THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #146

"Scorpion...Where Is Thy Sting?"

• Writer: Gerry Conway
• Artist: Ross Andru
• Inker: F. Giacoia & D. Hunt
• Print Date: July, 1975

Featuring:

Plot Summary:

We open this issue with, of all characters, the Jackal. The Jackal talks to a bust of Spider-Man asking him if he knows how long he's been waiting for this opportunity, How long he's been planning, biding his time, till precisely this moment when he could being Spider-Man destructions? It's been two years since Spider-Man committed murder, and on that day, the Jackal was born.

Peter walks Gwen home, whenever "home" is for someone two years dead. Both of them are confused over the fact that there are two Gwens: one dead for two years, and another walking home with Peter. Peter talks about still trying to get used to the idea of Gwen being alive, and there is an awkward moment where Gwen declares she loves him and tries to give him a kiss night. Seeing the confusion and uncertain on Peter's face (justifiable reaction), she turns and rushes off into her apartment building. Peter is confused over his feelings for Gwen and her return right when things were starting to come together with Mary-Jane.

Oh, and in the text box, we have a little throwaway comment that Gwen is boarding with Betty Brant. Betty is apparently running the wayward home for old Spider-Man flames as Liz Allen also stayed with her briefly after her return.

At a later time, we look in at a quiet country home in Monticello, New York where a certain Scorpion is about to make a bid for power. He uses his tail to catapult himself over the wall, dispatch a guard with two dogs, clobber two more thugs with automatic weapons, and finally crashes into the mansion where he confronts a mob boss named Santonio. The Scorpion declares his intention on taking over Santonio's territory since he's the big man in town for killing Spider-Man. However, Santonio simply turns news which coincidentally is running a story on Spider-Man. Realizing that he failed, he flees the mobster's home.

Outside, and over the fence, the Scorpion is attacked by another costumed figure in green. The Jackal has come calling, and he's here to offer the Scorpion a proposal. The Jackal relays his plan to destroy Spider-Man to the Scorpion.

This wouldn't be a madcap Marvel mag if we didn't take that as our scene-switching cue, so Spider-Man is heading across town. Apparently he's been doing some investigation as he talks about Mac Gargan's clueless parole officer not realizing that Gargan was up to his old tricks even though the Scorpion was all over the news yesterday. Instead, Spider-Man had to break into the parole and get Gargan's current address. Breaking into Gargan's seedy hotel room (why didn't he leave them a false address? Scorpion isn't the brightest bulb in the bunch, is he?), Spider-Man finds an empty suitcase, and several bags of cash hidden in a closet. Ever practical, Spider-Man calls the police station to let them know where the money is hidden. Now, how can he find the Scorpion?

After pondering the question for an hour, our hero abandons his search, momentarily, to visit the immortal (this is the word they used in the comic) Aunt May. Aunt May is apparently convinced that Gwen never really died, and Peter is wondering how to deal with this fantasy of hers when the two are interrupted. The Scorpion is here to threaten Aunt May and find Spider-Man in the process.

Now, this is a significant moment. The Jackal told the Scorpion that he would find Spider-Man here. I believe this is the first indication that we have that the Jackal knows Spider-Man's secret identity. He apparently knows enough about Peter Parker to send the Scorpion here. The Jackal tells the Scorpion very clearly the Spider-Man would be in that room. Yet again, being no mental giant, the Scorpion never looks twice at Peter Parker, and instead interrogates Aunt May. After Aunt May faints, and Peter is "knocked out" by a sweep of the Scorpion's tail. The Scorpion runs amuck through the hospital, smashing through doors, and demanding that Spider-Man come out and face him. This is the first time we get a good glimpse at how stark, raving mad the Scorpion really is.

Fifteen doors and several startled patients later, Spider-Man (in full costume) catches up with the Scorpion. This fight, it's no contest as Spider-Man is rested and fighting mad over seeing his aunt assaulted. Taken aback by Spider-Man's fury, the Scorpion turns tail and run. After Spider-Man tosses him off a building, the Scorpion manages to find a hole to hide in. As Spider-Man canvases the area, he reflects on the Scorpion's words. He's beginning to worry that the Jackal knows Spider-Man's real identity, and if that's true, the Jackal is his number one enemy.

Finally, Spider-Man's spider-sense goes off, and he finds the Scorpion climbing.. The Chrysler Building? Well, at least they didn't go for the Empire State Building. As Spider-Man presses his attack, the Scorpion is knocked off the Chrysler Building and hands from a outcropping begging for mercy: "I'll do anything you ask! Anything!"

A humbled and contrite Scorpion makes his apologies in person to Aunt May. All's well that ends well, right?

