I: Feature Story: "Enter: Dr. Octopus"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: Mike Esposito (credited as Mickey Demeo)
Letters: Artie Simek

Villain: Dr. Octopus

Guest Appearance: J. Jonah Jameson, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, Flash Thompson, Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, Anna Watson, Professor Warren

Flashback Cameo: Foswell

Gadgets & Technology: Nullifier

Marvel Milestones: First time the gang hangs out at the Coffee Bean

Synopsis: On his way to classes at ESU, Spider-Man has a typically confrontational run-in with J. Jonah Jameson. When he finally shows up, he sees Gwen Stacy palling around with Flash and Harry in the courtyard. Flash is overjoyed to spot Spidey winging his way above his head. Peter heads into the gym and changes into his street clothes, catching the attention of Professor Warren, who invites him to a science exhibit that evening. Peter asks Gwen to go with him, and she quickly accepts; unfortunately, tension seems to be rising between Peter and his roommate, Harry Osborn, who complains to the others that Peter is never around and keeps a weird schedule.

Professor Warren explains to Gwen and Peter that the science exhibit is for an army project called the Nullifier, a weapon meant to disable incoming missiles. As they mix into the crowd at the exhibit hall, Peter's Spidey Sense goes off, and he realizes why when none other than Dr. Octopus stands up to abscond with the Nullifier! The villain lashes out at the security guards and takes the valuable machine into his hands, but Spider-Man comes onto the scene in quick fashion.

No matter what Spider-Man tries to do, Octopus keeps a rigid hand-hold on the machine while his robotic arms flail around the super-hero's body. The chase spills outside the convention hall, where on the neighboring rooftop, Spidey douses Doc Ock's face with webbing. In self-defense, Octopus tosses the giant Nullifier off the building and down towards the crowd, buying him time to escape while Spidey catches the machine before it falls on anyone. When he turns his attention back to the villain, he is gone...

Octopus retreats to his lab, reflecting on how he has spent his time since Spider-Man foiled him when he posed as the Master Planner (see ASM #33). When he finds a Spidey Tracer on his back, he realizes he has the perfect opportunity to set a trap!

Later, Peter reunites with Gwen and Professor Warren, who were worried about where he had disappeared after the ruckus began.

Professor Warren drops them off at the Coffee Bean, where Mary Jane is entertaining Flash and Harry. Aunt May and Anna Watson enter, giving the news that they have put an ad in the newspaper to take on a boarder in their home. Peter takes the opportunity to walk Aunt May home so he can ditch his friends and take after Dr. Octopus as Spider-Man! He follows his spidey tracer to Dr. Octopus' lair, where the villain has set up a booby trap. Spider-Man is on to it, though, after noticing that a dummy is sitting up in front of the computer bank. He tosses a rock down at the dummmy, triggering a massive explosion. From a distance, Doc Ock assumes he's finally killed Spider-Man, and decides to use his time to lay low and gather his energy for his next diabolical plan. With no home anymore where he can lie low and plan his next attack, he must find a new place to live...

(continued in ASM #54)

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #51-61, Annual #4

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.