Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 253

   

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 253
Release Date: June 1984

Highlights

• First appearance of Mr. Valery, Wendy Thorton, Mr. Johnson, Ray Nesters, Tony Nesters, Babyface Bob Clayton, Coach James Albertson
• Though not the first appearance of Richard Fisk, this is his first appearance as his villainous alter ego, The Rose
• Peter has been assigned to Wendy Thorton as her photographer for a football game
• Reference is made to Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars 6, and The Amazing Spider-Man 243
• The people of New York still don't recognize Spider-Man in his new costume
• Ray Nesters is being paid by The Rose to throw the football games he's playing in
• Ray says the playoffs are coming up, and he won't throw anymore games, he's told that's a big mistake
• Peter finally tells his Aunt that he's postponed his graduate studies, and she reacts as if it's the end of the world
• Joe Robertson calls Peter into his office, and reams him out for his poor quality photos of the game, and in general that he's been dropping the ball lately - He's warned that he's not the only freelancer in town
• The Rose kidnaps Tony Nesters, and leaves a note for Ray that they should talk
• Ray drives his car through the wall of The Rose's hideout, and though he makes a good stand, finally get's overtaken - Fortunately, Spider-Man busts in, still not recognized in his new suit
• Ray realizes there's only one way out, and confesses to his ties with criminals, and quits football
• The story comes full circle with Wendy saying that she doesn't understand how someone with so much potential could flush their life down the toilet - A statement that speaks to Peter Parker's decision to drop out of schol

Low Points

• Is that really the way out though? I mean, The Rose would probably still have him killed

Oddities

• If Peter Parker wears the symbiote all day long, having it not only as his regular street clothes, but his spidey suit, when does he wash? Does he wash it? What does it smell like?
• Editor's Day Off: A panel where Spider-Man swings away from the stadium has the top of his "glove" colored the same as the sky in the background

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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