There are some virulent, hateful "fans" that were destroying Rose Tico action figures to protest...I don't even know, women, maybe. But they had to buy the figures--I don't know if they racked up enough YouTube hits to make it a profitable venture; because a lot of the angrier comic/movie posters work a pyramid scheme of grift. And I certainly don't care enough to find a link, but unfortunately the cover of today's book reminded me of that: from 2000, Amazing Spider-Man 2000, "Old Acquaintances" Written by Howard Mackie, art by Klaus Janson.
This predates "One More Day" by seven years or so, but I think it still might've been a low point for Spidey personally and as a title: was this when Mary Jane was missing, and believed dead? Still don't know how that one wrapped up, either. Spidey hears screams that lead to Liz Osborn's apartment, where some goons are attacking her and little Normie. Harry had recently died, and even though Spidey saves him, Normie is more afraid of him. Spidey then gets clowned by the bad guy, who he calls "Scrier Jr." because of his resemblance to the mysterious Scrier, but Junior doesn't correct him, so we don't know his name! Scrier Jr. takes Normie, noticing the boy collected Spider-Man action figures. And decapitated them.
Liz doesn't want Spidey involved, but didn't appear to be leaping into action to call the cops, either. Spidey would hardly be one to let something like that go, but might have been concussed. Or seeing the ghost of Harry Osborn! Or the manifestation of Peter's own guilt--ah, if he was the embodiment of Spider-guilt he'd be 90 damn stories tall. He doesn't believe "Harry" is a ghost, and doesn't shout out the obvious answer of Mysterio; but Harry doesn't press him. He sincerely seems to want Spidey to find Normie. Meanwhile, Scrier Jr. has given Normie a bunch of Spider-Man action figures to mutilate, so the kid is happy as a clam; but it's all part of Junior's plan to turn Normie against...his grandpa, Norman? I think he was dead at the time, but Junior is convinced he would return. Norman had insinuated himself into the Scrier organization? Cult? Midlevel marketing scheme? Whatever it was. Junior had attempted a coup, but been forced out. So, with stolen Scrier tech, they put every piece of info they had on Harry Osborn into a computer, to create a hologram, to use on Normie to turn him. But the holographic Harry wouldn't hurt his 'son.'
After Spidey beats Junior up a bit--knocking out a tooth, rather brutal for him--"Harry" tells Normie about the Osborn Legacy, and how he needs to look up to someone like Spider-Man, who had nothing to do with his dad's death. Junior makes a final grab for Normie, figuring he could at least hurt Norman by killing his grandson, but an unseen figure grabs Junior, apparently snapping his neck. Whoever it was, Normie doesn't seem afraid of him, but does return to Spidey for him to take him home.
I don't know if any modern psychiatrists would tell you carving up an effigy of your ire is good for you. Marvel Legends were still a couple years out from this issue, but these figures would've been Toy Biz. Or maybe bootlegs. Spidey probably doesn't see a plugged nickel for those, but still gets hit by the lawsuits whenever the head of one gets lodged in some kid's throat...
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