-washy about the protests! It’s only more frustrating when the protest stereotypically becomes a riot, not Stan’s best.However, it does have the iconic Kingpin workout scene that Frank Miller would perfect. It’s a mixed bag.
Amazing Spider-Man #69 ⧫ 4 Stars “Mission: Crush The Kingpin!”
This issue is a bit better, though Gwen falls into a few of the traps that Peter did in the previous issue. I believe this is also the first mention of the Kingpin’s wife Vanessa, noice! I like the effect that her name has on the Kingpin. Also, the Kingpin fight and its conclusion are classic Spider-man.
Amazing Spider-Man #70 ⧫ 4 Stars “Spider-Man Wanted!”
Great cover! It really builds on the previous cliffhanger; also, it’s a classic: homaged many times! I love the police stuff, and I think the Kingpin mystery builds nicely. Gwen’s talk is great. I just wish the crisis on campus stuff didn’t have such a shit end. It’s the weakest part of this section, and it really should have been the strongest. Another great cliffhanger, though!
Amazing Spider-Man #71 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Speedster and The Spider”
And, return to the status quo! It’s kind of a shame as I think this could have been built more climatically. The Quicksilver stuff is fine, but it seems to be more of an ad for Avengers and . Decent, but lackluster.
Amazing Spider-Man #72 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Rocked by… the Shocker!”
A heck of an opening puts this above an average Spidey adventure, but it’s mostly an average punch out with the Shocker with a side of Peter being a jerk.
Amazing Spider-Man #73 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Web Closes!”
The action starts up again with a new (more defeatable) player: Silvermane! He and Marko are the first of a few new villains over the next ten issues and actually some of the more successful. It’s a solid issue that sets up for the next two parts that conclude the “Tablet Saga.”
Amazing Spider-Man #74 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “If This Be Bedlam!”
The middle bridge of the Silvermane section of the Tablet Saga is fairly plot heavy, but full of enough of what makes Spider-man fun.
Amazing Spider-Man #75 ⧫ 4 Stars “Death without warning!”
Some great Spidey drama and action with a one-two punch at the end. Also, solid cover, I wish that it was more significant.
Amazing Spider-Man #76 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “The Lizard Lives!”
It starts as a pretty standard Lizard issue, but the end is where things change up with a fiery guest appearance. As a fan of Marvel’s greatest friendship, I approve. I do wonder why we got another flashback to the previous Lizard defeat as we just got one a few issues ago… Also, the art team changes a bit to Mooney and Bushema. Both are artists I like, but I do feel like they’re a step down from John Romita. The action just isn’t quite there. Ah well, on to the main event!
Amazing Spider-Man #77 ⧫ 4 Stars “In the Blaze of Battle!”
Spider-man must protect the Lizard from the Human Torch! I really like this idea, and I think it’s a good step in their relationship. Also, shout out to the pure Romance comic panel of Mrs. Connors on page 7. Good stuff!
Amazing Spider-Man #78 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Night of The Prowler!”
The Prowler! I actually love this issue. The moody opening with the usual Peter Parker issues transitions to Hobie who is very similar to Peter Parker, but he’s had fewer breaks. I also like how Jameson tries to help Hobie and isn’t just a jerk. It shows depth. Also, the Prowler has a good design, from an abandoned Romita sketch shown at the end of the previous omnibus. It updated very nicely to the excellent version in the Into the Spider-Verse film. Strong start to a new “villain!”
Amazing Spider-Man #79 ⧫ 4 Stars “To Prowl No More!”
Damn, Peter’s solution is cold. It creates great inner turmoil for Hobie that I really wish this issue had more time for. It also has some unnecessary Peter Parker aggression, but it is still a strong end to the Prowler two parter with the end being particularly great.
Amazing Spider-Man #80 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “On the Trail of the Chameleon!”
