Here’s one in rough shape. This was actually my 2nd copy of this issue. I got one with no cover, and then found a good deal on this, and sold the one with no cover. Not that this one has MUCH of a cover, but it has one! I have a billion questions about what happened behind the scenes of early Marvel comics, but few rival “how did Stan Lee react to reading this book and finding out Peter Parker was graduating?” Can you imagine? Peter was just talking about homework last issue, like it was a regular week. Ditko is on record as saying hew knew Stan wanted Peter to graduate, but as Stan had stopped talking to him, he never knew anything beyond that. He said eventually he asked Flo to ask Stan if Peter should graduate, and got back the response, “yes.” So, one assumes, Ditko just up and did it, and then Stan got this issue and that was how he found out. What a way to work. Well, anyway, this issue introduced Molten Man, obviously, but just as obviously, it’s that graduation that’s got the most lasting impact. We open with Peter finding out Flash took responsibility for last issue’s brawl and assuming Liz HILTON (Whoops!) had something to do with it. But she won’t talk to him, maintaining the way she swore off both guys last issue. He tries to thank Flash for it, but is rebuffed as usual. He thinks something’s up with Liz, and then when school gets out, he visits Spencer Smythe. He’s trying to get his costume back, but asks if he’s made any improvements to his robot as a way in. Smythe says no, but Peter can check out the robot while Smythe gets back to his other work.
One problem solved, but another about to begin.
Peter manages to web the controls and free himself before Smythe comes to. He tells Smythe what happened and asks for Raxton’s address to send the cops after him. Meanwhile, Raxton wanders into the street in a days, and when a guy yells at him, the newly minted Molten Man crushes the whole front of the guy’s car then flips it over (With some dialogue about how he jumped out first). Raxton immediately becomes drunk with power and goes on a rampage, leaving a trail Spider-Man can easily follow. Raxton ducks into an alley and steals a hat to help him blend in and get home. He says he has to start planning a crime worthy of his power. Wasted no time, huh? But then Spider-Man swings in his window and tells him he should just give up.
MM finally connects with a few punches, and that’s no good for our guy. He lets loose with a few of his own, and is shocked to find his shiny foe still standing.
They keep brawling down into the basement of the building, but it’s very one-sided. Spider-Man’s now swinging as hard as he can and not making any headway at all. Spidey finally realizes he’s got to try a different approach, and smashes the only light in the room. In the pitch black, Molten Man has no idea what to do, but Spidey tries making some extra-thick web lines and ties Raxton’s hands and feet together. With his foe tied up, Spidey starts trying to drag him out of the building, but he’s slippery due to being metal, and it’s not going too well.
With the superheroing out of the way, there’s 4 whole pages left for Peter to graduate.
JJJ speaking is an obvious gag, but it might’ve been more interesting to have Reed Richards or something.
That Green Goblin line down there is a fun way to fan the flames. How strange that Liz’s relationship to Molten Man isn’t revealed in this first appearance.
And there you have it. Now Peter is free to head off to college and meet his more classic friends group. But not just yet. Despite the unusually specific next issue tease on the last page, in the letters Stan says “if you’re wondering what’s next in store for Spidey, welcome to the club! Because WE’RE wondering the same thing!” He was surprisingly transparent sometimes if you knew what you were reading. He goes on to make some guesses and broad generalizations about what will happen in the future, but he has clearly no idea. So weird. But, as in real life, college doesn’t start the day after high school ends for Peter, so the introduction of Harry & Gwen will have to wait a bit.