Also, the reprint cover obscures things, so at first glance I always think Peter is shooting up around nine o'clock there. From 1980,
Marvel Tales #117, reprinting 1975's
Amazing Spider-Man #140, "...And One Must Fall!" Written by Gerry Conway, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt.
Peter Parker has been captured by the mysterious Jackal and his new muscle, the Grizzly, who are working on the assumption that he would be able to get in touch with Spider-Man. They knock him out, then prepare for "
--the operation!" With which, they will be able to control him forever! Sounds pretty dramatic, but it's just a brace-manacle clamped onto Peter's arm, that transmits a message: if he tries to remove it, or doesn't find out who Spider-Man is, it will shake his arm apart! Wait, was Peter not wearing his web-shooters? Or his costume? Did the Jackal just not notice? Whatever. Peter's able to get that thing off him with an acetyline torch like three pages later.
This issue is probably more remembered for the introduction of Peter's new apartment, and new neighbor, Gloria Grant. Still, Spidey visits J.Jonah Jameson, to wheedle out of the newsman why the Grizzly had tried to kill him: he had been a particularly brutal pro wrestler, and JJJ had ruined his career. That gives Spidey two answers: he's able to find the Grizzly by checking out gyms until he finds the one he's tearing up for a grudge. Secondly, is the Grizzly that tough? No, he's wearing a rather tearable, terrible costume, and an exo-skeleton to juice him up: without it, he's "just a flabby
has-been," which is one of the meanest Spidey zings I can remember. Spidey still plans on settling up with the Jackal, but next month he had
Mysterio to deal with. Huh, glancing at that cover, I almost thought I'd blogged that one, but didn't find it? (Spooky voice) It's an illusion!
Also: is it funnier that Jonah is mad he threw an expensive shoe at Spidey, or a cheap one? Was $50 high-end for a shoe in 1975? Discuss.
After seeing that Marvel Tales cover, I concur; it really DOES look like he's shooting up. Damn Peter...
ReplyDeleteMy 1st exposure to Grizz was Web of Spider-Man#58. I'm guessing the cool red and black cover caught my eye. Plus it helped I was a somewhat regular buyer of that series as well as Spectacular and Amazing back then. Good times.
Ok so I actually looked up your question at the end, and kinda? Here's a nice little website that helps you gauge the buying power of 20$ in 1972 for better perspective:
https://www.in2013dollars.com/Footwear/price-inflation/1972-to-2021?amount=20