Classics #10 - The Amazing Spider-Man #37

OK, so here's the deal: for the next week I'll be counting down my personal list of the top ten issues of The Amazing Spider-Man created by the team of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Some are chosen for quality (there's not a bad issue in the whole 39-issue run, frankly) and some I selected for sentimental reasons, so take 'em with a grain of salt. The two Annuals the team did aren't included - they're both "Special" issues and would automatically be in the top ten, so just for fun we'll exclude them (you can read my review of the first annual here).

#10 - The Amazing Spider-Man #37

I have to admit that this one was selected because I have such fond memories of reading it when it first appeared - and for the fact that the whole issue is dripping with the pure fun that made Spider-Man Marvel's top hero.

The story centers around Professor Stromm, an inventor who swears revenge against Norman Osborn (at this point, readers only know him as Harry's rude father). Upon his release from prison, Stromm immediately creates a robot designed to destroy Osborn's property.

And what a creation! More a blob than a mechanical creation, it starts a fire at one of Osborn's plants, and when Spider-Man investigates, he is attacked and nearly killed.

Later, as Spider-Man tries to track down Stromm, he has to fight another robot (this one with a more standard design, though just as deadly).

It's amazing how much story is packed into this issue: we get glimpses into Peter Parker's personal life at college as he flirts with Gwen Stacy and she begins to show some glimmers of interest; we check in on Peter's freelance career at the Daily Bugle; we catch up on the stoolie Patch (who has a secret identity); and a mysterious killer is on the loose - one with surprising powers. The only one who gets a break this time around is Aunt May!

The real stars of the issue, of course, are Lee and Ditko. By this point in their efforts, Ditko is both plotting and drawing the comic, and turning in amazing work. The story covers an amazing amount of ground with quite a few characters, yet a new reader could pick this issue up and read it cold and have no trouble following the events.

The art shows the skill of a master craftsman - the pages flow, the characters are distinct and unique, brimming with emotions and energy, and the action scenes are perfect, showing off Spider-Man's power and acrobatic skills.

Lee also shows why he's the master of dialogue - his writing is crisp, and he knows when to work the drama and when to be funny - and no one writes better quips for Spidey.

It's amazing to realize that Lee and Ditko only worked together for a little over three years on Spider-Man stories, and in that short time they built the foundation of the character whose popularity endures (and continues to grow) to this day.

Grade: A