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Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection
Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection, Vol. 8: Man-Wolf at Midnight
There’s no questioning it, Peter Parker has never had it easy, but when the Parker luck is in full effect, you know it means epic Spider-Man adventures! A new era of villains keeps the bad luck streak alive when Col. John Jameson’s is marked by the werewolf’s curse becoming the Man-Wolf. Meanwhile, Peter Parker’s best friend Harry Osborn descends into madness, paranoia and a certain green costume. The first appearance of the Punisher raises the tension even higher, while the nefarious Jackal draws up schemes that will forever change the web-slinger’s life! Also featuring the introduction of the hilarious Human Torch-built Spider-Mobile; the shocking wedding of Aunt May and Doctor Octopus; the Tarantula, Mysterio and so much more!
COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 124-142, Giant-Size Super-Heroes (1974) 1, material from Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) 1
COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 124-142, Giant-Size Super-Heroes (1974) 1, material from Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) 1
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 19, 2022
About the author
Gerry Conway
2,107 books89 followersGerard Francis Conway (Gerard F. Conway) wass an American writer of comic books and television shows. He was known for co-creating the Marvel Comics' vigilante the Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man. At DC Comics, he was known for co-creating the superhero Firestorm and others, and for writing the Justice League of America for eight years. Conway wrote the first major, modern-day intercompany crossover, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.
On April 27, 2026, Marvel Comics announced on its website and social media accounts that Conway had died at the age of 73.
News of Conway's death from Wikipedia
On April 27, 2026, Marvel Comics announced on its website and social media accounts that Conway had died at the age of 73.
News of Conway's death from Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 24, 2022
Conway and Andru are an unbelievably underrated combo on Spidey. The closest thing to Stan/Romita there is.
This collection is outstanding.
This collection is outstanding.
March 6, 2026
The Mark of the Man-Wolf (originally published September 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #124)
Gerry Conway's run on ASM continues following the death of Gwen Stacy with Gil Kane still on pencils, and John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro on inks.
I don't care for the way Kane draws faces in this issue. He has always been among my lesser favorites for classic Spidey, and he really goes crazy with the hatching in a bunch of the panels. Nonetheless, there's some strong visual storytelling here, using perspective to create mood.
Peter is characterized quite aggressively following the death of his girlfriend. I feel like Conway was really trying to portray trauma.
The scene where Jameson initially thought that his son as the Man-Wolf must be a costume may have worked better if it weren't set in the Marvel universe... where magic and Norse gods are real, and alien invasions happen regularly. 3/5
Wolfhunt! (originally published October 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #125)
The Jameson yarn that ended on a cliffhanger last month is resolved in underwhelming fashion. Going for a separate origin story for John's malady, instead of tying it into the previous time he got powers from space spores, was a bizarre decision. MJ is also very unlikable in this issue.
Ross Andru takes over on pencils, and while I generally like him, he draws lips weirdly in this issue. 2/5
The Kangaroo Bounces Back! (originally published November 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #126)
The concept of the Spider-Mobile is introduced here, as a paid endorsement for Spidey, although it wouldn't be built for another handful of issues. I'm not sure if it's a plot device to get Peter rent money, or if Peter's need for rent money is a plot device to get the Spider-Mobile. Anyway, Peter is right when he calls it "first class dumb." I'm not sure if this is self-awareness from the writers or what. Either way... what a goofy concept.
Speaking of goofiness, the villain of the month is Kangaroo, who is a bit of a poster boy for the goofy animal-themed baddies in Spidey's rogues gallery. I actually quite liked the first story he starred in (this is his second), and this one is largely good too. I like that he is motivated by a personal vendetta like many of Spider-Man's enemies, and I like that he isn't much of a threat and is done in by his stupidity. Not every issue needs to push the hero to the brink; he should get some easy Ws at times.
The most realistic part of the issue is when the cops fire "warning shots" (i.e. send bullets flying in a wanton act of reckless endangerment).
The epilogue sees a major shoe-drop in the Harry Osborn saga. Solid 3/5.
The Dark Wings of Death! (originally published December 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #127)
Peter continues his streak of being terrible to MJ (in this case he is positively heinous), the Vulture (who may not actually be the Vulture...) sprouts claws, there is excellent perspective work in Ross Andru's art, and Peter calls MJ "Gwendy" when he saves her.
This issue really is just simplicity done really well. There are lots of interesting B-plots and a massive cliffhanger. 4/5
The Vulture Hangs High! (originally published January 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #128)
In this conclusion to a two-parter, the B-plots go nowhere, and the mystery that was set up competently last issue is somehow both convoluted and brain-dead simple at the same time. This, genuinely, is a story that only the likes of Gerry Conway could write. When he's on, he's great. When he's off, he borders on incomprehensible. 2/5
The Punisher Strikes Twice! (originally published February 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #129)
Debut issue for both the Punisher and Jackal! We get an update on the Spider-Mobile (lol) which Johnny Storm is helping to build, some well-executed wry humor, Harry Osborn going fully off the deep end, and a blurb mentioning Gwen's death in the "now classic #121." I guess they knew pretty quickly that that issue was an all-timer.
MJ feels as if she is regressing as a character. She's portrayed here as an airhead. The story is mostly very good though, as is the art, with layouts featuring characters breaking through panels. Pushing the medium forward!
