Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 written by Stan Lee and art by Steve Ditko
More early adventures of Spider-Man find him fighting "old" enemies like coverboy Doctor Octopus along with new enemies like Mysterio and Kraven the Hunter. The Green Goblin also makes his first appearance though his identity is hidden from readers. This book contains issues 11 through 19 and the initial double-sized annual with the first appearance of The Sinister Six, a villain team-up. Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, Vulture, Kraven, Electro, and Sandman gang up on the teen-aged hero, though of course it doesn't work out for them. The annual includes a lot of "pin-up" one-page images of Spider-Man fighting each villain. It also has a bunch of info on the villains and Spider-Man's abilities (back in the time when you could not easily find past issues or possibly read up on things online), along with all other sort of trivia now relegated to fan web pages.
The narrative emphasis is still on Peter Parker/Spider-Man's personal problems. Aunt May gets seriously ill, forcing Spider-Man on the sidelines while Peter takes care of her, plummeting the reputation of Spider-Man to Jameson's delight and Flash Thompson's chagrin. Thompson tries to start a Spidey-fan club, which only causes more trouble for Peter and for Spider-Man. These issues start the hinting of Mary Jane with Aunt May promising to set up Peter even though he is more interested in J. Jonah Jameson's secretary Betty Brant. These stories are still fun to read even with the over-the-top antics and self-promotion.
Recommended, highly for Spidey-fans.
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