Issue(s): Amazing Spider-Man #11
Published Date: Apr 64
Title: "Turning Point"
Credits:
Stan Lee - Writer
Steve Ditko - Penciler
Steve Ditko - Inker

Review/plot: Dr. Octopus gets out of prison on good behavior.

My first reaction was "Are you kidding me?", but it's entirely possible his lawyer argued that Octavius was driven temporarily insane due to the radioactive explosion and he's basically been under observation to confirm that he's in control, so as long as he behaved himself, i guess it makes sense. Alright, Stan, i'll let it slide this time, but you only get to use it once!

As he's released, it's expected that he'll be using his scientific genius to get himself a good job, but Doc Ock is no working stiff. Instead he is working as a stooge for the Philadelphia based crime gang boss Blackie Gaxton, with the intention of betraying him at the first opportunity.

Bundled into this bothersome business is Betty Brant's brother Bennett. He's Blackie's lawyer (under duress), and he also owes Blackie money...

...which Betty has been helping him pay back (by borrowing money from loan sharks in NYC).

Spider-Man invents his Spider Tracers in this issue, although at this time he still uses a portable receiver to follow the signal instead of tuning into them with his Spider Sense.

He uses a tracer to follow Doc Ock, who Betty has been forced to pick up and drive to Philly. It's the weekend, so Peter tells Aunt May that he's decided to do a little sightseeing. In Philadelphia, Spidey fights Doc Ock and Blackie's goons on a boat...

...but Bennett gets killed (sort of protecting Betty, but it almost looks like he was trying to get shot due to his troubles and guilt)...

...and Doc Ock escapes. Peter had resolved to tell Betty that he was Spider-Man this issue, but Betty half-blames Spidey for her brother's death so he can't.

I thought this was a cool angle:

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 3

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: Marvel Tales #148

Bennett Brant doesn't get mentioned again for an extremely long time.

I think Bennett Brant gets a mention in ASM #33 "the final chapter."

it's actually kind of surprising to see Spidey relying on actual technology to track someone. for the most part, up until now, he would rely on his spider sense to find the bad guys as he swung around the city. and then to later go back to using his spider sense, but in conjunction with the trackers...guess spider sense trumps tech.