Doctor Octopus

Amazing Spider-Man #12

by Steve Ditko, 1964

Moving from city to city, Doctor Octopus goes on a nationwide crime spree in an effort to draw out Spider-Man. When his attempts fail, he returns to New York to find Spider-Man and prove his superiority to him. Noting that Spider-Man risked his life for Betty Brant once before, Doctor Octopus concludes he'll do so again. He crashes the Daily Bugle, grabs Betty, and demands that Jonah tell Spider-Man to face him at Coney Island alone.

Peter changes quickly and heads out to Coney Island. On his way there, he feels more and more sick. He's woozy with fever, and his spider abilities are not working well. By the time he gets to Coney Island, he can barely stand and his spider-strength is nearly gone. Doctor Octopus easily knocks him unconscious and unmasks him in front of both Betty Brant and Jonah Jameson. Everyone assumes that Peter merely dressed up as Spider-Man to try and save Betty, and remarkable no one suspects the truth.

The next day, Doctor Octopus strikes at the city zoo and releases many animals. Recovered from his illness, Spider-Man steps in to capture the escaped animals before confronting Doctor Octopus. After Octopus chases him for several blocks, the tangling duo crashes into a sculptor's studio, spilling cleaning fluid everywhere, and setting the studio ablaze. Doctor Octopus becomes trapped in the flames and overcome by smoke while Spider-Man escapes the blaze. He's easily apprehended by the police and returned to jail.