Karl Kesel steps in to help with inks this month, and our tale begins with Peter Parker taking his shower and recapping what he saw at the end of last issue. Aunt May knocks at the door, saying he’s been in there awhile, and saying they should talk.
I was about to get annoyed at the previous page making it seem like Peter had forgotten May’s 3 romances since Uncle Ben.
Well, next, some guys are robbing people on the subway, and Spider-Man stops, them and then JJJ’s Anti-Spider-Man Squad is there, which kinda implies these cops weren’t going to help the people being robbed. Also, Mike McKone forgets the spider on our hero’s chest, I think not for the first time. Spidey gets zapped with an ultrasonic device that looks more like a missile launcher.
Random, but funny. Spider-Man continues the charm offensive by making people web umbrellas in the rain, directing traffic, and posing for photos with tourists.
One has to wonder how long a mayor focused on this sort of vendetta could hold office, but it’s very on brand for JJJ. Sort of. It’s on brand for JJJ through the 70s, but I guess that’s where we’re trying to be. Well, our hero is headed home at night, thinking even he has to sleep sometimes, when someone yells his name and begs for help. But it turns out to be JJJ’s assistant guy, who says he’s been yelling for Spider-Man all day, and then the goon squad shows up.
Hey, I said goon squad! Have I been reading comics too long or are me and 2009 Mark Waid in sync? The spider on the chest is missing again. Our man makes short work of those guys, while sympathizing slightly that they’re just doing their jobs, and also losing the spider on his chest again. Then he rants about how JJJ has been a thorn in his side for years and slips up and calls him “Osborn,” something one of the cops calls him on. Even he seems confused. Then yet another person yells for help.
Where is that spider going?? Does it have a social calendar? Come on, Mike!
This Vulture design is almost as bad as John Byrne’s. Almost.
Well, that’s sure a weird guy. Did McKone have him rip off the spider so he wouldn’t have to remember to draw it anymore? That guy then vomits some kind of acid on Spider-Man’s face. Uh, like a vulture? I don’t know, maybe they do that, who am I, a zoologist? Spidey falls to a nearby roof panicking because…
Another beloved 1970s Spider-Trope! This is it, Spider-Man’s gonna die for sure, at the hands of Vulture #3! Or, like, 6, if you count the Vulturions. Which I guess I don’t. But you know.