Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Amazing Spider Man 19-21

Amazing Spider Man 19-21. Dec 1964-Feb 1965. Stan Lee/Steve Ditko

   Spidey fights the Enforcers, Sandman, The Scorpion, and The Beetle. Once again, the term "pantywaste" is all over these books, which is bizarre. I guess people just threw it around a lot back then - more than I'd have assumed.
   Peter is still torn between Liz and Betty Brandt, and Aunt May keeps talking about blind dates with Mary Jane. I'm not sure when she's going to be introduced, but the build up is making it a pretty epic moment.
   I've also noticed asbestos being mentioned across several issues. I don't know if this is a credit to how prominent it must have been in the 60's, or the fact it seems like it has something to do with fire - since the Torch is in like every issue.

Either way, I'm still enjoying this title, even if it is a little 60's hokey. Mike Mine Marvel, Stan!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Amazing Spider Man 17-18

Oct/Nov 1964 - Still the Ditko/Lee show...

   #17 has Spidey squaring off with the Green Goblin again. More threats from Aunt May to set him up with this "Mary Jane Watson" girl she keeps talking about, heh heh. But one thing is for sure, Stan Lee sure had a good time with the Liz/Betty Brant appeal for Petey. And with Flash trying to start up the Spider-Man fan club, who knows how crazy things could get for the webslinger. Also, Human Torch is a dick - always showing off. It's no wonder they put the FF in so many books back then.
   #18 is the first issue, according to Stan, that doesn't actually feature SM fighting anyone. Instead, Flash, in his love for Spidey in direct correlation with his hatred of Peter Parker, goes out dressed as Spiderman an gets beat up. So it looks like he's over Spiderman, but it also looks like Betty Brant is over Peter. Something else though that jumped out at me, is HOW OLD IS AUNT MAY? She has to be like 90, describing her ailments and such. I don't know how long Spiderman stays a teenager, but Aunt May must really be doing some good living to have this longevity.