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{{Marvel Database:Comic Template
 
{{Marvel Database:Comic Template
| Title = Amazing Fantasy
+
| Image1 = Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 16.jpg
| Image = Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 16.jpg
 
| Volume = 1
 
| Issue = 16
 
 
| Month = December
 
| Month = December
 
| Year = 1995
 
| Year = 1995
  +
| ReleaseDate = 11-09-1995
   
 
| Editor-in-Chief = Bob Budiansky
 
| Editor-in-Chief = Bob Budiansky
| CoverArtist1 = Paul Lee
+
| Image1_Artist1 = Paul Lee
   
  +
| Quotation = I had to '''get out'''. Out of [[Peter Parker]]'s '''problems''', out of his '''room''', out of his '''skin'''. I feel the '''wind''' rush by me and my '''muscles''' flex and work and I let my mind go '''blank''' and I don't '''think''' for a while. I just let myself go into '''speed''' and '''motion''' and '''physical effort''' -- and for a few minutes, I let myself '''forget''' that it was my being Spider-Man that got [[Benjamin Parker (Earth-616)|Uncle Ben]] '''killed''' -- forget that I should feel '''guilty''' in this costume -- and, surprisingly, it's '''relaxing'''. It's '''peaceful'''. It's -- Lord help me, it's '''fun'''.
| Quotation =
 
| Speaker =
+
| Speaker = [[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Spider-Man]]
   
 
| StoryTitle1 = An Amazing World
 
| StoryTitle1 = An Amazing World
   
  +
| Synopsis1 = In Patchogue, Long Island, a young person flies across the street firing energy blasts from their hand in order to blow up mailboxes as part of a prank.<ref group="Continuity">The identity of this individual is revealed {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 17}}.</ref>
| Synopsis1 = The story started with [[Spider-Man|Peter]] re-capping his very short career at this time including his origin and then a visit to his [[Uncle Ben|Uncle Ben's]] grave with his [[Aunt May]].
 
  +
A crooked furniture salesman trying to make a deal with May excused that Ben ordered some furniture as a surprise to her.
 
  +
Meanwhile, in Manhattan, Maxie Shiffman is in deep debt and tries to convince bill collectors that money is coming, pointing out that he has just taken on Spider-Man as a client.<ref group="Continuity">Maxie Shiffman took Spider-Man as a client {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15}}.</ref> After getting off the phone, he checks with his secretary to see if Spider-Man has called back. Unfortunately, the only person who has called for Maxie is his bookie who is threatening to break his thumbs if he doesn't pay up. With no other choice, Maxie decides to put a classified ad in the newspaper in the hopes of reaching his arrant client.<ref group="Continuity">All of the technology depicted in this story: telephones, typewriters, black and white televisions etc. All appear to be commonly used technologies of the early 1960s. Although this story was published in 1995, it takes place shortly after the events of {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15}}, which was published in 1962. The creative team behind this story was going for a retro look for stylistic and nostalgia purposes. Modern readers, however, should consider all of these depictions as [[Glossary:Topical Reference|topical references]] per the [[Glossary:Sliding Timescale|Sliding Timescale]] of [[Earth-616]] in much the same way as they would for such depictions in {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15}}.</ref>
Later, as Spider-Man, Peter views the same salesman trying out the same scam on another potential victim.
 
  +
Spider-Man then follows the man to a warehouse where he finds a group of men targeting widows and widowers for financial gain.
 