We get no real backstory on the Punisher in his first appearance, but Spidey remarks at the end that "something tells me that man's got problems that make mine look like a birthday party." Right you are, Pete. 4/5
Betrayed! (originally published March 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #130)
Very silly issue. The Spider-Mobile makes its full debut, and the end-of-story-reveal that Aunt May is about to marry Doc Ock is so ridiculous. Even moreso that May didn't make Pete stay on the phone earlier in the ish to tell him... or didn't just tell him way in advance. Did she agree to marry this man day-of? Stan always wrote May as very doddering, sometimes bordering on senile, but this is absurd.
Nonetheless, it's an entertaining issue most of the way through, with some good action. 3/5
My Uncle... My Enemy? (originally published April 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #131)
This story is every bit as silly as foreshadowed. Even Andru's art is a little shaky, but that splash page is the bomb. 2/5
The Master Plan of the Molten Man! (originally published May 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #132)
John Romita steps in to pencil an issue! Right from the awesome cover, it's clear that the king has returned.
Molten Man and Liz Allen are also back, after very long absences. The story is a little overwitten, with a cliffhanger that's a little contrived, but overall, killer ish with an excellent climactic bout. 4/5
The Molten Man Breaks Out! (originally published June 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #133)
For the conclusion of the two-parter, Andru is back on pencils.
We get some development for Liz Allen, explaining her absence, and a tense showdown with Molten Man. His line of "everything bad that's happened to me is because of you" is so emblematic of Spidey's rogues. They need a support group. Second-rate baddies who hate Spider-Man.
The least realistic part is cops holding their fire because they're in a hospital. Speaking of cops, Spider-Man directly fights them in this ish, which must have been a big deal at the time. In the beginning, they couldn't oppose him at all due to Comics Code restrictions, but even when those restrictions were laxed to a point to where they could have an arrest warrant out for him, it never escalated to Spidey-on-officer violence until now, unless my memory is failing me. 3/5
Man-Wolf at Midnight! (originally published June 1974 in Giant-Size Super-Heroes featuring Spider-Man #1)
A special issue to mark the long-awaited return of Morbius (sarcasm). Man-Wolf is back too.
Gil Kane is on pencils for this one and he's decisively worse than Andru (and would of course have to stand on a chair to kiss Romita's ass). The story feels pointless and inconsequential. The ending is anticlimactic. 2/5
Danger is a Man Named... Tarantula (originally published July 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #134)
Ross Andru is back on pencils, and Tarantula makes his debut. The "Spidey runs out of web fluid" trope occurs (I've been counting the times; it's probably less than you think), Spidey yells "my leg!" in a word balloon I'll always hear in the voice of that one recurring background fish in SpongeBob, Harry spies on Pete and deduces his secret identity, and at the end, the Punisher shows up again and we get a massive cliffhanger. 4/5
Shoot-Out in Central Park! (originally published August 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #135)
A number of moments in this story really required me to stretch my suspension of disbelief. For the beginning of the story to work, the Punisher is required to be wrong about Spider-Man once again, and he sure does a lot of talking, like a 1960s/70s Bond villain. I really feel like the Frank Castle I know would have just capped him on sight if he felt he was an enemy. There also seems to be a continuity error when Harry discovers Peter's Spidey costume and learns his secret identity... didn't that already happen when he spied on him last issue? Maybe he was just suspicious then and has confirmed it now, but it really seems like a continuity error.
Nonetheless, Spidey and Punisher eventually have a great team-up, there are some really good moments of humor in the story, and Tarantula is given a very cool backstory. Spider-Man's "I'll stay idealistic" speech at the end is an all-timer in the Conway run.
Flash seems to suspect Peter in the previous issue, and seems really wise to him in this one. I don't think this plot point ever really goes anywhere though. Overall, very enjoyable issue. 4/5
The Green Goblin Lives Again! (originally published September 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #136)
Starting with this issue, the title page includes a brief text blurb detailing Spidey's origin.
Anyway, Peter and Mary Jane are running around together, and are said to be dating. This seems like a very sudden status quo shift. It is really funny when MJ cooks Pete for his music taste.
There is A LOT of exposition in this issue. Like... a Silver Age amount. Even worse, the climactic bout ends with a huge cop-out. Very lazy writing, and I also dislike the way Ross Andru draws MJ's face in this particular story. What should be a classic issue, seeing as how it's the first full appearance of Harry Osborn as the Goblin, is just okay instead. 3/5
The Green Goblin Strikes! (originally published October 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #137)
Back-to-back Goblin issues, and this one is significantly better. Conway really thought he was cooking by having a labelled prologue section and everything... but really, this is a good issue.
There's still a lot of exposition, but not an unforgivable amount. Other bits of weirdness involve Peter calling himself "a manic depressive," using the term (which is a dated term for bipolar disorder) as a noun, and not an adjective, something he's never mentioned before and was never followed up on in any way, Peter naively hoping Harry will "snap out of it" when his fully dressed in Green Goblin garb with intentions of murder, and Peter mentioning the New York Giants... c'mon. Hard luck Pete should be a Jets fan!
Anyway, what makes the issue good is that there is genuine tension and suspense. I've always liked when superhero stories focus more on making the hero act fast to prevent others from being hurt, rather than simply creating threats for the hero. Harry scheme is kinda odd though... Pete's relationship with Flash is more cordial now than it ever has been in the past, but still, it's a head-scratcher that he identified Flash as the third-closest person to Peter after Aunt May and MJ. Then again, Peter is a bit of a loner. The actual third-closest person to him is probably Johnny Storm, but Harry of course doesn't know that.
Harry's flailing insanity is written well enough that it's believable, and the ending is believable too. The previous Goblin (Norman) knowing Spider-Man's identity was always a problem for the writers, because it backed them into a corner when it came to continuing to have Goblin stories without Peter's identity being widely exposed. They typically chose to go the amnesia route to compensate. The way Conway compensates here is more believable than the amnesia explanation, and feels less clumsy.
The "out of web fluid" trope appears again here. I'm starting to think it may be more of a Conway trope than a Lee trope, as it's usually identified as. That said, the way it's done in this specific issue isn't as lazy as it usually is. Another random thing I really like about this issue is when Peter tells JJ not to touch him because he just had that jacket cleaned. 4/5
Madness Means... the Mindworm! (originally published November 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #138)
This issue picks up right where the previous left off, except Peter was in street clothes then, and is in costume now. Another continuity error, I suppose. He also mentions he's gone three days without sleep... my man is neurotic.
Anyway, major character development for Flash Thompson. He's fully solidified here as a genuine good dude when he immediately allows Peter to move in with him at Rockaway Beach (♫ "It's not hard not far to reach..." ♫) when he's at the end of his rope. Flash even calls him "Pete" at the end. They're officially buds. This aspect of the story is even better to me than the supervillain fight, and the supervillain fight is also good. I like a relatively easy W for Spidey every now and then, and the new foe is legitiamtely interesting.
Peter uses the word "ostentatious" in this issue. I had to look that one up... who said comics are illiterate!? 4/5
Day of the Grizzly! (originally published December 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #139)
Peter Parker is unhappy, but it makes for good character work! Despite how silly of a villain Grizzly is, there's also a lot excellent, dynamic panel sequences in this one. Ross Andru cooked.
A reference is made to events of Marvel Team-Up, which is the first I recall in this series. Spider-Tracers show up for the first time in a hot minute. Big Jackal reveal at the end. Good stuff! 4/5
...And One Will Fall (originally published January 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #140)
What appears that it's going to be the core hook of this issue—in which the Jackal fits Peter with a tracking device that he cannot remove, in order to figure out Spider-Man's idenity—is a really, really good one... it's a shame that it gets tossed aside only a few pages later in a shameless deus ex machina.
Nonetheless, it's an entertaining issue. Good Ross Andru art and layouts, and some good humor too. 3/5
The Man's Name Appears to Be... Mysterio! (originally published February 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #141)
This issue begins with the goofiness that is the Spider-Mobile, and then takes a sudden turn to Peter making a casual remark about slitting his own throat.
Despite the tonal whiplash, and despite the issue mostly just setting up the next one, it's a good story. I love Mysterio, and it's packed with great moments for the supporting cast (which was the best in comics).
Spidey does not run out of web fluid in this issue, but his shooters do get water-logged to the point of not being able to be used. It isn't used as a plot device though, just a gag, so if you're counting, it's probably only worthy of a half-point. 4/5
Dead Man's Bluff! (originally published March 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #142)
I don't have much to say about this one, really. It concludes the Mysterio story from last month, and it's not anything special story-wise, but the Andru art is genuinely stellar. 4/5
Gerry Conway's run on ASM continues following the death of Gwen Stacy with Gil Kane still on pencils, and John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro on inks.
I don't care for the way Kane draws faces in this issue. He has always been among my lesser favorites for classic Spidey, and he really goes crazy with the hatching in a bunch of the panels. Nonetheless, there's some strong visual storytelling here, using perspective to create mood.
Peter is characterized quite aggressively following the death of his girlfriend. I feel like Conway was really trying to portray trauma.
The scene where Jameson initially thought that his son as the Man-Wolf must be a costume may have worked better if it weren't set in the Marvel universe... where magic and Norse gods are real, and alien invasions happen regularly. 3/5
Wolfhunt! (originally published October 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #125)
The Jameson yarn that ended on a cliffhanger last month is resolved in underwhelming fashion. Going for a separate origin story for John's malady, instead of tying it into the previous time he got powers from space spores, was a bizarre decision. MJ is also very unlikable in this issue.
Ross Andru takes over on pencils, and while I generally like him, he draws lips weirdly in this issue. 2/5
The Kangaroo Bounces Back! (originally published November 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #126)
The concept of the Spider-Mobile is introduced here, as a paid endorsement for Spidey, although it wouldn't be built for another handful of issues. I'm not sure if it's a plot device to get Peter rent money, or if Peter's need for rent money is a plot device to get the Spider-Mobile. Anyway, Peter is right when he calls it "first class dumb." I'm not sure if this is self-awareness from the writers or what. Either way... what a goofy concept.
Speaking of goofiness, the villain of the month is Kangaroo, who is a bit of a poster boy for the goofy animal-themed baddies in Spidey's rogues gallery. I actually quite liked the first story he starred in (this is his second), and this one is largely good too. I like that he is motivated by a personal vendetta like many of Spider-Man's enemies, and I like that he isn't much of a threat and is done in by his stupidity. Not every issue needs to push the hero to the brink; he should get some easy Ws at times.
The most realistic part of the issue is when the cops fire "warning shots" (i.e. send bullets flying in a wanton act of reckless endangerment).
The epilogue sees a major shoe-drop in the Harry Osborn saga. Solid 3/5.
The Dark Wings of Death! (originally published December 1973 in The Amazing Spider-Man #127)
Peter continues his streak of being terrible to MJ (in this case he is positively heinous), the Vulture (who may not actually be the Vulture...) sprouts claws, there is excellent perspective work in Ross Andru's art, and Peter calls MJ "Gwendy" when he saves her.
This issue really is just simplicity done really well. There are lots of interesting B-plots and a massive cliffhanger. 4/5
The Vulture Hangs High! (originally published January 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #128)
In this conclusion to a two-parter, the B-plots go nowhere, and the mystery that was set up competently last issue is somehow both convoluted and brain-dead simple at the same time. This, genuinely, is a story that only the likes of Gerry Conway could write. When he's on, he's great. When he's off, he borders on incomprehensible. 2/5
The Punisher Strikes Twice! (originally published February 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #129)
Debut issue for both the Punisher and Jackal! We get an update on the Spider-Mobile (lol) which Johnny Storm is helping to build, some well-executed wry humor, Harry Osborn going fully off the deep end, and a blurb mentioning Gwen's death in the "now classic #121." I guess they knew pretty quickly that that issue was an all-timer.
MJ feels as if she is regressing as a character. She's portrayed here as an airhead. The story is mostly very good though, as is the art, with layouts featuring characters breaking through panels. Pushing the medium forward!
We get no real backstory on the Punisher in his first appearance, but Spidey remarks at the end that "something tells me that man's got problems that make mine look like a birthday party." Right you are, Pete. 4/5
Betrayed! (originally published March 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #130)
Very silly issue. The Spider-Mobile makes its full debut, and the end-of-story-reveal that Aunt May is about to marry Doc Ock is so ridiculous. Even moreso that May didn't make Pete stay on the phone earlier in the ish to tell him... or didn't just tell him way in advance. Did she agree to marry this man day-of? Stan always wrote May as very doddering, sometimes bordering on senile, but this is absurd.
Nonetheless, it's an entertaining issue most of the way through, with some good action. 3/5
My Uncle... My Enemy? (originally published April 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #131)
This story is every bit as silly as foreshadowed. Even Andru's art is a little shaky, but that splash page is the bomb. 2/5
The Master Plan of the Molten Man! (originally published May 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #132)
John Romita steps in to pencil an issue! Right from the awesome cover, it's clear that the king has returned.
Molten Man and Liz Allen are also back, after very long absences. The story is a little overwitten, with a cliffhanger that's a little contrived, but overall, killer ish with an excellent climactic bout. 4/5
The Molten Man Breaks Out! (originally published June 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #133)
For the conclusion of the two-parter, Andru is back on pencils.
We get some development for Liz Allen, explaining her absence, and a tense showdown with Molten Man. His line of "everything bad that's happened to me is because of you" is so emblematic of Spidey's rogues. They need a support group. Second-rate baddies who hate Spider-Man.
The least realistic part is cops holding their fire because they're in a hospital. Speaking of cops, Spider-Man directly fights them in this ish, which must have been a big deal at the time. In the beginning, they couldn't oppose him at all due to Comics Code restrictions, but even when those restrictions were laxed to a point to where they could have an arrest warrant out for him, it never escalated to Spidey-on-officer violence until now, unless my memory is failing me. 3/5
Man-Wolf at Midnight! (originally published June 1974 in Giant-Size Super-Heroes featuring Spider-Man #1)
A special issue to mark the long-awaited return of Morbius (sarcasm). Man-Wolf is back too.
Gil Kane is on pencils for this one and he's decisively worse than Andru (and would of course have to stand on a chair to kiss Romita's ass). The story feels pointless and inconsequential. The ending is anticlimactic. 2/5
Danger is a Man Named... Tarantula (originally published July 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #134)
Ross Andru is back on pencils, and Tarantula makes his debut. The "Spidey runs out of web fluid" trope occurs (I've been counting the times; it's probably less than you think), Spidey yells "my leg!" in a word balloon I'll always hear in the voice of that one recurring background fish in SpongeBob, Harry spies on Pete and deduces his secret identity, and at the end, the Punisher shows up again and we get a massive cliffhanger. 4/5
Shoot-Out in Central Park! (originally published August 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #135)
A number of moments in this story really required me to stretch my suspension of disbelief. For the beginning of the story to work, the Punisher is required to be wrong about Spider-Man once again, and he sure does a lot of talking, like a 1960s/70s Bond villain. I really feel like the Frank Castle I know would have just capped him on sight if he felt he was an enemy. There also seems to be a continuity error when Harry discovers Peter's Spidey costume and learns his secret identity... didn't that already happen when he spied on him last issue? Maybe he was just suspicious then and has confirmed it now, but it really seems like a continuity error.
Nonetheless, Spidey and Punisher eventually have a great team-up, there are some really good moments of humor in the story, and Tarantula is given a very cool backstory. Spider-Man's "I'll stay idealistic" speech at the end is an all-timer in the Conway run.
Flash seems to suspect Peter in the previous issue, and seems really wise to him in this one. I don't think this plot point ever really goes anywhere though. Overall, very enjoyable issue. 4/5
The Green Goblin Lives Again! (originally published September 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #136)
Starting with this issue, the title page includes a brief text blurb detailing Spidey's origin.
Anyway, Peter and Mary Jane are running around together, and are said to be dating. This seems like a very sudden status quo shift. It is really funny when MJ cooks Pete for his music taste.
There is A LOT of exposition in this issue. Like... a Silver Age amount. Even worse, the climactic bout ends with a huge cop-out. Very lazy writing, and I also dislike the way Ross Andru draws MJ's face in this particular story. What should be a classic issue, seeing as how it's the first full appearance of Harry Osborn as the Goblin, is just okay instead. 3/5
The Green Goblin Strikes! (originally published October 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #137)
Back-to-back Goblin issues, and this one is significantly better. Conway really thought he was cooking by having a labelled prologue section and everything... but really, this is a good issue.
