I: Feature Story: "The Menace of the Molten Man!"

Pages: 20

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

First Appearance: Molten Man/Mark Raxton

Villain: Molten Man

Origin: Molten Man

Guest Appearance: Principal Davis, Liz Allan, Flash Thompson, Spencer Smythe, Aunt May, Liz Allan's parents, Mrs. Watson, J. Jonah Jameson

Cameo Appearance: Jonah's Robot

Marvel Milestones: Peter and classmates graduate Midtown High

Synopsis: Peter Parker is told by Principal Davis that he doesn't hold it against him that he fought with Flash Thompson because Flash admitted it was his fault. Peter is impressed by the honorable actions of the big galoot, but it doesn't seem to have changed the dynamics of their relationship too much, as they continue to bicker with each other. In addition, Liz Allan is now blowing them both off!

High school graduation is afoot, but Peter has a greater concern to get his costume back, so after school he races to the labaratory of Spencer Smythe, the scientist who invented the robot that Jameson used to assault Spider-Man. While Peter delicately pursues his costume (he manages to switch the real costume out with a fake when Smythe isn't looking), he is once again wrapped up in the arm bands of Smythe's robot. Peter chalks it up to a reaction against a jar of spiders he just happens to be carrying, but Smythe is still curious why the robot keeps attacking Peter.

Suddenly, a man by the name of Raxton comes raging into the lab. He assaults Smythe, and grabs hold of a huge jar of "liquid metal alloy" the two had developed, but which now Raxton is claiming as his own. Smythe warns him the alloy is still untested and dangerous, but the greedy Raxton tries to escape with the jar. He trips and the alloy splashes all over his body, and once Raxton comes into contact with a radioactive beam of energy that Smythe has generated in his lab, it soaks into his skin and transforms him into a metallic creature. Peter Parker has been stuck in the firm grip of the robot and can do nothing but watch until Raxton wanders outside the lab. He finally slips his bonds and helps the worried Smythe get his bearings.

Out in the streets, Raxton comes to terms with his newfound power. He flies into a rage against oncoming traffic and pounds a car into bits and tosses it across the road. He starts knocking down light poles and beating on passing cars, all the while threatening the community. The cops start in on him and he decides to go into hiding and focus on his next move, which he instinctively considers will be crime-related. Spider-Man startles him by entering into his apartment where he's packing up to go to his new hideout, and the super-hero tries to encourage the Molten Man to give himself up while his crimes are still relatively small. The Molten Man will hear nothing of it, and a melee breaks out, with both men usingpunch after punch to try and beat the other man down. Spider-Man's webbing is ineffective against hisopponent's metal alloy skin, and they tumble down the stairway to the basement in close combat.

Spider-Man tries to press a natural advantage: he cuts the lights and is able to track the Molten Man in the darkness using his spider sense, whereas the Molten Man cannot see him at all. Spider-Man is able to bind his feet and ankles with cords of extra-thick webbing, and while it doesn't keep the Molten Man from being able to toss Spidey around, the time he spends allows the webbing to harden so the Molten Man cannot break his bonds. The police arrive and take him into custody.

Mrs. Watson joins Aunt May for Peter's graduation ceremony, where it is announced that he has won a science scholarship to Empire State College. Also, Flash Thompson wins an athletic scholarship! J. Jonah Jameson is the keynote speaker and he gives a long and boring speech about his favorite subject: himself! Liz Allan is finally able to confess to Peter the major crush she has always had on him, as well as her disappointment that her romantic attention was never returned to her.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Spider-Man from
Amazing Spider-Man #20-30 and Annual #2

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.