This issue concludes the two-part Man-Wolf saga. When the issue #124 ended, the Man-Wolf (astronaut John Jameson in werewolf form) is leaping to attack an unsuspecting Spider-Man. Spider-Man moves out of the way and for the second time that night, he finds himself in a fight with the Man-Wolf. During the battle, Spidey notices the glowing pendant around the creature's neck. "I've seen it before," he says. "But I'm blasted if I can remember where!" Before the fight can end, both combatants see that the moon is about to set - and according to legend, that means a werewolf is due to resume his human form. However, Spider-Man is too injured from wounds suffered in the previous issue (when Man-Wolf scratched him across the chest) to follow. Peter Parker goes back to his apartment, bandages his wounds, and falls into a troubled sleep.

Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson arrives at John Jameson's apartment and confirms his worst fear - his son is the Man-Wolf. John Jameson explains he found the stone he wears around his neck on a secret mission to the moon. He had it made into a pendant, thinking it would make a nice souvenir from his flight. Shortly after returning, though, he transformed into the Man-Wolf for the first time and has changed every month since during the full moon. He's tried everything he can think of to halt the transformation, even building a suit to block the lunar rays. But nothing has worked and the pendant has grafted itself to his skin, meaning he can't remove it. John then transforms back into Man-Wolf and backhands his dad. He goes after his own fiancée, Kristine, who is waiting for him in her car below his apartment.

Spider-Man puts two and two together (the pendant and the tattered space-suit the Man-Wolf wears) and figures out that John Jameson must be the Man-Wolf. He arrives at Jameson's apartment just in time to save Kristine from the monster. They fight again and Spider-Man's attempt to cover the pendant with his webbing doesn't work. However, Spidey rips the pendant off of John's neck (not realizing it was grafted to John's skin) and throws it into the Hudson River. John Jameson then reverts back to his human form. He's injured, but he will be fine. The issue ends with a heated confrontation between Spider-Man and J. Jonah Jameson. Spider-Man becomes indignant when Jameson says he didn't take his son to a doctor because of the negative publicity it would cause. "Publicity? Mister, your son's life was at stake - not to mention the lives of the people he might have killed!" Spider-Man responds. Jameson appears to be on the verge of apologizing to the man he's hounded for so long. But Spider-Man waves him off, saying, "Save it for the papers, Jonah. Save it for tomorrow" Good stuff. I always like it when Jonah is portrayed as a three-dimensional character with both flaws and feelings, rather than as a total caricature of a tight-fisted, paranoid businessman.

On the supporting cast front, Mary Jane, Flash and Randy Robertson are eating breakfast and talking about the tough times Peter and Harry Osborn have gone through lately. In the landmark issues Amazing Spider-Man #121-122, Peter lost his girlfriend, Gwen Stacy, while Harry lost his dad, Norman Osborn (AKA the Green Goblin). Flash says Peter and Harry are teetering into self-pity, but Mary Jane sticks up for Peter and Harry, telling Flash, "Give them a break, will you?" Harry then walks into the diner and blasts Mary Jane as she attempts to comfort him. "I don't need your false sympathy," he says. "Go shovel it on Parker." She runs out of the diner in tears. It's further evidence of Harry's descent into the madness that will lead to him becoming the second Green Goblin. Mary Jane still is thinking about the incident later, when Peter stops by for a visit. She can tell he's not in a great mood, so she tells him to leave until he cheers up. Peter snapping at her in the previous issue probably doesn't help matters much.

This issue marks the first for new artist Ross Andru, who takes over after a short but memorable five-issue stint by Gil Kane (Kane also had four-issue run from Amazing Spider-Man #89-93). Andru remains the book's regular artist until Amazing Spider-Man #185. The artistic consistency on Amazing Spider-Man was remarkable during the book's first two decades. Three men - Steve Ditko, John Romita and Ross Andru - provided the art for more than 90 percent of the issues between 1963 and 1978.

Also, this two-part storyline was presented (in condensed form) as a comic book and 45 rpm record combo: Mark Of The Man-Wolf in 1974. You listened to the story on the record as you read along in the comic.

As for the Man-Wolf, he was next seen in Giant-Size Super Heroes #1, where he and Morbius the Living Vampire met, and battled Spider-Man. He was next seen in the anthology series Creatures On The Loose #30, where he carried the series for eight issues until it was cancelled. The Man-Wolf's story was continued in Marvel Premiere #45-46.

Next issue: Crack open a Fosters and put another shrimp on the barbie, mate, 'cause the Kangaroo is back! Plus, we'll get a major revelation in the Green Goblin storyline.

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #102