Amazing Spider-Man
# 41-50, Annual #3
Amazing Spider-Man # 41: "The Horns of the Rhino!" 
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Penciller: John Romita
Inker: Mike Esposito  (as Mickey Demeo)
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
Peter buys a motorcycle with a credit reference from J. Jonah Jameson. JJJ enjoys some time with his son John, who has recently been exposed to a strange space spore, and explains that the root of his hatred for Spidey stems from John's rescue by Spidey (Amazing Spider-Man # 1) and the webhead put his son's life in danger for a publicity stunt!  Peter meets up with Betty and realizes that he no longer has feelings for her beyond friendship. The Rhino attacks and kidnaps John Jameson, but Spidey catches up with him. Spidey takes him and quickly realizes how powerful the Rhino is, but, using every bit of his agility and strength, Spidey defeats him.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #180.
  • First appearance of the Rhino.
  • The purchase of the motorcycle seems to be a turning point in Peter's life. He becomes more confident and seems less insecure around his school friends, especially Gwen.
  • Spidey tries out for the Avengers in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3.
Amazing Spider-Man # 42: "The Birth of a Superhero!" 
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
John Jameson' exposure to space spores months ago transform him into a human powerhouse. Stark's technicians invent a power suit for John to wear to reduce the strain on his human body. John decides to bring in Spidey, who's wanted because a misunderstanding at a bank where he seemingly escaped with a money bag that actually contained a bomb. He catches up with the webhead and Spidey barely gets away. Unfortunately, John's newfound powers seem to be driving him mad and his hunts down Spidey again with a vengeance. Spidey defeats him with a massive electric shock which returns him to normal. Peter is finally cornered into having supper with Anna Watson's niece Mary Jane!

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 182.
  • First appearance of Mary Jane Watson.
  • Cameo by Foggy Nelson, who takes on the Rhino's legal defense.
Amazing Spider-Man # 43: "Rhino on the Rampage!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Peter enjoys an evening with Mary Jane despite the chaperon by Aunt May and Anna Watson. The evening is interrupted by the escape of the Rhino. The Rhino goes on a rampage and draws out Spidey. Unfortunately, the Rhino is too much for Spidey this time and Spidey is defeated. The Rhino then makes his way to John Jameson, who is currently hospitalized (see last issue). Spidey has time to drop in on Dr. Connors and together they devise a web formula to dissolve the Rhino's costume. Spidey then confronts the Rhino and with the web formula defeats the Rhino

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 183.
  • Origin of the Rhino.
  • Cameo by Foggy Nelson and Matt (DD) Murdock.
Amazing Spider-Man # 44: "Where Crawls the Lizard!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Peter sees Aunt May off on a much needed vacation and comes to the aid of Mrs. Connors who can't find her husband. Unfortunately, their fears are confirm as Spidey finds proof that Curt has changed back into the Lizard. Mary Jane meets up with Peter and his friends, which immediately prompts Gwen's jealousy. Meanwhile, the Lizard commits a robbery and tricks witnesses into thinking it was Spidey. Spidey tracks down the Lizard, but the creature is too powerful for him. The Lizard escapes and Spidey seriously sprains his arm.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 184.
Amazing Spider-Man # 45: "Spidey Smashes Out!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Artist: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Spidey adjusts to his sprained arm while the Lizard searches for the means to create a reptile arm. Spidey finds the Lizard on a train that's carrying a reptile exhibit. Spidey battles through the Lizard's reptile allies and tricks the Lizard into the train's refrigeration car. Back in Conners' lab, Spidey whips up the formula that returns Conners to normal.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #185.
Amazing Spider-Man # 46: "The Sinister Shocker!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Spidey has a run in with a new villain calling himself the Shocker and Spidey learns first hand the power of his vibro-smashers. Frederick Foswell has been following Peter around in hopes of finding out how he gets his pictures, and Peter tricks him into believing that Spidey and he have a partnership going. Spidey catches up with the Shocker and defeats him in the rematch. Peter moves out of Aunt May's house and moves in with Harry.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of the Shocker.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #186.
Amazing Spider-Man # 47: "In the Hands of the Hunter!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Kraven's on the loose again, but this time he's out to get Norman Osborn who he thinks has acted as the Green Goblin's underling. However, Osborn's out of town and Kraven decides to go after his son Harry. Kraven breaks up Flash Thompson's going-away party (since he's going into the army) and Peter makes the quick switch into Spidey. Kraven actually defeats Spidey long enough to confront Osborn, who has returned. Kraven doesn't learn anything because Osborn has no memories of being the Goblin and he decides to take off as the police arrive.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #187.
  • Spidey teams up with Daredevil in Daredevil #27 to battle the Stilt-Man.
Amazing Spider-Man # 48: "The Wings of the Vulture!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
Blackie Drago tricks Adrian (The Vulture) Toomes into revealing the location of his back up wings and makes a successful break from prison. Having mastered his new wings, Drago begins a crime spree which draws Spidey's attention. However, Spidey's suffering from a nasty fever but goes out anyway. The Vulture proves to be too much for him and Spidey's left for dead.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of Vulture II.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #188.
Amazing Spider-Man # 49: "From the Depths of Defeat!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Art: John Romita
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2
Synopsis:
Spidey manages to get back to his apartment and get a good night's sleep. Meanwhile, Kraven hears of the Vulture's exploits and that he's bragging about having killed Spider-Man and decides to take the Vulture on. Peter learns of their battle and slips out on Aunt May, who dropped by to take of him. Spidey interrupts their battle and uses Kraven to defeat the Vulture and then he takes Kraven down in style.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #189.
Amazing Spider-Man # 50: "Spider-Man No More!"
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Penciller: John Romita
Inker: Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo)
Jay's Rating:
JJJJJ
Synopsis:
The stress of being Spider-Man and all the other burdens in his life finally take their toll on Peter Parker. Parker decides to abandon his Spider-Man identity and focus on being Peter Parker. He enjoys it at first, but is reminded of the pledge he took after Uncle Ben's death and takes up his Spider-Man identity once again.

Jay's Notes:

  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #190.

1966
Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1966) # 3:
"... To Become an Avenger!" 
Writer: Stan Lee/John Romita
Penciller: John Romita
Inker: Don Heck
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ
Synopsis:
The Avengers debate whether or not to extend a membership offer to Spidey. DD is consulted and puts in a good reference for the web head. Spidey is invited to the Avengers mansion, where he loses his temper waiting for them to come up with a suitable test for him. Finally, they decided to have him capture the Hulk. However, Spidey doesn't have the heart to turn in the misunderstood monster and willingly fails their test.

Avengers' Roll Call:
Captain America, Giant-Man, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, and Wasp.

Jay's Notes:

  • This issue also reprints Amazing Spider-Man #11 and #12.
  • Reprinted in Marvel Tales #181.
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