THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #117

"The Deadly Designs of the Disruptor!"

• Writer: Stan Lee & Gerry Conway
• Artist: John Romita
• Inker: John Romita
• Print Date: Feb., 1973

Featuring:

Plot Summary:

Peter Parker struggles to hold together a crumbling ceiling. He's desperate to give enough time to allow 200 people below, including Gwen, time to evacuate the room. For one moment, the ceiling fixture seems to hold, but then as people scramble below, Peter's webbing parts with disastrous results. From the way the slab crumbled so quickly, Peter guesses that the support was tampered with. Apparently someone intended to disrupt Richard Raleigh's rally. As Peter crawls out, he spins a web-shield and using that and the dust from the collapse, he manages to sneak out of the building without blowing his secret identity.

Below, Richard Raleigh vows to continue despite the threats and attacks on his campaign. In an impromptu speech, he states that that the criminals responsible are just drawing a line between good and evil, between Richard Raleigh and those who see him silenced. Obviously, the criminal underworld sees Raleigh as a threat to their quiet conspiracy.

Watching from above, Peter can't figure out why Raleigh would continue to antagonize extremist groups and continue to goad them into attacking his campaign. Peter sneaks back into the crowd and joins Gwen and MJ just in time to escort them home. As Gwen and Peter talk about Spider-Man's mysterious appearance at the rally, MJ wonders out loud if Richard Raleigh digs redheads.

Meanwhile, several blocks south in a darkened apartment, a masked figure joins the story and makes some revealing accusations on the phone. He blames Spider-Man for mucking up his flawless plans and states that half of Raleigh's supporters should be dead by now. He can't permit some deranged do-gooder to upset his timetable especially with how important the next few days will be. "There can only be success for the Disruptor!"

He heads down in the basement to discuss the plan with a mad scientist type named Thaxton and to look over his 'greatest creation' - The Smasher lies immobile, strapped to table, looking exactly like some Frankenstein's monster knock-off. Thaxton has improved the creatures strength and developed a hand-held control unit. The Disruptor orders maximum power to the monster to maximize his strength. The Disruptor plans to pit the Smasher versus Spider-Man once he's had time to master the control unit.

Yet, even as the masked figure plots Spider-Man's destruction, JJJ campaigns for Raleigh to the likes of Norman Osborn and Robby Robertson. JJJ states that if the underworld and Spider-Man are against Raleigh, he MUST be the best man for the job. However, Norman and Robby seem a little hesitant and suspicious of Raleigh's intentions. Jonah downplays their concerns and heads out for a meeting with Raleigh while Robbie heads home to do a little investigation into Raleigh's background.

Finally, we get back to Spider-Man who web-swings above the city looking for some trace of The Smasher. Instead of The Smasher, he finds an armed hold-up on an penthouse terrace. Spider-Man makes quick work of the goons, and swings off again. Instead of continuing his patrol, he heads home to call Aunt May. She's still staying at Doctor Octopus' estate despite the fact that Doctor Octopus is in jail again. Apparently, his "business associates" have been taking wonderful care of Aunt May.

Feeling the need to cheer up his roommate, Harry drags him out to meet up with Gwen and MJ at another Raleigh youth rally. As Peter passes on a chili-dog (doesn't want to upset his ulcer), his Spider-Sense goes off. Suddenly ,the Disruptor bursts on the scene with a large sedan equipped with tear gas guns. Peter sneaks off to change as the Disruptor and his goons spring from the car demanding Richard Raleigh "dead or alive". Spider-Man jumps into the fray, but as the Disruptor's goons distract him, the Disruptor flees the scene.

We switch scene to Jonah's meeting with Raleigh. Mr. Samuels (seen last issue) is again threatening Raleigh if he doesn't back down from his campaign. Jonah mentions that Robbie is investigate some background material, but that Jonah is sure Raleigh will come out clean. Raleigh doesn't seem so sure, but agrees to continue the interview. Mr. Samuels overhears this conversation and heads out to report to his boss.

And a short time later, in the evening, the Disruptor decides to speed up the timetable. This time the Smasher is activated and the Disruptor sends him out against his new target - Joseph Robertson!

Comments:

Whoo.. Writing reviews in Mexico while staying at the Royal Hotal Pedregal. Nothing like reviewing comics in a 5-star hotel, right? I should probably be sitting in the pool sipping tequila right now.

Peter Parker, in the dark to protect his identity, clings to a crumbling ceiling fixture trying to hold it up. In scene one, we see Peter clinging to his webbing trying to hold the ceiling together while the assembled crowd panics below. In scene 2, the ceiling collapses crushing everyone beneath them. In scene 3, Peter is still up on the ceiling. There's never any mention of victims or survivor, so we're left to speculate how many people might've gotten crushed. Luckily, Gwen, Mary-Jane, and Flash all escaped unharmed.

Being the architect that he is, Peter is able to easily ascertain, in the dark even, that the fixture was sabotaged and someone intended the ceiling to fall. Unfortunately for them, they didn't count on Spider-Man being the audience! Well, ok, not that Spider-Man accomplished anything but delaying the ceiling the collapse for a few seconds.

