8.0
In this issue, Spider-Man faces off against an established FF villain that some of you may know. It's Doctor Doom. Real talk, I really like what Doctor Doom becomes as the universe goes on, but I find him a bit hokey in the early days. Just a few issues ago, I commented on how great Doc Ock's introduction was. How he exuded an ego in just the right way. Early Doctor Doom honestly comes across more like someone with an ego without the smarts to back it up. His plans are very juvenile and easily thwarted. I don't think he really comes into his own until they lay out his origin in FF Annual #2.
His plot in this issue is so poorly thought out, strung together and executed... It just really makes me doubt God King Doom, you know? But let's not focus on that. I want to focus on something a bit more clinical for a second.
The pacing in this issue is very good. It kind of follows the structure of issue 3, but better. I can feel Stan Lee and Ditko getting more used to the format and really getting the most they can out of an issue. For instance, last issue felt a bit barren in terms of plot. Sure, a story was told with a beginning, middle and end, but there wasn't a lot to pour over. This issue, however, doesn't really have a dull moment. Things just keep happening and the plotting is tighter. The narration in this issue is very sarcastic, at one point 12 pages in saying, "Let's face it! You've struggled through one of the longest introductions you've ever read!", showing that they're very aware of the deliberate pacing. It's been a while since I've reread these old issues, but I hope that future issues work as well.
The one big thing I kind of struggle with here is the plotline with J. Jonah Jameson offering a thousand dollar reward for Spider-Man's identity. I know that's pretty much just a vehicle to get Doom interested in Spider-Man, but it's not necessary and I don't think it's brought up again after this. I could be mistaken, we'll see.
Peter's frenemies playing attempting to play a prank on Peter with a fake Spider-Man costume is honestly the highlight of the issue for me. It doesn't work, it doesn't even happen, but the idea is just so much fun that I have to mention it.
Continuity wise, big things happen here. Specifically with Betty Brant. Peter realizes he likes her after she stands up for Spider-Man, conveniently. And Betty seems to like Peter too. A romance, oft forgotten, is blossoming. And Spider-Man is and always has been a big ol' soap opera. This is the good shit. This is why you read every issue. Forget Doom, he's not impressive.
But what is impressive is the fight between Doom and Spidey at the end. The second half of that sarcastic narration above promises fireworks, and it does deliver. The Doom fight is the biggest and deadliest to date. Doom isn't fucking around, and I'm sure it was even more impressive back in the day. This issue promises a lot and mostly delivers. It's just that Doom's plan is so preposterously dumb. That's the only thing holding this issue back.
Quote of the issue: "Silence, You Cringing, Sniveling Coward!" more