There have been very few villains in the Marvel Universe that have appeared as much as the villain known as the Beetle. Not exactly in the ranks of a Dr. Doom or Magneto, but still, the Beetle has a very rich history which includes many changes. He first appeared in the pages of Strange Tales #123, and has come across just about every hero out there, including our favorite one: Spider-Man! The Beetle would go on to face Spider-Man many more times in the future, but this is the first! How fitting is at that the Human Torch also appears in this issue, since the Beetle made his debut in his story from Strange Tales #123? Well, here it is, the second appearance of the Beetle in "Where Flies The Beetle...!"

The story begins with man known as the Beetle just finishing his prison term and taking home his armored costume. He seeks revenge on the Human Torch for the events that transpired in the pages of Strange Tales #123. His release from prison doesn't go unnoticed by the Torch either, as he suddenly flames-on when he reads about the Beetle's release. At the same time, Peter Parker is studying at home when he decides to suit up as Spider-Man and go out swinging. Spider-Man discovers the Human Torch flying around town, as he is searching for the Beetle. Out from behind a building. Soon thereafter, everyone goes home, and the Torch has an argument with his girlfriend Doris Evans. Angered that her date would just fly away on a whim, Doris gives Johnny an ultimatum that he cannot flame-on for 24 hours. Overhearing this little conversation, was the Beetle, and he definitely plans to take advantage of the ultimatum.

Later in the day, Peter Parker "runs" into Doris, and he finds her wallet that she accidentally dropped on the street. (Note: The events from Amazing Spider-Man #8 - Second story, transpire after this issue since this shows the first true meeting between Peter and Doris Evans). Peter returns the wallet to Doris' house and is invited into her home for a coke. When Peter leaves the house, Johnny sees him, and jealously asks Doris what he was doing there. Later at the Daily Bugle, Peter gets an uninvited guest: The Human Torch, who warns him to stay away from his girl. After Betty overhears this, she becomes upset thinking that there is another girl in Peter's life. Peter tells off Johnny, and catches up to Betty. Too upset to talk, Betty walks away, and Peter is completely angered by the whole situation. He suits up as Spider-Man, and plans to visit Doris to make a "play" on her.

Spider-Man gets a very unpleasant surprise when he arrives in the form of the Beetle, and the two go at each other. The Beetle throws Spider-Man into a tree, before Spidey gets back to his feet and they continue to fight. While all of this is happening, Doris is inside her house talking to Johnny on the phone, describing what she sees outside. Johnny reacts as if she is just trying to test him to flame-on and rescue her from the danger of the two super powered characters battling, and soon hangs-up. Spider-Man and the Beetle eventually make their way into Doris' home, crashing through a window together. Just as Johnny prepares himself to make a little visit to Doris, the Beetle takes her hostage and flies away with her. After Spider-Man attempts to follow them, Johnny arrives at Doris' home and discovers that the home is a shamble. He quickly flames-on, thinking that Spider-Man somehow must be involved. The Torch catches up to Spider-Man, and the two begin to battle it out, until the Beetle is seen with Doris. The Beetle lets Doris go safely to the ground, but not before Spider-Man and the Torch go after him. At first, the Beetle does well against the two teenage superheroes, but he is eventually defeated when he is webbed by the web-head, then encased in a "fire-cell" courtesy of the Human Torch.

Doris and Johnny reunite happily, while Spider-Man stands there comparing his life to that of the Human Torch. Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson is still angry at Parker for not doing much work for him lately, and Betty Brant is angry at him. Peter wishes he could be just like the Torch, who gets all the glory, respect, the praise, and even the girl. Peter can't help but think of himself as a "costumed super-powered sad sack". In the end, Spider-Man goes swinging away to try and clear his mind.

Another classic Spider-Man/ Human Torch team-up, and one of the earliest. Johnny wonders aloud that he thinks that Spider-Man is a wonderful guy, but sometimes, he wants to knock his block off. They team-up many, MANY more times in the future. As for the Beetle, Spider-Man meets him again in the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #94 when the Beetle takes Peter's Aunt May hostage in a Spider-Man origin filled issue.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #16
Marvel Tales #159
Giant-Size Spider-Man #5
Spider-Man Megazine #6
 Marvel Masterworks Vol. 10
Spider-Man Essentials II