Despite having left the convention earlier, Raleigh is back on the scene vowing to fight back against the evil men trying to disrupt his campaign. I must say, I love the groovy outfits that one of the reporters is wearing. As long as I'm commenting on fashion, Peter is sporting a bright red with black polka-dots tie himself.

Peter escorts the girls home. Gwen picks some webbing strands off of his suit while Peter looks for a explanation. In typical comics fashion, Gwen laughs it off joking: "For a moment, you looked as startled as Spider-Man might!" This is what passes for humor in comics writing in the 70's I suppose.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, we're introduced to the shadowy masked figure of The Disruptor! Ok.. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, but I don't believe that the Disruptor ever makes a public appearance or makes any public statements. He coordinates his attacks over the phone. The only person to see him is his lackey Professor Thaxton. WHY does he need a goofy outfit and an "evil" name? I mean, he wears a blue jumpsuit, purple cape, and a bright silver metal helmet. I hope he didn't put a lot of effort into that arrangement.

He's secret hideout also contains a stairway hidden behind a sliding bookshelf activated by pulling the right book. Shades of Batman. When he gets downstairs, Professor Thaxton has the Smasher immobilized and looking very much like the Frankenstein monster propped up on a table and wired in. Professor Thaxton was apparently shunned by the scientific community for his experiments in bio-chemistry. Hired by the Disruptor, they altered the genes of some common thug and created the monstrosity known as the Smasher. Soon, the Disruptor hopes to have an army of such creatures at his disposal to help him rule the world.

Y'know, I'm thinking in a world populated by the likes of Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, and so on, it is going to take more than an army of super-powered thugs to rule the world. As a potential world conqueror, "The Disruptor" certainly does not seem to be on the same level as, say, Doctor Doom, Red Skull, or the like.

Since his appearance last issue, the Smasher has gotten some upgrades. Faster circuits, increased strength, and a hand-held remote control unit. I'm not sure. Thaxton is either talking about the Smasher or a new TV he purchased at Best Buy. Maybe both.

The Disruptor naturally wants to play with the remote control device. So, in typical guy fashion, he energizes the Smasher to maximum strength, waits until the Smasher starts trashing the lab, and THEN tries to figure out how the device works. I'm thinking if I'm controlling a two-ton super-strong brute, I'm going read the instruction book before turning him on. Maybe that's just me though.

Jonah tries to recruit Robbie and Norman Osborn to join Raleigh's political campaign. Jonah goes on about how Raleigh is just what this town needs. JJJ is like the anti-oracle in this comic. You know if Jonah predicts some or offers an opinion, it is going to be wrong. Robbie, on the other hand, is starting to dig into Raleigh's background to see what kind of candidate he really is.

Spider-Man stumbles across a hold up at a Raleigh fundraiser. Apparently, the only crime in this town these days is striking out at the Raleigh campaign. It doesn't take long for Spider-Man to dispose of the trigger-happy hoods, and he soon heads home to talk to Aunt May. The favorite guest of one Doctor Octopus. Despite Octopus being in jail, Aunt May is apparently too happy to stay with his "associates". I much prefer the Aunt May of today - strong willed and intelligent - versus the borderline senile Aunt May that was featured in this era.

At another Raleigh rally, attended by Peter, Gwen, and Mary Jane, the Disruptor strikes. Ok, I was wrong. He is making a public appearance here. Why? I can only imagine that the writer was particular proud of this creation. I mean "The Disruptor". And he wears a blue jumpsuit, orange belt, purple cape, and silver helmet. He's destined to be the greatest villain of all time! He obviously needs to be featured more in this comic!

The Disruptor's purple pimp-mobile rolls into the rally in a cloud of green tear gas. The crowd scatters, and the Disruptor and his thugs hop out demanding Richard Raleigh dead or alive! Failing to find Raleigh, the Disruptor goes on about the important work they're there to do: "Those registration stands -- BURN THEM DOWN!"

Spider-Man swoops in to save the registration booths: "These stands hold some pretty vital records -- records people need in order to vote."

This has been a public service announcement.

Now that the preaching is over, we can get to the fight. Spider-Man versus a normal guy wearing bright clothes. Naturally, the Disruptor gets the upper hand, and as his thugs pile on Spider-Man, the Disruptor drives off. Faced with a decision to protect the registration booth or capture the criminal mastermind responsible for a wave of robbery and terror, Spider-Man chooses to.. stay and protect the registration booth. I'm thinking there is a sense of perspective that's missing from this entire issue.

Later, Jonah meets with Raleigh. Raleigh seems disturbed that Robbie Robertson is digging into his past. I'm not sure how he thought he could run for mayor of New York without ANYONE looking into his past, but apparently, the thought never crossed his mind. Anyways.. He's worried, but attempts to cover it up.

And a short time later, at the secret lair, the Disruptor has Thaxton power up the Smasher again. This time, the Smasher is being sent out to find Joseph Robertson and bring him to the Disruptor - DEAD OR ALIVE. Does he really mean 'dead or alive'? I mean, what is he planning on doing if the Smasher returns with the beaten and broken body of Robbie Robertson? Maybe we'll find out next issue..