Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #40

The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998)

by Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. (Artist)

The Green Goblin has revealed himself to Spider-Man. Disoriented and trapped by his arch-nemesis, Peter tries to appeal to the humanity of his captor. Plus, Osborn's connection to Professor Stromm is fully explained.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Spider Man, Comic Book

21 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 1966

About the author

Stan 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.

Reviews

[Sophia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The huge battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin! We find out how Norman Osborn become the GG plus we review the two rivals many battles, in the eyes of the mad villain! The end of the fight was when Norman knocked over some chemicals that returned him to normal and erasing the last few years of his life. Throughout the issue, we see just how much Aunt May loves and worries about Peter and how he worries just as much about her! Overall, a good issue that closes off the Green Goblin story line (for now)!

[Λευτέρης Αναγνωστόπουλος · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, Gobby is an idiot. "I'll capture Spider-Man instead of killing him when I had the chance. Then I'll reveal my identity and after a long speech about how much of a weakling he is I'll release him to fight fair and square because it's all about pride all of a sudden. Perfect plan!"

It's pure and perfect 60s cheese, but not annoying at all. I mean except for the fact that Aunt May is dying again, SHOCKER (not the villain)! Yo, Stan! Show me an issue where she is fine and doesn't guilt-tripping her nephew and emasculating him for once. Now, that would make a true believer.

Excelsior!

[Francesco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ecco come fa: ha un'opportunissima amnesia che lo riporta alla condizione di qualche anno prima: ovverosia esattamente al momento in cui, per una violenta esplosione, ha picchiato la testa e assunto l'identità del Goblin!

E ancora Mary Jane non si vede, ma torna Betty Brant!

[Sheldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

ASM #40 is another superb Romita and Lee entry. We pickup with Spidey tied to a chair (and spends half of the page count stuck there!) and Parker baits Norman into a battle of words by name dropping his son Harry which prompts a flashback which is part origin story but we also get to peer behind the curtain of their strained relationship after the death of Mrs. Osborn. It doesn't make Norman a sympathetic character, but it does help flesh out the character before we slide into the type of fight you'd expect from a superhero comic mag. It's a shame that they choose to deploy the ol' amnesia* trope to wrap the scuffle up; though I don't know if that's better or worse than the trope which the villain is knocked into water and "disappearing".

Meanwhile Betty Brant is set to return to NY to face her demons as she tries to outdo Aunt May, who has to be sedated because Peter stays out late (?!), for the shrinking violet of the year award "Spider-Man! He represents everything I dread... Danger... Uncertainty and Fear!".

*I wonder if someone has counted how many times temporary amnesia is used across Marvel and DC's comics as a trope; surely more numerous than the pockets on a Rob Liefeld creation.

[Agung Wicaksono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Parker yang terikat dan berada di tempat persembunyian Green Goblin, berusaha melepaskan ikatannya dengan membuat Norman Osborn menceritakan tentang masa lalunya. Dari volume ini, saya jadi mengetahui bahwa Norman bisa menjadi Green Goblin akibat terkena zat kimia ketika ia berada di laboratoriumnya, sehingga ia koma dan dirawat di rumah sakit selama berbulan-bulan. Selain itu, diceritakan juga tentang hubungan Norman dengan anak satu-satunya, Harry, yang tidak dekat. Saat itu ketika Harry membutuhkan kehadiran sosok ayah, Norman malah sibuk dengan pekerjaannya dan seakan tidak peduli dengan kegiatan Harry.

Di sisi lain, Bibi May yang khawatir karena Peter belum pulang sampai larut malam, sampai jatuh sakit memikirkannya. Bersyukur, Spider-Man berhasil mengalahkan Green Goblin sehingga Norman menjadi amnesia dan lupa bahwa ia adalah Green Goblin. Peter pun jadi tidak khawatir identitasnya kebongkar dan membuat bibinya kaget. Kemudian, sesampainya di rumah, Peter beralasan bahwa ia habis belajar kelompok dengan teman sekampusnya dan lupa untuk memberi kabar kepada Bibi May.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I love classic villains. The way Gobby felt the need to monologue his life story to Spider-Man instead of killing him will never not be funny to me. Though I guess it's a good (well, not that good) way to give some background. And to think Norman went crazy because of an explosion. Wow. I kind of feel like the whole "amnesia after an intense and pivotal fight" for plot convenience is a little cheap, but I just know I'll eat that stuff up anyway. (I'm looking at you, Spider-Man 3.) But hey! At least Harry and Norman get to have some normal father-son time, right? Right?

[Rangga Sukmawijaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benarkah ini pertarungan terakhir antara Green Goblin dan Spider-Man? Setelah mereka berdua tahu identitas diri lawannya? Sementara itu, kesehatan Bibi May juga tengah diambang krisis. Kekhawatirannya atas keselamatan Peter Parker membuatnya sakit lagi. Bagaimana cara Stan Lee sang juru dongeng menyelesaikan masalah Peter Parker dan Norman Osborn?

[Kevin Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's far too much filler here, characters repeating themselves and also referring to past adventures, but this is still a great (temporary) conclusion to the ongoing battle between Spider-Man and Green Goblin. Oh, it's also a bit cheesy and trite, of course, but it at least feels like a proper "bookmark" in the life cycle of the characters.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reveals the origin of the Green Goblin (GG). Spider-Man (SM) fights for his life as the GG seeks to take revenge for past defeats. John Romita (JR) presents a visually magnificent sequence of kinetic illustrations that you can almost feel as SM tries to defeat a GG that has home advantage in his lab. A true SM classic!

[Nick Callebaut]

Clásicos del cómic:Spiderman

[Caleb Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This and #39 are must-reads for any fan

[beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

*raimi!harry voice* so good...

[Oneirosophos · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Kiss chef.

[Austin Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[John Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really has the feel of a season finale. So good!

[ARIEL BENLOLO · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: El duende verde era Norman Osborn

Stars 3.8

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rip dikto. But this is peak storyline.

[Ali AK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romita pulled up and said fck the Green Goblin lol