In this issue, we see the return of the Ringmaster and his “Circus of Crime”—scratch that. They quickly toss Ringmaster out and rebrand themselves under the clown’s leadership as “The Masters of Menace.” Their brilliant new heist? An art show hosted by none other than J. Jonah Jameson. To top it off, Cannonball, one of their members, hits the news mogul hard enough to not only knock him out but land him in the hospital.

Story

The dynamic cast—featuring J. Jonah, Peter’s classmates, and the ongoing love drama with Betty and potential advances from Liz Allan—shines through. This slice-of-life portrayal of a high-school-aged superhero is what makes Spider-Man stories so compelling. Even with an underwhelming group of antagonists (who frankly lack much depth), the main cast and their evolving dynamics more than make up for it. More than any other hero of the time, Spider-Man’s world feels real. His out-of-costume drama is relatable, and this issue puts it all on display.

Artwork

Steve Ditko’s work continues to define Spider-Man’s classic era. Take a close look at the interactions between Peter and his classmates, or his moments with Betty, and you’ll see what makes the art and story of Spider-Man so enduring. Ditko captures the humanity of these characters in every frame, making even the mundane moments pop with emotion.

Characters & Development

This issue feels like a stabilizing chapter after the rocky path of the previous one, especially with the jealousy injected into Peter’s relationships with Betty, Johnny Storm, and Doris Evans. Hopefully, this marks the end of that particular chapter—along with its 1960s-style take on women. As for the rest of the cast, they’re given good moments throughout the issue, though not much in terms of development.

Overall, this issue delivers on what makes Spider-Man such a timeless hero: the balance between high-stakes superhero action and the grounded, relatable drama of Peter Parker’s personal life. While the Masters of Menace may not be the most memorable villains, the depth and heart of the main cast ensure this issue remains engaging from start to finish.

What did you think of this issue? Do you agree with our take, or did something stand out to you that we missed? Let us know in the comments below—we’d love to hear your thoughts!