The two-part whodunit is a forgotten art in today's comic book industry, with its focus on far-reaching crossover events and weekly maxi-series. But in the 1970s, the simple two-part mystery was a staple - and Amazing Spider-Man #127 is a textbook example of how to do it right.

The premise of these stories goes something like this: The first issue opens with a murder. The superhero must figure out who committed the crime and why. We're introduced to a few suspects and thrown a few clues early on. The hero battles the killer and the first issue ends with a cliffhanger. The second issue picks up with the good guy escaping the life-threatening predicament and tracking down the bad guy. The hero defeats the villain and reveals the mystery, using clues introduced earlier in the story. Case closed, good night. In the hands of a master like Gerry Conway, this format can be used to tell a pretty darn good story. This issue, entitled "The Dark Wings of Death," begins with Spider-Man discovering that a young woman has been killed outside of Mary Jane Watson's apartment building. By the look on her face, Mary Jane obviously saw what happened. So Peter Parker pays her a visit to see if she's okay. But Mary Jane says she's afraid to go to the police for fear the killer might come after her. That doesn't sit well with Peter, who storms out, saying, "You can hold your own hand. I'm not a towel-shoulder for cowards!" Tough love from Mr. Parker, but he's only trying to get her mad enough to go to the cops. On his way home, he runs into his old foe the Vulture, who admits he killed the girl. They fight, with the Vulture getting the best of the brief encounter.

The next day, Peter runs into Mary Jane at school. She's now pretending she didn't see anything the previous night. Before they can argue, though, Flash Thompson rides up in his new car and insists they come for a ride. Before they get far, the Vulture follows through on Mary Jane's fears and snatches her. Poor Flash wrecks his car and is knocked out, giving Peter a convenient opportunity to change into Spider-Man. Spidey saves Mary Jane from the vicious Vulture and tracks the winged villain back to a biology lab, where he finds the Vulture terrorizing a young lab assistant named Christine. They fight again, and Spider-Man notices that this time, the Vulture really has grown wings and talons, rather than wearing a winged suit as he typically does. The fight continues and Spider-Man again doesn't fare well. The Vulture grabs him (thinking he grabbed Christine) and heads into the sky. The Vulture isn't happy when he rips the webbing off his face and realizes he has Spider-Man instead of his intended quarry. The story ends with the Vulture dropping Spider-Man from high above the campus. "He-he dropped me! I never realized -- never thought!" Spider-Man says. "I'm too high to snag a building with my web -- there's no way for me to catch myself! Looks like this time -- I've had it!"

Tune in next month, Spider-Fans, for the big finale!

Besides the murder mystery, there also was some development of some secondary plots. Harry Osborn continues his descent into madness - a descent that will lead to him taking his father's place as the Green Goblin. Peter is at his apartment when Harry Osborn shows up for the first time in days. Harry obviously is in a bad mood following his father's death (or apparent death) in the landmark Amazing Spider-Man #122. Peter tries to cheer him up and reminds him they have been friends a long time. "We are not 'friends,' Parker. We never have been," Harry exclaims. "We just shared an apartment. That's all. Do you hear? That's all!" Later, Harry watches the Vulture pound Spider-Man with a maniacal look of glee on his face. He thinks, "Now he's going to pay for murdering Norman Osborn...and if the Vulture doesn't do it...the Green Goblin will!"

Peter also has an awkward encounter with Professor Miles Warren, who will become an increasingly important supporting figure in the months to come. Professor Warren tells Peter he is in danger of flunking unless his class attendance improves. Of course, Peter can't exactly say he is missing class because he is Spider-Man! Despite Professor Warren's insistence that they talk, Peter once again runs off, this time to save Mary Jane.

Finally, Spider-Man drops in on the Human Torch, who is helping Spidey build his Spider-Mobile for Corona Motors (as seen in Amazing Spider-Man #126). The two work on the car, using Spidey's design and the Torch's mechanical knowledge. We'll see the finished product in Amazing Spider-Man #130.

Next issue, the two-part murder mystery concludes, with a surprising revelation about the Vulture and some nifty detective work by Spider-Man.

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #104