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The Amazing Spider-Man #46

Mar 1967

Stan Lee, John Romita

Story Name:

The Sinister Shocker!

Synopsis

The Amazing Spider-Man #46 synopsis by Anthony Silvestro

Rating:

Our story begins with Spider-Man perched on a wall when said wall suddenly starts violently vibrating, knocking him off. Spidey flips onto a flagpole before investigating the source of the vibration, finding a colorful criminal calling himself the Shocker! In the middle of robbing a safe, the Shocker shoots a vibration blast at Spidey, starting off a frantic battle! Spidey finds that Shocker’s vibro-shock gauntlets can also increase his striking power, while his suit vibrates to deflect Spidey’s own punches! Shocker catches Spidey by surprise, hindered by his injured arm, and momentarily knocks Spidey out with a double fisted shock blast, making his getaway. Spidey awakens and grabs his camera before wearily changing to make his way to the Daily Bugle to sell the pics he just got.

On his way to the Bugle, Pete gets offered a ride by Harry Osborn and Harry takes the opportunity to tell Peter about the apartment his dad is footing for him. Harry then offers Peter to move in to the new apartment with him and Peter tells him he’ll have to make sure Aunt May is okay on her own first. On Peter’s way in he passes Frederick Foswell who decides to take this chance to change to Patch and follow Peter, still suspicious of how he gets such good Spider-Man photos. Peter sells the exclusive photos of the Shocker to J. Jonah Jameson, before remembering that Aunt May’s train gets in soon, all the while followed by Patch. Meanwhile, the Shocker makes his way back to his hideout to count his spoils while thinking of how he got to this point. The Shocker used to just be a two-bit hood, but was able to build a prototype of his vibro-shock gauntlets during his free time in prison. He escaped, perfecting his devices after countless weeks and making a costume, giving birth to the Shocker!

At Penn Station, Peter reunites with Aunt May, who seems worried. Aunt May tells Peter about Anna Watson’s offer to move in with her, not knowing how he’ll take it, but Peter elatedly tells her about Harry’s same offer. They head to the aforementioned Mrs. Watson’s house, where May tells her the good news, and Peter and Mary Jane Watson head over to the Silver Spoon. There they encounter Harry and Flash Thompson, before Peter notices someone dancing and realizes it’s Gwen Stacy, almost not recognizing her. Harry tells them the details of Flash’s farewell party and Peter gives Harry the good news about being able to move in with him, before Peter heads out early to try and look for the Shocker again. After changing to Spidey, his spider-sense alerts him to Patch’s presence around the corner and Pete acts quickly to divert Patch’s suspicions. Pete pretends to be talking to Spidey by changing his voice, establishing the ruse that Spider-Man tips him off when he’s about to go into action, before rigging a dummy with his Spidey costume to make it look like Spidey is swinging off. Patch doesn’t completely buy it but concedes to trust what he apparently saw and heard.

With his secret safe, Pete switches back to Spidey, ditching his sling in the process, deciding his arm has healed enough. Spidey then overhears a cop reporting tremors near the Federal Reserve Bank and he makes his way there, finding the Shocker mid robbery. They engage in battle once again, going blow for blow. Spidey tries grabbing Shocker but finds he can’t hold on due to Shocker’s vibrating suit. After throwing more punches, Shocker gears up for a huge double shock blast, and Spidey quickly webs his thumbs, preventing them from reaching the buttons that activate his gauntlets. Now helpless, Spidey easily knocks out Shocker, removing his gauntlets and leaving him webbed up for the police. The next morning, Peter awakens excited, as he makes the final preparations to move in with Harry. Peter and Aunt May have an emotional farewell, though Peter reminds her that they’re just changing addresses and he’ll still be around and safe. Peter makes his way to his new apartment and Harry invites him to get himself all moved in before heading out. Peter then stands in his new apartment, during a time that should be exciting, yet unable to shake an odd melancholy feeling, wondering if becoming Spider-Man ruined his capacity for happiness.

Review / Commentaries

The Amazing Spider-Man #46 Review by Anthony Silvestro (March 28, 2024)

Review: This issue brings us another classic villain introduction with the debut of the Shocker! While he’s not the deepest or most interesting of villains, he presents a surprising threat for Spidey in this first story. He actually defeats Spidey in their first encounter, which is a pretty good showing from a guy who’s so often treated as a complete joke later. Given that he doesn’t have much in the way of character, the dynamic action scenes, beautifully drawn by John Romita, are the big highlight of this issue, with both of Spidey and Shocker’s bouts being exciting and beautifully choreographed. He does defeat Shocker slightly anticlimactically, by simply webbing his thumbs to prevent him from using his gauntlets, but it still makes for a cool fight.

The other momentous aspect of this issue is Peter moving in with Harry Osborn, giving him more freedom from Aunt May and laying more groundwork for Peter and Harry’s deepening friendship. It certainly saves Peter the angst of have to lie to Aunt May quite so often. Peter also tricks Foswell into thinking that he has a deal with Spidey, after Foswell almost discovers his identity. I’d always thought it was a little dumb for Peter to tie his superhero and civilian identities so closely together this way, but the idea was born from desperation and works pretty well given his quick thinking. It’s also an idea that sticks around for a while, giving others an explanation for how only Peter can seem to get Spidey photos. Overall, a very fun and action-packed intro to a new villain, while also establishing the new status quo of Peter’s living arrangements!

Comments: First appearance and origin of the Shocker. Peter moves in with Harry this issue and Aunt May moves in with Anna Watson.

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This comic is in the following collection:

COLLECTING: Amazing Spider-Man (1963) 39-46, Amazing Spider-Man Annual (1964) 3

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Holy smokes, Batman!
(The Boy Wonder)

Main/1st Story Full Credits

Stan Lee

John Romita

Marie Severin

John Romita (Cover Penciler)
John Romita (Cover Inker)
Stan Goldberg (Cover Colorist)

Additional Credits

Letterer: Sam Rosen.

All stories. Listed in alphabetical order.

J. Jonah Jameson
(JJ Jameson)

Mary Jane Watson
(Mary Jane)

May Parker
(Aunt May)

Shocker
(Herman Schultz)

Spider-Man
(Peter Parker)

Plus: Frederick Foswell (Big Man).

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