The last time we saw the Vulture was in Amazing Spider-Man #2 where he was first introduced. He began as a formidable foe except that Spider-Man found his weakness: Using am anti-magnetic device that disabled the Vulture's flying harness. The Vulture is the first villain that Spider-Man faces for a second time in his career. It would be pretty interesting to know why they brought this character instead of a new one or Doc Ock, but here he is: The return of the Vulture!

The Vulture has been in prison since his defeat in his first appearance and is on best behavior, so he has been made a trustee and allowed to use the machine shop. What the guards and the Warden does not know though is that the Vulture is creating a new flying device right under their noses. After testing it out in his cell, the Vulture flies to freedom over the prison walls and miles away. At the same time in Midtown High School, news of his escape is announced on the radio. Peter Parker quickly goes home and changes into Spider-Man checks all of his equipment which includes the anti-magnetic inverter is used successfully against the Vulture in their last meeting. The Vulture seems more confident then his last time he was free, flying with great precision and speed. He robs a jewelry store then meets a swinging Spider-Man ready for combat. This time the Vulture was ready as he re-designed the harness so that it would not be affected by the anti-magnetic inverter and Spider-Man doesn't suspect it. After Spider-Man uses the inverter, the Vulture playfully falls to the ground out of Spider-Man's sight then begins to fly towards him again faking him out completely with a solid punch to the jaw. Falling to the ground, it looks bad for Spidey, but he lands on the roof of a nearby building. The Vulture now thinks that "No man ever dare defy me now!"

Peter returns home thinking that he has broke his arm and has it put in a sling at the doctors. The Vulture on the other hand is hiding out in an abandoned silo in Staten Island pondering his next big heist. He thinks and thinks, and realizes that the Daily Bugle must employ hundreds, therefore they must have a huge payroll. When he arrives at the Bugle, publisher J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, and Peter are greeted by him when he flies through the window. He orders Jameson to open the safe as Peter quietly leaves and changes into Spider-Man. Spider-Man arrives through a window and surprises the Vulture, and they begin to battle with Jameson in the middle. The battle gets out of hand as it proceeds throughout the offices at the Daily Bugle and many people flee the scene or hide under their desk like Ms. Brant. As the Vulture tries to find a room with more flying space and goes into the press room with Spider-Man closely behind him. At one point, the Vulture tries to push Spider-Man into the huge press rollers, but Spider-Man barely evades him at the last second but re-injures his arm. The Vulture flies outside taking Spider-Man with him, higher and higher into the sky. He prepares to drop Spider-Man to his death until Spider-Man webs-up his wings pinning them to his body. As they both fall to the ground, Spider-Man creates a web-parachute and it slows their descent. He leaves the Vulture for the authorities and then gets blames by Jameson for all the damage that they created. I guess spidey just had enough, because he webs Jameson's mouth and shuts him up pretty quick! Peter returns to the office stating that he was hiding in a closet to Betty as they share a personal moment together talking romantically while sitting on the floor behind the desk where Betty was hiding. Peter eventually asks Betty out for Dinner as seen in Untold Tales of Spider-Man #3.

This is an excellent issue but far from the magic that took place in the first 6 issues. It is interesting to point out that Aunt May is first referred to as Mrs. Parker for the first time in this issue confirming her last name. Also, this is the issue that first states where the Parker residence is: "A quiet residential neighborhood in Forest Hills".  The Vulture next appears chronologically in Untold Tales Of Spider-Man #5, then again in Untold Tales Of Spider-Man #12 before becoming one sixth of the Sinister Six in the eventful Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1.

 Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #4
Marvel Tales #144
 Spider-Man Classics #8
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1
Spider-Man Essentials I