  +
While in Forest Hills, Peter Parker watches television with his Aunt May. They watch a news report about a sighting of the Human Torch, a member of the new group of super-heroes known as the Fantastic Four.<ref group="Continuity">The Fantastic Four gained their powers in {{cl|Fantastic Four Vol 1 1}}.</ref> It also recounts how the Fantastic Four's headquarters, the Baxter Building, was briefly pulled into space by Doctor Doom and the Sub-Mariner.<ref group="Continuity">Doom and the Sub-Mariner attempted to slay the Fantastic Four by pulling their headquarters into space in {{cl|Fantastic Four Vol 1 6}}.</ref> This is also followed by reports about the Hulk on a rampage in the south-west, and rumors of an Asgardian god disposing of a South American dictator.<ref group="Continuity">The Hulk's rampage is from {{cl|Incredible Hulk Vol 1 3}}, while the Asgardian is Thor, who had just recently disposed of Santiago "The Executioner" Rivera in {{cl|Journey Into Mystery Vol 1 84}}.</ref> Aunt May is disturbed by all of this violence and danger in the world, but notices Peter hasn't been very talkative.<ref group="Continuity">May wishes that these heroes could be non-threatening like the Wizard. This story takes place prior to the Wizard turning to crime in {{cl|Strange Tales Vol 1 102}}.</ref> Peter tells her that he is thinking. Peter's is unimpressed about all of these stories about super-powered being, particularly since he became Spider-Man. This causes him to think about how he attempted to use his powers to make money, but his unwillingness to stop a thief led to that same burglar murdering his Uncle Ben.<ref group="Continuity">Peter's dabbling in entertainment and the murder of Uncle Ben happened in {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15}}.</ref>
The group is led by a man named the Undertaker whom Spider-Man confronts.
 
  +
The group of men are soon called upon, armed at this point, and the very first use of his Spider-Sense aids Spider-Man in dodging the gunfire.
 
  +
Later at Uncle Ben's funeral, Peter Parker thinks about how he needs to find a way to use his powers in a way that will make up for the death of Uncle Ben. He thinks, his only saving grace in this regard, is that he still has his anonymity, and is glad that he did not reveal his true identity -- even to his agent Maxie Shiffman. After the burial, May tells Peter that her late husband was a good man and to never forget it, Peter assures her that he won't. The next day at school, Liz Allan gives Peter her condolences but quickly leaves to join her friends. Unsympathetic to his recent tragedy, Flash Thompson pushes past Peter to show his friends the classified ad that Maxie Shiffman put in the Daily Bugle looking for Spider-Man. Overhearing this, Peter is still determined to put that part of his life behind him. Meanwhile, Maxie Shiffman's ad has backfired. Instead of attracting the real Spider-Man, his office if flooded by impostors and fame seekers trying to convince him that they are the real wall-crawler. He tells the mob that they can prove that they are really Spider-Man by climbing onto the ceiling. When none of these phonies can comply, Shiffman orders them all out of his office. Once alone, Maxie breaks down into tears wondering what to do next.
Confused as to what just happens, Spider-Man begins to attack the group of men with his newly found Spider-Sense.
 
  +
The men are caught and tied up in a neat little package for the police.
 
  +
After school, Peter Parker is still trying to figure out the best way to use his powers as he walks home from school. When he gets home, he finds his Aunt May talking to a salesman. He is telling her that Ben had purchased a new set of furniture for their home just prior to his death and he has come to collect the last of the payments. Unfortunately, May doesn't have the money to finish paying for the furniture. However, May doesn't want to pass up on this supposed "final gift" from her late husband and begs the salesman to give her more time to get the money. The salesperson understands and says he'll come by again in a week. However, May still doesn't know where she is going to get the money, as Ben's funeral cleaned them out. Peter assures his aunt that everything will turn out okay. However, when Peter goes up to his room he allows his true emotions to come out. He feels trapped, between wanting to use his powers responsibly in the memory of his Uncle, and how tight the money is since his death. Looking at a newspaper clipping about one of his performances, he thinks about the money he could bring in using his powers for entertainment. Still unable to think of a solution, Peter decides to go out web-slinging as Spider-Man in order to clear his head.
On his way home, Spider-Man helps out a couple in his first breakup of a hold-up or mugging.
 
  +
The story ends with Aunt May viewing the news of the events on television as a mysterious woman telekinetically moves a tractor upon the top of an construction site seemingly amused at her newly realized powers setting the stage for next issue.
 
