I was going to wait until tomorrow to do this, but I'm bored, so I'm doing it now. In light of the sorry state of things this century, I would like to remind everyone of who Spider-Man is and this is, in my opinion, possibly the best Spider-Man "arc" of all time. It's not too long, not too short, and captures the high point of the original Steve Ditko run.I will be starting from Amazing Spider0Man # 30, which is not technically a part of this arc, but in my opinion is since the henchman are introduced here and carry over into the arc. On top of that, it's one of the best single issues of Spider-Man with one of the coolest covers.So, without further ado: Let's begin.
>>150392529It's the little things I appreciate, like Stan's little jabs in the credits.
>>1503925344 forgotten members of the Spider-Man mythos in one page! Betty Brant (and her nameless friend) Rival reporter Ned Leeds, Mary Jane's Aunt Mrs. Watson (back when she was a sweetheart that liked Peter), and the original Cat Burglar no relation to Felicia, though he really should be her Dad. Most people decry the use of narration boxes, but personally I think comics are better with them included. Look at all of the information that was included on this page while still keeping the story clipping along at a speedy pace. It doesn't impact the immersion in the story or connection to the characters at all. If anything, it makes it easier than all the needless decompression and pretentious monologuing.
>>150392545I like the Jameson reveal here. I miss when Spidey's hi-jinks often pulled him or another civilian cast member into the Superhero plot. They had a stellar "pinball" style of setting up their stories that often bounced things back and forth between Peter's two lives. Also love the henchman designs.
>>150392553There's our guy! In his classic colors, as well. The removal of the underarm webs is a downgrade imo. Also, his quips are top notch.
>>150392563> Panel 5 Can't say that anymore. >Panels 7 & 8 Nightmarish. Losing Spidey and Jonah's tit for tat dynamic is a travesty.
>>150392570Another forgotten character. The reformed reporter and undercover extraordinaire Frederick Foswell. l so, love the art on this page. Liz, Peter, and Flash look great.
>>150392578I love this little exchange between the two of them. Also a rare moment of Peter being daring out of costume.
>>150392586This is a good example of how Spidey could be a bit of a dick without really being an ass. Also, love the gaslighting he pulls on Flash. Quite a refuge in audacity.
>>150392593Classic Parker dilemma
>>150392603If you described this scene nowadays an army of Sayanim would pounce on you calling it a delusional power fantasy
>>150392610> Panel 3 I'd like to think Ditko's MJ would've looked something close to that. Also, love the shenanigans Pete pulls on the crooks here.
>>150392615You just can't beat that old school dialogue. We never get chums and lamebrains anymore. Also: >panel 4 Ditko was too innocent to even consider someone would think there was a black guy in his comic (this is a common shading technique he uses)
>>150392624I like the concept of Pete having a jewel thief type villain. He's a little more down to Earth and mixes it up a bit. Kind of a Batman effect, but for a bad guy.
>>150392629Second-Story Man was an old-school slang term for a professional crook because they'd often be breaking into the second story of a building. Also, fun bit of context: Steve and Stan had been teasing the reveal of Mary-Jane for around two years at this point with Aunt May continuously trying to arrange for Pete to meet her since Amazing Spider-Man # 15.
>>150392636This is one of my favorite sequences.
>>150392642Something as simple s a rooftop chase and it's more entertaining than the last 25 years of comics combined. There is quite some truth to the idea of "practicing the fundamentals."
>>150392646WOO DOGGY
>>150392651A good ol' fashioned shoot-out Also:> Panels 1 & 4 Spidey is such a cad.
>>150392656The ol' Santa Caluse gambit (Also Officer O'Malley looks like he's got a spray tan in that shading.)
>>150392664Poor Pete and Betty (Nice visual representation of the problem, though.)Fun fact, this is one of the few straight-on shots of Spidey Ditko did. (He often portrayed him in very dynamic poses across his run.)
>>150392675And now, we start "If This Be My Destiny" proper. (Wasn't it nice when Marvel appreciated their readers?)
>>150392682It wasn't just Artie Simek, all the letterers got it from Stanny Boy
>>150392690They say if you cut off the head, the snake will die, but I don't think anyone told these guys that.
>>150392698This is such a cool sequence.
>>150392704Rarely do you get actual problems like this for Spidey anymore.
>>150392712Meanwhile, at the Legion of Doom...
>>150392717First reference to Peter's Father, also love the collage at the bottom.
>>150392726Pete rocked some killer outfits back in the day. Also, such a classic May story (would you believe this is about the fifth time she's been in the hospital across 31 issues)
>>150392735AND THERE SHE IS FOLKS, the Woman, the Myth, The Legend, Ms. GWEN STACY in her first ever debut (Also, Harry Osbourne, as well)
>>150392743Thus begins Pete's troublesome college arc. I bet those kids would feel like real jerks if they new he had adult problems to deal with at home.
