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The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998)
Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #17
The return of the Green Goblin, and guest-starring the Human Torch!
25 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 1964
About the author
Stan Lee
7,581 books2,362 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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
October 19, 2024
THE RETURN of THE GREEN GOBLIN
Oct 1964.
Well actually Goblin was in issue #14..so he hadn't been gone long really.
Flash starts a Spider Man fan club..which ASM turns up and has his moment in the spotlight.
With Johnny Storm in attendance.
Love the new redesigned jet powered Goblin Glider!
Oct 1964.
Well actually Goblin was in issue #14..so he hadn't been gone long really.
Flash starts a Spider Man fan club..which ASM turns up and has his moment in the spotlight.
With Johnny Storm in attendance.
Love the new redesigned jet powered Goblin Glider!
February 6, 2022
flash: if spider-man has a million fans I am one of them. If spider-man has 10 fans I am one of them. If spider-man has only one fan its me. if spider-man has no fans that means im dead. If the world is against spider-man I am against the world.
January 9, 2020
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #17-20 (The End of Spider-Man)
Overall a good story arc that, while not providing consequential new ground for the character, captures a nice character study of a superhero’s everyday life.
One could argue that the small stakes and small conflicts represent a unique quality to Peter Parker’s storyline; the universe won’t blow up if he fails, he’ll just ruin his relationship with his girlfriend; that’s the stake. That’s THE ENTIRE stake. And that’s enough. It’s truly quite unique that such mundane problems as relationships, economic hardship, and health problems would be presented as the predominant conflict in a comic book storyline. It really immerses the reader in the uniquely smaller atmosphere Spider-Man inhabits within the narrative universe of Marvel, and makes it even more suspenseful because he has less resources at his disposal to fight super-powered villains.
It was a very nice arc choice on Lee’s part to have all 3 of the main issues in this storyline mirror each other; for instance the Human Torch motif. His reappearance in each issue serves as a bookmark of Peter’s character growth, as we reflect on everything that happened to Peter between his the last time the Torch showed up and now. By making each issue’s structure and overall plot mirror each other so closely, it causes the few things that are different to stick out; specifically, what is different is the character of Peter Parker, between the first issue and final issue.
On a lesser note, this issue begins an incredible ongoing storyline for Peter Parker; it introduces and teases the ongoing saga of the secret identity behind the Green Goblin. Who or what he could be will remain unknown for several more issues, but it will go on to be one of the most important storylines in the history of Spider-Man. It’s interesting, then, that it should be so un-integral to this storyline, apart from making us wonder why the Goblin is so interested in Spider-Man.
Nothing particularly groundbreaking occurs in terms of Spider-Man’s development in this arc, although it is definitely a compelling side story.
Overall a good story arc that, while not providing consequential new ground for the character, captures a nice character study of a superhero’s everyday life.
One could argue that the small stakes and small conflicts represent a unique quality to Peter Parker’s storyline; the universe won’t blow up if he fails, he’ll just ruin his relationship with his girlfriend; that’s the stake. That’s THE ENTIRE stake. And that’s enough. It’s truly quite unique that such mundane problems as relationships, economic hardship, and health problems would be presented as the predominant conflict in a comic book storyline. It really immerses the reader in the uniquely smaller atmosphere Spider-Man inhabits within the narrative universe of Marvel, and makes it even more suspenseful because he has less resources at his disposal to fight super-powered villains.
It was a very nice arc choice on Lee’s part to have all 3 of the main issues in this storyline mirror each other; for instance the Human Torch motif. His reappearance in each issue serves as a bookmark of Peter’s character growth, as we reflect on everything that happened to Peter between his the last time the Torch showed up and now. By making each issue’s structure and overall plot mirror each other so closely, it causes the few things that are different to stick out; specifically, what is different is the character of Peter Parker, between the first issue and final issue.
