I: Feature Story: "The End of Spider-Man"

Pages: 22

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: Steve Ditko
Inks: Steve Ditko
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: Rocky Roberts, NYPD Officer Irv, Ned Leeds

Villain: Sandman, Rocky Roberts

Guest Appearance: J. Jonah Jameson, Aunt May, Anna Watson, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, Betty Brant, Human Torch, Irv, Ned Leeds

Cameo Appearance: Green Goblin; Doctor Octopus; Kraven; the Vulture; Fantastic Four; Avengers: Captain America, Giant-Man, the Wasp, Thor, Iron Man; Daredevil

Marvel Milestones: First named appearance of Anna Watson

Synopsis: As news of Spider-Man's alleged cowardice spreads (see LAST ISSUE, it reaches the ears of many who wish they could have been the ones to defeat him (Doc Ock, Kraven, the Vulture), as well as those who can't believe this of their friend Spider-Man (The FF, The Avengers, Daredevil). And for J. Jonah Jameson, he is positively effervescent with unbridled joy that he has finally exposed Spidey as a yellow coward! But if they only knew, the real Spider-Man - Peter Parker - spends day and night caring for his convalescent Aunt May. His only priority in the day - over school, relationships, work, and Spider-Man - is taking care of her. But money is running tight, and he worries about buying her next round of medication. After turning down Liz Allan to go see the latest Peter Sellers movie, he goes to visit a trading card company to see if they'd be interested in using him as a model. He's turned down, the licensor saying he couldn't give away Spider-Man cards now that he's known as a coward.

On his way back home, Spidey sees some burglars robbing a jewelry store. Instead of risking his life to stop them, he calls the police from a pay phone. He doesn't want his Aunt May to be alone should he lose any battle. When he tries to contact Betty at the Bugle, she refuses to answer his call, not wanting to be hurt by him any more. Jameson drives the office mad with his beaming happiness, his personality so overflowing with phoniness as it is. As Peter reflects on the times he's risked his life to save Betty's, he gets the resolve to meet her face to face. He arrives as she is leaving the Bugle offices, but she refuses to speak to him since he didn't take her to the Spider-Man fan club meeting and was seen with Liz Allan later that night. Despite this, Betty is torn inside about how to react to Peter, as she still loves him.

Peter tries to sell his webbing solution to a paste company, but when they find out it's not permanent, they send Spidey packing. On his way home, he runs into Sandman, who's scrapping for a fight. But, again, not wanting to risk his life when he must care for Aunt May, he runs away, further confirming that Spider-Man has "gone yellow" in the minds of the public. Johnny Storm of the FF can hardly believe the reports from the news media (led by J. Jonah Jameson, of course). He leaves a fiery message in the sky asking to meet with Spider-Man, but Peter still can't bring himself to leave his Aunt's side, and Johnny Storm is left to wonder what is up with Spider-Man. Flash Thompson is still a true believer, though, and concocts a crazy plan to redeem him. He once again dresses as Spider-Man (see ASM #5 for the first time!) His plan is to solve a crime and if he gets into trouble, Spider-Man would be sure to overcome his cowardice and rescue him. He comes across the gang of Rocky Roberts trying to steal a car, and they start pounding him, and it is a street cop named Irv, not Spider-Man, saves him from being beat up too badly.

The next day, Flash is in no mood to get ribbed by Peter for his shiner. Peter sees Betty walking arm-in-arm with another boy, and he starts to get really depressed. Nothing is going right for him as Spider-Man, and he decides to throw his costume in the trash. He's just not cut out for the stress and pain of keeping up with his secret identity. When he goes downstairs, he sees Aunt May's wheelchair is empty. She's up walking around, and when he begins to fret over her, she tells him that she is a tough woman and he's equally tough, because he's a Parker! Peter is inspired by her gumption to face up to the challenge of being Spider-Man, and since the doctor has given her a good bill of health, he decides to reconsider his last action. He pulls the suit out of his trash can and puts it back on, showing that Spider-Man is back!!!

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Spider-Man from
Amazing Spider-Man #11-19 and Annual #1

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.