What's worse for Spider-Man than having to fight the Lizard? Having to fight the Lizard with one arm in a sling. But that's exactly the situation facing our Web-Slinger in this issue. Dr. Curt Connors transformed back into the Lizard in Amazing Spider-Man #44 and escaped into New York City's train tunnels. He battled Spider-Man and knocked the hero off a building, causing Spidey to badly sprain his shoulder. To make matters worse, Spider-Man feels a sense of urgency to find the Lizard before he hurts anyone -- or himself. Spider-Man knows that Dr. Connors is a decent, honorable man who cannot control what happens as the Lizard and he wants to help him get his savage side back under control. Plus, there's the small fact that the Lizard intends to revisit a plan he had back in Amazing Spider-Man #6 -- rally the world's reptile population and take over the globe!

That means Spider-Man can't rest and let his arm heal up. He's out on patrol looking for the Lizard, even with his arm completely immobilized in a sling. "Last time we fought, I wasn't able to stop the Lizard with both arms...so now my task will be twice as dangerous! But I've got to try!" He warms up a bit by stopping a truck hijacking. "Hey, Spidey...we could use ya in the Teamsters Union!" the grateful truck driver says. "Sorry, pal. The way things've been goin', I couldn't even afford the dues!" Spider-Man replies.

The Lizard returns to Dr. Connors' apartment, hoping to find the formula which transformed him into a human lizard. He plans to drop in into the world's swamps, creating an entire race of lizard-people to populate his army. However, the Lizard, while cunning and devious, lacks Dr. Connors' scientific acumen. He smashes up the lab once he realizes that he cannot understand the chemical equations in Dr. Connors' notes. "I'll find it another way!" he declares. "All I have to do is find Connors himself! I'll force him to give me the formula -- before I destroy him!" You see, the Lizard doesn't realize that he and Curt Connors are the same being.

Spider-Man's search leads him to a sign informing him that the world's largest reptile exhibit is headed to Philadelphia. He swings over to the train yards to find the Lizard attempting to break into the train cars and release the reptiles within. Spider-Man fights bravely, but finds that his punches have little effect on the naturally armored villain, particularly with just one hand. The Lizard not only has two good arms, but also a powerful tail, and he quickly gains the advantage. He smashes open one of the box cars, and dozens of snakes and crocodiles emerge, all under the mental command of the Lizard! Spidey fights off the reptile horde and intercepts the Lizard, who is now on board a moving train. In classic western movie fashion, the two brawl on top of the box cars. "I've finally thought of a way to beat him!" Spider-Man thinks. "My strength alone can't do it..but if I can make him mad enough...keep him following me...!" He taunts the Lizard and leads him on a chase down the moving train. Spidey finds the car he was looking for and ducks down through a trap door inside, with the Lizard close behind.

"You've outsmarted yourself at last! I'll never let you leave here alive!" the Lizard declares. Spider-Man has sprung his trap. He starts mixing it up with the Lizard, not to hurt him but to keep him from realizing what is happening until it's too late. You see, Spider-Man lured the Lizard into a refrigerator car. Lizards, like all reptiles, are cold-blooded and can't function in extreme cold. The Lizard quickly weakens in the cold temperature and collapses to the floor unconscious. Spider-Man wraps him in a web cocoon to keep him from getting too cold and dying. He hauls the unconscious Lizard back to Dr. Connors' lab, where he administers the antidote and the Lizard reverts back into Dr. Curt Connors. The doctor and his family are grateful to Spider-Man for his help. "Spidey, this is the second time you...well, you know what you've done for me? How'll I ever...find the words to say?" Dr. Connors says. Moments like this make Dr. Connors a staunch ally of the Web-Slinger and he will get to return the favor in future issues.

Stan Lee and John Romita have a little fun on the next-to-last-page. They include a panel of Spider-Man saying good-bye to the Connors family -- but they leave the word balloons blank! "Knowing how titanically talented our riotous readers are, we're leaving this panel for you to write your own dialogue! If you can get someone to play 'Hearts and Flowers' in the background, it won't do a bit of harm, either." A fun little touch there. Stan Lee had a real knack for making readers feel involved in the comics. It's a nice, amusing touch.

On the character development front, Mary Jane Watson and her Aunt Anna drop by to visit Peter Parker, who is out fighting the Lizard as Spider-Man. "He's just the least little bit square, but outside of that, he really turns me on! I'll bet he'd be a real swinger if he'd let himself go!" Mary Jane says. If you only knew, M. J.... However, Peter admits to himself that he's been thinking about Gwen Stacy a lot lately. He realizes that even though he isn't dating Gwen, he hasn't made much time for her lately.

Speaking of Peter, he shows up on the Empire State University campus with his arm in a sling and gets some grief from Flash Thompson. "Whatcha tryin' to do, useless..make us think you're Spider-Man?" Flash says. Peter blames the injury on a motorcycle wreck. He also gets a job offer from Harry Osborn, who is quickly become a real friend. He explains to Peter that his father is a chemist and needs a science major as a part-time assistant. Peter says he'll think about it, as he could use the money.


At the end of the story, Peter sees Harry and Mary Jane driving off together. "That chick's as pretty as a pumpkin seed, but about as shallow," Peter thinks. "And I never realized how icky it can be, listening to a gal who's on all the time!" Or maybe, he thinks, he's blaming his bad mood on M. J. He's broke, his arm is in a sling, bills are coming due and he's behind on his studies. Oh, and his social life is in shambles. "Every problem I have is caused by my being Spider-Man!" he says, angrily throwing his costume across the room. "If I were just plain Peter Parker, I wouldn't have to break dates right and left! I'd have time for studying...and wouldn't have to feel guilty whenever Aunt May asks me for something!" Yep, typical Parker luck -- and a great soliloquy explaining it.

I always like it when Spider-Man uses his intellect and scientific acumen to beat the bad guys. His brain perhaps his most important asset as a hero and it's a lot more satisfying to watch him outsmart villains rather than just beat them up. So that makes this a very satisfying story. The Peter-Mary Jane-Gwen love triangle is just starting to develop, but it already is interesting. Peter's growing friendship with Harry is another intriguing development. Throw in Flash Thompson's upcoming tour of duty in the Army and the ESU supporting cast is really cooking. These sub-plots with the supporting characters help to take Amazing Spider-Man to a higher level and are a big part of what makes the Lee/Romita run interesting.

Next issue: The debut of another classic Spider-Man villain -- the Shocker!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #33
Marvel Tales #185
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 22
Spider-Man Essentials III