Issue(s): Untold Tales of Spider-Man #23
Cover Date: Aug 97
Title: "In the shadow of the Crime-Master"
Credits:
Kurt Busiek - Plot
Tom DeFalco - Script
Pat Olliffe - Penciler
Scott Hanna - Inker
Glenn Greenberg - Assistant Editor
Tom Brevoort - Editor
Bob Harras - EIC

Review/plot: Jason is masquerading as Spider-Man, committing small crimes in an attempt to ruin Spider-Man's reputation.

We don't actually know it's Jason yet but i'm here to spoil that for you.

Meanwhile, a criminal mastermind Nicholas Lewis (who we heard freed the Vulture in the last arc) is contemplating the changes in the balance of power since the arrival of super-villains. In order to compete with them, he's given himself an alias of the Crime-Master, gotten himself a funny mask, and is looking for a "super-gimmick".

The Crime-Master is a very minor character that appears in one two-part story in Amazing Spider-Man before dying, so it's interesting to see Busiek use him and give him a bit of a backstory here.

He's found Dr. Carson, who created an army of brainwashed people for him (under duress). The army is sent to rob a store, and Spidey attacks, and, not realizing they are brainwashed, is defeated.

The Crime-Master is upset that the goons did not capture or kill Spidey, but in a cute bit Dr. Carson explains that they were only programmed to subdue and he can not change their programming from a distance. Spidey hunts down the Crime-Master's lair and rescues Dr. Carson. Peter's photos prove that Carson was forced to implant the cerebra chips that caused the brainwashing, and because Carson is grateful, he agrees to help Betty Brant's mother.

Quality Rating: B

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: According to the continuity chart in UTOS #25, this issue takes place between ASM#20, and #21.

References: N/A

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? Y

My Reprint: N/A