Pierre Chanliau Reads Comics

CURRENTLY READING: The Amazing Spider-Man (1963)

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Announcement

So, after reading through The Amazing Spider-Man (#1-30), Uncanny X-Men (#1-16), and Avengers (#1-25), I've finally caught up to Fantastic Four (#50), which means it's back to reading Marvel's First Family!

I'll start reading up to Fantastic Four (1961) #100.

Afterward, it'll be back to The Amazing Spider-Man (#31-87), then Uncanny X-Men (#55-66), and finally Avengers (#26-82) before starting all over again with Reed, Susan, Ben, and Johnny.

For easy access to specific readings:

Fantastic Four

Spider-Man

X-Men

Avengers

If you wish to read in chronological order, just add /chrono at the end of any of the above URLs.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

I have to say, being injured like this is a massive improvement over him just having a cold. It's also a nice point that he doesn't wanna be seen with the same exact injury as Spider-Man.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

An injured Spider-Man in a sling is an extremely hard look.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

"Look, Sam! On that building above...! Only Spider-Man can climb a wall like that!"

Good enough, I guess? Haha.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

"So you're Gwen Stacy! I've heard Peter mention you!"

"How nice!"

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

"Thanks, Peter! Ned and I will want you at the wedding...soon as we set the date!"

Wonder if we'll actually see this or if something unfortunate will happen to them before the big day.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

It's cute how much Curtis' son loves Spider-Man and how both Peter and his mom try to protect him from what's happening to his father.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #44 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

Wait, wasn't Rhino's whole thing that he couldn't take off his costume, which is why he stuck to crime? Cause he thought it was the only thing he could do with his condition? Guess that comes later.

Does he have the experiment that gave him his powers in the first place done on him again? Only this time it's more permanent?

Maybe he thinks, since Spider-Man was able to melt it off the first time, he'll be able to remove it again.

Or maybe it's like a second skin, and it'll grow back, more durable than ever?

Curious where this will go.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

Damn, kinda sad that Connors really isn't over his stint as The Lizard, seemingly coming up with any sort of excuse to change back into the monster.

Him immediately changing the subject when Spider-Man tells him to knock off that thinking almost comes off as a little unsettling.

The only question is when he'll have his inevitable relapse.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

Still appreciate how Dr. Connors has become Spider-Man's go-to scientist ally whenever he needs help or equipment.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

Hm, I wonder if this cop that saves Spider-Man will end up being Captain Stacy.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

It's honestly ambitious that Romita was confident enough to have a fight take place around civilians and on the street.

So far, Spider-Man's usually only fought people in abandoned buildings, on rooftops, in the sky, or in secluded locations.

No doubt, it was to save time drawing more people in the panels than necessary, but this moment with Rhino is such a cool turning point because Spider-Man has to juggle not only fighting the villain, but making sure the people aren't in harm's way.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

I love how Peter's use of cameras has evolved over the years.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

The origin of the Rhino...is just as silly and simple as I had imagined it would be, haha. Yes, the perfect assassin is a seven-foot-tall man that looks like a bipedal rhino.

I can hardly blame him for betraying these two.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #43 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

"Now that's the kind of gal friend a busy Spider-Man needs!"

I know that MJ knowing Peter Parker was Spider-Man all along was never the original intent, but moments like this let that retcon make all the more sense retroactively.

Alternatively, Mary Jane Watson could be an absolutely insane thrill seeker.

Or it could be both.

Both is good.

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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #42 — Stan Lee, John Romita Sr.

"Face it, tiger...you just hit the jackpot!"

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I can't get over how this iconic reveal is preceded by Peter Parker daydreaming about Gwen Stacy, only to be absolutely gobsmacked by Mary Jane Watson—a girl he's heard second hand about for years, only for her to look like a straight-up supermodel with a pickup line that would put anything he could possibly think of to shame.

I've already seen this page in isolation, thinking that the lead-up to it was given greater foreshadowing, but no, it happens in one of the most innocuous issues imaginable, where John Jameson briefly goes crazy due to Moon pollen.

It's sad how Marvel Comics has absolutely milked this moment and MJ's "catchphrase" for all its worth, but it thankfully doesn't devalue this timeless moment or the years-long lead-up to it.