Princess Python

Amazing Spider-Man #22

by Steve Ditko, 1965

After their release from prison (from Amazing Spider-Man #16), the Ringmaster reassembles the Circus of Crime to try to convince them to open the circus again in another state. Spider-Man interrupts their meeting to warn the Ringmaster against trying his old tricks again and also to surreptitiously plant a tracking device in the Ringmaster's hat. After Spider-Man leaves, the other members of the circus reject the Ringmaster's proposal. Instead, they decide to make The Clown the new leader of the Circus of Crime and forcefully kick the Ringmaster out of the circus.

The Circus of Crime decides to rob an art exhibit sponsored by J. Jonah Jameson. While the Clown distracts the art aficionados, the rest of the crew knock out Jonah and steal paints out of the back room. For the most part, the plan goes off without a hitch, but Peter Parker recognizes the Clown. As Spider-Man, he uses his tracer to track down the Ringmaster.

The Ringmaster plots to steal the painting the Circus of crime before turning them into the police. However, Spider-Man turns the Ringmaster's hypnotic hat on him. Under hypnosis, the Ringmaster tells Spider-Man where the circus is hiding.

At the warehouse, Spider-Man finds the crew discussing renaming themselves to the Masters of Menace. With their acrobat skill and numbers, the newly christened Master of Menace get the upper-hand against Spider-Man. Spider-Man is very nearly defeated when he's grabbed by Princess Python and refuses to hit a woman. However, his strength and agility are too much for the rest of the crew, and he ultimately subdues them. After he's knocked on the male members of the crew, Princess Python offers to team up with Spider-Man and split the loot. When Spider-Man refuses, the Princess forces him into a cage with her 'pet' - a 20 foot long python. Spider-Man easily defeats the python and chases Princess Python right into the waiting arms of the police.

Once the Ringmaster recovers from the hypnosis, he heads out to the warehouse, unwittingly leading the police directly to the circus' hideout and the stolen loot. With his arms full of stolen paintings, the Ringmaster is arrested and shipped off with the group.