I: Feature Story: "Spidey Smashes Out!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: John Romita
Letters: Sam Rosen

Villain: Lizard

Guest Appearance: Martha Connors, Billy Connors, Frederick Foswell, J. Jonah Jameson, Ned Leeds, Betty Brant, Harry Osborn, Flash Thompson, Anna Watson, Mary Jane Watson, Dr. Curtis Connors

Flashback Cameo: Gwen Stacy

Synopsis: (continued from ASM #44)

Spider-Man's arm is still in a sling, but he's patrolling the city looking out for the Lizard. He stops the hijacking of a truck by some hoodlums with his one good arm but finds no sign of the monster.

Unbeknownst to him, the Lizard is across town sneaking into Dr. Connors' lab. Martha Connors hears the commotion but is too terrified to face the Lizard. The Lizard pores through Connors' notes, but his mind as the Lizard isn't as brilliant, and he can't understand them. He flies into a rage at his inability to do anything intellectual for himself, and vows to find Connors and force him to create a lizard army, seemingly reaching a stage of Lizard mania in which he doesn't recall that he is actually Dr. Curtis Connors!

Frederick Foswell is leaving the Bugle to tail Peter Parker when J.Jonah Jameson stops him. He sends Foswell out to dig up a story on the Lizard. He also harrasses Betty and Ned, who are using their coffee break to plan their wedding.

Peter can't hide his sprained arm so he tells Flash and Harry Osborn he hurt it after falling off his motorcycle. Harry invites Peter to a party on Gwen's behalf. The gang hasn't seen him much since he started going out with Mary Jane. Knowing how much he likes MJ's attention, Peter wonders why Gwen keeps popping up in his mind.

As his Aunt May worries about her nephew from her vacation spot, Peter changes back to Spider-Man and picks up his search for the Lizard. He scours the city until he sees a sign for a reptile exhibit at the local zoo. The exhibit has closed, but he gleans information that the reptiles are being moved by train to Philadelphia. He heads to the train yard, and the Lizard is already there, so Spidey leads with his one good arm with a solid punch into the Lizard's gut. He hammers away at the Lizard, but one tail swat sends him flying. The Lizard bashes open the train cars and hundreds of reptiles swarm over Spider-Man.

Back at his home, Anna Watson and Mary Jane carry some hot soup over to Peter, but he is not home to receive it. At that moment, he is grabbing a snake and using it to corral the tail of a crocodile. He then beats back the other reptiles by swinging the croc around like a baseball bat. The Lizard hops aboard a passing train but Spider-Man is right behind him. They battle on top of the train cars until Spider-Man leads him into a refrigerator car. The cold-blooded Lizard can't last in the frigid temperature and drops to the floor. Spidey webs him up, and after jumping another train home, he returns the Lizard to Connors' lab. He concocts an antidote and once administered, he presents Dr. Curt Connors to his wife and son.

Peter returns home and finds Mary Jane on a date with Harry Osborn. He's not jealous but frustrated that his Spider-Man identity causes him to have to break dates, lie and struggle in poverty. He once again second guesses his Spider-Man identity and all the pain it brings....

Meanwhile, across town, the family of Dr. Curtis Connors share their feelings about the super-hero who has helped them more than he knows.

--synopsis by Jonathan Clarke, aka doesitmatter, and Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #41-50, Annual #3

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.