Back in Amazing Spider-Man #119 and #120, Spider-Man traveled to Montreal to meet with a Canadian attorney, Albert Rimbaud , after receiving a mysterious telegram intended for his Aunt May. Rimbaud was murdered before Spider-Man could learn his secret, but we found out that Dr. Octopus had a keen interest in the situation. That storyline sat on the back burner for 10 issues, but I doubt many Spider-Man fans noticed. Just consider what happened during the interim: Gwen Stacy was murdered by the Green Goblin, the Goblin himself (apparently) dies, Spidey tangles with Luke Cage, John Jameson becomes the Man-Wolf, a new, more savage, Vulture appears on the scene and both the Punisher and the Jackal make their debuts. But in Amazing Spider-Man #130, that storyline returns front and center, leading to a three-way confrontation between Spider-Man, Doctor Octopus and Hammerhead - with the sinister Jackal pulling the strings.

A bout of insomnia sends Spider-Man out into the New York City Streets. Within 15 minutes, he comes across a gang of high-tech goons (employed by Hammerhead) breaking into a skyscraper. Spidey stops the theft, but as he's interrogating one of the captured crooks, the henchman dies before he can reveal the name of his boss. The scene shifts to a pier, where the Jackal is meeting with that boss, Hammerhead. The Jackal is pitching an alliance, but the former crime boss isn't interested in much that the Jackal has to say. "You're just another costumed bum," he says. The Jackal goads Hammerhead into getting angry and thinks, "You're playing right into my hands -- and in the end, after the approaching battle royal, only the Jackal will survive!" Nice way to set up a confrontation. But first, Spider-Man stops by the Baxter Building to pick up the long-awaited Spidermobile. The car is pretty much meant for laughs, particularly when Spider-Man confesses to the Human Torch that he can't drive. "I never thought I'd have the cash to buy a car," Spidey says. "Besides--I'm a New Yorker. Who needs to drive in Manhattan?" Meanwhile, our third villain - Spidey's long-time nemesis Doctor Octopus - enters the picture. He's mulling over a plan that he says will allow him to destroy Spider-Man forever. Doc Ock has his goons hanging out at Aunt May's house. Of course, she is under the impression that Dr. Otto Octavius is a good-hearted, but misunderstood, man. Poor, naive Aunt May....

That night, Spider-Man tangles with Hammerhead's goons again. Give these guys credit for persistence, as they go back to rob the same skyscraper as earlier in the issue. The Spidermobile proves to be an asset, with it's built-in web-shooters and spider-signal. But just as Spidey appears to have the fight wrapped up, the boss - Hammerhead - shows up and knocks out our hero. When he wakes up, Spider-Man sees an envelope with Aunt May's name on it. "Of course! This must be what Hammerhead wanted in the skyscraper!" he thinks. "Now I'll know why Doc Ock had Albert Rimbaud killed -- and what he wants with Aunt May!" Unfortunately for Spidey, that's just what the Jackal wanted him to think. The Jackal left the envelope for Spider-Man to find - part of his plan for Spidey, Hammerhead and Doctor Octopus to destroy each other, while he watches from the sidelines. Peter Parker reads the letter a little later and is horrified by what he reads. He puts his costume on and heads to suburban Westchester. There, at Doctor Octopus' mansion, he sees a wedding ceremony taking place. Doctor Octopus is the groom - and Aunt May is the bride!

On the personal life front, the star-crossed Peter-Mary Jane relationship takes another turn when Mary Jane tells Peter she plans to keep a closer eye on him and make sure he goes to class. Peter thinks, "Terrific...with MJ. hanging around my neck becoming Spidey will be twice as difficult as before." Um, Pete, ol' buddy, let's review: You're a broke college student. A gorgeous woman decides she wants to spend time with you. Where is the downside here? Mary Jane's patience is tested later, when she and Peter go to Betty Brant and Ned Leeds' Christmas party. Not only does Peter shrug off Mary .Jane's rather bold advances ("Come on, Petey -- it's mistletoe time!"), but he sneaks off to save Aunt May. Something tells me the redhead won't be happy with that.

We next see the Spidermobile in Amazing Spider-Man #141 where Spider-Man is recklessly driving the vehicle and is being chased by the police, and he apparently drives the Spidermobile off a pier and into the river.

Next issue, Hammerhead, the Jackal and the wedding of Doctor Octopus and Aunt May?!?

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #107