I would like to introduce Julio Barone here with his very first review for Amazing Spider-Man.Info! Many thanks to him for his take on Amazing Spider-Man #156, a somewhat quirky issue in that it introduces a new villain by the name of Mirage, but even more importantly, features the long awaited wedding of Ned Leeds and Betty Brant. Mirage is one of those villains not thought of so well that was eventually killed by the villain-killer Scourge in Captain America #319, but he made a big first impression in his introduction here in this issue: Lets read Julio's review!

This story starts like any Spidey story should: Web-slinging! Spider-Man is coming home to the roof of his Chelsea house and is about to enter the skylight like he has for many years. His landlady, Mrs. Muggins shows up (anybody else miss her?) and whacks Spidey with a broom. How many times has an old lady attacked Spider-Man with a broom? He hides and she thinks she's going insane. Peter sneaks in through his window and seeks solace in some milk. With the old "Parker luck", it turns out to be sour. Meanwhile there is a shadowy figure being followed by another shadowy figure. This is a little subplot that has been going on the last few issues. The shadowy figure being pursued realizes there is only one person who can help him and with that in mind, flees.

We are now treated to panels of folks getting ready for Betty Brant and Ned Leeds wedding. Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson is in love with his reflection, Flash Thompson hopes Harry Osborn find his way, Aunt May tells her good friend Anna Watson, for the millionth time, that her Peter once went out with Betty. Liz Allen thinks about the old days and the Robertson family hurry as not to be too late for the wedding. At the same time, Pete is facing his greatest challenge yet, trying to put a bow-tie on. Mary Jane Watson comes to his rescue and the two make up from a fight that they had previously. The scene is switched to the wedding where Pete unsuccessfully tries to grab a bite to eat before the ceremony begins, and begin it does! The priest gets to the "speak now or forever" part when some uninvited guests show up. A lame villain called Mirage shows up to rob the wedding guests blind. Pete uses his web-shooters to turn the lights out when nobody is looking. Now why would he bring that to a wedding? Anyway, the lights come on and Spider-Man shows up to kick that new bad guy's butt. He soon discovers that Mirage has the power to make himself appear to be in multiple places. This makes it hard for Spidey to defeat him, but defeat him he does with the use of a chandelier as a weapon. Pete shows up at the wedding again and gives excuse number 29492. The wedding concludes and Ned and Betty leave for Paris and a new life.

Did I mention Aunt May catches the bouquet? Aunt May ponders this and comes home only to discover the shadowy figure in her house. He rips off his coat and reveals himself to be Doctor Octopus her ex-fiancé from Amazing Spider-Man #131 when the two almost became man and wife!

Ned Leeds proposed to Betty Brant Waaaaaay back in Amazing Spider-Man #30, and she finally accepted in Amazing Spider-Man #43. They have been engaged ever since, so it was nice for them to finally get married. Unfortunately, it was not treated as a big deal. This is their wedding issue and Betty and Ned each have only two small lines of dialogue in the issue. I would have like to see Peter ponder his first girlfriend getting married. The wedding was almost background to the storyline. Peter was best man? Ned considers Peter his best friend? He rarely calls him anything, but Parker and the two never seemed that close. Even Joe Robertson or J. Jonah Jameson would have made more sense. Mary Jane Watson as maid of honor is acceptable (actually she was the only bridesmaid), but what was Liz doing at the wedding? She and Betty have always loathed each other. I am really just nitpicking. I loved how Doc Ock went to May for help, it was so sweet. This issue actually sets the stage for the Liz Allen and Harry Osborn romance that eventually leads to them also getting married, and she revels she was first attracted to him when he defended her from Mirage at the wedding. All in all, I would have liked more on the Ned and Betty marriage, the villain was lame but the story was not terrible.

Eric: Ned and betty do not show up until many issues later when they are having marriage problems, but that is another story! Ned was assigned as a foreign correspondent by the Daily Bugle, which is reason for them going to Paris, France. Mirage, on the other hand, does not make much more of an impression. Only a small bit-role in Marvel Two-In-One #96, before meeting his untimely (or maybe timely?) demise in Captain America #319. To say that Desmond Charme was not too successful as villain is an under-statement!

Scarce 30¢ Cover Price Variant.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #133