We’re teaming up with Bill Mantlo, Sal Buscema & Mike Esposito for an adventure with the Human Torch. Sure are a lot of those in the history of this book. This one kicks off with Spidey standing on a roof, lost in thought, as the mysterious figure from the cover prepares to shoot him as payback for something that happened years ago. Doesn’t really narrow down who it could be. But before he can shoot, a kid comes bursting through the door to the roof, and is shocked to see Spider-Man. The figure retreats as Spidey makes a friend.
Spidey senses the attack coming, and pushes himself and “Mosquito” out of the way. He rushes toward their attacker, but finds he has vanished. When he runs back to his new buddy…
…it’s a sad time, anyway. Meanwhile, Johnny Storm, The Human Torch, is out testing a “faulty gyro system” in the FF’s Fantasticar, and things aren’t going well for him, either.
Uh-oh. There’s only one bad guy in Spidey’s rogue’s gallery with a lasso, and he’s dumb. Torch flies toward the source of the rope, and yeah, it’s…
One third of The Enforcers, a group of supervillains with no actual powers and atrocious accents, as seen here. But who is his mysterious new boss?
Grim talk from Johnny, but I guess understandable in the situation. Montana ties him up with “asbestos ropes” (Why not try those first?), and their mystery boss reveals they’re using Torch as bait to trap Spider-Man, sure to be casing the area after being shot at. Seems convoluted, but ok. Later, Spider-Man is indeed looking around for his shooter, when he happens upon a gangland meeting. A dozen or more goons are headed into a warehouse, and then a hearse pulls up and some goons bring out a coffin with holes in it. Spidey ducks inside to see what’s going on, and we finally meet his tormentor in this issue…
Spidey is curious, since The Big Man, aka Daily bugle reporter Frederick Foswell, died way back in ASM 52. Then they open the coffin, and of course, The Human Torch is inside. The Big Man is auctioning him off to the assembled gangsters. They start bidding and arguing about whether to kill him or hold him to ransom as Spidey decides he better get in there.
Spider-Man was maybe enjoying that bit too much, but so was I. Spidey and the Torch begin making short work of the assembled mobsters. Spidey is particularly mad at The Big Man, since Frederick Foswell repented in the end and died a good guy, and he doesn’t take kindly to whoever this is taking his place. But before he can see who’s under that mask…
Love that awkward exposition from Sandman. And The Crimemaster! Another mobster from the past who couldn’t possibly be here. What a weird night! Will any of this make sense next issue? Only one way to find out! Meanwhile, on the letter page, someone is totally right about Spider-Man getting jobbed out in the 70s…
Tell ’em, RALPH! Even yer Dad’s upset! But I’m not, because the ol’ Marvel Value Stamp is intact!