  +
It is during this exercise, Spider-Man spots the salesman that was in his home earlier that evening at someone else's home. To his surprise, the web-spinner hears the salesman tell virtually the same story to another recent widow. Finding this incredibly suspicious, Spider-Man decides to follow after the salesman and is led to a warehouse in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Sneaking inside, he discovers that this is a fraud operation that has been taking advantage of the elderly by tricking them into buying insurance plans and purchasing shoddy furniture. This entire operation is run by Conrad Eisenstadt -- AKA The Undertaker -- who gloats over how easily he is bilking the elderly of their money. When Eisenstadt is alone in his office, Spider-Man confronts him and threatens to call the police. That's when the Undertaker summons his men. Before they can open fire, Spider-Man is warned when his spider-sense goes off for the first time, allowing him to leap to safety. Using this newfound ability in conjunction with his other powers, Spider-Man is able to overpower the armed men and web them up for the authorities. Hearing that Spider-Man called in the police, Maxie Shiffman arrives on the scene in the hopes of catching his client but just misses the wall-crawler as he leaves the scene. On his way home, Spider-Man spots a couple being mugged by a gang of men in an alley. He then swoops in and stops them as well, and as he resumes his trip home, realizes how he can start using his powers responsibly.
  +
  +
When the story about Spider-Man's recent activities reach the news, Aunt May believes that the wall-crawler's heroics are tarnishing the memory of her dear husband. When Peter returns home he sees how upset Aunt May is and suspects that she feels foolish for almost being swindled by Eisenstadt and his men. He then cheers her up by asking her to tell him a story about Uncle Ben.<ref group="Continuity">May begins telling Peter about the day she first met Ben Parker. This story was depicted in detail in {{cl|Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual Vol 1 4}}.</ref> While in Manhattan, the strange teen from Long Island uses their power to lift a bulldozer and place it atop a building that is under construction.
   
 
| Writer1_1 = Kurt Busiek
 
| Writer1_1 = Kurt Busiek
 
| Penciler1_1 = Paul Lee
 
| Penciler1_1 = Paul Lee
 
| Inker1_1 = Paul Lee
 
| Inker1_1 = Paul Lee
| Colourist1_1 = Paul Lee
+
| Colorist1_1 = Paul Lee
 
| Letterer1_1 = Richard Starkings
 
| Letterer1_1 = Richard Starkings
 
| Letterer1_2 = Comicraft
 
| Letterer1_2 = Comicraft
Line 36: Line 37:
 
| Appearing1 =
 
| Appearing1 =
 
'''Featured Characters:'''
 
'''Featured Characters:'''
* {{apn|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Spider-Man (Peter Parker)]]|Amazing Fantasy #15}}
+
* {{a|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Spider-Man (Peter Parker)]]}} {{Chronology}}
 
'''Supporting Characters:'''
 
'''Supporting Characters:'''
* {{a|[[Maxwell Shiffman (Earth-616)|Maxie Shiffman]]}}
+
* {{a|[[Maxwell Shiffman (Earth-616)|Maxie Shiffman]]}} {{Chronology}}
* {{a|[[May Reilly (Earth-616)|May Reilly Parker (Aunt May)]]}}
+
* {{a|[[Maybelle Parker (Earth-616)|Aunt May]]}} {{Chronology}}
  +
'''Antagonists:'''
* {{a|[[Eugene Thompson (Earth-616)|Flash Thompson]]}}
 
* {{a|[[Elizabeth Allan (Earth-616)|Lizz Allan]]}}
+
* {{1st|[[Conrad Eisenstadt (Earth-616)|The Undertaker (Conrad Eisenstadt)]]}}
* {{a|[[Sally Avril (Earth-616)|Sally Avril]]}}
 
'''Villains:'''
 
* Mr. Vale
 
* Mr. Church
 
* {{1st|[[Conrad Eisenstadt (Earth-616)|Conrad "The Undertaker" Eisenstadt]]}}
 
 
'''Other Characters:'''
 
'''Other Characters:'''
  +
* {{apn|[[Josephine Pulaski (Earth-616)|Joey Pulanski]]|-|}} {{green|Unidentified/1st Appearance/Cameo}}
 
* Grace (Shiffman's Secretary)
 
