It's only been seven months since we were introduced to a new villain named the Molten Man, in Amazing Spider-Man #28, as a man named Raxton received his powers from a liquid metal alloy he and Professor Spencer Smythe had invented. He turned mad, and decided to go on with a life of crime. He was defeated by Spider-Man and taken by the police at issue's end though. Get ready for round two between Spider-Man and the Molten Man, and Molty is not a happy fella!

The first thing we learn is how the Molten Man became a free man. Just about as he is to become sentenced for the events from Amazing Spider-Man #28, the judge goes much too easy on him, since he was the product of an unfortunate accident. He ends up with a suspended sentence of which he is  very grateful for. The Molten Man had time to think and plan while in prison, and he now plans on laying low for awhile before next striking. Days later, at an expensive jewelry shop, a older looking man shows up asking to see the most exotic and expensive jewels that they have. After a salesman opens the safe, the older man pushes him aside to take the jewels. The salesman then fires a gun at the older man, but it does nothing to him. The older man then takes and crushes the gun in his hands. While swinging close to the jewelry store, Spider-Man hears the shot that the salesman fired, and goes to check out the commotion in the store. The old man is very surprised to see Spider-Man there and gives himself up before landing a powerful punch into Spider-Man's jaw. After the salesman screams for the police, the older man runs away. As the older man reaches his home, he takes off a disguise to reveal himself to be the Molten Man. As if we didn't know!

Spider-Man changes back into Peter Parker, and he begins to realize that the older man seems familiar, maybe an older villain of his in disguise. "His punch felt like metal!", yes Peter, it was the Molten Man! Later that night, Spider-Man makes a visit to the Molten Man's home that he remembers from Amazing Spider-Man #28. Not entirely certain that he is the man he encountered at the jewelry store earlier, Spider-Man places a spider tracer on his jacket. Peter records his movements when he returns home, on his receiver, and then goes out to follow him as Spider-Man. Spider-Man follows him to a back alley where he comes out of a door disguised again. The Molten Man goes right back to the same jewelry store he was at earlier and breaks the lock to get in. Spider-Man is taking some photos of this while it is happening and while the Molten Man is inside, he prepares to unlock the safe. Since he is metallic himself, the Molten Man's skin is sensitive to the sound of the tumblers inside the lock, and just as he about to open the safe, the spider signal shines brightly upon him. After Spider-Man shoots some webbing on him, the Molten Man breaks free from his disguise, and the two tangle up for a couple of pages. After punches are being exchanged by the two super powered characters, the Molten Man takes Spider-Man into a bear-hug that Spider-Man is unable to break free from. Spider-Man then shoots his webbing at the ceiling, making the Molten Man fall off of him. The Molten Man then breaks the front window and escapes, but Spider-Man is on his trail, and finds him to continue their fight. Spider-Man takes a rope and ropes up the Molten Man's wrists with it, then eventually gets his ankles tied up also, making him unable to move. The Molten Man is defeated again, similar to how he was defeated in Amazing Spider-Man #28.

Spider-Man leaves the Molten Man all tied up waiting for the police. Molty states that the police have nothing on him when they arrive, but Spider-Man left a note for the police stating that he will provide proof that he was involved in a robbery. The police take Molty back to the precinct where Spider-Man gives one of the officers an envelope through a window. Inside the envelope are pictures of the Molten Man disguising himself and breaking into the jewelry shop. It's jail time again for the Molten Man, and we will not be seeing him for awhile until Amazing Spider-Man #132 & #133 much later on. Peter, now at the offices of the Daily Bugle, learns that Betty Brant no longer works there. Her replacement gives Peter back his photo that he gave to Betty, and then sadly leaves.

A fun issue that is mostly a battle issue between Spider-Man and the Molten Man. Peter also puts Betty Brant out of his mind, as he throws the picture into the garbage. Make way for Gwen Stacy now as his soon to be next girlfriend. This issue also marks the very first time that Peter starts calling his tracking devices a "Spider Tracer". Also, make way for a new villain next issue, when the Looter makes his debut!

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #28
Marvel Tales #174
Marvel Special Edition Treasury
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 16
Spider-Man Essentials II