Comments:

And, here I find myself in Marina Del Rey in California. I could be watching re-runs of Law & Order, but I decided to be somewhat productive instead. That is, if you call what I do here productive in any but the loosest sense of the word.

Plot Analysis:

We open up in the Jackal's lair. Having run ahead, we know that the Jackal's plans are all coming to fruition. I have a couple of complaints though. First, for being Spidey's new "arch-nemesis", we haven't seen a lot of the Jackal recently. In fact, we really haven't seen much of him period. He made an appearance with the Punisher, set up the Grizzly, ran with the Punisher, and not much more. When I originally read ASM #149 where he dies, I thought the Jackal story was a huge, long-running, conspiracy-laden storyline. I guess I expected too much. Also, Professor Warren doesn't seem to be the master criminal type. He doesn't have the knowledge or contacts to be able to get far in the New York underworld, and his motives seem to be mixed. Claiming that the death of Gwen Stacy drove him over the edge, why would he want to be a criminal mastermind? Where did he get the money for these "high-tech" backdrops and hideouts. Also, the Grizzly outfit had to cost a pretty penny as well. I would assume that's not something you can afford on a college professor's salary.

Peter and Gwen walk home. Gwen apparently has all the memories and feelings of the original, but it is not made clear exactly where they separate. I mean, it seem like a fair assumption that she doesn't have memories of Gwen's final hours and death. Still, were I in Peter's shoes, I'm not sure I'd be so accepting of this "new Gwen". At least not accepting enough to walk her home alone with Peter's experiences and enemies. I might be a little more leery of spending time alone with someone so suspect. Peter's feelings are certainly mixed as well they should be with his and MJ's budding relationship.

So, the Scorpion is released from jail. His first step? Robbing in bank in full costume with several witnesses. His 2nd step? Picking a fight with Spider-Man. He next step? Breaking into a mob boss's home and try to take over his territory. Finally, when confronted with evidence of his failure to finish Spider-Man, the Scorpion goes into a wild rage. I think there are definite signs of an unstable mind here. An unstable mind that's about to get a little guidance via the Jackal. How did the Jackal know that the Scorpion could be found here? Let's just say all those super-computers aren't just for show. In other words, I have no clue.

So, Spider-Man is playing Columbo here. Apparently, the local cops couldn't put two and two together when they release Mac Gargan from jail, return his Scorpion costume to him, and shortly thereafter, the Scorpion robs a bank. After watching Law & Order, I would've assumed that they cops where at his listed address within hours of the bank robbery. Instead, Spider-Man investigates Gargan's listed address the next day, and (Surprise!) finds several bags of stolen money in the closet. Being a good citizen, Spider-Man called the cops to save them the trouble of trying to track it down.

Keeping in mind his family obligations, Peter takes a break to visit Aunt May who seems to be recovering from her ordeal...for the most part. She seems confused over whether Gwen really died or not, but who can blame her?

Suddenly, there sweet interlude is interrupted by the Scorpion. Apparently, the Jackal told him very specifically that he would find Spider-Man in this room. Scorpion, not being a mental giant, focuses on Aunt May and completely ignores "puny Parker". After shocking the old bird into unconsciousness, the Scorpion begins rampaging around the hospital. Of course, Spider-Man isn't far behind just boiling over with rage.

Now, about their fight Spider-Man scares the Scorpion by threatening to throw him off the building. Now, the Scorpion is a tough guy, I wouldn't think that the threat of a fall would bother him. Plus, last issue, the two of them were swinging in the breeze over the city with no fear, but this time, the Scorpion is cowering in his boots.

And with this, I've closed by gap in issues. I don't think I'll be opening up another one. I'll need to figure out where we go from here.

Art Review:

The art is in this issue was pretty standard. The Scorpion dominated this issue, and a goofy looking Scorpion puts a damper on my opinions of the art. Also, the paneling is pretty standard, and there wasn't any good perspective to the fights.

Action Factor:

As much as the fight was one-sided in the Scorpion's favor last issue. This issue was completely one-sided in favor of Spider-Man. What was the difference? For starters, Spider-Man was fresh and not just coming off another fight. Also, Spider-Man was enraged at seeing Aunt May threatened. Even still, for as badly as he pummeled the Scorpion, Spider-Man didn't beat him by brute strength. The Scorpion's phobia of heights kicked in and caused him to surrender unconditionally.

Spider-Villain lessons 101:

Tip #1:
Don't piss Spider-Man off. After seeing Aunt May threatened, Spider-Man dominated the Scorpion physically even though the Scorpion has an edge in brute strength.