On a lesser note, this issue begins an incredible ongoing storyline for Peter Parker; it introduces and teases the ongoing saga of the secret identity behind the Green Goblin. Who or what he could be will remain unknown for several more issues, but it will go on to be one of the most important storylines in the history of Spider-Man. It’s interesting, then, that it should be so un-integral to this storyline, apart from making us wonder why the Goblin is so interested in Spider-Man.
Nothing particularly groundbreaking occurs in terms of Spider-Man’s development in this arc, although it is definitely a compelling side story.
February 6, 2021
Amazing Spider-Man 17 brought the return of the Green Goblin and a much needed upgrade of the goblin broomstick to the glider we have come to know. About time. Ditko and Lee continue to keep Goblins face and identity hidden in this one. Parker must be using an early, not as strong web formula as Goblin manages to easily sever his web-line with a frog bomb, that looks more like it extrudes sparkles than an explosion. During the fight Spider-Man hears Liz ask where Parker is, noting that he's never there when Spidey is on the scene so Parker does a quick costume change to throw her off the scent, proving its hard work keeping that secret identity business.
Side storylines includes Flash announcing that he is starting a Spider-Man fan club, of which Jameson remarks "If the club's a success, that web-spinning clown could become as popular as the Beatles!". Aunt May also informs Peter that she's made another date for him with MJ, and yet again May ignores Parker's protests about already having a girlfriend.
NB. During the Goblin vs Spider-Man and Human Torch fight a call comes through, the person on the other end says that Aunt May has suffered *another* heart attack, meaning that May's previous illness (in which she needed blood?!) was a heart attack? Good job Lee wrote funny books for a career and not medicine!
Side storylines includes Flash announcing that he is starting a Spider-Man fan club, of which Jameson remarks "If the club's a success, that web-spinning clown could become as popular as the Beatles!". Aunt May also informs Peter that she's made another date for him with MJ, and yet again May ignores Parker's protests about already having a girlfriend.
NB. During the Goblin vs Spider-Man and Human Torch fight a call comes through, the person on the other end says that Aunt May has suffered *another* heart attack, meaning that May's previous illness (in which she needed blood?!) was a heart attack? Good job Lee wrote funny books for a career and not medicine!
December 28, 2017
Good start
This issue is among the best storytelling Spiderman undergoes since his conception. Continuing the introduction of the Goblin story and Peter questioning being a Spiderman, but still in the early going of art and style and penning that gets better and better.
This issue is among the best storytelling Spiderman undergoes since his conception. Continuing the introduction of the Goblin story and Peter questioning being a Spiderman, but still in the early going of art and style and penning that gets better and better.
August 22, 2023
Flash Thompson yang terkenal suka merendahkan dan mengejek Peter Parker, ternyata ia adalah penggemar setia Spider-Man. Ia pun membentuk sebuah grup penggemar Spider-Man dan mengajak orang-orang terdekatnya. Yang membuat Peter takjub, ternyata tanpa persetujuan Spider-Man, Flash dengan percaya diri memasukkan nama Spider-Man sebagai tamu spesial di pertemuan tersebut lewat koran Daily Bugle. Flash yang melihat Peter ikut berkumpul untuk melihat pengumuman itu langsung tidak senang. Namun, Liz membela Peter supaya ia ikut bergabung. Sebab, tempat di mana pertemuan tersebut diadakan adalah milik ayahnya Liz. Di sisi lain, kabar tersebut pun tersebar luas sampai dibaca oleh sosok di balik Green Goblin. Selain itu, J. Jonah Jameson pun tak ingin ketinggalan momen itu untuk ikut meliput dan menyuruh Peter untuk mendapatkan foto si manusia laba-laba.
Di malam yang sudah dijadwalkan, banyak orang yang datang di acara tersebut, termasuk Human Torch. Mereka yang datang cukup deg-degan apakah benar Spider-Man akan muncul. Ya, benar saja, ia benar-benar muncul dan menyambut para penonton. Namun, tiba-tiba saja Spider-Man dikagetkan oleh Green Goblin yang menyerangnya. Karena Spider-Man tidak ingin membuat para penonton panik, maka ia pun bertindak seakan-akan itu adalah aksi panggung.
