Good advice, but I don’t think it would’ve helped Spider-Man avoid getting to this point. My copy of this book is in pretty bad shape, but that’s how I like ‘em, cuz that makes ‘em cheap. For example, I got this Silver Age classic, the 2nd appearance of Scorpion, for $15.74, including shipping, on eBay. Is it perfect? No. Could I easily afford it? Yup! That attitude might not get me a lot of valuable issues, but it does let me build an impressive collection without winning the lottery first. I guess that stamp on the cover makes this a library comic? Maybe? Did libraries have comics back then? Given that publication date is roughly 3 months earlier than cover date, I guess this was stamped as soon as it was received, wherever that was.
Every page of this book (Except the front cover somehow) has a pretty severe crease in the top and bottom outer corners. Look at Peter all of a sudden! People say this book got more glamorous when John Romita came onboard, and it surely did, but Ditko’s still making our man look a little more dashing here. No more 3-piece suit everywhere he goes. That explanation of why Scorpy was in costume in jail is hilarious, but it’s more than they usually give.
Interesting to see issue 30 seeded in the dialogue there. Issue 30 was, of course, my very first post, years and years ago, when it was the oldest issue I had. Given the breakdown in communications between Lee & Ditko, it’s surprising that Stan knows about it in advance.
That’s some pretty funny business with JJJ. I wonder if Ditko already knew he was going to introduce Gwen and presumably MJ soon and was closing the book on Betty to make room. JJJ continues to fret about the situation, and decides maybe he can trick Spidey into helping him. He tells Betty to call the press room and inform them they’re putting out an extra. Meanwhile, Spider-Man is swinging around town, hoping to make a target of himself for Scorpion. And Scorpion does see him, but rightly decides that this is a great way to make sure Spider-Man won’t interfere with him getting JJJ, an sneaks off to do so. The Bugle’s extra edition comes out, claiming Spider-Man and Scorpion are partners, I guess to try to upset Spidey into coming to see JJJ. And Spidey doesn’t even see it, but he does finally (Finally!) realize he’s leaving JJJ unprotected and rush off to The Bugle, anyway. Scorpion is already there, and bursts into JJJ’s office. Jonah goes running out into the bullpen, begging anyone to save him, but someone yells that’s not in their contract. Scorpion quickly corners his prey.
Solid bit! It’s so strange to think of that gag being produced by 2 people not actually working together. Stan could’ve written anything over those panels. Did Ditko even intend it to be a joke? I know Jack Kirby used to fill his margins with notes and instructions for Stan, but I’m not as familiar with Steve’s practices. The two superguys brawl through the office, leaving a trail of destruction as JJJ cheers Spider-Man on, but he’s mostly on the backfoot. Then some cops show up, and JJJ immediately starts yelling for them to shoot both guys. But Scorpion’s so intent on not going back to jail that the arrival of the cops makes him bolt. Spidey gives chase, and once they’re safely climbing away from the window, JJJ is blustering after them like he chased them off.
Classic Jonah. Meanwhile, his foes are battling across rooftops and water towers, Spider-Man doing his usual bit and Scorpion getting frustrated by it.
A particularly good bit of choreography from Ditko. A really great sequence with a ton of speed to it despite the fact that it can’t move. The combatants plunge into the river, quickly winding up in the situation on the cover. Spider-Man is faster and able to keep dodging Scorpion even underwater, all while refilling his webshooters. Then he starts blanketing his foe in layers of web while goading him into attacking again.
Another adventure down. Another health problem for Aunt May. Even this early, it’s a little much. Next issue, as I said, was covered way back in 2019. I thought about redoing the post… I’d certainly have a different perspective now… but I think I’d rather leave it where it was. It features the definitive end of Peter & Betty’s bizarre, usually terrible relationship. But next issue, I suspect he won’t be too broken up about it for long…