At first glance, one would think that this issue isn't too significant, but after reading it we learn a lot happens in this issue. On the eerie looking Ditko splash page we see, for the first time, a character that will become Spider-Man and Peter Parker's biggest nemesis: Norman Osborn. Of course two issues from now, a major revelation concerning another of Osborn's alias takes place but this issue simply just introduces the wealthy businessman to the Spider-Verse.

We open the story in prison where a man named Professor Mendel Stromm is getting ready to leave after 10 years good behaivor.  At the same time he has been plotting revenge the entire time. After being released, an ex-inmate Max Young picks him up while being viewed by Frederick Foswell as well as Spider-Man. At the Daily Bugle, Peter leaves a spider tracer in the hat of Foswell then we cut to the hideout of Stromm where he and Max prepare for revenge on a yet unnamed character. We learn that Stromm is a brilliant man and Robot Master who has just created some new robots designed to gain his long awaited revenge on this unfortunate character. His first robot reaches it's goal and begins destroying a laboratory and everything in it's way. Even Spider-Man can't stop the green amoeba-like robot when he arrives on the scene. In fact, Spider-Man has to get the robot near some open flames to get it off him and leaves the premises. After the first robot served it's purpose, Stromm prepares his second robot.

Next, we meet the man whose business has just been nearly destroyed by the first robot. Norman Osborn makes his debut alongside his son Harry, who was first introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #31. Norman realizes that it is Stromm who is behind the destruction and understands why he is seeking revenge on him since he cheated Stromm out of his inventions and then railroaded him into jail after he began threatening him. The second robot finally makes it's way into the area and Spider-Man shoots a spider tracer on it while Foswell is undercover as Patch. Spider-Man and Patch both go after Young who is protecting the area for Stromm. Spider-Man then goes after the second robot zeroing in on the tracer he planted on it earlier. The robot is now in the office of Osborn destroying everything in it until Spider-Man arrives.

Now something strange occurs with Osborn. He wonders to himself that Spider-Man is "becoming too dangerous to his plans" and strangely knocks Spider-Man out for some reason giving the readers the impression that he has some sort of super powers. After Spider-Man gains consciousness, he decapitates the robot in front of Stromm and defeats both of them while Stromm seemingly has a heart attack and later found dead. Osborn at this point wonders that Spider-Man has ruined everything for him but it won't happen again so he must be disposed of. We see where all of this leads to in a couple of issues as things start to make alot more sense.

Stromm is left for dead and not heard from again until Spectacular Spider-Man #68. He makes several appearances after that most notably in the clone saga as Gaunt and again as the Robot Master. Osborn appears again next issue and again the issue after with a very shocking ending that will make a major impact on the Spider-Verse.

Reprinted In:
 Marvel Tales #31
Marvel Tales #176
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 16
Spider-Man Essentials II