There's still a lot of exposition, but not an unforgivable amount. Other bits of weirdness involve Peter calling himself "a manic depressive," using the term (which is a dated term for bipolar disorder) as a noun, and not an adjective, something he's never mentioned before and was never followed up on in any way, Peter naively hoping Harry will "snap out of it" when his fully dressed in Green Goblin garb with intentions of murder, and Peter mentioning the New York Giants... c'mon. Hard luck Pete should be a Jets fan!
Anyway, what makes the issue good is that there is genuine tension and suspense. I've always liked when superhero stories focus more on making the hero act fast to prevent others from being hurt, rather than simply creating threats for the hero. Harry scheme is kinda odd though... Pete's relationship with Flash is more cordial now than it ever has been in the past, but still, it's a head-scratcher that he identified Flash as the third-closest person to Peter after Aunt May and MJ. Then again, Peter is a bit of a loner. The actual third-closest person to him is probably Johnny Storm, but Harry of course doesn't know that.
Harry's flailing insanity is written well enough that it's believable, and the ending is believable too. The previous Goblin (Norman) knowing Spider-Man's identity was always a problem for the writers, because it backed them into a corner when it came to continuing to have Goblin stories without Peter's identity being widely exposed. They typically chose to go the amnesia route to compensate. The way Conway compensates here is more believable than the amnesia explanation, and feels less clumsy.
The "out of web fluid" trope appears again here. I'm starting to think it may be more of a Conway trope than a Lee trope, as it's usually identified as. That said, the way it's done in this specific issue isn't as lazy as it usually is. Another random thing I really like about this issue is when Peter tells JJ not to touch him because he just had that jacket cleaned. 4/5
Madness Means... the Mindworm! (originally published November 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #138)
This issue picks up right where the previous left off, except Peter was in street clothes then, and is in costume now. Another continuity error, I suppose. He also mentions he's gone three days without sleep... my man is neurotic.
Anyway, major character development for Flash Thompson. He's fully solidified here as a genuine good dude when he immediately allows Peter to move in with him at Rockaway Beach (♫ "It's not hard not far to reach..." ♫) when he's at the end of his rope. Flash even calls him "Pete" at the end. They're officially buds. This aspect of the story is even better to me than the supervillain fight, and the supervillain fight is also good. I like a relatively easy W for Spidey every now and then, and the new foe is legitiamtely interesting.
Peter uses the word "ostentatious" in this issue. I had to look that one up... who said comics are illiterate!? 4/5
Day of the Grizzly! (originally published December 1974 in The Amazing Spider-Man #139)
Peter Parker is unhappy, but it makes for good character work! Despite how silly of a villain Grizzly is, there's also a lot excellent, dynamic panel sequences in this one. Ross Andru cooked.
A reference is made to events of Marvel Team-Up, which is the first I recall in this series. Spider-Tracers show up for the first time in a hot minute. Big Jackal reveal at the end. Good stuff! 4/5
...And One Will Fall (originally published January 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #140)
What appears that it's going to be the core hook of this issue—in which the Jackal fits Peter with a tracking device that he cannot remove, in order to figure out Spider-Man's idenity—is a really, really good one... it's a shame that it gets tossed aside only a few pages later in a shameless deus ex machina.
Nonetheless, it's an entertaining issue. Good Ross Andru art and layouts, and some good humor too. 3/5
The Man's Name Appears to Be... Mysterio! (originally published February 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #141)
This issue begins with the goofiness that is the Spider-Mobile, and then takes a sudden turn to Peter making a casual remark about slitting his own throat.
Despite the tonal whiplash, and despite the issue mostly just setting up the next one, it's a good story. I love Mysterio, and it's packed with great moments for the supporting cast (which was the best in comics).
Spidey does not run out of web fluid in this issue, but his shooters do get water-logged to the point of not being able to be used. It isn't used as a plot device though, just a gag, so if you're counting, it's probably only worthy of a half-point. 4/5
Dead Man's Bluff! (originally published March 1975 in The Amazing Spider-Man #142)
I don't have much to say about this one, really. It concludes the Mysterio story from last month, and it's not anything special story-wise, but the Andru art is genuinely stellar. 4/5
August 10, 2022
This was another cool Epic collection that is a must buy for any Spider-man fans. There is good and bad but the good outweighs the bad.
First, the good is the art of Ross Andru. He was at his best drawing Spider-man and Peter Parker. Yes, the one Gil Kane issue made me long for HIS art (for my tastes his dynamic art outshines Andru's) but you can't deny Andru's talent.
The good is the introduction of some key new characters The Punisher (makes two appearances) and the Jackal. The Punisher shows up and while he isn't like the Punisher we know...who can be different depending on who writes him...he is still pretty similar and has the groundwork laid out for him. Why he thinks working for a guy named the Jackal, wearing a monster suit, is the "good side" is beyond me :). The Jackal plays a huge role in Spider-man's life over this collection and the next one (due out next august 2023) and was a great invention by Gerry Conway. Gerry Conway's writing is VERY solid - better than Roy Thomas who seemed content to rehash what Stan Lee did. The one thing I take issue with is how he writes Mary Jane and Peter. They snap at each other constantly and you wonder why anyone would like these two. Gerry would have done everyone a favor by showing Peter's good side and not just have him yelling at his friends every time they said hi or asked if he wanted to go out with them.
In the end - a fun bunch of stories. Other than the Punisher none of them are true classics but they are all fun.
First, the good is the art of Ross Andru. He was at his best drawing Spider-man and Peter Parker. Yes, the one Gil Kane issue made me long for HIS art (for my tastes his dynamic art outshines Andru's) but you can't deny Andru's talent.
The good is the introduction of some key new characters The Punisher (makes two appearances) and the Jackal. The Punisher shows up and while he isn't like the Punisher we know...who can be different depending on who writes him...he is still pretty similar and has the groundwork laid out for him. Why he thinks working for a guy named the Jackal, wearing a monster suit, is the "good side" is beyond me :). The Jackal plays a huge role in Spider-man's life over this collection and the next one (due out next august 2023) and was a great invention by Gerry Conway. Gerry Conway's writing is VERY solid - better than Roy Thomas who seemed content to rehash what Stan Lee did. The one thing I take issue with is how he writes Mary Jane and Peter. They snap at each other constantly and you wonder why anyone would like these two. Gerry would have done everyone a favor by showing Peter's good side and not just have him yelling at his friends every time they said hi or asked if he wanted to go out with them.
In the end - a fun bunch of stories. Other than the Punisher none of them are true classics but they are all fun.
July 24, 2022
I love this era of spider-man some great stories and art here
August 2, 2022
Okay, I admit it. I’m biased. This volume contains some of the first Spider-Man comics that I owned (and still do). Purchased right off the spinner rack of a convenience store or my favorite bookstore, I picked up Amazing Spider-Man #127, 129 and then Giant-Size Super-Heroes#1, before starting my actual collection with Amazing Spider-Man #134 and every issue after for many, many years. So yes, there’s a lot of nostalgia for me in these pages.
November 8, 2023
Man, this title gives some whiplash. No sooner does Gwen Stacey dies tragically than we're introduced to the Spider-Mobile and other such nonsense. At least the Spider-Mobile is treated with some metatextual sense of its own absurdity than I'd realized from years of simply hearing about the debacle; it's not like Spider-Man suddenly had a car we were all meant to take seriously, it was just a goofy promotional stunt on the part of an engine manufacturer or some such. Quite Spidey, that - willing to debase himself for a deal that'd help him make ends meet. I love the detail that Spidey, a New Yorker born and bred, couldn't even drive, a fact which scandalized his pal Johnny Storm.
Odd that a legitimate company would want to do business with Spider-Man now that he's suspected of murdering Norman Osborn. And odd how light he was able to keep it after Gwen's death. Some of the time, at least; sometimes he's blaming himself for that, other times feeling very sorry for himself over it indeed. That bit's a little unseemly at time, with Peter's feelings taking precedence over the fact of Gwen's death, but that is sadly realistic, I suppose.
Other milestones abound. Ned Leeds and Betty Brant announce their engagement. Robbie Roberston remains wise and supportive and underused. The Jackal first appears, with all that portends clone-wise, as does the Punisher, who's not quite the pot-boiled hard guy we've come to know and tolerate. Pete's friendship with Flash Thompson progresses, though as usual, the narrative forgets they've been on good terms for some time. (Pete's brief sojourn in Far Rockaway rooming with Flash is pretty hilarious, with lots of rickety old houses and empty stretches of swamp!) Robbie Robertson is wise and underused, and JJJ bloviates, and his son gets furry. Oh, and Aunt May almost marries Doc Ock! Somehow there's a nuclear island in the Reilly family, which May gets in someone's will, but I'm sure she would much prefer a monthly stipend for her apoplexy medication. Too bad, Aunt May! Nuclear island blow up instead!
Odd that a legitimate company would want to do business with Spider-Man now that he's suspected of murdering Norman Osborn. And odd how light he was able to keep it after Gwen's death. Some of the time, at least; sometimes he's blaming himself for that, other times feeling very sorry for himself over it indeed. That bit's a little unseemly at time, with Peter's feelings taking precedence over the fact of Gwen's death, but that is sadly realistic, I suppose.
Other milestones abound. Ned Leeds and Betty Brant announce their engagement. Robbie Roberston remains wise and supportive and underused. The Jackal first appears, with all that portends clone-wise, as does the Punisher, who's not quite the pot-boiled hard guy we've come to know and tolerate. Pete's friendship with Flash Thompson progresses, though as usual, the narrative forgets they've been on good terms for some time. (Pete's brief sojourn in Far Rockaway rooming with Flash is pretty hilarious, with lots of rickety old houses and empty stretches of swamp!) Robbie Robertson is wise and underused, and JJJ bloviates, and his son gets furry. Oh, and Aunt May almost marries Doc Ock! Somehow there's a nuclear island in the Reilly family, which May gets in someone's will, but I'm sure she would much prefer a monthly stipend for her apoplexy medication. Too bad, Aunt May! Nuclear island blow up instead!
February 12, 2026
There were those who thought after Gwen Stacy was the first super-hero's girlfriend ever killed in a comic book, that Marvel had gone crazy and that they were shooting themselves in the proverbial webbed foot.
But this collection shows that things kept going and the Spidey phenom kept growing, as Mary Jane Watson slipped into Peter Parker's life, first as comforter, then as something more.
But hey, this isn't Millie the Model. There had to be some things going on in Spidey's life too.
Well, the usual villains kept coming, but a lot of new ones as well. The Grizzly wasn't actually going to wet anyone's appetite. But that was just a guy wanting to pay J. Jonah Jameson back for ruining his life.
There was also Mysterio, more mysterious because he was dead. But again, JJJ was just trying to pay someone to end Spidey's adventures.
These were past the days when Stan Lee, the greatest legend of comic writing, was still doing the stories for his most revered invented character. But as publisher, he had Jerry Conway to do things along with John Romita.
These collections are usually a year's worth of Spidey. This was 1975. On Kindle they show up as large enough even for old men to read. Takes me right back to '75, when I was in Georgia, an Army grunt and Chaplain assistant and definitely needed good reading in between trips to the field. Those were also the days of playing sports on some good teams, since everyone there had made it out of basic training alive. So I could emulate Spidey crawling up walls to grab softballs that guys thought were going to give them the win. Fun days. Hitting was fun too, but nothing beat flying through the air after a fly ball.
So now I'm old and sometimes need a good read to remind me how Stan Lee kept all of us on the straight and narrow by showing that villains never win.
I highly recommend these collections as a way to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when Stan's Soapbox would sign off the only way that comic legends can keep folks coming back...
Excelsior! (We miss you, Stan)
But this collection shows that things kept going and the Spidey phenom kept growing, as Mary Jane Watson slipped into Peter Parker's life, first as comforter, then as something more.
But hey, this isn't Millie the Model. There had to be some things going on in Spidey's life too.
Well, the usual villains kept coming, but a lot of new ones as well. The Grizzly wasn't actually going to wet anyone's appetite. But that was just a guy wanting to pay J. Jonah Jameson back for ruining his life.
There was also Mysterio, more mysterious because he was dead. But again, JJJ was just trying to pay someone to end Spidey's adventures.
These were past the days when Stan Lee, the greatest legend of comic writing, was still doing the stories for his most revered invented character. But as publisher, he had Jerry Conway to do things along with John Romita.
These collections are usually a year's worth of Spidey. This was 1975. On Kindle they show up as large enough even for old men to read. Takes me right back to '75, when I was in Georgia, an Army grunt and Chaplain assistant and definitely needed good reading in between trips to the field. Those were also the days of playing sports on some good teams, since everyone there had made it out of basic training alive. So I could emulate Spidey crawling up walls to grab softballs that guys thought were going to give them the win. Fun days. Hitting was fun too, but nothing beat flying through the air after a fly ball.
So now I'm old and sometimes need a good read to remind me how Stan Lee kept all of us on the straight and narrow by showing that villains never win.
I highly recommend these collections as a way to return to those thrilling days of yesteryear, when Stan's Soapbox would sign off the only way that comic legends can keep folks coming back...
Excelsior! (We miss you, Stan)
February 5, 2026
What an incredible dive back into a weird run of “The Amazing Spider-Man”. I had a very fun time reading these old issues over these last few months. This collection contains the issues after the death of Gwen Stacy and while there are some incredibly odd characters and moments that are here, there are also a lot of fun, intimate, epic moments that I couldn’t help but find heartwarming for the kid in me. The art style is amazing, bringing me back to simpler times. A majority of the issues in here are illustrated by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt, who are an exceptional duo and paired with Ross Andru’s writing it was very entertaining. I found though my favorite issues were the ones illustrated by John Romita Sr. as this was my first time really reading an issue drawn by him. His artistic vision and style is so incredible and breathtaking, it gave Spider-Man a cinematic feel that created some of those epic moments I mentioned.
All in all, a very fun read and I can’t wait to dive into the next collection on my shelf very soon.
All in all, a very fun read and I can’t wait to dive into the next collection on my shelf very soon.
December 16, 2022
The creative juices are flowing here almost as strong as the first epic collection. We get the first appearances of the Punisher, the Jackal, Man-Wolf, and the return of the Green Goblin. We also get the so bad it's hilariously good Spider-Mobile and the (attempted) wedding of Doc Ock and Aunt May. The Giant-Sized Super-Heroes issue is also really good, as Morbius and Man-Wolf team up for what feels like a Halloween spectacular.
The writing and plotting are also getting better and better as we continue to barrel toward the modern era.
The writing and plotting are also getting better and better as we continue to barrel toward the modern era.
March 6, 2024
Gems include Spidey v. Man-Wolf, JJJ3 finds a moonrock, Kangaroo gets the Hammerhead treatment, Vulture nearly gives MJ the Gwendy treatment, Spidey harasses Mouthpiece Moylan, Spidey v. Punisher, Hammerhead v. Spider-Mobile, Hammerhead crashes Doc Ock’s & May’s wedding, Liz Allen returns, Spidey v. Tarantula, Punisher v. Hidalgo & Juan, Green Goblin lives again, Harry outs Peter, Peter moves in w/ Flash, Spidey v. Grizzly, JJJ regrets throwing his shoe at Spidey, Mysterio defeats the Spider-Mobile, & JJJ clicks his heels
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
Gerrymandering Conway and Ross Andru (and Gil Kane) spun magic in this collection creating The Punisher, the Jackel, Grizzly, Mindoro and old foes like the Vulture, Return of The Green Goblin (Harry Osborne), Doc Ock, and even a fake Mysterio.
Also, you can tell with the Jackel that the first Clone Saga is right around the bend!!
Also, you can tell with the Jackel that the first Clone Saga is right around the bend!!
June 2, 2025
solid volume, maybe not as good as the one before it but that was also a really good volume. this starts a new era for Spidey, and it is a bit of a mixed bag but I mostly liked what was here. its nice to see Peter and MJ pick things up a bit, and to see signs of her getting some development, but it does also feel like the overarching story isn't the most interesting.
November 20, 2022
This volume picks up shorly after the death of Gwen Stacy. It shows Peter deep in mourning and guilt ridden. It also shows him slowly developing his relationship with MJ. Last but not least it shows Harry becoming the second Green Goblin. These are important storylines for all "True Believers".
June 29, 2023
Highly entertaining 70s Marvel material. What more could you want?
Punisher’s first appearance is the most important event in this book; other than that, it’s pretty much 70s business as usual for Spidey. But it’s consistently entertaining business, courtesy of Conway and Andru. The book starts with Peter still reeling from the recent events with Gwen Stacy and the Green Goblin. Not being a silver age fan, I was gonna start my ASM Epic collection with this volume, but I might pick up #7 too since it contains those monumental stories.
After the first few issues, I settled into the nice “rhythm” of 70s Spidey. Some melodrama with friends and family, workplace issues with JJJ, and then a super-baddie shows up hell-bent on revenge (Kangoroo), or hijacking a boat (Tarantula, in his first appearance), or, um, sucking the mental life-force out of an entire neighborhood (the Mindworm). Shoot this stuff into my veins.
The sub-plots move along nicely over the course of the volume, like Harry Osborn who’s reeling from the death of his father, and slowly comes unglued, culminating in a dramatic resurrection of the Green Goblin. This was maybe the highlight of the book for me; the tragedy of recent events echo in these stories.
Punisher’s first appearance was also a good read, though we don’t get his origin story here. Some usual Marvel Misunderstandings initially pit Punisher and Spidey against each other, but later on they unite against a common foe. I’m looking forward to see how the character is fleshed out in later appearances.
Some 70s cheese is to be expected; the infamous Spider-buggy is as excactly as whacky as it sounds, and the whole Aunt May-Dock Ock plot always struck me as bizarre. But I’m game for the ride.
I think that’s about as deep as I’ll go for this review; others have written better than me about the watershed death of Gwen Stacy and what it meant for Spidey and comics in general. The book might have taken a darker and more mature turn since the silver age, but for me these stories are still just pure fun. Thoroughly recommended.
Punisher’s first appearance is the most important event in this book; other than that, it’s pretty much 70s business as usual for Spidey. But it’s consistently entertaining business, courtesy of Conway and Andru. The book starts with Peter still reeling from the recent events with Gwen Stacy and the Green Goblin. Not being a silver age fan, I was gonna start my ASM Epic collection with this volume, but I might pick up #7 too since it contains those monumental stories.
After the first few issues, I settled into the nice “rhythm” of 70s Spidey. Some melodrama with friends and family, workplace issues with JJJ, and then a super-baddie shows up hell-bent on revenge (Kangoroo), or hijacking a boat (Tarantula, in his first appearance), or, um, sucking the mental life-force out of an entire neighborhood (the Mindworm). Shoot this stuff into my veins.
The sub-plots move along nicely over the course of the volume, like Harry Osborn who’s reeling from the death of his father, and slowly comes unglued, culminating in a dramatic resurrection of the Green Goblin. This was maybe the highlight of the book for me; the tragedy of recent events echo in these stories.
Punisher’s first appearance was also a good read, though we don’t get his origin story here. Some usual Marvel Misunderstandings initially pit Punisher and Spidey against each other, but later on they unite against a common foe. I’m looking forward to see how the character is fleshed out in later appearances.
Some 70s cheese is to be expected; the infamous Spider-buggy is as excactly as whacky as it sounds, and the whole Aunt May-Dock Ock plot always struck me as bizarre. But I’m game for the ride.
I think that’s about as deep as I’ll go for this review; others have written better than me about the watershed death of Gwen Stacy and what it meant for Spidey and comics in general. The book might have taken a darker and more mature turn since the silver age, but for me these stories are still just pure fun. Thoroughly recommended.
June 11, 2026
conway is so good at this, the mid 70’s Spider-Man is off the charts
October 26, 2022
... I'll admit, I only bought this collection for that one issue where Doctor Octopus married Aunt May so he can lay claim to a uranium processing plant. And to be honest, that story needed to be two issues longer and feature some scenes of Aunt May actually interacting with Doc Ock like a person instead of a prop; seriously, SO MANY other writers have turned this bizarre one-off idea into a fun relationship, it's kind of a shame to see that its origins were so threadbare.
But there was a lot of funky, oddball stuff to enjoy in this collection! There's the first appearances of characters like the Jackal, the Tarantula, and even the Punisher... not to mention odd duck creations like the Grizzly and the Mind Worm... you get Harry's descent into madness and his first outing as the second Green Goblin... and you even get the joyfully stupid creation of the short-lived Spider-Mobile!
It's charming, simple, often repetitive (every issue spends an inordinate amount of time recapping the status quo) superhero soap opera, as only '70s Marvel could do it... These are written as disposable entertainment, and they still largely are-- but every issue packs a thrill!
But there was a lot of funky, oddball stuff to enjoy in this collection! There's the first appearances of characters like the Jackal, the Tarantula, and even the Punisher... not to mention odd duck creations like the Grizzly and the Mind Worm... you get Harry's descent into madness and his first outing as the second Green Goblin... and you even get the joyfully stupid creation of the short-lived Spider-Mobile!
It's charming, simple, often repetitive (every issue spends an inordinate amount of time recapping the status quo) superhero soap opera, as only '70s Marvel could do it... These are written as disposable entertainment, and they still largely are-- but every issue packs a thrill!
November 18, 2025
Delivers classic Spider-Man storytelling filled with action, strong character moments, and the introduction of memorable foes like the Man-Wolf.
The stories balance Peter Parker's personal struggles with the ongoing chaos of the superhero life, weaving in drama, romance, and classic Marvel soap opera.
This is a highly enjoyable volume that captures Spider-Man at his Bronze Age best.
The stories balance Peter Parker's personal struggles with the ongoing chaos of the superhero life, weaving in drama, romance, and classic Marvel soap opera.
This is a highly enjoyable volume that captures Spider-Man at his Bronze Age best.
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