Amazing Reads: Amazing Spider-Man #1

Alright, so we dive into the second outing of this strange experiment that will ultimately end in my complete and total break down. At least I'm already half way there.

Hello again dear readers, James here for a second edition of Amazing Reads. This time it's Amazing Spider-Man #1. You remember that one don't you, it has stuff, and stuff happens. Okay, so it's not important in the grand scheme of things, it isn't his origin and he doesn't do anything spectacular (I hate myself sometimes) but it is the first of his solo run, and his second appearance.

Yes, caption, your cover already implied that.

I think before we continue proper it should be addressed right now. I'm barely reviewing these things, I'm just having fun reading them, and giving some blow by blow commentary. Maybe down the line when I get some cool little images for a thumbs up, thumbs down, and something far worse for...other stories. If you know Spider-man, you know what I'm talking about. If you don't, well, we may get to them sooner or later. Also, I love this character. I love these books. So any bad mouthing and negativity comes from that place, love, and the self deprecating humor I enjoy. Let's move one to our first story.

That's right, we get two stories in these books. Aw, the Silver age. Decompressed stories were for wusses. And since this is a #1, and all #1's some how rehash the back story of a character, we get a page of Peter Parker being pissed and bemoaning the death of his Uncle Ben. Other reviews I've read while doing a bit of research has already pointed this out*, but I feel I should point it out here too. At no point does Peter say it was his fault. He bemoans not being fast enough, but he never admits to his couldn't give a damn attitude caused it. But neither here nor there.

We are re-introduced to the oldest woman in the world, Aunt May. And the Parker's have no money, because Ben is dead, and Peter is at least smart enough to not go into crime.

Angry Pete! Gonna go Postal soon, huh?

We are treated to Peter being an angry arse to his classmates, who rightfully are angry right back. Of course he can't go the Spider-Man show, because he is Spider-Man. So, Spider-Man wows the audience and the sleazy manager writes him out a check, to Spider-Man (On Spidey's behalf.) Quick thought. At this point Spider-Man hasn't really fought crime, or anything that would attract attention from the criminal element. The only reason he won't give out his real name, is because he's afraid of being laughed at. Bloody Hell. But it does lead to him learning the life lesson that banks won't cash a check to some weirdo in tights.

Hello Mr. Simmons!

We get our introduction to the great and talented J. Jonah Jameson. Cantankerous Newspaper editor and bane of Spider-Man's existence. More so than just about anyone else. Mostly because the other pains die eventually. We are treated to a page of J.J. Jameson ranting and raving about the evil's of Spider-Man. Reminds me of those people who rant and rave against comics. Me thinks Stan Lee is making fun of someone with this character. Note: while tearing down Spider-Man J.J. promotes his own son, heroic astronaut.

The Newsboy doesn't need that exposition.

We find out that in order to pay the bills Aunt May is hocking her jewelry. Peter happens to by sheer dumb luck to find this out. And that is when we see the panel picture above. I'd like to point out that Peter in the next panel banging on the wall, talking about being Spider-Man. So for those who complain about the movies him always taking off his mask. Even in the 60s, this man could not keep his secret worth a damn.

Hi Jimmy! Hi Clark!

So, for some reason I don't know why, this story has three parts. Will it matter here. No. But a break from our story for context! This story was printed March 1963, during the heat of the Space Race. JFK had given his famous speech a few years earlier. America had launched it's first man into space. John Glen Orbited the earth. But it was still a big deal at the time. Sorry for the little history lesson. I like knowing the context of things.

Back to fun 60s goodness. We're introduced to J.J.s son, John. Astronaut. Hero. He gets into the rocket, and blast off. Something goes wrong.

Thank you Captain Exposition.

So we get long scenes of People going, what can we do. Other people trying things and failing. Spider-Man shows up, and convinces the general that he can do it. General agrees. Spider-Man leaps from window before explaining his plan. That could be because J.J.'s in there, and he's a cranky arse. And then Spider-Man breaks onto the base. I sense a plan not existing...

As you should Pilot.

So yellow jet here is able to go fast enough and can fly high enough to intercept the capsule. Sweet. As they get close, Spider-Man does his Spider-Man thing.