A quick Chameleon one-off that also smooths out the strain between Peter and Gwen. I got about four pages in and flipped back to note that John Romita is back for awhile; I really think his style adds more emotion. It’s a solid Chameleon story, but it doesn’t beat his first appearance.
Amazing Spider-Man #81 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Coming of the Kangaroo!”
New villain number four for this omni! And, he’s really ridiculous. From Meeting May at the train to the ending, this is all stuff that has been done better before. I guess the vial thing is new, but it wasn’t that interesting. I hate it when a new villain becomes filler.
Amazing Spider-Man #82 ⧫ 3 Stars “And then Came Electro!”
This one’s remixing things, but it’s been a longer time since we’ve seen Spidey try to make money by being on TV, so I think the second attempt is warranted, though no Uncle Ben reference? Weird. I also liked the attempt for the gang to hang out, though it was all too brief. Also, Electro gets his cred back, which is nice.
Amazing Spider-Man #83 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Schemer!”
I think having the Schemer make a more personal connection with Peter is a good choice, making it more distinct from some past crime stories. The Schemer looks really dumb, and his plans aren’t all that well thought out. I think the Gwen stuff at the end is unfortunate, but it’s a decent start to the trilogy.
Amazing Spider-Man #84 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Kingpin Strikes Back!”
Between the Schemer’s super car and the lucky breaks that lead Spider-man to him, this trilogy gets pretty rough here. I didn’t mention the foreshadowing last issue, but here, it’s near deafening. The Gwen stuff smooths out, but not in a particularly dramatic or interesting fashion.
Amazing Spider-Man #85 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “And now...the Secret of the Schemer!”
That cover copy is definitely a lie as there’s a way more interesting event in the future. The Schemer trilogy ends rather badly as I feel like both the Kingpin and Spider-man act rather out of character here. The Captain and Gwen Stacy stuff is actually better, so that’s good.
Amazing Spider-Man #86 ⧫ 4 Stars “Beware...The Black Widow!”
Another issue that acts as a pilot for a former Avenger. I think I give this one more slack as it isn’t chance, and it gels more with the Gwen Stacy stuff. Also, any excuse for Romita Black Widow is fine by me, especially with the debut of her Emma Peel costume that is still iconic!
Amazing Spider-Man #87 ⧫ 4 Stars “Unmasked At Last!”
I rather liked this one as the first time Peter must go to an ally to protect his secret identity. Mary Jane’s behavior is questionable, but not necessarily inconsistent with the later revelation about her. It forms a pretty good duo with the previous issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #88 ⧫ 4 Stars “The Arms of Doctor Octopus!”
As a Doc Ock fan, I’m glad to see him back and fairly deadly. John Jameson also makes his return, and on the whole, it’s a good issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #89 ⧫ 4 Stars “Doc Ock Lives!”
I was actually a little worried about the art with Gil Kane penciling and John Romita inking, but the destruction of the plant and the dizzying fall at the end really show that the art works well. Also, the Mooney and Romita team have been a bit lackluster of late. I have to say: for a fight issue, it’s impressive.
Amazing Spider-Man #90 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “And Death Shall Come!”
It feels a little random, but I really like the circumstances of the death in this issue. They set up a lot of drama and work well.
Amazing Spider-Man #91 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “To Smash the Spider”
Spider-man gets political, though in a more vague way. Reading this issue makes me laugh at those who think the modern series is “getting too political.”
Amazing Spider-Man #92 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “When Iceman Attacks!”
I wish bigots were taken care of that easily. This is a solid issue with some good moments for Jonah and Robbie. Iceman was a nice touch, long before Amazing Friends. I question some of the Gwen/Peter stuff, though.
Amazing Spider-Man #93 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “The Lady And—The Prowler!”
This is a nice culmination to the Gwen Stacy and Prowler storylines that have been building over the past several issues. It’s always nice to see that characters aren’t just doing nothing while they’re off panel.
Amazing Spider-Man #94 ⧫ 2.5 Stars “On Wings of Death!”
