Obsessively putting our comics in chronological order since 1985.
| 1974-07-01 00:07:10 |
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Amazing Spider-Man #134-135
Issue(s): Amazing Spider-Man #134, Amazing Spider-Man #135
Cover Date: Jul-Aug 74
Title: "Danger is a man named... Tarantula" / "Shoot-out in Central Park!"
Credits:
Gerry Conway - Writer
Ross Andru - Penciler
Frank Giacoia - Inker
Review/plot:
A group of terrorists led by South American mercenary the Tarantula take over a cruise ship that Peter and his friends are on.
In another unbelievable preservation of his secret identity, Peter somehow manages to change into Spider-Man. The Punisher shows up as well...
...and after an initial misunderstanding the two take out the bad guys.
Harry finds Peter's costume. We've gone beyond build-up and into the "get on with it already" category for Harry's sub-plot.
Quality Rating: C
Historical Significance Rating: 3 - First Tarantula
Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A
References:
- Peter says that's he's got enough on his mind after "this hassle with Aunt May" and the footnote points to Giant-Size Spider-Man #1.
- A recap of recent Spider-Man issues includes Aunt May's near marriage to Dr. Octopus in Amazing Spider-Man #130-131 and His encounter with Liz Allan and the Molten Man in Amazing Spider-Man #132-133.
- Peter is still reflecting on the deaths of Gwen Stacy and Norman Osborn from Amazing Spider-Man #121-122.
Spider-Man and the Punisher previously met in Amazing Spider-Man #129.
Crossover: N/A
Continuity Insert? N
My Reprint: Marvel Tales #210, Marvel Tales #211
Inbound References (3): showCharacters Appearing: Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, Harry Osborn, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe 'Robbie' Robertson, Liz Allan, Mary Jane Watson, Punisher, Spider-Man, Tarantula 1974 / Box 8 / EiC: Roy Thomas Previous:
Giant-Size Creatures #1Up:
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Marvel Spotlight #16-17
Comments
The cover to #135 underwent a weird alteration later, but I can't remember the details.
Spam! as a sound effect? That's right up there with Peter David's Raka-vlaam!
Looking back, I really like the slow build for the Harry-Peter grudge match. I'm sure it was frustrating at the time, but it's certainly a great way to hook readers. Sub-plots like this also really helped Amazing stand out.
As a schoolboy I had a notebook that featured the cover to #135 on the front. Just one of a plethora of items featuring Marvel characters I should have saved, like my Marvel Super Heroes lunchbox. Ah, the joys of hindsight.
