Doctor Octopus

Second Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #11

by Steve Ditko, 1964

With time off for good behavior, Doctor Octopus is released from prison. Using the time to improve the dexterity with his arms, Doctor Octopus leaves prison intending to make the whole world tremble at his name. Spider-Man is present at the scene to see Doc Oct walk out of prison, and shockingly see Betty Brant pull up to pick up Doctor Octopus and drive off. But not before Spider-Man lobs a new Spider-Tracer at her car. Spider-Man also finds a tell-tale map of Philadelphia at the scene.

In Philadelphia, Doctor Octopus frees a mobster known as Blackie from jail. Bennett Brant, Betty's brother, was Blackie's lawyer and arranged to have Doctor Octopus free Blackie in order to pay off a gambling debt. Doctor Octopus escorts Blackie to a freighter in exchange for $100,000.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man shows up to rescue Betty and her brother. He starts brawling with Blackie and his thugs. During this brawl, a stray bullet strikes and kills Bennett. As Spider-Man chases after Blackie, Doctor Octopus chases after Spider-Man. Their fight goes back and forth across the freighter with neither foe gaining an advantage. It finally culminates on a small speedboat and comes to an end with the speedboat slams into a pier. Spider-Man swims under the dock to avoid the police, and Doctor Octopus flees the scene.