Issue(s): Amazing Spider-Man #31
Published Date: Dec 65
Title: "If this be my destiny...!"
Credits:
Steve Ditko - Plot
Stan Lee - Script
Steve Ditko - Pencils
Steve Ditko - Inks

Review/plot: In this issue Spidey runs into the Master Planner's henchmen again.

He's given helpful information by Fredrick Foswell, formerly the Big Man, now using his stoolie identity "Patch".

Also Peter registers for college classes and starts going to school. We meet two new cast members, Gwen Stacy and Harry Obsorn (for us they're not new since they've popped up a couple times in Untold Tales, but here's their first printed appearance, making friends with Flash).

Gwen refers to Peter as the "only boy I've met who hasn't given me a tumble!".

Peter is distracted because Aunt May has been admitted to the hospital due to her fainting spells...

...and he unintentionally brushes Gwen off.

Meanwhile Betty Brant is holding off on answering Ned Leed's marriage proposal because she is waiting for Peter.

With the Master Planner plot simply developing but no main super-villain to fight, along with the focus and additions to Peter's supporting cast, it's an interesting issue.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 6 - first printed Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn

Chronological Placement Considerations: Gwen Stacy appears in Spider-Man/Fantastic Four #1 and she's angry over the fact that Peter has snubbed her here. So this needs to take place before that issue, which takes place between Fantastic Four #40 and Fantastic Four annual #3, even though by publication date this issue took place later.

References: N/A

Cross-over: N/A

Continuity Implant? N

Reprinted In: Marvel Tales #170

You don't have Harry Osborn listed as a recurring character here.

Ditko actually drew a map of ESU so he could work out where Parker could change to Spider-man and how long it would take him to get to various buildings, but I don't think it got printed anywhere.

Added Harry; thanks.