Spider-Man has had it pretty tough lately. His Aunt May almost married Dr. Octopus, one of his deadliest enemies (See Amazing Spider-Man #131). One of his oldest foes, the Molten Man, came back to stir up trouble (see Amazing Spider-Man #132), and it hasn't been that long since the love of his life, Gwen Stacy, died at the hands of the Green Goblin (the classic Amazing Spider-Man #121). So Peter Parker deserves a break - a chance to rest up, have some fun and forget about being Spider-Man for a few precious hours. "After all the nonsense I've been through lately...I need a rest," Peter thinks.

Yeah, like that's going to happen.

Peter gets a promising start. He, Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson and Liz Allen book a short cruise around the Hudson River. As usual, Peter is running late and has to web-sling his way to the harbor to make it on time. But he makes it and he's determined to have a relaxing day without his wall-crawling alter ego. It looks like he may get his wish, until he and his friends notice a fight on the upper deck. Flash, being Flash, wants to jump in and at this point, he and Peter still aren't best pals. "Get your hand off me, Parker," he tells Peter. "I know you're too chicken to stand up to these bozos, but don't try to stop me." However, this isn't a run-of-the-mill brawl. The boat has been hijacked by the costumed villain known as the Tarantula and his henchmen, Hidalgo and Juan. The Tarantula is a ruthless mercenary from an unnamed South American dictatorship. While he has no super powers, he was trained to be his nation's Captain America, meaning he's one tough fighter. Plus, his boots are tipped with drug-laced spikes that can kill or incapacitate a foe.

When Spider-Man shows up, the Tarantula throws a crew member overboard. Spidey rescues the man, but runs out of web fluid in the process. Without his webs, there's no way for him to get back to the boat. There's a pretty funny scene of him trying to get back to his apartment to get some more web cartridges. He tries to hail a cab or hitch a ride, but in typical New York fashion, he nearly gets run over for his efforts. These types of humorous "Spider-Man in the real world" moments became more commonplace a few years later when Len Wein was writing the book, but this is a pretty good one. Finally, Spidey makes it home and replenishes his web fluid supply. However, unbeknownst to Spidey, his roommate Harry Osborn, is spying on him. "So, it's as I've always suspected...Peter Parker is Spider-Man," Harry thinks. "And it's Spider-Man who killed my father!" Lots more on that in the next few issues.

Meanwhile, the Tarantula is demanding a ransom of $1 million for the hostages. Hey, it was the Seventies - $1 million was a lot of money then! The Mayor's office calls up Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson and pressures him into putting up the money. Not sure why they couldn't just dig into the city treasury, but any time you can put the squeeze on Jonah, it's always good. Spider-Man gets a ride on a police helicopter and the battle is rejoined. Spidey doesn't have much trouble with Hidalgo and Juan, but the Tarantula himself proves to be formidable foe. By the way, artist Ross Andru gives us an awesome full-page fight scene here. The Tarantula kicks Spider-Man twice with his drugged stingers - only Spider-Man's superhuman recuperative powers keep him from dying. He's still about to pass out from the venom. He collapses on the deck of the boat and sees a pair of familiar white boots. He looks up to see the Punisher! And even though they parted on decent terms after their first meeting in Amazing Spider-Man #129, Mr. Castle doesn't seem too happy with our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man: "Well, Spider-Man...it seems we meet again," the Punisher says. "And this time, I'm in control"

This issue is yet another winner from the creative team of Gerry Conway and Ross Andru. These guys had a real knack for creating characters who became a permanent and prominent part of the Spider-Man universe: the Punisher, the Jackal, Man-Wolf and now, the Tarantula. This was the villain's first appearance and he quickly became a major player for Marvel, including being the villain in Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #1.

Next issue: The cover says it all: "Face it, friend! This issue's got everything!" Spider-Man battles the Tarantula. Harry Osborn makes a shocking discovery. And how does the Punisher fit into all this?

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #111
Marvel Tales #210