Mesmero’s Revenge!
Raconteours: Denny O’Neil, James Mooney
Graphique / technician: P. Marcos
Calligrapher: Jim Novak
Purveyor of colour: Ben Sean
Originally published: August 1980

First eh fashion industry, and now Broadway. Spidey’s really taking an interest in the arts. Unfortunately, though, this battle with Mesmero was once again a complete misfire. And what was with that drug dealer that kept showing up? Did he have a point?

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A Method in his Madness!
Writer: Roger Stern
Artists: John Byrne, Gene Day
Letterer: Diana Albers
Colorist: George Roussos
Originally published: July 1980

We finally find out what Jonas Harrow’s up to — he has developed a “mental attitude-response variator ray…a device which will drive men mad!” That’s pretty cool, isn’t it? He’s the one that cause J. Jonah Jameson to go batty, and presumably is causing the problems for Robbie Robertson too.

It actually takes awhile for Peter Parker, let alone Spider-Man, to show up in this issue. It’s an interesting choice, and it works! There hasn’t been much going on in Peter Parker’s world lately, and it’s nice to see some of his normal non-Spidey life (even if it’s still saturated with super villains).

I love when people fuck with Spidey’s mind, as long as it’s well-done. This issue was. Check out these two panels:

Hehe, whim-whams. And how about this bit of comedy gold:

That, along with gesundheit jokes, will always be a classic.

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Pretty Poison
Writer: Roger Stern
Penciller: Mike Zeck
Inker: Steve Mitchell
Letterer: John Costanza
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Originally published: June 1980

Sweet cover! Brutal issue, though. Spider-Man saves the fashion world! I certainly hope Madam Belladonna never makes a reappearance.

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Spider-Man in “The Trap”
Originally published: June 1980

June 1980:
Conan the Barbarian #111, Ka-Zar #9, What If #21, Captain America #246

Clearly this is such an awesome title that they had to use it twice. Yes, this is the second Hostess Spider-Man comic entitled “The Trap”. How clever.

This particular Hostess ad has a weak plot, though I guess that’s not a great surprise. Larcenous Lil and her two henchmen manage to trap Spider-Man in a net, even though his Spider Sense warned him of danger, and even though dropping a net on Spider-Man as he swings by is a stupid plan. Once captured, en route to Lil’s lair, Spidey offers one of the thugs some delicious Hostess Twinkies Cakes to let him go. Although he sense that Lil will be displeased by his actions, the thug is unable to resist the confections and let’s Spidey free. When they all arrive at Lil’s lair, Spidey webs the dame up. Hurray.

Let’s face it: these Hostess ads are ridiculous. There’s no way to play them straight, which is why I much prefer the ads that are more absurd and surreal. This was just a really lousy caper, with nothing rewarding.

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…In Love and War!
Writer: David Michelinie
Pencils: Keith Pollard
Inks: Jim Mooney
Letters: Diana Albers
Colors: Carl Gafford
Originally published: June 1980

So I guess Christmas has come and gone? If Pete’s going back to school?

Anyway, in this story we find out that the Black Cat is head-over-heels in love with Spidey, though in a kind of crazy, “I’ve lost my marbles” kind of way. Michelinie has a couple missteps, but overall I really liked what he did here.

Incidentally, I wouldn’t mind an explanation of why/how the Black Cat is alive, and how her bad luck powers work.

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