* Grace (Shiffman's Secretary)
* {{a|[[Fantastic Four (Earth-616)|Fantastic Four]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
+
* {{apn|[[Eugene Thompson (Earth-616)|Flash Thompson]]|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.1|Amazing Spider-Man Family Vol 1 1}}
** {{a|[[Reed Richards (Earth-616)|Mister Fantastic]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
+
* {{apn|[[Elizabeth Allan (Earth-616)|Liz Allan]]|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.1|Amazing Spider-Man Family Vol 1 1}}
** {{a|[[Susan Storm (Earth-616)|Invisible Girl]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
+
* {{apn|[[Sally Avril (Earth-616)|Sally Avril]]||Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 18}}
** {{a|[[Jonathan Storm (Earth-616)|Human Torch (Johnny Storm)]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
+
* {{apn|[[Jason Ionello (Earth-616)|Jason Ionello]]||}}
 
* Mr. Vale
** {{a|[[Benjamin Grimm (Earth-616)|Thing]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
 
 
* Mr. Church
* {{a|[[Namor McKenzie (Earth-616)|Sub-Mariner]]}} {{g|Appears on a Computer Screen, TV or Hologram Only}}
 
  +
* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Fantastic Four (Earth-616)|Fantastic Four]]}}
* {{a|[[Hulk (Robert Bruce Banner)|Hulk]]}} (TV) {{Cameo}}
 
  +
** {{OnScreenOnly|[[Reed Richards (Earth-616)|Mister Fantastic]]}}
* {{a|[[Thor (Thor Odinson)|Thor]]}} (TV Reference)
 
* The {{FlashOnly|[[Burglar (Earth-616)|Burglar]]}}
+
** {{OnScreenOnly|[[Susan Storm (Earth-616)|Invisible Girl]]}}
* {{FlashOnly|[[Joseph Hogan (Earth-616)|Crusher Hogan]]}}
+
** {{OnScreenOnly|[[Jonathan Storm (Earth-616)|Human Torch]]}}
  +
** {{OnScreenOnly|[[Benjamin Grimm (Earth-616)|Thing]]}}
* Mr Goldman
 
* {{FlashOnly|[[Benjamin Parker (Earth-616)|Benjamin "Ben" Parker (Uncle Ben)]]}}
+
* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Namor McKenzie (Earth-616)|Sub-Mariner]]}}
* {{a|[[Josephine Pulaski (Earth-616)|Joey Pulanski]]}} {{1st}} {{green|Face not shown}} {{Cameo}}
+
* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Bruce Banner (Earth-616)|Hulk]]}}
  +
* {{Mentioned|[[Thor Odinson (Earth-616)|Thor]]}}
  +
* {{Mentioned|[[Bentley Wittman (Earth-616)|Wizard]]}}
  +
* {{RecapOnly|[[Eric Schwinner (Earth-616)|Eric Schwinner]]}}
  +
* {{RecapOnly|[[Burglar (Earth-616)|The Burglar]]}}
 
* {{RecapOnly|[[Baxter Bigelow (Earth-616)|Baxter Bigelow]]}}
 
* {{RecapOnly|[[Joseph Hogan (Earth-616)|Crusher Hogan]]}}
 
* Mr. Goldman
  +
* {{RecapOnly|[[Benjamin Parker (Earth-616)|Uncle Ben]]}}
  +
'''Races and Species:'''
  +
* {{a|[[Humans (Homo sapiens)|Humans]]}}
  +
* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Atlantean-Human Hybrids]]}}
  +
* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Mutants (Homo superior)|Mutants]]}}
  +
* {{RecapOnly|[[Spiders]]}}
 
'''Locations:'''
 
'''Locations:'''
* Patchogue, {{a|[[Long Island]]}}
+
* {{a|[[Earth]]}}
 
** {{a|[[North America]]}}
* Maxwell Shiffman's Office
 
* {{a|[[Forest Hills]]}}, {{a|[[Queens]]}}
+
*** {{a|[[United States of America]]}}
  +
**** {{a|[[New York (State)|New York State]]}}
* Lower East Side, {{a|[[Manhattan]]}}
 
* {{a|[[Aunt May's House]]}}
+
***** {{a|[[New York City]]}}
  +
****** {{a|[[Long Island]]}}
* Cementery
 
  +
******* Patchogue
* {{a|[[Midtown High School]]}}
 
 
****** {{a|[[Manhattan]]}}
  +
******* Lower East Side
 
******* Maxwell Shiffman's Office
  +
******* {{OnScreenOnly|[[Baxter Building]]}}
  +
****** {{a|[[Queens]]}}
  +
******* {{a|[[Forest Hills]]}}
  +
******** {{a|[[Aunt May's House]]}}
  +
********* {{a|[[Midtown High School]]}}
 
******** Cementery
  +
****** {{a|[[Brooklyn]]}}
  +
******* {{a|[[Flatbush Avenue]]}}
  +
**** {{Mentioned|[[Atlantic City]]}}
 
'''Items:'''
 
'''Items:'''
* {{a|[[Spider-Man's Web-Shooters]]}}
+
* {{a|[[Web-Shooters|Spider-Man's Web-Shooters]]}}
  +
* {{a|[[Spider-Man's Suit|Red and Blue Suit]]}}
'''Vehicles:'''
+
<!--'''Vehicles:'''
* <br/>
+
* <br/>-->
  +
 
| Notes = ===Continuity Notes===
  +
<references group="Continuity" />
  +
===Chronology Notes===
  +
Events in this story happen behind the scenes that affect the chronology of the following characters:
  +
 
'''Spider-Man:'''
  +
* {{apn|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Page 1-6]]|Spectacular Spider-Man Vol 1 225|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.1}} - Peter Parker reflects on how he got his powers and the death of his Uncle Ben.
  +
* {{apn|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Page 7, Panels 1-3]]|Spider-Man Unlimited Vol 1 10|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 94}} - Peter and Aunt May attend Ben's burial.
  +
* {{apn|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Page 7, Panel 4-5]]|Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine Vol 1 1|Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol 1 60}} - Peter and May leave the cemetary.
  +
* {{apn|[[Peter Parker (Earth-616)|Page 8-30]]|Amazing Fantasy Vol 2 15|Amazing Spider-Man Family Vol 1 1}} - Spider-Man takes down the Undertaker.
  +
  +
'''Maxie Shiffman:'''
  +
* {{apn|[[Maxwell Shiffman (Earth-616)|Page 1-6]]||Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.2}} - Maxie struggles with debts and decides to try and get back in touch with Spider-Man.
  +
* {{apn|[[Maxwell Shiffman (Earth-616)|Page 7-30]]|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.2|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.1}} - Shiffman tries to track down Spider-Man.
  +
  +
'''May Parker:'''
  +
* {{apn|[[Maybelle Parker (Earth-616)|Page 1-6]]|Spectacular Spider-Man Vol 1 225|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 3 1.1}} - Peter Parker reflects on how he got his powers and the death of his Uncle Ben.
  +
* {{apn|[[Maybelle Parker (Earth-616)|Page 7, Panels 1-3]]|Spider-Man Unlimited Vol 1 10|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 94}} - Peter and Aunt May attend Ben's burial.
  +
* {{apn|[[Maybelle Parker (Earth-616)|Page 7, Panel 4-5]]|Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine Vol 1 1|Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man Vol 1 60}} - Peter and May leave the cemetary.
  +
* {{apn|[[Maybelle Parker (Earth-616)|Page 8-30]]|Amazing Fantasy Vol 2 15|Amazing Spider-Man Family Vol 1 1}} - May is almost ripped off by the Undertaker.
   
| Notes =
 
* The image on the TV of the [[Jonathan Storm (Earth-616)|Human Torch]] and [[Namor McKenzie (Earth-616)|Namor]] are based on the shown in the [[Fantastic Four Vol 1 6|Fantastic Four Vol.1 #6]]
 
* The image on the TV of the [[Hulk (Robert Bruce Banner)|Hulk]] is based on the shown in [[Incredible Hulk Vol 1 3|The Incredible Hulk Vol.1 #3]]
 
 
| Trivia =
 
| Trivia =
 
* After 33 years, the Amazing Fantasy saga continues with this issue, exploring the events between {{cl|Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15}} and {{cl|Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 1}}
* In this issue, Spider-Man discovers the Spider-Sense.
 
