- "In order for Peter Parker to really live -- Spider-Man must die!"
- ―Peter Parker
"The Spider or the Man?" | |
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The Amazing Spider-Man | |
Title: | "The Spider or the Man?" |
Volume: | 1 |
Number: | 100 |
Cover price: | .15 |
Cover date: | September, 1971 |
Publisher: | Marvel Comics |
Credits | |
Chief: | Stan Lee |
Writers: | Stan Lee |
Pencilers: | Gil Kane |
Inkers: | Frank Giacoia; Tony Mortellaro |
Cover artists: | John Romita |
Cover inker: | Frank Giacoia |
Letterers: | Artie Simek |
Editors: | Stan Lee |
Navigation | |
Previous: | Amazing Spider-Man #99 |
Next: | Amazing Spider-Man #101 |
"The Spider or the Man?" is the title to the 100th issue of the first Amazing Spider-Man ongoing comic book series published by Marvel Comics. The story was written by Stan Lee with artwork by Gil Kane and inks by Frank Giacoia with Tony Mortellaro on backgrounds. It was lettered by Artie Simek and edited by Stan Lee. This issue shipped with a September, 1971 cover date and carries a cover price of .15 cents per copy.
"The Spider or the Man?"[]
Spider-Man is web-swinging through the city when he catches sight of a bank robbery. He quickly swings down and dispatches the crooks as police arrive on the scene. One of the men tries to escape in a getaway car, but Spidey easily nabs him.
He returns to his apartment where he resumes a scientific project he has been working on for some time. Tired of bearing the trying burden of "power and responisiblity", he concocts a formula that he hopes will remove his spider-powers. He downs the serum then lies down to rest.
Peter has a slew of vivid dreams involving his friends and loved ones, as well as a bevy of his most notorious villains such as Doc Ock, the Green Goblin, and the Vulture. When he awakens, he finds that the serum has indeed had an affect on his system - but not in the way he intended. Shocked and horrified, he stands up to find that he has grown two extra pairs of arms!
Appearances[]
Featured characters
Dream characters
- Ben Parker (Behind the scenes only)
- Betty Brant
- George Stacy
- Gwen Stacy
- May Parker
- Ned Leeds
Dream villains
- Doctor Octopus, Otto Octavius
- Green Goblin, Norman Osborn
- Kingpin, Wilson Fisk
- Lizard, Curt Connors
- Vulture, Adrian Toomes
Minor characters
Organizations
Races
- Humans
- Altered humans
- Birds
- Lizard monsters (In a dream only)
Locations
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Daily Bugle (In a dream only)
- Peter and Harry's apartment
Items
- Coffin (In a dream only)
- Goblin Glider (In a dream only)
- Handgun
- Pumpkin bombs (In a dream only)
- Web-shooters
Vehicles
Powers
- Adhesion (In a dream only)
- Spider-sense (In a dream only)
- Superhuman agility
- Winged flight (In a dream only)
Miscellaneous
- Bank robbery
- Funeral (In a dream only)
- Nightmares
- Police officer
- Scientific experimentation
- Smoking (In a dream only)
Notes & Trivia[]
- The character of Spider-Man was created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 in August, 1962 in a story titled "Spider-Man!" The character has since gone on to become one of the most well-known and enduring super-heroes of all time, having appeared in numerous comic book titles, as well as feature films, animated projects and video games.
- This is the final regular issue of Amazing Spider-Man written by Stan Lee. Subsequent issue that bear Stan Lee's name are generally regarded as "inventory issues", which means Lee wrote them prior to his departure from the title and they were fleshed out later as filler material.
- This is the second regular Marvel Comics title featuring a superhero to reach the 100th issue mark (not counting books that have changed formats or titles). The first was Fantastic Four #100 from July, 1970.
- Despite being a special 100th issue, this issue does not have an increased page count, and features only one story.
- Yes, this issue spotlights the infamous tale where Peter Parker drinks some experimental silly juice and grows six arms. Way to bow out of the series, Stan!
- The letters column to this issue prints letters relating to Amazing Spider-Man #96, which was part of the infamous Harry Osborn drug overdose storyline.
- Peter Parker makes reference to Harry Osborn being hospitalized. This took place in Amazing Spider-Man #99.
- Why didn't Peter Parker's spider-sense go off before he took the serum? Let's face it thought, the comics have never been very consistent when it comes to his spider-sense, now have they?
Reprints[]
The storyline from this issue is reprinted in the following volumes:
- 40 Years of the Amazing Spider-Man DVD-ROM
- Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus 3
- Amazing Spider-Man: The Complete Collection DVD-ROM
- Essential Spider-Man 5
- Marvel Masterworks: Amazing Spider-Man 11
- Marvel Selects: Spider-Man 1
- Marvel Tales 251
- Marvel Treasury Edition 14
- Spider-Man: Strange Adventures