Issue(s): Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #92
Cover Date: Jul 84
Title: "And the Answer is..."
Credits:
Al Milgrom - Writer
Al Milgrom - Penciler
Jim Mooney - Inker

Review/plot:
Last issue we saw a silhouette of the Answer, but this is his first full appearance.

The Black Cat shows up at Peter's apartment in a panic because she's being followed. Peter freaks out because she once again nearly blew his secret ID (and with this new costume we're getting a lot more shots of Peter Parker in his underwear than i'm comfortable with)...

...but he gets her away from the apartment and ready for a fight.

The Answer attacks.

He speaks as if he designed his powers specifically to counter Spider-Man's - super-speed, strength, and i guess a teflon coating that allows him to shrug off Spidey's webbing. The implication is that he was able to develop his powers by choice.

He also has an understanding of the Black Cat's powers and avoids directing any attacks at her so that her bad luck powers won't trigger. He defeats Spidey and the Cat, but then leaves, having learned what he wanted to learn.

The Answer is working (on a contract basis) for the Kingpin.

We find out in this issue that Peter Parker is personally responsible for our credit crisis.

The art is stiff, as is the scripting, but the mystery of the Answer is interesting enough, and i like the costume design.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 3 - first Answer

Chronological Placement Considerations: N/A

References:

• Spider-Man tries to talk to the Black Cat about his feelings regarding the fact that he missed the meeting with Aunt May due to the Jack O'Lantern fight in Amazing Spider-Man #254. She's not at all interested, of course.
  
• Peter congratulates JJ for the editorial he wrote in Amazing Spider-Man #251. Then he tries to show JJ some pictures and gets his head chewed off by Robbie.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

The Answer's design is very Kirbyesque.

The Answer is probably my least-favorite Spider-Man villain ever. He's like the kid you'd play superheroes with who'd invent powers whenever he needed them.

Kinda like Superman?

I'm not a big fan of Supes, but I do remember reading that John Byrne did a lot to "de-power" him during the 80s reboot. Not sure if that stuff stuck, though.

Yes he did, and no it didn't.

With regards to the underwear, it was vitally important at this time to show that Peter was wearing underpants, as his new costume shapes itself to fit his body.

It's a good thing that the Answer didn't decide to be the Human Torch's enemy or his clothes would be made out of asbestos. Then again, there is something pleasingly 60s about the Answer.