Selanjutnya, aksi perkelahian terjadi dan Human Torch ikut membantu karena merasa situasi sedang tidak beres, meskipun Spider-Man juga kaget dengan kehadirannya.
Satu masalah belum selesai tetapi masalah lain sudah muncul ketika Spider-Man mendengar kabar bahwa Bibi May tiba-tiba dirawat di rumah sakit. Ia pun langsung meninggalkan arena perkelahian karena lebih memprioritaskan kondisi Bibi May. Para penonton yang melihatnya, langsung menyoraki Spider-Man sebagai pengecut. Jonah yang memang tidak menyukai Spider-Man, langsung menunjukkan sukacitanya karena ia mendapatkan berita bagus untuk ditulis, yaitu "Spider-Man Pengecut".
***
Di volume ini, rasa frustrasi Peter Parker semakin muncul ketika masalah datang berbarengan. Di satu sisi sosoknya sebagai Spider-Man mulai tidak disukai oleh masyarakat yang melihatnya kabur saat berkelahi dengan Green Goblin, di sisi lain sosok yang paling dicintainya, Bibi May, terbaring lemah di rumah sakit.
Di malam yang sudah dijadwalkan, banyak orang yang datang di acara tersebut, termasuk Human Torch. Mereka yang datang cukup deg-degan apakah benar Spider-Man akan muncul. Ya, benar saja, ia benar-benar muncul dan menyambut para penonton. Namun, tiba-tiba saja Spider-Man dikagetkan oleh Green Goblin yang menyerangnya. Karena Spider-Man tidak ingin membuat para penonton panik, maka ia pun bertindak seakan-akan itu adalah aksi panggung.
Selanjutnya, aksi perkelahian terjadi dan Human Torch ikut membantu karena merasa situasi sedang tidak beres, meskipun Spider-Man juga kaget dengan kehadirannya.
Satu masalah belum selesai tetapi masalah lain sudah muncul ketika Spider-Man mendengar kabar bahwa Bibi May tiba-tiba dirawat di rumah sakit. Ia pun langsung meninggalkan arena perkelahian karena lebih memprioritaskan kondisi Bibi May. Para penonton yang melihatnya, langsung menyoraki Spider-Man sebagai pengecut. Jonah yang memang tidak menyukai Spider-Man, langsung menunjukkan sukacitanya karena ia mendapatkan berita bagus untuk ditulis, yaitu "Spider-Man Pengecut".
***
Di volume ini, rasa frustrasi Peter Parker semakin muncul ketika masalah datang berbarengan. Di satu sisi sosoknya sebagai Spider-Man mulai tidak disukai oleh masyarakat yang melihatnya kabur saat berkelahi dengan Green Goblin, di sisi lain sosok yang paling dicintainya, Bibi May, terbaring lemah di rumah sakit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2017
This issue was different and I liked that!
The art is really good here. It is bold and fresh. Very much like it. At the same time, I began concentrating on the feet since so many have commented that Ditko doesn't draw feet well. I saw some of what has been discussed. Not a biggy, but I get it.
Not a particular fan of the Green Goblin. He is back again and once again, he didn't impress me.
The Human Torch is here too. Another character that doesn't excite me.
So, the fighting isn't great here. But what is is the story. Aunt May is once again hounding Peter to date Mary Jane Watson. Liz and Betty are really at each other. There is some fat shaming going on too. Got to love 50-year old politically incorrect humor. :)
Aunt May has another heart attack. I didn't rea;ize the first hospitalization was a heart attack. Spiderman leaves the battle when he hears that. That gets everyone calling him a coward. J. Jonah put on the front page.
Peter is distraught at the end. Aunt May is ill, Liz is hounding him, J. Jonah is a brute, Flash doesn't care for him (and wouldn't even invite him to his new Spider-Man club), and Betty thinks he attended with Liz. Oh, the troubles of a teenager. All the while the public thinks Spider-Man is a coward.
I like the character building they are giving Peter/Spider-Man. It's welcomed.
And the letters are still good!
The art is really good here. It is bold and fresh. Very much like it. At the same time, I began concentrating on the feet since so many have commented that Ditko doesn't draw feet well. I saw some of what has been discussed. Not a biggy, but I get it.
Not a particular fan of the Green Goblin. He is back again and once again, he didn't impress me.
The Human Torch is here too. Another character that doesn't excite me.
So, the fighting isn't great here. But what is is the story. Aunt May is once again hounding Peter to date Mary Jane Watson. Liz and Betty are really at each other. There is some fat shaming going on too. Got to love 50-year old politically incorrect humor. :)
Aunt May has another heart attack. I didn't rea;ize the first hospitalization was a heart attack. Spiderman leaves the battle when he hears that. That gets everyone calling him a coward. J. Jonah put on the front page.
Peter is distraught at the end. Aunt May is ill, Liz is hounding him, J. Jonah is a brute, Flash doesn't care for him (and wouldn't even invite him to his new Spider-Man club), and Betty thinks he attended with Liz. Oh, the troubles of a teenager. All the while the public thinks Spider-Man is a coward.
I like the character building they are giving Peter/Spider-Man. It's welcomed.
And the letters are still good!
February 21, 2021
Ini salah satu cerita yang membedakan sosok Spider-Man dengan tokoh superhero Marvel lainnya. Spider-Man selalu bermasalah dengan krisis identitas dalam kehidupannya. Dia selalu terombang-ambing antara kehidupan remaja dan pahlawan super. Komik nomor 17 ini menunjukkan salah satunya: Peter Parker harus "repot" mengurusi urusan asmara, citranya sebagai pahlawan super, musuh yang semakin berbahaya, dan kesehatan Bibi May sekaligus. Adegan komik yang menunjukkan Peter Parker menunduk sembari memegang topeng atau melemparkan kostumnya dengan gemas akan selalu menjadi bagian komik Spider-Man.
Sementara itu, Green Goblin sudah diperbaiki kendaraannya. Ia tidak lagi menaiki sapu terbang. Walaupun si pencerita tampaknya masih bingung dengan senjata andalan musuh besar Spider-Man ini. Setidaknya ada empat macam senjata lempar dan dua jenis asap yang dipakai oleh Green Goblin.
Sementara itu, Green Goblin sudah diperbaiki kendaraannya. Ia tidak lagi menaiki sapu terbang. Walaupun si pencerita tampaknya masih bingung dengan senjata andalan musuh besar Spider-Man ini. Setidaknya ada empat macam senjata lempar dan dua jenis asap yang dipakai oleh Green Goblin.
August 16, 2017
The Green Goblin is back! And he is still seeking to take down the Spider-Man. After Flash Thompson throws a Spider-Man Fan Club (how funny is it that he calls himself Spider-Man's #1 fan but he hates Peter Parker with a passion!) and puts it in the paper that the actual Spider-Man will appear, Green Goblin decides to crash and make his own appearance! The two get into a fight which is interrupted by the Human Torch who also made it to the party. After getting some terrible news about his Aunt May, Spider-Man rushes to get to her, leaving right in the middle of the battle, in front of a massive amount of people, who are now calling him a chicken! The story will be continued next issue and I can't wait to see how this plays out!
March 31, 2024
The Green Goblin is much more appealing to me here than in his last appearance, and coupled with the private drama surrounding Aunt May, it's actually a good combination. However, the love triangle drama is starting to become somewhat monotonous. There's a reason why Peter's love life later evolves beyond just hiding his identity. This is paired with the appearance of the Human Torch, whom I'm not the biggest fan of, but who fits best with Spider-Man from the Fantastic Four. What still works for me are the tensions with Flash as Spider-Man's number one fan.
