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The Amazing Spider-Man #14

Jul 1964

Stan Lee, Steve Ditko

Story Name:

The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin

Synopsis

The Amazing Spider-Man #14 synopsis by Peter Silvestro

Rating:

The Green Goblin hatches a foolproof plan to destroy Spider-Man. First he enlists the aid of the Enforcers in his scheme of revenge. Then, he promises Hollywood film producer B.J.Cosmos that he can deliver Spidey as the star of his next picture. Finally, he persuades the Web-Spinning Wonder that a film career is an easy ticket to fame and fortune. The movie deal is signed and soon Spidey is headed off to Hollywood. On a movie location in the New Mexico desert, the Goblin springs his trap and the Enforcers attack Spider-Man. After a frantic battle, Spidey lures his foes into a dark cave where he traps the Enforcers, leaving only the Green Goblin to deal with... Or so he thinks. To his surprise, he discovers that the cave was the hideout of the Hulk, who does not take kindly to being disturbed. Spider-Man is unable to defeat the rampaging giant with strength or webs and he finally hides underwater until the Hulk is gone. Spider-Man delivers the Enforcers to the police, then discovers that the producer has scrapped the Spider-Man movie in favor of one starring the Hulk. Peter Parker returns to New York older and wiser and the Green Goblin sets to work on another plot to destroy Spider-Man.

Expanded Summary by Anthony Silvestro:

Our story immediately introduces its new villain, showing the Green Goblin, with his real face obscured, finishing his mechanical broomstick and flying off to meet the Enforcers in a nearby hotel room. The Green Goblin offers the Enforcers, comprised of Fancy Dan, Ox, and Montana, the promise of revenge on Spider-Man if they agree to work for him. The Goblin then flies to the offices of movie executive, B. J. Cosmos, in order to pitch his idea of producing a movie about Spider-Man! The Goblin evens promises to supply the real Spider-Man and flies off, telling Cosmos to get everything ready. Days later, at Midtown High, Liz Allan continues exploring her newfound crush on Peter Parker, once again mouthing off at Flash Thompson when he deigns to insult Peter.

Peter then hears the reports of a mysterious green clad figure and goes off to investigate as Spider-Man. Spider-Man finds the Green Goblin flying through the sky and catapults himself up to meet him. While there, the Goblin tells Spider-Man that famed movie producer B. J. Cosmos is in town and wants to meet him for a movie proposal. Spider-Man heads to where Cosmos is staying and Cosmos convinces Spider-Man to sign a contract to star in his movie, offering him $50,000! Spider-Man agrees, under the condition that there be no interviews or publicity. As Spider-Man heads out, the Green Goblin revels in his plan, neither Spider-Man nor Cosmos suspecting his real motives. At the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson tells Peter he’s sending him to Hollywood to get coverage of the Spider-Man movie, just as Peter hoped he would, as Betty Brant displays some jealousy over Peter being around a lot of glamorous Hollywood beauties. Back at home, Aunt May reluctantly allows Peter to go on his trip.

With everyone now at the filming location, Spidey marvels at the production, even thinking how much the Enforcers look like the real deal! The Green Goblin suggests to Spider-Man that they and the Enforcers go off to rehearse the fight scene they have scheduled. Ox attacks Spider-Man, whose spider sense quickly alerts him to fact that this was all an elaborate ambush. Spider-Man avoids and dances around the Enforcers as best he can, while Green Goblin attacks him from the air with stun grenades. Montana snags his lasso around Spider-Man, who snaps it by flexing his chest, but giving the Enforcers the opportunity to pile on top of him. Spider-Man shrugs them off and whips his webs around to create a temporary sand storm, blinding them to his movements.

Back at home, the cast of supporting characters all worry about Peter in their own ways. Back in Hollywood, the Green Goblin sees Spider-Man enter a nearby cave from above. The Goblin and the Enforcers follow Spidey into the cave and push a large boulder in front the entrance, trapping them all in the cave together. As they search for Spidey, he uses the darkness of the cave to pick off both Montana and Fancy Dan from the shadows. Green Goblin throws more stun grenades at Spider-Man who temporarily webs Goblin inside a small alcove. As the Goblin uses his broomstick exhaust to burn through the webbing, Spidey jumps down and knocks out Ox.

