The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3
Title: “Spider-Man Versus Doctor Octopus”
Medium: comic
Cover date: July 1963
Publisher:
Keywords: science, atomic energy, insanity
5 characters in this story:
| Character (Click links for info about character and his/her religious practice, affiliation, etc.) |
Religious Affiliation |
Team(s) [Notes] |
Pub. | # app. |
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Secret Defenders; Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends...  |
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10,664 | ||||||
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Sinister Six; The Masters of Evil... |
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1,006 | |||||||
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[criminal; thief] | |
4 | |||||||
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NYPD | |
3 | |||||||
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[1st app: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963)] | |
3 |
HIGHLIGHTS: Doctor Octopus is introduced.
There is little overtly religious content in this story, but we cover this story here in considerably more detail than we might otherwise do because of its historical significance as the third issue of The Amazing Spider-Man and the story that introduces one of Spider-Man's greatest enemies: Doctor Octopus.
BELOW: All 21 pages of Amazing Spider-Man #3:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963). Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
Doctor Octopus would soon become permanently regarded as one of Spider-Man's arch-enemies, matched only by the Green Goblin in importance. The character's significance in Spider-Man's mythos is indicated by the fact that when Spider-Man made the jump to feature films, the second movie - Spider-Man 2 (2004) - pitted Spidey against Doctor Octopus (after the first film featured the Green Goblin).
Doctor Octopus was a great character from this very first issue in which he appeared. He had an interesting personality, was visually distinctive and had fairly unique powers. His status as one of the nation's leading atomic scientists, his insanity-born ruthlessness and his powerful mechanical arms all combined to make him a truly formidable opponent for Spider-Man.
The fact that "Doc Ock" was such a dangerous foe was a key point of this story: In the beginning of the story Spider-Man actually bemoans the fact that none of the crooks or criminal gangs he has been tackling offer him much of a challenge. He feels he is so powerful that nobody is a worthy opponent for him. One of the "morals to the story" in Amazing Spider-Man #3 is to be "careful what you wish for, you might just get it." Spider-Man unwisely and perhaps pridefully wishes that he could battle an opponent on his level. He gets the opportunity in spades in this issue!
BELOW: Spider-Man tackles street-level crime, but wishes for an opponent who will give him a run for his money:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: At an atomic research center, Doctor Octopus is about to be introduced. Be careful what you wish for, Spider-Man!
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 3, panel 1. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Introduction of brilliant atomic scientist Otto Octavious (Doctor Octopus):
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 3, panels 2-6. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: An accident transforms scientist Otto Octavious insane criminal scientist Doctor Octopus:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 3, panel 4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: For the first time, Doctor Octopus controls his mechanical arms mentally. He thinks of himself as the "supreme human being on Earth"!
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 5, panels 1-5. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Peter Parker, motivated by money: "Just have a check ready for me!":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 5, panels 6-8. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Peter Parker, motivated by money: "Just have a check ready for me!":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 5, panels 6-8. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Prideful Spider-Man believes he can do "almost anything" and yearns for more challenging "competition":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 6, panels 3-6. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: In his insanity-driven scientific pursuits, Doctor Octopus turns to crime and is willing to abduct and even murder people: "I have the right to do anything - as long as I have the power!":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 7, panels 1-4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Doctor Octopus, driven mad with power (and rather enamored with his own power), confronts Spider-Man for the first time:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 8, panel 2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Classic poses of Doctor Octopus taunting Spider-Man. Doctor Octopus believes his power "is the energy of an atom, born of a nuclear accident!":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 9, panels 1-2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Feeling he has been defeated for the first time, Spider-Man suffers from extreme self-doubt:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 10, panels 1-2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Insane Doctor Octopus thinks that "nothing can stop him now" and that he is the "strongest man alive!":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 11, panels 1-4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Insane Doctor Octopus, believing himself unstoppable, takes over an atomic energy plant:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 12, panel 2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: After his first big defeat as Spider-Man, Peter Parker gives up:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 12, panels 5-7. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: "Looks like he lost his favorite test tube":
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 13, panel 1. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: An inspirational speech by the Human Torch inspires Peter Parker (Spider-Man) to get back in the game:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 13, panel 2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Stirred by Johnny Storm's words, Spider-Man decides to get back in action!
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 14, panel 1. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Spider-Man uses one of greatest assets - his scientific expertise - to plan a way to defeat Doctor Octopus:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 16, panels 2-4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Spider-Man uses one of greatest assets - his scientific expertise - to plan a way to defeat Doctor Octopus:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 16, panels 2-4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Spider-Man graciously thanks the Human Torch for the inspiration he provided:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 21, panels 3-4. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
BELOW: Flash Thompson still thinks Peter Parker is a "bookworm," but expresses admiration for the heroism of Spider-Man for the first time:
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man (vol. 1) #3 (July 1963), pg. 21, panel 5. Written by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko.