It’s an okay filler issue, but it’s all been done before and better.
Amazing Spider-Man #95 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “Trap for a Terrorist”
I like the idea of Spidey going to England and catching a terrorist. The issue is a little more mixed for me. The way Spidey solves the puzzle is very “American writing England.” Gwen is a little too emotional, though she may just be brainwashed by the “emotional female” thing that the male characters keep saying. The bittersweet ending partially works, though Peter knows the Bugle knows he’s there, so why not see Gwen?
Amazing Spider-Man #96 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “...And Now, The Goblin!”
The famous drug issue that went without the Comics Code Authority! Honestly, it has a drug subplot that Randy explicitly comments on. It’s a good message and the Comics Code Authority was an institution that lasted way too long. Anyway, this is also a solid character issue and a great start to this Goblin three parter.
Amazing Spider-Man #97 ⧫ 4.5 Stars “In The Grip Of The Goblin!”
Ominous and surprisingly story-driven. This starts as a punch up and then shifts to more character-driven stuff. Mary Jane is a bit harsh, but hey, she’s making her play. There’s also the long-running Harry subplot that starts here.
Amazing Spider-Man #98 ⧫ 5 Stars “The Goblin's Last Gasp!”
A little corny? Maybe, but I think this might be my favorite Stan Lee Green Goblin story. It moves several characters forward, has some tragedy, but still manages a solid ending. If I have one gripe, it’s that Giacoia is a rougher inker than Romita, but I really liked this trilogy.
Amazing Spider-Man #99 ⧫ 3.5 Stars “A Day in the Life Of—”
It’s an average issue with stuff that has definitely been done before, earlier in this omnibus even, but the ending made me smile, so I’ll give it a bump.
*The chronological Marvel Team-Up starring Spider-Man starts around this time. The actual first issue came out the same month as Amazing Spider-Man #106*
Amazing Spider-Man #100 ⧫ 2 Stars “The Spider or the Man?”
The only thing really memorable here is the finale and that it’s Stan Lee’s last consecutive issue. He’ll be back for a few runs in the next omni, but 70s Spidey really begins next issue with Roy Thomas. As for the twist, it comes so out of left field, especially after the last issue.
Amazing Spider-Man #101 ⧫ 3 Stars “A Monster Called Morbius!”
Most of this issue is spent dealing with Stan’s hilarious send off, and it’s fine. Peter gets crazy irritated, but I guess it’s fine. Morbius’s opening is basically just Dracula arriving in England (Marvel already has a Dracula), and there’s not much hint at his antihero status.
Amazing Spider-Man #102 ⧫ 3 Stars “Vampire at Large!”
Morbius’ backstory is a kind of haphazard remix of the Lizard’s, but the Lizard/Spider-man team up is pretty neat, and the art team does a great job making a variety of unique locations. The big problem is that this whole thing doesn’t do much. Thomas’ scripts are overly flowery, and he’s still working on characterization.
Amazing Spider-Man #103 ⧫ 3 Stars “Walk The Savage Land!”
It’s another one where I appreciate the art, but I find the story pretty meh. Also, it’s King Kong… At least Gwen is along this time.
Amazing Spider-Man #104 ⧫ 3 Stars “The Beauty And The Brute”
It’s a fine end, but I feel like the art breaks down a bit, that T-Rex looks bad. Otherwise, it continues to be very average. Not the most exciting way to end an omni. Oh, and Kraven did almost nothing.
Other Omnibus Reviews
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #1
Untold Tales of Spider-Man Omnibus
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #2
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #4
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus #5
Spectacular Spider-Man Omnibus #1
April 30, 2020
I've already reviewed the first half of this volume as the Secret of the Petrified Tablet epic collection, so this is just for issues 86-104, and since the epic collection for those isn't published yet I'm dropping this here for now.
Peter dealing with illness is always an interesting reflection of his relative humanity compared to other heroes (even Batman, who's supposed to be just a dude, rarely seems to fall ill). He's really paranoid about his secret identity in this, and keeps bouncing back and forth on whether or not to tell Gwen, which is another interesting layer here. He's just a teenager, after all, and his fierce, stubborn need for independance has left him without guidance from the FF or the Avengers. He's got to figure it out on his own, with seemingly the world against him, and that's a lot for a 19-21ish year old kid to deal. All that plus school, which seems to have totally fallen by the wayside for him at this point, plus work and money problems... I certainly don't envy him. His own self destructive tendencies get the best of him, and often his compulsive need to fight crime is just as much a cathartic way to avoid his realm problems as it is actually trying to help. And despite his best efforts, he gets Captain Stacy killed, adding fuel to the fire that is his guilt complex.
On issue #89, Gil Kane takes over as penciller. His style is an immediately noticeable shift, and though I still prefer Romita he does a great job bringing out the weirder side of Spidey that Ditko thrived on, especially the (very literal) Spider-Man of the Morbius arc. Morbius is a gret addition to the rogue's gallery, too, bringing a nice gothic touch to the series, with a unique set of powers. Meanwhile, Sam Bullit is a great political villain, an overt satire of right-wing authorianism that uses fear to remove personal liberty. His cries for "law and order" are dog-whistled racism and bigotry, and considering Nixon was in office at the time, it seems a rather pointed critique.
Famously, issues #96-98 were refused by the Comics Code Authority for thei depiction of drugs (which I find strange because of how aggresively anti-drug they are). Like Hitchcock and the Hayes code on Psycho, they called the bluff and did it anyway, with no impact on sales, thus proving the comics code obsolete and ushering in a new era for the medium. As for the content itself, 96 feels kinda forced and out of the blue, but the personal touches on 97 make it quite impactful, despite the somewhat over-the-top stance.
For issues #101-104, Roy Thomas takes over scripting and while the Morbius stuff is quite good, the Savage Land arc is... not. It's really just a knockoff of King Kong, gas bombs and all, and parroting such a racist and regressive story really weakens the impact of a lot of the progressive moments this series has had. I mean, the natives are literally weird ape-men. I don't know, it just all seems wrong, even if they aren't directly portrayed as minorities in the traditional sense. I could get past some of this if it was at least an entertaining riff on the film, but it's not. Also, Spidey straight-up kills Gog, which feels weird and out of character. Most of the stuff here is really good, so it's a shame to end on such a low note. There are a decent few forgettable issues in here too, though, which holds me back from giving it a higher rating.
Peter dealing with illness is always an interesting reflection of his relative humanity compared to other heroes (even Batman, who's supposed to be just a dude, rarely seems to fall ill). He's really paranoid about his secret identity in this, and keeps bouncing back and forth on whether or not to tell Gwen, which is another interesting layer here. He's just a teenager, after all, and his fierce, stubborn need for independance has left him without guidance from the FF or the Avengers. He's got to figure it out on his own, with seemingly the world against him, and that's a lot for a 19-21ish year old kid to deal. All that plus school, which seems to have totally fallen by the wayside for him at this point, plus work and money problems... I certainly don't envy him. His own self destructive tendencies get the best of him, and often his compulsive need to fight crime is just as much a cathartic way to avoid his realm problems as it is actually trying to help. And despite his best efforts, he gets Captain Stacy killed, adding fuel to the fire that is his guilt complex.
On issue #89, Gil Kane takes over as penciller. His style is an immediately noticeable shift, and though I still prefer Romita he does a great job bringing out the weirder side of Spidey that Ditko thrived on, especially the (very literal) Spider-Man of the Morbius arc. Morbius is a gret addition to the rogue's gallery, too, bringing a nice gothic touch to the series, with a unique set of powers. Meanwhile, Sam Bullit is a great political villain, an overt satire of right-wing authorianism that uses fear to remove personal liberty. His cries for "law and order" are dog-whistled racism and bigotry, and considering Nixon was in office at the time, it seems a rather pointed critique.