I just hear Shatner.

He is able to pull himself up to the capsule. So happy day!

Question: How does he get down?

Let's speed up to the finale of our three part epic. Three pages let's go. Spider-Man is able to fix the complex machinery in a single bound. And in answer to the caption. He rides it down. And jumps off before it hits ground. Isn't that...physically impossible. Oh well.

Old Lady is afraid of the strange man in his underwear.

Let us end on a high note, and know that Peter still has crap Karma. Maybe he should start admitting he's responsible. What ever happened to that great responsibility? J.J. Still hates him, and the F.B.I. wants to arrest him. So...we're done with story one.

Heh...Palmer...

We're going to run through this. This is turning out to be longer than I thought. Luckily this story is shorter, and only a few things are worth noting. Peter sees a sign for the Fantastic Four and thinks he can make money. So he goes off to join the FF. And 50 years later, he will succeed. 

It's a bird...

So our hero climbs to the top of the FF building and breaks into through the roof. He falls in, and we get the image from a cover, a glass dome thingy. But before it closes shut he's able to pry it open.

Priorities Reed. Priorities.

 So what follows roughly a page of fighting the Fantastic Four. First we see the Thing tossed into the Human Torch. Mister Fantastic attacks, and gets his flexi-body caught in Spider-Man's webs. Invisible Girl uses the lasso of truth, and Spidey grabs it, spinning her around like a top. We get a quick Human torch tussle, and things calm down. Spider-Man asks for money, FF says they don't make money, and Spidey leaves in a huff.

Actor's were unavailable for this day of shooting.

Alright, we get our first bit of Spider Sense, working in a way I don't think we will ever see again. Who knows, since my knowledge of the actual workings of this early era is a little sketchy. See, it seems the Chameleon has figured something out some how that Spider-Man has all sorts of Spider powers that how would he know anyway. So he talks to Spider-Man through this Spider Sense. All over the world, Spider's gather at the place where Chameleon told them too.

Well...Ain't he pretty

While the brilliant plan to distract our hero goes off with out a hitch. (Seriously, Chameleon just offered the guy money...I hate you a little Mr. Parker.) Chameleon then pretends to be Spidey and breaks into some place to steal some generic missile plans. And he escapes to his ships.

Yes...a ship...

So as Fake Spider-Man escapes, real one arrives. The cops show up, thinking the real one is the fake one, and my head is spinning already. So Spider-Man ties up the cops and escapes to chase after the Chameleon. He then puts two and two together and chases after the helicopter. After a brief chase sequence we see where the Chameleon is going, and who is is working for...

COMMIES!

And so our adventure is...Aw what the hell. Way to go Spidey. Chameleon breaks free for a moment, and changes his costume.

Spider-Sense...Spider Sense...No joke here.

The lights go out. Spider-Man leaps into action, finding the Chameleon and tangling with him. As they fight, the Chameleon claims Spidey is fake, and the cops pull a gun on him. Thanks to some serendipity The front of the Chameleon's shirt is torn revealing the fake Spidey costume underneath. Spider-Man escapes and teh day is saved.

And the dog too

So we ravel to the end of our first feature length twenty some odd pages of Spider-Man. This has turned into a long piece. I think the pictures don't help, but it would be a little boring to me with out them. So, please any feedback from our loyal readers is truly welcome.

Oh, but back to the finishing off of this review/comedy/reading. Should you pick this up, well considering where ever you find this, it'll be in a collection with Amazing Fantasy #15 like an Essentials volume, or something. But as far as if you ever have the few grand and want to read the issue...sure why not. It's a little fun, a lot of hokey and it's the 60s.

Chameleon isn't as fun as he will be. And hopefully when we see him better soon. I think now is the time I should admit that I may have said on the podcast the Vulture was the first reoccurring Villain to show up with Spidey. Well, I'm wrong. Chameleon. But, I will save myself a little, Vulture is the villain next issue. He's also the first one to show up on the cover...but let's end this now.

Firsts:

J. Jonah Jameson

John Jameson

Chameleon

Spider Sense

Peter Palmer!