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1984-12-01 00:05:10
Previous:
Iron Man #189-190
Up:
Main

1984 / Box 21 / EiC: Jim Shooter

Next:
Micronauts: The New Voyages #3-4

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #97

Issue(s): Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #97
Cover Date: Dec 84
Title: "Hermit-age!"
Credits:
Al Milgrom - Writer
Herb Trimpe - Penciler
Jim Mooney - Inker

Review/plot:
Herb Trimpe will be drawing the next few issues and they're actually not bad.

This is a cute story, too. It's about a genius advertising man named Timothy Quail who is so shy and awkward, he's terrified of giving presentations, and has to be forcibly brought to meetings.

He used to be a hermit, but people lined up around his cave to seek his sage wisdom (and the cover of this issue misleadingly portrays him as "The Hermit" as if he were some kind of super-villain, which isn't the case at all, but i forgive them for it).

His talents have also attracted the attention of organized crime. A lesser crime boss trying to take advantage of the schism created by the Kingpin/Rose-Hobgoblin rift uses him to think up innovative criminal schemes, like using a marathon of fat people to rob an armored truck (not sure where they got a gaggle of fat, muscular criminals on such short notice).

However, when Spider-Man seems to be in danger, Quail risks angering the crime boss by warning him.

Spidey suggests that if Quail wants to be left alone, he should dress the hermit but remain in New York. And that seems to do the trick.

A fun little story.

Also in this issue, Spider-Man confronts the Black Cat over the fact that she seems to now have super-powers (although he can't say exactly what they are) and that she seems to know more about the Kingpin's organization than she should. The Cat sticks to her guns, denies everything, and swings off in a huff.

Meanwhile, a scientist at the Kingpin's tower analyzes readings taken during the battle with Silvermane and thinks he's found a way to manipulate the energy that emanates from Cloak.

And Spider-Man's former costume gets tricksy.

Quality Rating: B+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: There's nothing to suggest placement for the Fantastic Four.

References:

  • Spider-Man heard from Captain America and the Human Torch that the Black Cat was looking for super-powers, as shown in Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #89.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A

Characters Appearing: Betty Brant, Black Cat, Flash Thompson, Human Torch, Joe 'Robbie' Robertson, Kingpin, Mr. Fantastic, Spider-Man, Spot, Venom Symbiote

Previous:
Iron Man #189-190
Up:
Main

1984 / Box 21 / EiC: Jim Shooter

Next:
Micronauts: The New Voyages #3-4

Comments

I confess I didn't read these comics, but has the symbiote really done anything at this point that would indicate it is malevolent? Yes it has taken control of Spider-Man while he sleeping, but couldn't that be considered a misunderstanding on its part? The way Reed is keeping it in a tube could be considered cruel. Shouldn't he be looking for a way to set it free somewhere it wouldn't hurt anybody?

Posted by: Andrew | February 3, 2017 8:04 AM

The symbiote tried to take full control of Peter's body against his will after he discovered its secret. The symbiote will also forcibly bond with an innocent tourist in order to get back to Peter after escaping from the FF.

Posted by: TCP | February 3, 2017 9:33 AM




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