Famously, issues #96-98 were refused by the Comics Code Authority for thei depiction of drugs (which I find strange because of how aggresively anti-drug they are). Like Hitchcock and the Hayes code on Psycho, they called the bluff and did it anyway, with no impact on sales, thus proving the comics code obsolete and ushering in a new era for the medium. As for the content itself, 96 feels kinda forced and out of the blue, but the personal touches on 97 make it quite impactful, despite the somewhat over-the-top stance.
For issues #101-104, Roy Thomas takes over scripting and while the Morbius stuff is quite good, the Savage Land arc is... not. It's really just a knockoff of King Kong, gas bombs and all, and parroting such a racist and regressive story really weakens the impact of a lot of the progressive moments this series has had. I mean, the natives are literally weird ape-men. I don't know, it just all seems wrong, even if they aren't directly portrayed as minorities in the traditional sense. I could get past some of this if it was at least an entertaining riff on the film, but it's not. Also, Spidey straight-up kills Gog, which feels weird and out of character. Most of the stuff here is really good, so it's a shame to end on such a low note. There are a decent few forgettable issues in here too, though, which holds me back from giving it a higher rating.
January 20, 2025
This is the third Amazing Spider-Man omnibus that I have read.
In this volume, Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. continue their run on the Amazing Spider-Man series, aided by other Marvel legends such as John Buscema, Gil Kane and Roy Thomas. In this volume, new characters are introduced, such as Robbie Robertson’s son Randy and new foes like the Kangaroo, the Prowler as well as Morbius the Living Vampire. This omnibus also sees Spider-Man saying goodbye to the Sixties and hello to the Seventies. Old characters also return such as the Kingpin, Electro, the Lizard, Doctor Octopus, and even the Green Goblin. What I enjoyed while reading this omnibus was that the drama for Spider-Man continues in the stories, with a dash of tragedy. One notable example is in Issue #90, when a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus ends in tragedy and forever changes Peter Parker’s relationship with his girlfriend Gwen Stacy.
Another thing I enjoyed about this volume was that the stories blended fiction with real-world issues, such as college protests. The most notable example of this is the three-issue story arc “Green Goblin Reborn” (Issues #96-98). In this story, Spider-Man must deal with the return of the Green Goblin while he must also save his best friend and roommate Harry Osborn, who has descended into drug addiction. This story, which was the first in the comics industry to condemn drug usage, led to the rules of the Comics Code Authority being revised, and also received praise from readers for making a stand against a serious issue and delivering an anti-drug message.
The addition of bonus material such as fan-mail and never-before seen artwork make this omnibus a must-read for any fan of Spider-Man and comics.
In this volume, Stan Lee and John Romita Sr. continue their run on the Amazing Spider-Man series, aided by other Marvel legends such as John Buscema, Gil Kane and Roy Thomas. In this volume, new characters are introduced, such as Robbie Robertson’s son Randy and new foes like the Kangaroo, the Prowler as well as Morbius the Living Vampire. This omnibus also sees Spider-Man saying goodbye to the Sixties and hello to the Seventies. Old characters also return such as the Kingpin, Electro, the Lizard, Doctor Octopus, and even the Green Goblin. What I enjoyed while reading this omnibus was that the drama for Spider-Man continues in the stories, with a dash of tragedy. One notable example is in Issue #90, when a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus ends in tragedy and forever changes Peter Parker’s relationship with his girlfriend Gwen Stacy.
Another thing I enjoyed about this volume was that the stories blended fiction with real-world issues, such as college protests. The most notable example of this is the three-issue story arc “Green Goblin Reborn” (Issues #96-98). In this story, Spider-Man must deal with the return of the Green Goblin while he must also save his best friend and roommate Harry Osborn, who has descended into drug addiction. This story, which was the first in the comics industry to condemn drug usage, led to the rules of the Comics Code Authority being revised, and also received praise from readers for making a stand against a serious issue and delivering an anti-drug message.
