In a completely selfish hope that Marvel Comics' new high end collectible Wolverine Adamantium Edition may be followed by a Spider-man Web Slinging Edition I’m taking the opportunity to highlight the stories that I think are representative of what makes Peter Parker “Amazing”. I’m sticking exclusively with the mainstream Spider-man most people know of and worked hard to keep the page count as close to 720 as possible. I’m also working in publication order so that we can see the character growth and development as it happened. Last week I chose Amazing Spider-man #90, "And Death Shall Come!"
Published in March of 1972, Marvel Comics went ahead and gave Spider-man a new title. Not the reprint Marvel Tales but a rotating bundle of guest characters and stories to further highlight the Marvel Universe. Marvel Team-Up #1, "Have Yourself A Sandman Little Christmas!" featured Spidey and the Human Torch.
Set on Christmas Eve, Peter Parker is on scene for the Daily Bugle to photograph the Polar Bear Club as they strip down and run into the freezing water. It's not just the chills they encounter when the Sandman forms himself up on the beach. A quick change later and Sandman once again becomes part of the beach to elude Spider-man. Knowing that the Sandman is now a member of the Frightful Four, Spidey swings over to the Baxter Building to put the Fantastic Four on his trail only to discover nobody's home except Johnny Storm. As the two of them set out to search for Sandman we get to witness a couple of feelgood hero moments before the two ersatz teammates spy the Sandman on a rooftop.
A quick battle leaves the two heroes in a rooftop water Tower, which is no problem to escape and they once more find the Sandman slipping into a nearby window. Following him in the Sandman quickly hushes the two heroes. He whispers that he's here to see his sick mom, who doesn't know he's a crook, and that he'll come along peacefully if they'll let him say Merry Christmas to her. Spider-man tells him that he can't go in there without a gift and presents one he already had boxed for Gwen Stacy.
Eventually Spider-man and the Human Torch discover that the Sandman slipped away down a sink drain. Fortunately, the events of the night left our heroes feeling "good" about the whole affair and Johnny blazed "Peace on Earth, Goodwill to men".
This is a perfect Spider-man story. It's not the most exciting or best written but it features the Human Torch, as they both spend a little time strengthening the bonds of friendship, and Peter, who's willing to trust the Sandman so that he may see his mother on Christmas Eve. Not just to trust him, but he also gives him the gift that he bought for Gwen. Who does that for a 'bad guy'? Peter Parker does! This is a perfect example of what makes him an "Amazing" hero and role model and the world sure needs more like that.
Michael R. Murray has been buying and collecting comics for over 35 years. At one point his collection included two copies of Amazing Spider-man #1, and one copy each of Amazing Fantasy #15, Fantastic Four #2, Avengers #4, Showcase #22, and dozens more high grade and key issues. The collection has grown to include original art pages, as well as statues and busts, with the current emphasis on collecting original drawings from appropriate artists on the inside of his hard covers. His personal collection of graphic novels consists of over 2,000 hard covers and trade paperbacks. He has attended all of the Boston and New York Comic Cons and experienced Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Diego. He has championed comic books in the local schools and was very proud that both of his children read at least three years above their grade levels, due nearly exclusively to comics. He’s quick to point out that none of this makes him an expert, but that his love of comics is most enjoyable when he can share it. Follow on Twitter at mycomicstore001 or like his Facebook page.