Amazing Spider-Man
# 271-280
Amazing Spider-Man # 271: "Whatever Happened to Crusher Hogan?" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
A young boxer, about to make the leap to the big time, refuses to sign up with the mob. An enforcer known as Manslaughter is called into to do some intimidation. Meanwhile, Aunt May asks Peter to keep an eye on Nathan, who has received a mysterious call and has left the house. Spidey gets side-tracked when he has to stop Manslaughter and meets up with Crusher Hogan (last seen in Amazing Fantasy #15). Unfortunately, Nathan is severely beaten and hospitalized. 

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of Manslaughter and Madam Fang.
Amazing Spider-Man # 272: "Make Way for Slyde!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Sal Buscema
Inker: Kyle Baker
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ

Synopsis:
A new costumed character calling himself Slyde makes a getaway from the bank he robbed and ends up running into Spidey. Slyde eludes the webhead and sets his sights on blackmailing his former employer and mob figure. Meanwhile, Spidey is out looking for the thugs who roughed up Nathan and learns about a hit on Slyde. Spidey comes to Slyde's rescue, but it turns out that Slyde is actually helping the DA get evidence on the mobster.

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance and origin of Slyde.
Amazing Spider-Man # 273: "To Challenge the Beyonder!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
The Puma reluctantly accepts a mission from his uncle, a tribal shaman, to kill the One from Beyond. He "recruits" Spidey's aid and investigates the cult of Oneness. They don't find the Beyonder, but he suddenly appears to them and transports the Puma to Japan. The Puma eventually returns to New York and once again gets Spidey's help since he's convinced that the Beyonder is a real threat. 

Jay's Notes:

  • This story continues in Peter Parker Spectacular Spider-Man #111, though don't bother bother it's terrible. The Puma fails to stop the Beyonder. That's all you need to know. 
Amazing Spider-Man # 274: "Lo, There Shall Come a Champion" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJJ

Synopsis:
The Beyonder is prepared to destroy the entire Universe. Before he can does it, Mephisto challenges him. If Spidey can withstand the torment of the demon Zarathos, the Universe can go on living. Fortunately, Spidey is up to the task and even surprises the Beyonder. 
Amazing Spider-Man # 275: "The Choice and the Challenge" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
The weight of being Spider-Man seems too much for Peter Parker and he decides to retire from the super-hero business. Unfortunately, the Hobgoblin has other plans and goes out on a rampage that forces Peter to once again don his Spider-Man costume. Spidey battles the Hobgoblin, but the Hobgoblin's new weaponry overwhelms him.

Jay's Notes:

  • This issue features a reprint of Amazing Fantasy #15.
Amazing Spider-Man # 276: "Unmasked!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Brett Breedings
Jay's Rating:
JJJ1/2

Synopsis:
Spidey was playing possum and resumes the battle against the Hobgoblin. Spidey gains the upper hand and forces the Hobgoblin to withdraw. Later, they meet up again and Spidey defeats him. Unfortunately, when Spidey unmasks him, the Hobgoblin turns out to be Flash Thompson. Meanwhile, the real Hobgoblin decides to lay low and let Thompson take the fall. 

Jay's Notes:

  • The Scourge kills the Fly.
Amazing Spider-Man # 277: "The Rules of the Game!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco/Charles Vess 
Penciller: Ron Frenz/Charles Vess 
Inker: Bob Layton/Charles Vess
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ

Synopsis:
Peter still can't believe that Flash Thompson was the Hobgoblin. He gets a ominous call from Matt Murdock and pays him a visit. Peter is shocked to find out what the Kingpin has done to DD (see Daredevil #227-232). Spidey decides to confront the Kingpin, but realizes that the Kingpin isn't easily intimitated.

"Cry of the Wendigo" by Charles Vess
A blizzard hits New York City and Spidey gets involved as a couple of thugs attempt to kidnap a young girl. Spidey manages, with a bit of help from the Wendigo, to rescue the girl and get away from the thugs.
Amazing Spider-Man # 278: "If This Be Justice --" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco/Peter David/Jo Duffy 
Penciller: Ron Frenz 
Inker: Joe Rubinstein
Jay's Rating:
JJ

Synopsis:
Peter Parker is asked to do an interview with Flash Thompson since he went to school with the man now acused of being the Hobgoblin. Peter meets up with Flash and they put their rivalry behind them. Peter's spider-sense is alerted and he quickly changes into Spider-Man in time to prevent the Scourge from killing Flash. Unfortunately, the Scourge escapes by causing a prison break and on the way out runs into the Wraith and kills him.
Amazing Spider-Man # 279: "Savage is the Sable!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Penciller: Rick Leonardi
Inker: Vince Colletta
Jay's Rating:
JJ

Synopsis:
With her manpower running low, the Silver Sable decides to recruit Spider-Man as she takes on her latest assignment, Jack O'Lantern. Unfortunately, Spider-Man is nowhere to be found (since it's "Missing in Action" month. However, her public campaign to recruit Spidey does get Jack O'Lantern's attention. She fends off Jack O'Lantern's thugs and even forces Jack O'Lantern to withdraw.
Amazing Spider-Man # 280: "Introducing the Sinister Syndicate!" 
Writer: Tom DeFalco 
Layouts: Ron Frenz 
Pencils/Inks: Brett Breeding
Jay's Rating:
JJJJ1/2

Synopsis:
Spidey, desperate for money to help Flash with his legal defense, agrees to help Silver Sable apprehend Jack O' Lantern. They track him down to Coney Island, but Jack O' Lantern has set them up and unleashes the Sinister Syndicate. They battle until Spidey and Sable are forced to retreat and the Syndicate brings down a roller coaster on them. 

Jay's Notes:

  • First appearance of the Sinister Syndicate.
[Back to the Main Page]

1