“If this is a victory... I'd hate to be defeated.”
Appearing in "And then came Electro!"
Amazing Spider-Man #82
Featured Characters:
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (Main story and recap)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Electro (Max Dillon) (Main story and recap)
Other Characters:
- Harry Osborn
- Anna Watson
- Mary Jane Watson
- Kangaroo (Frank Oliver) (Mentioned)
- George Stacy
- Flash Thompson
- Merv Griffin (Topical Reference)
- Arthur Treacher (Topical Reference)
- J.B.
- Seymour (First appearance)
- Marvin (TV host) (First appearance)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- New York State
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Midtown
- Coffee Bean
- Television Network Building
- Queens
- Manhattan
- New York City
- Florida (Mentioned)
- New York State
- United States of America
- North America
Items:
Vehicles:
- Train
Synopsis for "And then came Electro!"
Amazing Spider-Man #82
When swinging by a television station, Spider-Man decides that maybe he should try his luck at show business and bursts in on a group of network executives in a meeting and offers the chance to appear on one of their late night talk shows. Believing that it could mean big ratings, the men agree to put Spider-Man on as a guest on the Midnight Show, a popular late night talk show.
Unaware to Spider-Man, Max Dillon -- his old foe Electro -- has been released on parole and has been given a job at the television studio as an electrician. He is furious that he has to report to a parole officer all the time, and is aching to get back into the world of costumed villainy. That night when listening to one of J. Jonah Jameson's televised editorials, speaking out against Spider-Man's appearance on the show, Dillon finds a good excuse to get back into action as Electro.
As Peter's financial woes get the better of him, causing him to snap at another one of Flash's harmless flirtations towards Gwen, he storms out of the going away party. Jameson meanwhile is visited by Electro who offers to defeat Spider-Man during his television appearance for a thousand dollars, in exchange for good press to make him sound as though he's a hero. Gwen catches up with Peter, where they talk about his insecurities and inability to balance his life and they make up once more. At that same time, Jameson is getting Joe Robertson and George Stacy to join him for that evenings taping of the Midnight Show, Joe is a little more than suspicious of Jameson's interest in the show.
A while later, Peter learns when he has to appear on the Midnight Show as Spider-Man but realizes his costume is still a mess. Although the whole experience is embarrassing, Peter puts on a disguise (including a paper bag over his head) so he can go to the laundromat to clean his Spider-Man's Suit.
That night at the Midnight Show, his interview is cut short when Electro attacks. Although the audience flees, Jonah stays on location to watch the fight. Spider-Man manages to defeat Electro by swinging his foe into some live wires causing a short circuit which knocks both of them out. Electro manages to escape, and Spider-Man decides to slink off as well because he will certainly not be paid after all this. Upon getting home, on top of all his other problems, Peter finds that parts of his costume have been burnt, as well as his own hands. Feeling the defeat, he resigns himself to bed.