* After 33 years the Amazing Fantasy saga continue with this issue, exploring the events between [[Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 15|Amazing Fantasy #15]] and [[Amazing Spider-Man Vol 1 1|Amazing Spider-Man #1]]
 
 
| Recommended =
 
| Recommended =
* Chronologically the last appearance of Spider-Man was in [[Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine Vol 1 1|The Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #1]]
 
* Chronologically the next appearance of Spider-Man will be in [[Amazing Fantasy Vol 1 17|Amazing Fantasy #17]]
 
 
| Links =
 
| Links =
 
}}
 
}}
[[Category:Sega - Thor]]
 

Latest revision as of 04:24, 3 October 2023

Quote1 I had to get out. Out of Peter Parker's problems, out of his room, out of his skin. I feel the wind rush by me and my muscles flex and work and I let my mind go blank and I don't think for a while. I just let myself go into speed and motion and physical effort -- and for a few minutes, I let myself forget that it was my being Spider-Man that got Uncle Ben killed -- forget that I should feel guilty in this costume -- and, surprisingly, it's relaxing. It's peaceful. It's -- Lord help me, it's fun. Quote2
Spider-Man

Appearing in "An Amazing World"

Featured Characters:

Supporting Characters:

Antagonists:

Other Characters:

Races and Species:

Locations:

Items:

Synopsis for "An Amazing World"

In Patchogue, Long Island, a young person flies across the street firing energy blasts from their hand in order to blow up mailboxes as part of a prank.[Continuity 1]

Meanwhile, in Manhattan, Maxie Shiffman is in deep debt and tries to convince bill collectors that money is coming, pointing out that he has just taken on Spider-Man as a client.[Continuity 2] After getting off the phone, he checks with his secretary to see if Spider-Man has called back. Unfortunately, the only person who has called for Maxie is his bookie who is threatening to break his thumbs if he doesn't pay up. With no other choice, Maxie decides to put a classified ad in the newspaper in the hopes of reaching his arrant client.[Continuity 3]

While in Forest Hills, Peter Parker watches television with his Aunt May. They watch a news report about a sighting of the Human Torch, a member of the new group of super-heroes known as the Fantastic Four.[Continuity 4] It also recounts how the Fantastic Four's headquarters, the Baxter Building, was briefly pulled into space by Doctor Doom and the Sub-Mariner.[Continuity 5] This is also followed by reports about the Hulk on a rampage in the south-west, and rumors of an Asgardian god disposing of a South American dictator.[Continuity 6] Aunt May is disturbed by all of this violence and danger in the world, but notices Peter hasn't been very talkative.[Continuity 7] Peter tells her that he is thinking. Peter's is unimpressed about all of these stories about super-powered being, particularly since he became Spider-Man. This causes him to think about how he attempted to use his powers to make money, but his unwillingness to stop a thief led to that same burglar murdering his Uncle Ben.[Continuity 8]

Later at Uncle Ben's funeral, Peter Parker thinks about how he needs to find a way to use his powers in a way that will make up for the death of Uncle Ben. He thinks, his only saving grace in this regard, is that he still has his anonymity, and is glad that he did not reveal his true identity -- even to his agent Maxie Shiffman. After the burial, May tells Peter that her late husband was a good man and to never forget it, Peter assures her that he won't. The next day at school, Liz Allan gives Peter her condolences but quickly leaves to join her friends. Unsympathetic to his recent tragedy, Flash Thompson pushes past Peter to show his friends the classified ad that Maxie Shiffman put in the Daily Bugle looking for Spider-Man. Overhearing this, Peter is still determined to put that part of his life behind him. Meanwhile, Maxie Shiffman's ad has backfired. Instead of attracting the real Spider-Man, his office if flooded by impostors and fame seekers trying to convince him that they are the real wall-crawler. He tells the mob that they can prove that they are really Spider-Man by climbing onto the ceiling. When none of these phonies can comply, Shiffman orders them all out of his office. Once alone, Maxie breaks down into tears wondering what to do next.

