I: Feature Story: "Never Step On A Scorpion!", or "...You Think It's Easy To Dream Up Titles Like This?"

Pages: 20

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

Villain: Scorpion

Guest Appearance: J. Jonah Jameson, Frederick Foswell, Betty Brant, Ned Leeds

Gadgets & Technology: Scorpion using his tail to bounce himself long distances

Synopsis: The Scorpion breaks out of prison after suckering prison officials into giving him back his costume, and immediately "springs" into action (via his springy tail) to enact vengeance against J. Jonah Jameson and Spider-Man. At the Bugle, an unsuspecting Peter overhears Jameson and Foswell talking about a wave of cat burglaries involving scientific equipment (setting up events in NEXT ISSUE), and then goes to greet Betty Brant. She is catching up with Ned Leeds, who has returned from his European assignment. The police enter Jameson's office to tell him the Scorpion is on the loose and looking for him, which causes Jameson to panic (albeit in private!) He wonders about a way he can get Spider-Man to come to his aid without expressly asking for his help, and devises a plan to publish a Bugle extra that will call into question Spider-Man's relationship with the Scorpion. If Jameson insinuates that they are partners, then the only way Spider-Man can prove he's not is to defeat the Scorpion in battle, he thinks!

Despite any machinations by the loathsome JJJ. Spider-Man is already looking for the Scorpion, and the Scorpion spots him swinging from building to building. Noting that Spider-Man is nowhere near Jameson to protect him, the Scorpion figures the publisher will be easy pickings and takes off for the Bugle offices. Much later, Spider-Man deduces that that might be exactly what's happening, and races back to the Bugle offices to check on Jameson.

In the meantime, the Scorpion has entered Jameson's office and violently confronts him, destroying his office furniture and threatening him. Spider-Man crashes through the window just in time to distract the Scorpion, and a violent melee ensues. Spidey notes that Betty Brant is in the corner, trembling in fear and in the arms of Ned Leeds. This sends him into an ever-escalating rage, which he takes out on the Scorpion. But being in a rage causes the web-slinger to make mistakes, and the Scorpion takes advantage by laying a few heavy blows with his tail and scorpion-powered fists. The cops enter the office and scare the Scorpion away, but Spider-Man follows.

Jameson uses the opportunity to bluster in front of the camera, posing as if he was the hero that drove the two super-powered menaces away. Meanwhile, the fight rages on over the rooftops, with Spider-Man and the Scorpion exchanging fierce blows. Spidey makes up a bunch of web-balls and creates a bola out of it, which ties up the Scorpion around the legs and ankles, and he is able to carry the villain out over the Hudson where he drops him into the water. Spider-Man follows him down under and finally puts his foe to rest, using his superior agility under water to wrap up the Scorpion for a special delivery to the NYPD.

After enduring Jameson bragging about his overpowering both the Scorpion and Spider-Man, Peter places a call to Betty Brant's home, where Ned Leeds picks up the receiver and tells him she's okay but under doctor's orders to take some rest. Peter is glum about Ned being the one that is taking care of his girlfriend. Unknown to him, Aunt May has a fainting spell in the kitchen, falling to her knees. Peter comes in and shows concern, but May plays it off as nothing to be concerned about, but deep inside she is worried about what would happen if it really is a serious condition. "Who would take care of that lonely boy, Peter Parker?" she asks herself.

--synopsis by Gormuu

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

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