Doc Ock, The Owl and the Black Cat

I consider issue 73 of Spectacular the first part of a four-part epic by Bill Mantlo. It's a top story. So much happens!

In this issue with art by Al Milgrom#, Pete notices some goons hanging around during Boomerangs trial. He suspects something and later traces them to The Owls lair (or his eerie I guess). As luck would have it, the Owl was just meeting Doc Ock, they argue as all good villains do, and start to fight.

Spidey jumps in to save the Owl but in the confusion, both escape.

In #74 (art by Bob Hall), Pete agrees to help Deb Whitman who's thinks she knows that Pete is Spidey but her Doctor thinks that's she's confusing fantasy with reality.

We actually get a resolution to the whole Deb story as Pete reveals himself as Spidey which shocks her back into reality. Deb realises what's she's been doing and decides to go away and sort her life out. At last - she was a bit pathetic.

Meanwhile, The Owl and Octopus continue their quarrel little realising that their plans are being meddled with by the Black Cat!

Talk about good luck. He gets rid of sad Deb to fall into the arms of the hot Black Cat. Lucky man!



Al Milgrom takes-up the art chores again with the double-sized issue 75. It's a great issue where Spidey and the Black Cat start going steady and take on both The Owl and Doc Ock.

It's a big battle issue, but Spidey has to watch out for the Cat at the same time and when Ock harts her he rips his metal arms off. Ouch.

Disaster strikes in the final part as the Cat gets gunned down by Doc Ocks henchmen. Spidey rushes her to the best hospital in New York but it's touch and go if she will pull through.

Somehow, he manges to take his exam whilst he waits for the Cat to wake -up after the emergency operation. Fortunately, she makes it. Well we knew she would - but it's a well written issue and Pete's despair at not being able to help her when she's hurt really comes through in the writing.

In fact, all four issues are top work by Mantlo (and Milgrom for the most part). Bringing back the Cat was a masterstroke and the Owl/ Octopus war well done.

At the end of #76, Dock Ock is seen getting his arms repaired and swearing revenge. Things don't look good for the new couple!

Rating 8/10