MRL - Untold Tales of Spider-Man (1995) #1-9

[sonotadream]

Untold Tales of Spider-Man (1995) #1-9 - Kurt Busiek/Pat Ollife

 

After Amazing Fantasy, Busiek keeps working his way in the gaps of the Lee/Ditko Spider-Man run.

When Untold Tales was first coming out, there were four other Spider-Man titles ongoing at the same time, it was the middle of the Clone Saga, and editorial thought it would be good to take a look at how it all started. It also opened the door for new character synergy, so that’ll be interesting to see in a few years.

The first issue picks up after the Lizard’s introduction. Spider-Man wants to rehabilitate his image in the eyes of the law, after Jameson harassed the police into issuing a warrant against Spider-Man, and swings into Captain Stacy’s (as in Gwen’s father) office in order to offer his services. He, for obvious reasons, refuses, so Peter tries to show his worth by interfering in a police operation. He catches the bad guy, but the police were after the big boss, so the entire thing is a bit of a blunder.

Spider-Man’s reputation takes another hit when he fails to help a councillor apprehend Bat-Wing. At first, it looks a like a giant, mutated bat, but it turns out to be a kid that turned into a bat monster after drinking some toxic water in a cave. Distrusting everyone - including Spider-Man - he runs. Distraught at the thought that he failed the kid, Peter ends up trying to help one of his bullies. Tiny is being abused by his father and that may be a problem too big for Spider-Man, but Peter can at least be there.

Next, the Sandman escapes (after being caught by the Human Torch back in Strange Tales) and launches a reign of terror over the city. He even beats Spider-Man, which sends Peter into a depressive spiral and he almost tanks his first date with Betty Brant. She gives him a pep talk, though, he beats Sandman - with the help of an industrial fan - and things are looking up again, to the point that even NASA is interested in potentially recruiting Spider-Man as an astronaut.

John Jameson is sent to evaluate Spider-Man. He also tries to talk his father out of his hatred, but with no luck.

At the same time, a new group of space themed powered people shows up, promising to catch Spider-Man. Jonah throws the Bugle support at them, but Spider-Man reveals they were frauds and robbers.

In the end, NASA doesn’t recruit Spider-Man: although his physical abilities make him a good candidate, they're still at the point in the space race where they need to study how space travel affects regular humans.

After that, it's the Vulture's turn to escape prison. This time, he stashed a pair of remote controlled wings beforehand. Peter goes after him, of course, but the Vulture escapes. He baits him with the knowledge of his nest target: an atomic accelerator being transported by the army via train.

Spider-Man tries to warn the man in charge, General Ross, but he assumes Spider-Man's doing some extortion - he offers his services at a reasonable rate.

He still goes after the Vulture. He gets caught by the soldiers guarding the transport and the Vulture takes advantage of the distraction to steal the accelerator, leading Ross to assume they are working together.

In the end, Spider-Man prevails and he leaves the accelerator all webbed up for General Ross.

Meanwhile, there's drama brewing in the friend group. Jason - Busiek's OC that might have been named in the original run - plays a prank on Peter by stealing his clothes after gym class but no one else finds it funny (Peter is touched the others stand up for him as he steals his clothes back). Jason is resentful, thinking everyone would have a laugh if it had been Flash's idea, and plans something…

… that turns out to be teaming with another student, Sally, to unmask Spider-Man and collect the reward from the Daily Bugle.

Spider-Man and the Human Torch also team up to stop the Wizard. He still wants to prove he’s better than Johnny, so he challenges him with a series of riddles about the location of mortal traps. Johnny is put out about Spider-Man interference at first, but he vastly prefers his help to that of the team of experts assembled by the Mayor. He even asks Peter to come see his convertible collection, but Peter would rather visit Reed Richard’s lab…

The next villain to return is Electro. He teams up with a guy named Wrinkler who has a hypnotism machine. Under the guise of free eye exams, he uses it to control people around the city into committing several robberies at the same time. Spider-Man becomes one of the victims because Aunt May has been nagging him into getting his eyes checked since he stopped wearing his glasses.

He's rescued by Jason and Sally and their camera flash. They have been following Spider-Man around. They don’t unmask him, but they get to claim credit for taking down Electro. Jason is satisfied, but Sally is still planning something…

With the Big Man behind bars, another man decides to take control of the Enforcers and the criminal underground: Norman Osborn.

After his partner is put away for embezzlement and he takes sole control of his company, Norman goes power hungry and decides to play by his own rules.

He has a enforcer of his own, the Headsman, and Norman tasks him with recruiting the other Enforcers and destroy Spider-Man.

Unfortunately, his plans are foiled by both Spider-Man and his son, Harry.

Harry has been trying to connect with his father for a while now - it seems his personality did a 180 lately. When he sees the Enforcers approaching his building, he sends a flare to get Spider-Man's attention. He tries to tell his father, but Norman's too busy designing a costume for himself to pay attention to Harry.

We finish this batch with the return of the Lizard. Dr. Connors is in New York for a lecture and Peter reaches out, hoping he can help Batwing. Connors develops a serum, but Batwing accidentally breaks the flask and the serum touches Connors' bloodstream, turning him back into the Lizard.

Spider-Man and Batwing go looking for him after hearing about a break in at the zoo. They follow a trail of reptiles through the sewers to the Lizard’s location.

He gets the upper hand on Spider-Man but Batwing - maybe because he's scared, maybe because he heard Spider-Man talking about Connors son - calls for his dad while begging the Lizard not to hurt his friend.

It distracts the Lizard long enough for Spider-Man to shove the antidote into his mouth and cure him.

Batwing, feeling that Connors understands what he's going through, travels with him to Florida, hopefully to a cure.

Honestly, I think this series is fun. Trying to work around the gaps of the original run might be awkward, but it also helps to fill the world.