December 25, 2023
Nothing too special here. The stresses between Peter’s superhero life and his daily life makes my heart go out to him. In the end, he’s still just a kid forced to become an adult way too quickly. The fact that there are kids out there that have to go through similar situations (obviously not being Spider-Man) saddens me more. But, at least (hopefully) they don’t have to deal with Betty Brant and Liz Allan’s antics. Good lord.
January 22, 2025
Stan Lee and Steve Ditko at their absolute peak.
I love the continuing "love triangle" between Peter, Betty, and Liz. It's just really funny in this one. And the emotional turmoil that is going on inside Peter, is why Spider-Man was so revolutionary in the 1960s. He was a human, not a God.
P.S. One of the great gifts of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002) is that I can't read a classic appearance of the Green Goblin without hearing Willem Dafoe's amazing voice in my head.
I love the continuing "love triangle" between Peter, Betty, and Liz. It's just really funny in this one. And the emotional turmoil that is going on inside Peter, is why Spider-Man was so revolutionary in the 1960s. He was a human, not a God.
P.S. One of the great gifts of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002) is that I can't read a classic appearance of the Green Goblin without hearing Willem Dafoe's amazing voice in my head.
October 26, 2023
I dug this one. Not as much as the first Green Goblin appearance, but it’s still fun. I think the Liz Allen/Betty Brant dynamic is painfully unrealistic, but it’s of its time. Super male fantasy.
But in any case, I loved all the little gizmos and gadgets the Green Baddie had up his sleeve. Loved the lower stakes.
But in any case, I loved all the little gizmos and gadgets the Green Baddie had up his sleeve. Loved the lower stakes.
December 29, 2024
An exciting tale of the Green Goblin's return, showcasing the debut of his goblin glider! Peter's double life catches up with him yet again, showcasing his humanity. The intersectionality between his home life, his love life, and his secret spidey life bring the story to exciting twists and turns, and you just can't help but feel for the poor guy.
March 20, 2026
The second appearance of the Green Goblin (GG) makes this issue a key early Spidey (S) issue! GG has new 'toys' he is ready to test on S; he has been practicing for this rematch for some time. This issue also features the Human Torch (H); the 'Archie/Reggie' vibe really works in this issue. 'Ditkotastic' fun from very long ago!
November 3, 2019
Torna il Goblin Verde, stavolta il danno non lo fa combattendo con Spider-Man ma facendolo apparire un vigliacco (solo perché è dovuto correre dalla Zia): gli unici che non sembrano esserne convinti sono la Torcia Umana e il suo compagno di classe Flash.
July 21, 2025
Torna il Goblin Verde, stavolta il danno non lo fa combattendo con Spider-Man ma facendolo apparire un vigliacco (solo perché è dovuto correre dalla Zia): gli unici che non sembrano esserne convinti sono la Torcia Umana e il suo compagno di classe Flash.
March 25, 2022
The goblin's back and for the first time in history Spiderman is forced to... run away? The only allies he's got left are Flash and the Human torch?
September 20, 2022
It’s really funny that Spider-Man mistook a film set for real life. You can see how everything is taking a toll on him here.
December 25, 2022
Title: ¿Debería seguir siendo el hombre araña?
¿Vale la pena tanto este secreto?
Stars 5.0
¿Vale la pena tanto este secreto?
Stars 5.0
February 2, 2023
I forgot to add this one to my collection. But I ship them
January 22, 2026
q tipo imbecil peter
May 7, 2025
they finally fixed green goblin. a good improvement from last time. they also made a dodgers reference lol
February 17, 2023
More drama for Spider-Man/Peter Parker here, and it all culminates in a battle with The Green Goblin that also brings The Human Torch into the action.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews