What do you think?
Rate this book
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998)
Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #78
The Prowler is born! But why is he sneaking into the Daily Bugle? Plus, is Peter's jealousy of Gwen and Flash warranted?
- GenresComicsSpider ManMarvel
21 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 1969
About the author
Stan Lee
7,578 books2,364 followersStan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 13, 2022
With the right writer/artist team the Prowler could become a the next African American character to spotlight - team up with Luck Cage would be great! Would LOVE to see Spike Lee take him on as a project - sure he would be able to bring a fantastic version to the MCU that would resonate with fans. Just a question: does Spawn look a little like the Prowler to anyone else?
July 7, 2025
THE NIGHT of THE PROWLER
November 1969.
start of a 2 part story as Peter gets jealous when he sees Gwen with Flash.....a down on his luck window cleaner Hobie dons a costume.
November 1969.
start of a 2 part story as Peter gets jealous when he sees Gwen with Flash.....a down on his luck window cleaner Hobie dons a costume.
May 20, 2021
Amazing Spider-Man #78 is the first appearance of The Prowler. When Hobie Brown is fired from his job as a window cleaner he takes his designs, for a more efficient window cleaning getup, and turns them into a super powered costume to become a criminal. His plan is to recover any stolen goods as Hobie Brown to be a hero and … profit? Yeah, I don’t think poor Hobie thought this plan through.
“To give you a quick background, (Prowler, a.k.a. Hobie Brown), the costume was one I designed for the TV Terror, a villain for a never-produced Spectacular Spider-Man #3. It was left in my files for a while until a 13-year-old John Romita Jr. sent in a character design named “the Prowler”. I took the sketch to Stan, an imposition only a proud dad would make, and to my surprise Stan said he liked the name (the costume was too sci-fi to fit) so we put the name together with the costume from my files. That’s Marvel serendipity for you. But, that’s not how this character became memorable. A window washer named Hobie Brown, daydreaming himself into a costumed hero (like so many readers might have wished) -that was Stan’s twist. And we added little things from there to make the character stay in a reader’s mind.” - John Romita Snr.
NB. I am still not sure why Peter has “got to send Aunt May some money” surely she can look after herself now she is living with Mrs. Watson?! Instead of swanning off to Florida maybe she needs to get off her ass and get a little part time job of her own; maybe that way she would have less time to worry herself into hospital just because her nephew hasn’t called by in a few days. Sheesh...
“To give you a quick background, (Prowler, a.k.a. Hobie Brown), the costume was one I designed for the TV Terror, a villain for a never-produced Spectacular Spider-Man #3. It was left in my files for a while until a 13-year-old John Romita Jr. sent in a character design named “the Prowler”. I took the sketch to Stan, an imposition only a proud dad would make, and to my surprise Stan said he liked the name (the costume was too sci-fi to fit) so we put the name together with the costume from my files. That’s Marvel serendipity for you. But, that’s not how this character became memorable. A window washer named Hobie Brown, daydreaming himself into a costumed hero (like so many readers might have wished) -that was Stan’s twist. And we added little things from there to make the character stay in a reader’s mind.” - John Romita Snr.
NB. I am still not sure why Peter has “got to send Aunt May some money” surely she can look after herself now she is living with Mrs. Watson?! Instead of swanning off to Florida maybe she needs to get off her ass and get a little part time job of her own; maybe that way she would have less time to worry herself into hospital just because her nephew hasn’t called by in a few days. Sheesh...
March 10, 2025
ASM #78 introduces a new and unique character in The Prowler, aka Hobie Brown—a young, brilliant but frustrated window washer who turns to crime after being fired. His plan? Use his homemade super-suit to commit thefts and then "recover" the stolen goods as Hobie to become a hero (and make a little cash on the side). Not exactly foolproof thinking, but it makes for an interesting and relatable origin story.
Hobie is a breath of fresh air in Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery. Unlike most villains, he’s not driven by greed or power but by desperation and a misguided attempt at self-made success. This complexity makes him stand out, and it’s no surprise he would later evolve into an ally rather than a true villain.
John Romita Sr.’s design for the Prowler is striking, and it’s fun to know that the name came from a teenage John Romita Jr.’s own fan submission! The artwork, as always, is stellar, with dynamic action sequences and expressive character work.
Overall, this is a great issue with a strong introduction to a character who would go on to have a long history in the Spider-Man mythos. A must-read for fans of Spidey’s lesser-known foes!
Hobie is a breath of fresh air in Spider-Man’s rogues’ gallery. Unlike most villains, he’s not driven by greed or power but by desperation and a misguided attempt at self-made success. This complexity makes him stand out, and it’s no surprise he would later evolve into an ally rather than a true villain.
John Romita Sr.’s design for the Prowler is striking, and it’s fun to know that the name came from a teenage John Romita Jr.’s own fan submission! The artwork, as always, is stellar, with dynamic action sequences and expressive character work.
Overall, this is a great issue with a strong introduction to a character who would go on to have a long history in the Spider-Man mythos. A must-read for fans of Spidey’s lesser-known foes!
September 20, 2021
Kelahiran The Prowler, tokoh penjahat yang kompleks, ada di nomor ini. Tanpa kostumnya, ia adalah Hobie Brown, anak muda kulit hitam yang bekerja sebagai pembersih jendela. Kepintarannya membuat ia bisa membuat alat-alat yang sebenarnya dia ciptakan untuk meningkatkan keamanan kerja para pembersih kaca. Sayangnya, ia dianggap remeh dan malah dipecat dari pekerjaannya. Kondisi ini mendorongnya untuk menciptakan sosok penjahat super bernama The Prowler.
April 18, 2022
Second number with new artist and in comes the prowler.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews