Characters Welcome
Good character moments were present in (almost) each issue of The Amazing Spider-Man leading up to this point. #18, however, was the first issue composed entirely of them. Previously, the issues would follow an interchangeable formula. The order of events would vary occasionally, but each of the following things would happen. Firstly, the villain is introduced and Peter interacts with schoolmates/Aunt May for 2-3 pages (or vice versa). Then, Spider-Man battles bad guy of the month (things don't go well at first). Afterward, Spidey triumphs over evil on page 18, and pages 19 and 20 are there primarily for closure/next issue setup.
This issue really changes up the formula. Baddies are present, but they're presented less as boss battles and more as evil entities that carry with them more than just the threat of a physical confrontation. A confrontation with any of them could result in consequences that affect more than just Spider-Man. Peter realizes just how serious this superhero business is and how it can affect those he loves.
I've been a Spidey fan for as long as I can remember, but have only recently dived into the comics (my fandom came mostly from the movies and TV shows). This was the first issue that really showed me first hand the reason this comic has been so successful. This is, first and foremost, Peter Parker's story, and this particular issue shines due to it's focus on him.
Plus, Aunt May gives a pretty awesome speech to Peter about not giving up that I'd be willing to bet forms the backbone of the determination Peter shows later on in his life.
