Yes, the Kangaroo is on the cover of Amazing Spider-Man #126, but don't be thrown off by that - this actually is a pretty darn good issue, with a major revelation at the end!

The Kangaroo first tangled with the web-slinger in Amazing Spider-Man #81. Back then, he was an Australian tough guy with slight superhuman abilities - mainly his ability to jump. In the first fight, the Kangaroo steals a vial of deadly bacteria and it's clear an accidental bacteria spill is a much bigger threat than anything the Kangaroo could do. But in this issue, ol' Kangy gets an upgrade in the leaping and strength departments, courtesy of Dr. Jonas Harrow. Call him Kangaroo version 2.0. Dr. Harrow is a behind-the-scenes type - a discredited scientist who now sells his services to create super-villains. His most notable creation was Hammerhead back in Amazing Spider-Man #114 where Harrow was introduced, but he's also responsible for creating Will-O'-the-Wisp and Megawatt. He hasn't been seen very often in recent years, but he was a solid Spider-Man foe during the 1970s. Being the hot-headed, but not too bright, fellow that he is, Kangaroo decides he's no longer interested in a partnership with Harrow and backhands the doctor to the floor. However, the Kangaroo soon returns in spasms of agony. Harrow reveals that he has implanted a small device in the Kangaroo's forehead. Should he refuse orders again, he will suffer excruciating pain.

Harrow sends Kangaroo to steal a heavily guarded radioactive isotope. Spider-Man hears of the break-in and intercepts the battlin' marsupial before he reaches the isotope. The two fight and Kangaroo punches a hole through the heavy door housing the isotope. Spider-Man tells him the radioactivity is dangerous, but Kangaroo won't listen. The Kangaroo pushes Spider-Man away and opens the door - only to be disintegrated by the lethal rays. Spider-Man closes the door and leaves before the cops arrive. Dr. Harrow arrives to discover Spider-Man has beaten his creation. "No matter. In a week or a month...I'll try again. Eventually, I'll win. Eventually, I'll gain...the power," he thinks. So much for the Kangaroo. This really was it for him - although a second Kangaroo appears many years later in Spectacular Spider-Man #242 as part of the Legion of Losers, along with fellow C-listers the Grizzly, the Gibbon and the Spot.

The real news of this issue comes on the final page. Mary Jane Watson goes to see Harry Osborn, but Harry won't open the door. Eventually, she goes away mad, (this just wasn't MJ's day, as you'll see below). Harry is inside, clutching the Green Goblin costume he pulled off of his father's body after Amazing Spider-Man #122 and appears to be completely mad, as he's rambling and sweating profusely. "It's my costume now...I took it off his body, so it's mine," Harry raves. "And nobody must ever know...nobody must ever find out...Harry Osborn is the Green Goblin!"

We have a few other sub-plots brewing as well. We get a brief follow-up from last issue, where J. Jonah Jameson visits his son, John, in the hospital (remember, his son has had some recent problems with his transformations into the Man-Wolf). These follow-ups are always great - they make the previous issue's events seem important and encourage readers to never miss an issue. A humorous sub-plot in this issue is the first mention of the late, lamented Spider-Mobile. I know some people groan when you mention this plot, but it's clear the Spider-Mobile was intended to be a joke from the beginning. Two marketing executives (who look suspiciously like Stan Lee and Roy Thomas) hail Spider-Man and pitch the idea of a Spider-Man themed car. They represent the manufacture of a new non-polluting engine and they figure Spider-Man can give their client some publicity. I guess they don't read the Daily Bugle. Spidey initially balks at the suggestion, but changes his mind when the rent comes due and he realizes he needs the money. Spider-Man pays a visit to his buddy the Human Torch and asks for the Torch's help in building the Spider-Mobile, since Johnny Storm is a big-time car aficionado.

Also, for the second time in three issues, Peter Parker blows up at Mary Jane. She asks him to join the gang for a Coke and says she won't take no for an answer. "That's really just too bad, MJ," Peter says, as he walks away. "Because that's the only answer I've got!" Face it, Tiger - you have no clue when it comes to women.

I've said this in a previous review, but it bears repeating: writer Gerry Conway was just great at keeping these long-term storylines moving, while still giving the reader a main story he can sink his teeth into.

Coming up in next month's issue, we've got a part one of a neat little two-issue mystery story featuring the Worlds Most Dangerous Senior Citizen - The Vulture!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #103