Issue(s): Web of Spider-Man #37
Cover Date: Apr 88
Title: "When strikes the Slasher!"
Credits:
Christopher Priest - Writer
Steve Geiger - Penciler
Keith Williams - Inker
Jim Salicrup - Editor

Review/plot:
Jim Owsley/Christopher Priest was still doing freelance writing work for Marvel at this point, mainly on Conan, so i wasn't sure if this is just another "just in case" fill-in that Jim Salicrup is now clearing out of inventory (with updated scripting) or if this was a newly commissioned story, but Mark in the Comments confirms it was an inventory story. It does feature Dakota North, whose series was cancelled over a year ago. This is her first appearance outside her own book, and therefore the first confirmation that she is part of the Marvel universe.

North has been hired by a consortium of fashion agencies because models have been getting killed by a serial killer.

Of course Peter's wife MJ is also a model. So he goes to a convention center hosting a fashion show. He's surprised by the high security at the convention center and gets chased off the roof while changing out of costume, leading to this scene.

That model, Elyse, has a "harmless" groupie.

Harvey is not the slasher, but he does get the idea of hiring someone to pretend to be the slasher so that he can show up to rescue Elyse.

But that plan is interrupted when Peter and MJ show up at Elyse's apartment before Harvey. Peter gives chase, and runs into Dakota North.

It also turns out that they guy Harvey hired seems to really be the slasher.

Peter gets apprehended for creeping around while the real slasher attacks Elyse. Peter shrugs off the cops, jeopardizing his secret ID. Dakota North also shows up, but both are too late. MJ and Elyse have run off with the slasher on their heels. So Spidey and North team-up.

Dakota does one of her patented motorcycle stunts.

But it turns out that the guy Harvey hired isn't really the slasher after all; it's Elyse.

Dakota knew it all along.

It's not the greatest story in the world, but Priest does a decent job of setting up red herrings, with both Harvey and the actor he hired plausibly feeling like they might be the slasher at various points in the story. And it does a good job of showing Dakota North being effective in a story that also includes the super-powered Spidey.

We see Peter's continued uncomfortableness with the fact that his wife makes more money than him.

This issue is also the final appearance of Dakota's younger brother Ricky.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 2 - confirms that Dakota North is part of the Marvel universe.

Chronological Placement Considerations: Black costume Spider-Man appearances need to take place prior to Fall of the Mutants due to Amazing Spider-Man #298-300, so this is pushed back in publication time.

References:

• Peter disparages himself for letting the slasher go after handling the likes of Firelord and Wolverine. Spidey's fought Wolverine on a few occasions, but since this is a Priest script i'll link to Spider-Man vs. Wolverine #1. The Firelord fight is of course from Amazing Spider-Man #269-270.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A