John Romita Sr. joined Stan Lee back in August of 1966 to begin the second stage of the wall-crawler’s illustrious career, which is once again available in The Amazing Spider-Man: Spider-Man No More Epic Collection.
The re-release of 2018’s Spider-Man No More Epic Collection starts off the Romita era with the Green Goblin storyline that established him as Spider-Man’s arch foe and was also reportedly the last straw for original Amazing Spider-Man artist Steve Ditko. According to author Les Daniels in 1991’s Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World’s Greatest Comics, Ditko resigned after a disagreement with Lee over the Goblin’s identity. Lee insisted that the Goblin be a surprise character that was already introduced in the comic and Ditko balked at the idea, preferring that the Goblin be a new character. Lee won the argument, opening the door for Ditko’s departure and Romita’s entrance when Norman Osbourn was revealed as the Green Goblin in issue #39.
In addition to the Goblin, the collection includes appearances by the Rhino, the Shocker, the Lizard, Kraven the Hunter, the Vulture, and the first appearance of the Kingpin. Miss Mary Jane Watson also makes here dramatic “Face it tiger…you just hit the jackpot!” blind date debut in issue #42. Spidey gets his first crack at joining the Avengers (as long as he capture the Hulk, in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3, which also graces the cover) and another memorable adventure with compatriot Johnny Storm aka Th Human Torch in the collection
The Spider-Man No More Epic Collection contains Amazing Spider-Man #39-52, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #3-4, and some comedy material from Not Brand Echh #2 and retails for $39.99 for 400 pages of stories. Look for the re-release at your local comic shop on December 29 and at your local bookseller on January 4.
Check out the cover below and be sure to check back with Conskipper for all of your vintage comic needs.
