Issue(s): Amazing Spider-man #161, Amazing Spider-man #162
Published Date: Oct-Nov 76
Title: "...And the Nightcrawler came prowling, prowling" / "Let the Punisher fit the crime!"
Credits:
Len Wein - Writer
Ross Andru - Penciler
Mike Esposito - Inker

Review/plot:
These issues read more like an issue of Marvel Team-Up (i.e., poorly written, a contrived plot, the standard Misunderstanding fight, etc.) than an issue of Amazing Spider-Man.

Practicing with Colossus and Wolverine in the Danger Room, Nightcrawler reads an article in the paper about the death of a former colleague from the circus. Wolverine destroys his paper, and acts like a really out-of-character ass.

Nightcrawler heads out alone to investigate the murder.

Peter and MJ are on a date at Coney Island when a second murder takes place. Peter ditches MJ, half-heartedly mumbling something about taking some pictures as he leaves. MJ is not happy.

Spidey sees Nightcrawler and they have their Misunderstanding Fight.

Then the Punisher shows up and the Misunderstanding Fight goes three-way.

The misunderstanding sorts itself out when a fourth party starts shooting at them. Nightcrawler goes his own way and Spidey and the Punisher Team-Up to investigate. They all meet up again at at local block party, which is threatened by a guy named Jigsaw.

Jigsaw was a thug that the Punisher once threw through a window, and now he's out for revenge. The Punisher says he doesn't even remember the guy. Despite the fact that Spidey gets himself captured, it's really not an even fight - two guys with super-powers plus the Punisher vs. a bunch of armed thugs. Nightcrawler and the Punisher disappear immediately after the fight is won.

Quality Rating: C-

Historical Significance Rating: 3 - first Jigsaw

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References: N/A

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: Marvel tales #214, Marvel Tales #215