Beetle

Amazing Spider-Man #21

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Beetle, by Steve Ditko, 1965

by Steve Ditko, 1965

After an earlier run-in with the Human Torch, the Beetle is released from jail with his armored suit returned to him. Immediately, he dons his suit in order to get revenge on the Human Torch.

The Beetle spots the Torch flying around the city (ironically looking for the Beetle) and sneakily follows the Torch back to his girlfriend Doris' house. Spying on the Torch and Doris, the Beetle decides to get his revenge by using Doris Evans.

While the Beetle waits in ambush for the Torch to return to Doris' house, Spider-Man unsuspectingly drops by in order to make the Torch jealous. Not wanting Spider-Man to foil his plan, the Beetle attacks and tries to subdue Spider-Man. Doris spots the two fighting outside her house, and calls the Human Torch for help. Thinking that her call is a prank, the Torch blows off Doris' call for help. The fight ends when the Beetle grabs Dorrie as a hostage and flies off with her. Spider-Man swings off in pursuit, and the Torch shows up just in time to see Doris' house trashed and Spider-Man swinging off.

As the Torch chases Spider-Man, Spider-Man continues his pursuit of the Beetle. The two finally catch up to him at a condemned building site. The Beetle drops Doris, and tries to escape through the building site. However, with both heroes on his tail, the Beetle doesn't stand a chance and is quickly subdued.

   ©2002 Samuel Smith
   Spider-Man ™ and all images © 2002 Marvel Characters, Inc.