After school, Peter Parker is still trying to figure out the best way to use his powers as he walks home from school. When he gets home, he finds his Aunt May talking to a salesman. He is telling her that Ben had purchased a new set of furniture for their home just prior to his death and he has come to collect the last of the payments. Unfortunately, May doesn't have the money to finish paying for the furniture. However, May doesn't want to pass up on this supposed "final gift" from her late husband and begs the salesman to give her more time to get the money. The salesperson understands and says he'll come by again in a week. However, May still doesn't know where she is going to get the money, as Ben's funeral cleaned them out. Peter assures his aunt that everything will turn out okay. However, when Peter goes up to his room he allows his true emotions to come out. He feels trapped, between wanting to use his powers responsibly in the memory of his Uncle, and how tight the money is since his death. Looking at a newspaper clipping about one of his performances, he thinks about the money he could bring in using his powers for entertainment. Still unable to think of a solution, Peter decides to go out web-slinging as Spider-Man in order to clear his head.

It is during this exercise, Spider-Man spots the salesman that was in his home earlier that evening at someone else's home. To his surprise, the web-spinner hears the salesman tell virtually the same story to another recent widow. Finding this incredibly suspicious, Spider-Man decides to follow after the salesman and is led to a warehouse in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Sneaking inside, he discovers that this is a fraud operation that has been taking advantage of the elderly by tricking them into buying insurance plans and purchasing shoddy furniture. This entire operation is run by Conrad Eisenstadt -- AKA The Undertaker -- who gloats over how easily he is bilking the elderly of their money. When Eisenstadt is alone in his office, Spider-Man confronts him and threatens to call the police. That's when the Undertaker summons his men. Before they can open fire, Spider-Man is warned when his spider-sense goes off for the first time, allowing him to leap to safety. Using this newfound ability in conjunction with his other powers, Spider-Man is able to overpower the armed men and web them up for the authorities. Hearing that Spider-Man called in the police, Maxie Shiffman arrives on the scene in the hopes of catching his client but just misses the wall-crawler as he leaves the scene. On his way home, Spider-Man spots a couple being mugged by a gang of men in an alley. He then swoops in and stops them as well, and as he resumes his trip home, realizes how he can start using his powers responsibly.

When the story about Spider-Man's recent activities reach the news, Aunt May believes that the wall-crawler's heroics are tarnishing the memory of her dear husband. When Peter returns home he sees how upset Aunt May is and suspects that she feels foolish for almost being swindled by Eisenstadt and his men. He then cheers her up by asking her to tell him a story about Uncle Ben.[Continuity 9] While in Manhattan, the strange teen from Long Island uses their power to lift a bulldozer and place it atop a building that is under construction.

Notes

Continuity Notes

  1. The identity of this individual is revealed Amazing Fantasy #17.
  2. Maxie Shiffman took Spider-Man as a client Amazing Fantasy #15.
  3. All of the technology depicted in this story: telephones, typewriters, black and white televisions etc. All appear to be commonly used technologies of the early 1960s. Although this story was published in 1995, it takes place shortly after the events of Amazing Fantasy #15, which was published in 1962. The creative team behind this story was going for a retro look for stylistic and nostalgia purposes. Modern readers, however, should consider all of these depictions as topical references per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616 in much the same way as they would for such depictions in Amazing Fantasy #15.
  4. The Fantastic Four gained their powers in Fantastic Four #1.
  5. Doom and the Sub-Mariner attempted to slay the Fantastic Four by pulling their headquarters into space in Fantastic Four #6.
  6. The Hulk's rampage is from Incredible Hulk #3, while the Asgardian is Thor, who had just recently disposed of Santiago "The Executioner" Rivera in Journey Into Mystery #84.
  7. May wishes that these heroes could be non-threatening like the Wizard. This story takes place prior to the Wizard turning to crime in Strange Tales #102.
  8. Peter's dabbling in entertainment and the murder of Uncle Ben happened in Amazing Fantasy #15.
  9. May begins telling Peter about the day she first met Ben Parker. This story was depicted in detail in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man Annual #4.

Chronology Notes

Events in this story happen behind the scenes that affect the chronology of the following characters:

Spider-Man:

Maxie Shiffman:

  •  Page 1-6  - Maxie struggles with debts and decides to try and get back in touch with Spider-Man.
  •  Page 7-30  - Shiffman tries to track down Spider-Man.

May Parker:

Trivia

See Also

Links and References

References