>>150392751Dang, it's almost like that guy has villainy in his blood, or something.
>>150392756What a bunch of mooks. Can't keep Peter down, though.
>>150392760Come on, Doc. You're not one of them Hindu imports, are you?
>>150392766Poor Pete.
>>150392771That girl has got it bad.
>>150392778>Yeah, we're bringing the President this here choc-o-late cake at six-thirddy, whatzit to you? Also, Gwen looks pretty good in that dress.
>>150392785Foswell would be a good side character for Pete.
>>150392793Now THIS is the stuff we don't get anymore.
>>150392799Look, Ma! No hands!
>>150392807Well, that was a let down.
>>150392815Pretty snazzy Petey, boy. Pretty snazzy. Also, when did they discontinue those giant metal balls with an electrical current going betwixt them? I want a pair! (All joking aside, it's not looking good for poor Aunt May.)
>>150392820Spidey's at his limits! Will we find out who the Master Planner is?
>>150392824DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN (Lee just couldn't keep that jewishness under control with this one.)
>>150392827OOOOOOH SNAP (also, killer dress, Betty.)
>>150392834Ned's being pretty understanding about his fiance wanting to leave him for Peter.
>>150392839For someone who misses something so obvious about him, she knows him better than most anyone else, as well. Also, freakin' Stan could never remember when anything happened, I swear.
>>150392846Aww, Pete. Also, how we eventually got Connors out of Florida (fit him better, though.)
>>150392850There he is! Also, side note: The ISO-36 plot is a classic example of a Spider-Man story done right.
>>150392858Now, this is Pete. When's the last time we've seen him do stuff like this?
>>150392862OH SNAP! WHAT ARE THE CHANCES???
>>150392868He's not playing around
>>150392877Gee, I hope that roof access door isn't locked... (Also lol for Pete. No one ever goes around busting heads these days.)
>>150392885Stealin' a car, eh?
>>150392890It's kind of hilarious they were just some random thugs. I imagine they swore off crime afterwards.
>>150392896Here we go.
>>150392900Uh-oh.
>>150392908SPIDEY NO!!!!!
>>150392920HOT DOG!!!(Doc Ock had whooped Spidey pretty badly in nearly every appearance before this.)
>>150392926He's a MANIAC! Also, I'm just picturing the Ed boys going: "Uh, what's a support beam?"
>>150392935Bringing down the house, Bringing down the house.
>>150392942Now THESE are STAKES!
>>150392946And that's how you do a cliffhanger.
>>150392951Here we go, Folks! Final Issue.
>>150392959And they weren't kidding!
>>150392963It's happening.
>>150392968Come on, Spidey. You can do it!
>>150392974ALMOST!
>>150392983YES! Possibly his most iconic moment.
>>150392990Ooof.
>>150393000Now, that's a blessing from God.
>>150393006OH NO!
>>150393011Is he gonna make it?
>>150393017They're all counting on you...
>>150393026Thatta boy!
>>150393032Sidenote: That one AU totally ripped this arc off
>>150393038YEAH!
>>150393043Oh, ho ho!
>>150393047Kek!
>>150393052Jameson's a dog for the money.
>>150393059Oh, poor Betty.
>>150393067Ravenous. (Good ol' Pete bustin' his balls about it, too.)
>>150393072WHOO!!!
>>150393074Good thinking, Doc.And That's All, Folks! Hope you enjoyed it!
Bump
bump
>>150392529This was so iconic
>>150392553I love how ugly JJJ is here.
This wasn't very good.
>>150395104he has kirby vibes back then. Was a nice touch from Ditko, drawing JJJ that way.
>>150392529it's been awhile since I read Ditko era ASM, I should go back and go through it again.
>>150392959I don’t care how much of a cliche or obvious pick it is, this is still the greatest single issue of Spidey ever created. Lee and Ditko were at the top of their game here.
The quintessential comic book story btw
>>150392578Foswell was one of my favorite things from Ditko's run>>150392586Everyone remembers their boxing match but this was funnier lol
>>150397124No wonder manga won.
>>150393072Ditko's physical humor works so well after such an intense story. You feel safe once you see Jameson.
Okay
>>150395665fuck you
>>150393082Thanks.>>150395988I'm going through it now. It's kind of a slog.
>>150401401I love it, but to each their own. I will say that there was a time when I felt the same way about older comics but I've since warmed up to the style. I don't expect that's the sort of thing that would happen for everyone.
>>150401758I love the art, but sometimes, they just didn't have great ideas for stories.
>>150392529Oh yeah, thanks anon.The run created by Steve Ditko is the gold standard for Spider-Man. Some writers came close, but no one wrote Peter and Spidey better than him.
>>150393082Ditko's storytelling is so good. The actual execution isn't his best rendering but it almost becomes unnoticeable with how the pages just flow
>>150397124No, dude. It's good, but not that good.That's how you get faggot replies like this >>150397697
