It is now Amazing Spider-Man #13 and it's been a whopping 4 issues since a major baddie has been introduced. Yea, I know the Enforcers debuted in Amazing Spider-Man #10 but they  just don't quite cut it! Well Stan & Steve are now re-energized for a vital 3 issue run that will have a major effect on the long history of Spider-Man and it all begins here with the introduction of a character that boasts the splash page intro that reads "Before very long, you are about to meet a startlingly different breed of arch-villain! Expect the unexpected when you see...Mysterio!"

They weren't kidding either, as our story begins with an action shot of Spider-Man stealing a bag of money and then easily evading two policemen. The next day's papers featured the headline as many were surprised by the actions of Spider-Man...All except Flash Thompson who still believes in his hero's innocence. Of course Peter is most perplexed by the events and even wonders if he has a split personality or a sleep-walking habit. Unable to sleep, Peter sees a Psychiatrist but quickly leaves as he realizes that his secret identity would be at stake talking to the doctor. It gets worse for Peter as he learns how much the public hates him now and to top things off, Jameson rejects his asking for a loan after he sees him at the Daily Bugle.

A cloud of smoke (which happens a lot in this issue!) appears in Jameson's office as Mysterio makes his dramatic entrance. At first, Mysterio gets hammered by the rooms occupants for his "corny get-up" and is first given the nickname of "fishbowl" by Jameson himself. Mysterio leaves an envelope and then leaves in an even bigger cloud of smoke. The envelope instructs Jameson to print a notice in the Bugle saying that if Spider-Man wants to learn the truth about himself, he should meet Mysterio atop the Brooklyn Bridge, then the letter vanished in thin air.

After reading the paper, Spider-Man meets Mysterio atop the bridge and attacks Mysterio which he easily evades. Mysterio even halts Spidey's webbing in mid-air and then vaporizes it. Mysterio is VERY confident at this point and well deserving even jamming his spider-sense while fighting in a cloud of smoke (told ya!). It gets so bad with Spider-Man receiving many punches that he jumps off the bridge into the water below with Mysterio claiming victory..."Mysterio is supreme!"

Mysterio is now perceived as the hero at this point even getting his own parade the next day for defeating Spider-Man. J. Jonah Jameson has Mysterio meet his Daily Bugle staff and has an agreement with Mysterio to reveal his identity exclusively in the Bugle for money. As Peter meets Mysterio, he plants a Spider-Tracer on him, which was called a spider pin here and is used for only the second time (the first being in issue #11). Peter now has a means of tracking Mysterio and he does just that very shortly after Mysterio leaves in yet another cloud of smoke. Spider-Man meets up Mysterio again outside a TV movie studio and another fight ensues that starts off just like the first one: Spidey getting whooped!

Here is where we get our usual "How I became a villain" story from Mysterio. Mysterio (not known as Quentin Beck yet) was a movie stunt man and special effects man who also designed costumes, props, and lastly the idea of imitating Spider-Man. He did so by studying Spider-Man's powers & abilities for weeks until he was confident that he can duplicate the same feats artificially. He duplicated Spider-Man's feats by using shoes & gloves with suction cups, a gun that fired nylon cords resembling webs, used a helmet that no one can see inside of, used boots that contain chemical smoke ejectors & magnetic plate springs for leaping and last but not least a sonar device to see within his protective cloud of smoke which was also used to jam Spider-Man's spider sense (How did he know about that?).

After Mysterio's long winded explanation, he discovers that Spider-Man taped the whole thing on a tape recorder and a third fight begins with Spider-Man this time getting lucky: He knocks Mysterio into a nearby studio while mocking him at the same time. Spider-Man then smashes Mysterio's jammer enabling Spider-Man's spider sense and then completely knocks Mysterio out. He then takes some pictures for the Bugle and brings Mysterio to police headquarters with a full confession on tape clearing Spider-Man of criminal activity. Down and out from the news, Jameson returns to his office only to have his spirits raised by some fresh pics of the battle perfect for page one! Ending the story, Spidey gives Jameson an unexpected visit declaring that he has been 100% wrong in portraying him in the Bugle, then quickly webs him to the ceiling. The public now sees Spider-Man as the hero and "The one who caught Mysterio".

The "true" 1st appearance of Mysterio can be viewed as being in Amazing Spider-Man #2 as it was revealed in Spectacular Spider-Man #51 that Beck was one of the men impersonating the aliens that aided the Terrible Tinkerer in that early issue. Mysterio next appears in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 as part of the Sinister Six. The life of Mysterio and his alter ego, Quentin Beck, can be seen in Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #1-3 in a three-parter that features an early story concerning Mysterio and also includes some material that pre-dates the events in this issue. This story was also re-told in Spider-Man: Chapter One #7  & #8 with some minor variations. This is a great classic issue to read and re-read many times over. Mysterio went on to become a major Spider-Man villain over the years and would appear often. Mysterio would also have several alter egos through the years also with the most prominent being in Amazing Spider-Man #141 & #142 where a prior cell-mate of Mysterio's, Daniel Berkhart, assumes the Mysterio identity.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #8
Marvel Tales #151
 Spider-Man Classics #14
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 5
Spider-Man Essentials I