Suddenly, both Spider-Man and Green Goblin realize they’ve entered the wrong cave as the Hulk appears from a deeper part of the cave. The Hulk attacks, with Spider-Man doing his best to avoid the Hulk’s mighty blows. Spidey’s webbing and his own punches are ineffective and he realizes he’ll have to try a different tactic. Spidey pretends to get hit by the Hulk, and then acts stunned near the boulder sealing up the entrance. As the Hulk attacks once more, Spidey dodges out of the way, causing the Hulk to smash the boulder, allowing both Spider-Man and the Goblin to escape. Though Spidey tries catching the Goblin, he’s tired from avoiding the Hulk, and the Goblin’s broomstick exhaust knocks Spider-Man into a small spring.

Spider-Man holds his breath underwater until the Goblin flies off, then goes back to rescue the Enforcers, avoiding the Hulk in the process. Spider-Man returns to B. J. Cosmos to confront him about the whole ordeal. After hearing about the Hulk, Cosmos decides to make a movie about HIM instead, leaving Spidey high and dry. He gives Peter enough fare to get home, and Peter is forced to take the long bus ride home to save expenses. We then see the Green Goblin arrive back in New York, his face still obscured, disappointed in the failed plan but still insistent that he’ll deal with Spider-Man yet. The issue ends with Peter, now back in New York as well, worrying about the Goblin, realizing he could strike from anywhere, at any time!

Review / Commentaries

The Amazing Spider-Man #14 Review by Peter Silvestro (January 3, 2024)

Review and Comments by Anthony Silvestro:

Review: Spider-Man’s most famous enemy finally appears! And honestly, it’s kind of a weird issue. Knowing that the Goblin will pretty quickly become Spider-Man’s archenemy, this is quite the bizarre first story for him. Tricking Spider-Man into taking a role in a movie so they can ambush him feels more like a plot from the 60’s cartoon than what usually shows up here. The movie aspect is also kind of pointless. If they were just going to ambush Spidey anyway, why go through the whole plan with the movie? They could’ve lured him anywhere, with an easier method, if that was the entire end goal.

The rest of issue is still pretty fun and solid though, with some snazzy action, including Spidey’s first meeting with the Hulk! He’s pretty tacked on towards the end, but it makes for some nice world building, which was still a blooming concept at the time! This issue was a little messier than usual, with a couple of glaring mistakes. Goblin refers to the three Enforcers as the “four of you” at one point and then addresses a statement to Ox even though Montana was the one that just spoke! And let’s not get into how Spider-Man can apparently sign a contract as Spider-Man. Overall, still a fun, dynamic issue, even if the setup is a little pointless. Spider-Man’s most famous enemy is established though, and he’ll return often and soon, in much more classic and typical tales!

Comments: First appearance of the Green Goblin and first battle with Spider-Man. First meeting of Spider-Man and the Hulk, as well as Hulk’s first appearance in a Spidey comic. B. J. Cosmos offers Spider-Man $50,000 to be the movie, which would be almost $500,000 today. The Green Goblin rides a mechanical broomstick in this issue, instead of his classic glider. Notable mistakes: Green Goblin refers to the three Enforcers as the “four of you.” Right after, he answers a statement to Ox, even though Montana was the one who just spoke.

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This comic is in the following collection:

Collects Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #11-19, Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964) #1.

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Main/1st Story Full Credits

Stan Lee

Steve Ditko

Stan Goldberg

Steve Ditko (Cover Penciler)
Steve Ditko (Cover Inker)
Stan Goldberg (Cover Colorist)

Additional Credits

Letterer: Art Simek.

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

Betty Brant

Flash Thompson

Green Goblin
(Norman Osborn)

Hulk
(Robert Bruce Banner)

J. Jonah Jameson
(JJ Jameson)

May Parker
(Aunt May)

Spider-Man
(Peter Parker)

Plus: Enforcers, Fancy Dan (daniel Brito), Liz Allan (Liz Osborn), Montana (Jackson Bryce), Ox.

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