Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Mar 63): Spider-ManCreative Team: Stan Lee, script; Steve Ditko, art; Johnny Dee, lettering
Synopsis: Thanks to the death of his Uncle Ben, Peter Parker's Aunt May is having a hard time making ends meet. Peter contimplates becoming a costumed crook, but knows that's wrong and couldn't stand to break his aunt's heart if she found out. So he decides to go back on TV to make some money. All the kids at Midtown High are going, but figure Puny Parker is being a bookworm by not wanting to go. Spidey does the show, but doesn't want to reveal his identity, so he has his paycheck made out to Spider-Man, which he soon finds he can't cash. But not everyone is impressed with Spider-Man. Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson begins a campaign to make sure no one will hire Spidey ever again. Johan believes Spider-Man is a menace and people should look up to real heroes like his son, astronaught John Jameson. Peter soon finds he can't find work anywhere. And he even spots his Aunt May pawning her jewelry for rent money. Peter curses Jameson. The next day, John Jameson is being sent to orbit the Earth in a shuttle. Peter decides to check it out. But once the shuttle is in orbit, a guidance device comes loose and the shuttle becomes eratic. The ground team has a spare device, but no way to get it to the shuttle. Peter becomes Spider-Man and offers his services. He takes the device, comandeers a pilot and a plane, and has the pilot fly him to the shuttle, which is now back in the atmosphere, swirling about. Spidey webs aboard the shuttle, and gets drug along for a ride. Spider-Man fits the device in, and John Jameson is able to land the shuttle without problem. Despite Spidey saving the say and his son, Jameson continues his crusade against Spider-Man, accusing him of sabotaging the shuttle so he could save the day. Some people start buying into it. Even his own Aunt May.
Yeah, but is it good? The Daily Buggle isn't just a plot point to give Spider-Man an aura of mistrust among the public. It's an alagory for the total persuasion the media has over the public. In 1963, it was the power of print. Today it is the power of television. Stars are made, heroes destroyed, conspiracies uncovered and hidden at the will of those is charge of the media. The term "liberal media" is such a contradiction in terms. At least it is on a grand scale. Media is big business, and nothing about big business is liberal. Conservatives have always been the ones is charge of big business and the conservative political interests play to those power brokers. This is why for all the Michael Moores and John Stewarts, there are Ted Turners and Rupert Murdochs. One group plays to the already liberal crowd, the other controls and maintains the conservatives. Stan Lee may have been trying to say more that we realise. But that nonsense about the shuttle is pretty corny. But I guess that's to be expected from a story written before man fakes the moon landing. Once again, power of the media.
Significata: First J. Jonah Jameson and his crusade against Spider-Man. First John Jameson. The beginning of Peter Parker's financial troubles.
Spider-Man vs the Chameleon!Creative Team: Stan Lee, script; Steve Ditko, art; John Duffi, lettering;
Guest Stars: Fantastic Four
Synopsis: Spider-Man decides he can make money by joining the Fantastic Four. He sneaks into their building, but sets off alarms. He overcomes their traps and has a friendly battle with the team until Mr. Fantastic finally puts a stop to it. When Spider-Man asks to join to make some money, they explain their group is non-profit. Spidey takes off. Elsewhere, the Chameleon is stealing missle defense plans to sell to the commies. He gets the first half, but the second will be more dangerous. He reads the paper about Spider-Man visiting the Fantastic Four and deduces he must be desperate for money. So the Chameleon sends him a message through special spider waves to have him show up at a certain place to make some money. The Chameleon steals the second set of plans disguised as Spider-Man. The police chase him to the roof and he gets away in a helicopter just as the real Spider-Man arrives. Spidey realises he's been had and chases after the copter. He apprehends the Chameleon and brings him back for the police, but the Chameleon gets away. Spider-Man and the police search for him in the building, but the power is cut off. Chameleon disguises himself as a cop and tries to slip by, but Spider-Man's spider-sense detects the Chameleon and he tackles him. The Chameleon claims Spider-Man is actually a disguised Chameleon and the police believe him. Spider-Man takes off, but the Chameleons's cop outfit was ripped in the scuffle, revealing his Spider-Man outfit underneath. The police arrest him while Spider-Man curses his powers, and the Fantastic Four wonder if he'll stay the straight and narrow path.
Yeah, but is it good? Ridiculous. Stan (or Steve, depending on who you believe REALLY wrote these stories) should have picked either a) a fight with the FF or b) a fight with the Chameleon. Not both. The story is way too rushed and too much happens in eight pages. And the ideas here are just stupid. How the Hell can the Chameleon deduce Spider-Man needs money by a visit to the FF? And he communicates to him using special spider-waves? What the Hell? Silly crap all around here.
Significata: First time Spider-Man meets the Fantastic Four and especially the Human Torch. First appearance of the Chameleon. First time Spider-Man uses his spider-sense.
