The last we seen of the Scorpion, was in Amazing Spider-Man #20, when he was first introduced. His alter ego, Mac Gargan, was introduced at the end of Amazing Spider-Man #19, but was transformed an issue later with some help from the late Dr. Farley Stillwell and financially backed by Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. He was created to be stronger that Spider-Man, but it wasn't strength which made Spider-Man defeat him, it was brains. Spider-Man webbed his feet to the ground making him helpless to Spider-Man. Well, there's always round II, and here it is! With another gorgeous green cover almost duplicating the beauty of the cover on Amazing Spider-Man #20, things start off very well, for the reader at least!

As Peter Parker is out shopping and clearing his bank account, the Scorpion has just broke free from prison. He made believe he was going insane without his costume, so the guards re-united him with it, enabling him to easily break free. Now he's planning vengeance on Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson. At the Daily Bugle, Peter overhears Jameson talking about some Cat Burglar who is stealing some scientific equipment, which we will see much more about next issue. Peter then unexpectedly runs into Ned Leeds while trying to talk to Betty Brant. Everything quiets downs as a policeman comes into the office telling Jameson that the Scorpion has just escaped prison. Jameson goes into his office and is definitely scared to death at this news, as he was partially responsible for the Scorpion's creation. As Jameson tries to think of something to do concerning his safety, Peter changes into Spider-Man and goes searching for the Scorpion. The Scorpion discovers Spider-Man swinging by and decides that it is a good time to go after his other target who now remains unprotected: J. Jonah Jameson.

The Daily Bugle must be able to publish the quickest papers in the world, as headlines ring out of an extra edition that Spider-Man and the Scorpion are partners. People are talking on the street that the only way Spider-Man can prove otherwise, it to tackle the Scorpion again. After Spider-Man has swung around time for awhile, he realizes that the Scorpion must be near or at the Daily Bugle looking for Jameson, and he's right! Spider-Man is a little too late to get there before the Scorpion though, as Gargan confronts Jameson in his own office. Jameson runs, but there is nowhere to hide for him against the Scorpion. Just as Jameson is about to get clobbered, Spider-Man swings through the window. A major battle begins between Spider-Man and the Scorpion, and as the battle becomes dangerous to everyone around, Ned Leeds covers and comforts Betty from everything. Spider-Man gets knocked for a loop with the Scorpion's tail while the Scorpion goes after Jameson again. Spidey gets back up and rescues Jameson once again, and after the police arrive on the scene, the Scorpion goes outside the building and scales it with Spider-Man closely following him.

Back in Jameson's office, Jonah finds that there is hardly anything left in it that is operable after the fighting that took place there. Ned takes Betty home, and Jonah thinks about what he should do if Spider-Man does not defeat the Scorpion. Back outside, Spider-Man catches up to the Scorpion then fight atop buildings and a water tower. Spider-Man webs up some hand made bolas and tosses them at the Scorpion, tangling up his legs and feet. The Scorpion is still dangerous as he uses his tail to spring himself at Spider-Man at a great speed. As they both fall to the ground, Spider-Man shoots a web at a nearby building and swings he and the Scorpion around until they fall into the river below. Underwater, the Scorpion seems to be getting the better of Spider-Man, repeatedly hitting him with his tail. Spider-Man then re-loads his web cartridges and uses them on the Scorpion, bundling him up in one tidy package, and leaving him on the pier for the police.

Back home, Peter wrings out the water from his costume, then heads on back to the Daily Bugle. He finds out that Ned Leeds took Betty home, Peter then goes back home and gives Betty a ring on the phone. At his surprise, it's Ned Leeds that picks up and answers the phone on the other end. Peter learns that she was just at the doctors, and she needed to rest for awhile. After the call, Peter finds some bad signs that will eventually lead to trouble in the kitchen, as Aunt May is hit in the head by a falling glass from the cabinets above. Peter's Aunt states that she is all right, mainly because she doesn't want to worry the young boy, but in a couple of issues, he will be more than worried! The Scorpion goes on to battle Captain America in Captain America #122, then against Daredevil in Daredevil #82 & 83 before matching up against Spider-Man again in Amazing Spider-Man #145 & #146.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #168
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 10
Spider-Man Essentials II