Last month it was double covers for ever issue, this month it’s this split gag for every issue.
Always like an excuse for other characters to react to something like this. The Vulture also re-reacts, more or less as he did last issue, and then Peter & MJ react, which is mostly just Peter recapping why this is happening. Seems odd to do the “Norman wants to recruit this guy” angle in 2 books. MJ cautions Peter against going to Osborn’s press conference, saying if he ever finds out he’s been played for a fool, he’ll only become more dangerous. But Peter says he can’t resist, even if he’ll be the only one there who knows how funny it is, and then she cracks up and says she wants to go, too.
It sure is weird that this whole family has adopted this girl overnight. Enough to say “I love you,” even! If I was her mom, I don’t know how I’d feel. As The Hornet flies off later, Peter frets about how Hope could know and what it could mean, and then he’s overtaken by The Human Torch. Johnny wants him to know he saw him on TV, and if he’s got any plans to hurt his old pal Spider-Man, he’s in real trouble. Hornet assures Johnny he has no ill intentions, and Johnny says if anything happens to Spider-Man, he’ll come after Hornet. Peter is shocked that Johnny doesn’t recognize him and touched that he’s being protective. He continues on to The Bugle, where he sees Billy and remembers he ghosted him last night. He feels bad and tries to apologize.
Ouch! Well, Peter goes to his press conference on the roof of The Bugle, first as himself, then as Hornet. He’s presented with a check for $20,000, which he hawks be donated to the Lothridge School For The Deaf, but his speech is cut short by The Vulture.
It’s a fun twist on an old fight. Hornet dives to the ground, hoping to change the situation, calling his foe “Vulchy” on the way and doing his usual bit, which makes Vulture suspicious. Hornet drops down onto a roof and removes his gauntlets.
Atrocious lettering.
Well, that’s that for that! Later, MJ comes up to Peter’s attic to ask how the press conference she said she wanted to go to but inexplicably did not attend went, and Peter has to explain that The Hornet is already retired. He thinks Osborn is the only one who believed Vulture’s accusations, but that’s all it takes.
No idea where they’re going with Hope. Well, that’s one identity down. Presumably, Peter will have to lose the others, too, tho I must confess, I don’t recall how. Curiously, in the letters, someone complains that several upcoming plots they hyped didn’t happen, including a return of The Looter. Editorial apologizes, saying plans change sometimes, but also mentioning Todd will definitely find a place to work The Looter back in… one issue after he did so. How in the world did that happen?