Amazing Spider-Man
# 11-20

April 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 11: "Turning Point" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Dr. Octopus gets out of jail early on good behavior and Betty Brant is there to pick him up. Spidey puts a spider tracer on their car and follows them to Philadelphia. As Peter Parker, he meets up with Betty who explains her involvement. Her brother Bennett is trying to cancel gambling debt he owes the mob by assisting Dr. Octopus to free mobster headman Blackie Gaxton. Spidey gets involved and during a battle with some thugs and Blackie Gaxton, Bennett is fatal shot. Blackie and his gang are rounded up by the police, but Dr. Octopus escapes.

Jay's Notes:

  • Spidey's first use of his spider tracer, although he uses a portable receiver to track it.

May 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 12: "Unmasked by Dr. Octopus!" 
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Dr. Octopus goes on a crime spree hoping to draw Spider-Man into another battle, but it doesn't work and he's forced to kidnap Betty Brant. Spidey confronts Dr. Octopus, but he's overcome by a 24-hour flu which makes their battle a quick and decisive one. Dr. Octopus unmasks him, but since Spidey didn't put up much of a fight he figures that the photographer Parker was trying to be a hero. The next day, Peter feeling much better and decides that it time for a rematch.  Spidey and Dr. Octopus battle it out along the rooftops until a raging fire in an artist's studio brings an end to their fight. Dr. Octopus is apprehended by the police.

June 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 13: "The Menace of ... Mysterio!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Disguised as Spider-Man, Mysterio commits a series of crime that makes the webhead public enemy number one. Mysterio then makes his grand appearance and uses the Daily Bugle to taunt Spidey into a confrontation. Spidey meets up with him on top of Brooklyn Bridge and is overwhelmed by Mysterio. Later, Spidey catches up with Mysterio and tricks him into admitting to the crime spree. Spidey defeats Mysterio and clears his name as well as ridiculing the Daily Bugle which had assumed Spidey guilt.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of Mysterio.

July 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 14: "The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
The Green Goblin recruits the Enforcers in a scheme to destroy Spider-Man. He convinces a movie producer to film a Spider-Man movie which of course quickly gets the cash-strapped Peter Parker's attention. During the first day of filming, the Green Goblin and the Enforcers reveal their true intentions and attack the webhead. Caught off guard, Spidey withdraws to a nearby cave where he begins to pick the Enforcers off one by one. However, the Hulk turns out to have been hiding in this cave and doesn't take kindly to visitors. Spidey manages to stay out of the Jade Giant's fists and get out with the captured Enforcers. The Green Goblin escapes and makes his way back to New York City for another opportunity to strike at Spider-Man.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Green Goblin.
  • The Enforcers were last seen in issue #10.

August 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 15: "Kraven the Hunter!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Chameleon returns to the States and after a run-in with Spider-Man calls upon the services of Kraven the Hunter. Meanwhile, Peter Parker is busy balancing his love life between Betty Brant and Liz Osborn. Kraven studies Spidey in action and then attacks. Spidey withdraws as Kraven has the upper hand. However, their next encounter is more favorable for the webhead and he comes out on top. Kraven and the Chameleon are both deported.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Kraven.
  • The Chameleon last appeared in issue #1.
  • First mention of Mary Jane Watson, referred to as Mrs. Watson's niece.

September 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 16: "Duel with Daredevil!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Ringmaster's Circus boasts an appearance by Spider-Man which of course gets Spidey's attention and he shows up. The Ringmaster is up to no good though and hypnotizes the entire crowd with the intention of robbing them. However, Matt Murdock is in the crowd and isn't affected because he's blind. He changes into Daredevil and confronts the Ringmaster who sends a hypnotized Spidey after him. After a brief scuffle, Daredevil releases Spidey from the Ringmaster's hypnotism and they defeat the Circus of Crime.

Jay's Notes:


October 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 17: "The Return of the Green Goblin!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Flash Thompson starts up a Spider-Man fan club and invites Spidey to attend. Unfortunately, the Green Goblin decides to crash the party and attacks Spidey. The Human Torch, who was attending the party, joins the battle. Spidey learns that Aunt May has suffered a heart attack and he leaves the battle. The Human Torch drives off the Green Goblin, but Spidey's branded a coward for leaving the fight.

Jay's Notes:

  • The Green Goblin last appeared issue #14.

November 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 18: "The End of Spider-Man!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Fuel by J. Jonah Jameson's anti-Spidey editorials, the general public jumps on the band wagon believing Spidey to be a coward. Peter spends all of his time taking care of Aunt May and trying various ways to raise money for her medical care. He runs into the Sandman and is forced to flee because if he's hurt or killed who will take care of Aunt May. Aunt May finally regains her strength and Peter can stop worrying about her and resume his crime-fighting career and prove everyone wrong particularly Jameson.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Ned Leeds, although he isn't named until issue #19.
  • The Sandman last seen in issue #4.

December 1964
Amazing Spider-Man # 19: "Spidey Strikes Back!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Spidey begins a crime-fighting blitz to regain his good name. Meanwhile, the Human Torch is captured by the Enforcers, who are led by the Sandman. Spidey learns that the Enforcers are back in business and that they have the Human Torch. He tracks them down and starts a good fight. He frees the Torch and together they deliver the Sandman and the Enforcers into the authorities' hands.

Jay's Notes:

  • The Enforcers were last seen in issue #14.

January 1965
Amazing Spider-Man # 20: "The Coming of the Scorpion!"
Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve Ditko
Jay's Rating: JJJJJ
Synopsis:
J. Jonah Jameson takes his war with Spidey to a new high by employing the services of a scientist to mutate a thug named Mac Gargan and granting the proportional powers of a scorpion. The Scorpion takes on Spidey and defeats him. However, the Scorpion is no longer interested in what Jameson has to say and begins to take advantage of his new powers. Spidey shakes off the first battle and confronts the Scorpion again just as he's about to kill Jameson. Spidey fights a bit smarter this time and comes out on top.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of the Scorpion.
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