The addition of bonus material such as fan-mail and never-before seen artwork make this omnibus a must-read for any fan of Spider-Man and comics.
January 18, 2018
Finished the third spidey omnibus by Stan Lee, John Romita, John Buscema and Gil Kane. Really good stuff and nice to see the 70s come alive in this omnibus, this one contains classic stories like the death of Captain George Stacy, spidey 100 , the saga of the stone tablet, and the now famous drug issues were Harry Osborn became addicted to drugs. Something i take very personal. It was uncanny at the time to talk about drugs in comics, but Stan the man did it first, making a great statement, and changing the comic book industry and showing that comics arent Just for kids.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
November 26, 2018
When I started this third Omnibus, Stan the Man was still with us. After his passing, his quick quips and defense of justice took on even more weight. His creation of this marvelous universe will ensure that his legacy stand the test of time, but it is his values as a man that will truly make him unforgettable.
December 30, 2018
Stan Lee really hits his stride. John Romita and Gil Kane do wonderful work. I absolutely fell in love with John Buscema's art and take on Spider-man. It's too bad he hated working on the book, I would have loved to see a big Spider-man run drawn by him
February 7, 2022
Some slightly weaker issues in this volume than in the previous one, and especially some weaker villains. Still good stories though overall, and Peter Parker's character is becoming more and more fleshed out.
September 13, 2022
Do your self a favor and get the Morbius cover. The standard cover kinda sucks. Otherwise good collection. Some really bonkers issues towards the end with the savage land, alien monsters, and other such shenanigans.
May 27, 2021
Wow, these look great. Wow, wow, wow. This title had so much talent - was there a better looking comic from this era?
February 6, 2022
even though I'll always feel guilty for the death of uncle ben—maybe tonight—in some small way—spider-man paid a part of that never-ending debt
December 27, 2022
ditko and romita sr are truly the fathers of drawing spidey comics but the series really takes off once gil kane is illustrating
September 2, 2025
It was good, a bit slow at times but in general it’s good classic Spider-Man
November 7, 2020
the third omnibus of stan lee's amazing spider-man increases the comic's movement toward social relevance as it deals with things like drug addiction, pollution, race relations, and prison reform. it also increasingly focuses on parker's homelife and the many ways that his double identity causes him (and those around him) significant misery. the important stuff here is parker's humanity because that's emphasized so much more than the high drama and grounds the science fictiony elements in a world that is tangible; it's doing this for more than just this individual comic but for the universe that lee (and Kirby, ditko, etc) have created. also hell yeah, six armed spidey.
March 21, 2020
Loved the previous two omnibi in this series. Vol. 3 is no exception. It’s the early 1970s and Peter Parker evolves with the changing times. Stan Lee addresses some controversial topics such as drug abuse (in the classic Green Goblin Reborn story arc). There’s a great story involving the Kingpin’s son. Supporting character and love interest, Gwen Stacey, is a bit of a drag in these stories in my opinion. She seems to be crying in every frame. The Amazing Spider-Man is by far my favorite 'soap opera'. Highly entertaining.
November 29, 2024
I may have to revise this review later, but for now I have to say that I have a rampant affection for these amazing reprints of The Amazing Spider-Man.
The villain fighting formulq tends to stay the same, as does the terrible work/life balance that Spider-Man/Peter Parker had.
For myself, as I'm sure it is for many people my age, this is akin to unearthing my childhood. I read re-prints when I was much younger, and it's just tantalizing to return to these better prints decades later.
The villain fighting formulq tends to stay the same, as does the terrible work/life balance that Spider-Man/Peter Parker had.
For myself, as I'm sure it is for many people my age, this is akin to unearthing my childhood. I read re-prints when I was much younger, and it's just tantalizing to return to these better prints decades later.
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