I: Feature Story: "The Lizard Lives!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Layouts: John Buscema
Pencils: Jim Mooney
Inks: Jim Mooney
Letters: Sam Rosen

Villain: The Lizard

Guest Appearance: Martha Connors, Billy Connors, Gwen Stacy, Aunt May, Harry Osborn, Captain Stacy, Joe Robertson, Human Torch

Synopsis: The Lizard roams the city with only one thing on his mind: destroy Spider-Man! Spidey makes sure Martha and Billy are safe at home and promises her that he'll track down her husband and return him home unhurt and safe. Before he heads out to accomplish his goal, he calls his Aunt May while on her convalescence trip to Florida, makes good with his buddy Harry, and visits with Gwen, who is concerned that he is holding a secret from her. Peter promises that whatever stands between them will work itself out in time, and Gwen promises she will wait.

Just then, Gwen's father and Joe Robertson walk into the room and ask Peter if he has any opinions on the true identity of Spider-Man. Gwen reminds them that they are going out on a date, which saves Peter from having to join in on their conversation.

The next morning, the TV news trumpets the rampage of the Lizard. Spider-Man tries to track him down while swinging through the city, but the Lizard sneaks up and snaps his web line with his tail, sending him falling to the streets below. Spidey rights himself and the fight is on, though Spider-Man realizes that the Lizard has every bit the strenth and speed that he's got. The Lizard throws Spidey off the top of the roof, but a thick line of web wraps around the green-scaled monster's head and he pulls himself back up to the rooftop. The Lizard pulls the webbing off in time and slams Spider-Man into the bricks.

Spider-Man figures out a plan how he can take out the Lizard without hurting him, thus honoring his pledge to Martha Connors, but the Human Torch spots the brawl and flies down to "help" Spider-Man, thus throwing him off balance. Spidey now realizes that he must stop the Torch from hurting the Lizard...and stop the Lizard from hurting the Torch!

(continued in ASM #77)

--synopsis by Gormuu

--letters pages provided by Debricazar

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #68-77, Marvel Super-Heroes #14

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.