Fresh off the last issue, this one opens with
J. Jonah Jameson, giddy as can be, reveling in his expose showing Spider-Man as the
coward Jameson, and the world now, think he is. We then see the reactions to
this news from several notable characters, hero and villain alike. While the
Green Goblin gloats about being the first to make Spider-Man run away scared,
we see other villains such as Doctor Octopus, Kraven the Hunter, and the
Vulture wishing that it could have been their victories. We then also get reactions
from the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, and Daredevil, each disappointed over
Spider-man’s apparent cowardice. Even the public thinks of Spider-Man as a
coward, while Jameson proclaims that Spider-Man hasn’t been seen in weeks. We
then see exactly why that is, as Peter Parker has been feverishly taking care
of his ailing Aunt May this whole time, rarely leaving her side, unable to
concentrate in school and ignoring his peers, even with May’s friend,
Anna Watson’s, help.
Meanwhile, at school, Flash Thompson is the only one
who still believes in Spidey, making him the unpopular one for once. Liz Allan
tries to make plans with Peter but Peter is too worried about Aunt May and
their quickly depleting funds, and tries to come up with ways to make money
fast. As Spider-Man, Peter goes to a company that prints baseball cards and
offers to let them make cards of him, but he gets shot down. No one wants
anything of Spider-Man anymore. Outside, Spidey sees a bunch of crooks about to
break in to a jewelry store, but is too worried about Aunt May in case anything
should happen to him, calling the heist in to the police instead. At home,
Peter tries calling Betty Brant, to see if she’s still angry at him, but she’s
still very upset from everything, while Jameson, on the other hand, is happy as
could be, to the great annoyance of his employees.
With Peter later still unable to contact Betty, he
reminisces about all the times he’s saved her, thinking of his recent battles
with the various members of the Sinister Six from Annual #1. As he keeps being
reminded of how everyone now hates Spider-Man, and with Betty upset at Peter
Parker, he even tries seeing Betty in person but she runs away, afraid of being
hurt again. Peter’s next idea for making money comes to him as he tries to sell
his web formula as a super strong adhesive. However, once it’s apparent that
his webs dissolve after a short time, Spidey is turned down, as a temporary
adhesive isn’t wanted, and it would take too long to modify and improve it.
After Spidey swings away, he suddenly encounters the Sandman, who’s looking for
the chance to pay Spidey back for his previous defeats. Spider-Man is still
concerned about Aunt May and reasons that he could lose, worrying about what
would happen to Aunt May if that happened. Spider-Man finds himself evading and
running from Sandman, while the public just sees this as more proof of his
cowardice.
As Jameson continues his coverage of Spider-Man with
glee, the public’s opinion on Spider-Man just gets worse and worse. The
Human Torch, fed up, knows that there must be something else going on, and writes a
message for Spider-Man in the sky to meet him at their last meeting place (from
Strange Tales Annual #2). However, though the Torch waits at the Statue of
Liberty long into the night, Spider-Man never shows, leaving the Torch
despondent. Late the next night, Liz comes to Peter worried about Flash. She tells
Peter that Flash got the bright idea to dress up like Spider-Man, so that the
real Spider-Man will arrive when he gets into trouble, proving that he’s still
a hero. Flash, dressed as Spidey, encounters some crooks and quickly gets
overwhelmed, as Peter races to find him. Fortunately, Flash is saved by some
nearby cops, as Peter realizes how close the whole thing was.
The next day, Peter tries to talk to Flash, who blows
him off, upset and frustrated with the whole ordeal. On his way home, Peter
sees Betty with another guy, leaving Peter in even worse spirits, depressed
over the various troubles being Spider-Man has given him. At home, Peter
decides to quit being Spider-Man for good, when he sees Aunt May up and about
and worries for her wellbeing. Aunt May gives him some empowering words, saying
that she’s not going to quit, even if the road ahead may be hard, and that he
doesn’t need to worry about her so much. Inspired by her words, Peter realizes
that he can’t quit either, donning his Spider-Man outfit once again, knowing
that Spider-Man is who he is, and nothing will change that!