Essential The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3 by Stan Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This edition of third essential Amazing Spider-man book collected Issues 44-65 and Amazing Spider-man Annual #4.

During this era, the book's developed a definite rhythm. There were a few standalone stories, but Lee's comics compromised a lot of multi-party story archs.

The book begins off with a decent battle against the Lizard (#44 and #45), Issues 46 introduced the Shocker and had Peter move out on his own. Issues 47-49 were sensational as Spidey faced Kraven the Hunter, and then the new Vulture. Issue 50 featured one of the most iconic Spider-man covers of all time, "Spider-man No More" as Peter tries but fails to hang up his webs.

The character of the King Pin is also introduced in Issue 50 and he'd been planning on Spider-man retirement. Instead, Spidey battles the Kingpin In Issues 51-52 which also features J Jonah being captured and Spidey having to get him to somehow cooperate.

Spider-man Annual #4 is not as good as #1 or #3, but it's pretty fun as it guest stars the Human Torch. Someone has the idea of doing Spidey-Torch movie, but who are the men behind the curtain? It's not a blockbuster plot, but it's still enjoyable.

Issues 53-56 has an epic battle with Doc Ock. In Issue 55, Spidey loses his memory and Doc Ock convinces him that they're allies and Spidey helps him until figuring out better. At the end of Issue 56, he still doesn't have memory and is wanted by the police for the first time in the series.

Still without his memory in Issue 57, he battles, who is tricked into fighting Spidey by the JJJ. In Issue 58, he regains his memory but has to first face the new and improved Spider-slayer piloted by Jameson.

Issues 59-61 has Spidey battling the Brainwasher (actually another villain by another name) who has taken control of Gwen Stacy's father Captain Stacy. And Peter faces a tough decision at the end of Issue 60 as he has to take a step that could save Stacy's life but will alienate Gwen.

Issue 62 is probably the weakest story in this book. Fantastic Four/Inhumans supporting character Medusa shows up to see if humans were tolerate her people and be open with her. Like Sub-mariner in similar circumstances, she tries to see if they can live in peace by acting like an imperious jerk. The story is really a filler and a bridge to the final serial.

Issues 63-65 find that the old Vulture (presumed dead) is alive and back more dangerous than ever. At the end of Issue 64, Spidey wins the battle but is taken to jail as City Hall debates whether they can remove his mask and a jail break occurs.

---Overall, this may have been my favorite silver age Spidey collection so far. The character grows up, moving out of Aunt May's house into a pad with Harry Osborn in Issue #46. Peter still cares about his Aunt. When a fight with Doctor Octopus leads to another heart attack, Peter moves with righteous fury to contront his foe. On a less dramatic route, Peter shows concern for his Aunt while he's out and when he's with her, he loving teases her in this wonderful charming way. Here, Peter's love for his aunt is charming and natural unlike some later versions.

Captain Stacy is introduced in Issue #56 and lends a great deal of gravitas to the proceedings. He's a fully formed, complex adult figure who counters the cartoonish J Jonah. While the Fantastic Four was adding forgettable characters like Wyatt Wingfoot, Stacy was a true gem.

The stories themselves were rich and full of twists. They were exciting and oftentimes emotionally charged. They were well-developed and well-executed. Several issues also featured foreshadowing of the coming return of the Green Goblin.

The art remained solid throughout. The only thing I didn't like was Mary Jane getting a perm in Issue 65. Ugh! Though perhaps that's just because I'm not a fan of perms. Regardless, this is a must for Spidey fans.






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