This special issue opens with the Avengers discussing
the matter of possibly adding Spider-Man to their ranks. Captain America leads
the discussion and Hawkeye immediately voices his approval for Spider-Man
joining, while Goliath suggests that Spider-Man ought to be tested. The Wasp
isn’t fond of this idea but after debating in circles for a bit, Cap suggests
that they learn more about Spider-Man first. Hawkeye then suggests they contact
Daredevil, as he has had a few run-ins with Spidey in the past! The Avengers
then blanket the area with high frequency radio signals, which alerts
Daredevil. Daredevil arrives and voices his recommendation for Spidey to join
the Avengers. With this new positive info, the Avengers set out to find
Spider-Man.
Thor is the one who finally finds Spider-Man,
encountering him when Spidey is swinging around the city. Thor tells Spider-Man
that he’s to be tested for Avengers membership and Spidey is taken aback,
asking for time to consider the idea. Peter heads home, all the while thinking
about how being an Avenger might affect his life. When he gets home, Aunt May
asks Peter to pick up a new medicine prescription which gives him more time to
mull over the pros and cons of joining the Avengers. Peter thinks that it may
be harder to maintain his secret identity if he’s more in the public eye but
thinks that it could also open up new avenues for him. After tons of
soul-searching, Peter makes the decision to give it a shot, seeing it as an
opportunity to use his spider powers on a grander scale.
Spidey heads over to Avengers Mansion and is formally
introduced to all of the team, minus Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, who are
currently in Europe. Spidey is itching to get to his test but the Avengers
admit they haven’t decided what it should be yet. Iron Man suggests that Spidey
leave while they think of how to test him, which causes Spidey to lose his
temper a bit, feeling like he’s being talked down to. Hawkeye retaliates a bit,
which causes Spidey to think that this may be the test, as he attacks the
Avengers! Spidey tussles with the Avengers for a bit, even after realizing that
this isn’t actually the test, as tempers run high! After breaking the fight up,
Iron Man suggests that Spider-Man go bring the Hulk back to the Avengers as his
test, and Spidey impulsively heads out, before the Avengers can give him all of
the details or explain why they want the Hulk!
Spidey scours the city for a bit to no avail and
decides to stop by the Daily Bugle for a drink. Spidey stops in, royally
aggravating J. Jonah Jameson, when Frederick Foswell suddenly runs in with news
that the Hulk has been spotted near a Gamma Ray research center! Blessing his
good fortune, Spidey swings over to the research center, quickly finding the
Hulk, who doesn’t seem to remember Spidey from their last meeting in ASM #14.
Spidey avoids the Hulk’s attacks while finding his own completely ineffective!
Spidey continues to avoid the Hulk’s punches, when Hulk punches right through
the shielding wall, dousing him in a heavy dose of gamma rays, temporarily
reverting him back to Bruce Banner! Spidey is shocked, having had no idea that
the famous scientist Bruce Banner is also the Hulk!
After hearing of his whole ordeal, Spidey thinks that
the Hulk needs help, not punishment! Just then, Banner starts to change back
into the Hulk, and Spidey staggers him with a mighty blow before he reaches
full strength! As he begins to try and web up the Hulk, Spidey sympathizes with
him and decides he’s not going to turn the Hulk over to the Avengers. The Hulk
then easily frees himself and lumbers off, having quickly forgotten about
Spider-Man. Spidey stops by Avengers Mansion again to tell the Avengers that he
couldn’t even find the Hulk and he quickly heads out. The Avengers then ponder
Spider-Man’s supposed failure, revealing that they wanted him to bring the Hulk
there in order to help him. Meanwhile, a weary and saddened Peter makes his way
home, all the while trying to convince himself that he made the right decision.