The Amazing Spider-Man Annual # 1 - The Sinister Six!
is a comic book published by Marvel Publishing & released on 0 / / 1964Plot Summary
After a daring escape from prison, Doctor Octopus forms an uneasy alliance with five other super villains (Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio, Sandman and the Vulture) in the hopes of completely crushing their arch-enemy Spider-Man. In order to lure the unsuspecting superhero into their deadly game, the newly formed Sinister Six kidnap Betty Brant away from the "Daily Bugle" building, accidentally snatching Peter Parker's Aunt May in the process.
Issuing a challenge to the web-head, Spidey is told he must fight each of the villains one-at-a-time. If he can get past each villain in turn, he will receive a card telling him where to battle his next foe...each card he receives taking him one step closer to freeing Betty and May.
His first fight is against Electro at building #4 of Tony Stark's electrical plant. After using Electro's own power against him, Spider-Man moves on to do battle with Kraven and two of his trained leopards.
The web-slinger receives a shock next when he discovers his third fight will be contested against the X-Men! Come to find out, his opponents are actually robotic constructs set up by Mysterio. After tangling with that member of the Sinister Six, it's off for a dangerous bout against the Sandman in the confines of an air-tight metal box.
The only villain standing between Spidey and his ultimate confrontation with Doc Ock now is the Vulture, whom the wall-crawler must fight without the aid of his trusty web-shooters. Finally learning the location of the castle where Octopus is residing, Spider-Man arrives for the final battle. It's a decidedly nasty sparring match that starts with Spidey fending off a solo attack from Ock's mechanical arms...and winds up in a giant water-filled fishbowl against the reunited arms and their menacing master.
Victorious at last, Spider-Man frees Betty Brant and his aunt before alerting the police to the whereabouts of the Sinister Six members (all of whom wind up in the same jail cell together to bemoan their defeat).
Along the way, there are plenty of special guest stars from the likes of the Fantastic Four and Dr. Strange (among others) as well as a gallery of Spider-Man's most famous foes. Next is an article on the "Secrets of Spider-Man". There are also small segments on Peter Parker's classmates and his residence, then the first-ever "Amazing Spider-Man" annual ends with a humorous look at "How Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Create Spider-Man".
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The Sinister Six
Reviewed by Mighty Thorion on Feb. 6, 2008. Mighty Thorion has written 4 reviews. His/her last review was for The Sinister Six!. |
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Possibly the greatest Annual of them all! Not only does Spidey have to face 6 of his most dangerous opponents, but he comes accross a whole array of guest stars on his way to doing so in this 41 page epic. I guess some sort of morality still existed among the villains of the day as they decide to attack Spidey one by one instead of all at once. The cameo appearances by the whole range of Marvel heroes allowed Stan to point out to the reader where the characters could be found every month (or 2 months depending on frequency of publication) - he never missed a trick did he?
Holding Betty Brant and a confused Aunt May hostage, Dr Octopus gets word to Spidey via non other than JJJ that he needs to defeat all 6 of them one by one to secure their release. Sure enough Spidey is up to the task and we are also treated to half a dozen full page Ditko fight scenes before the story is wrapped up.
Not only do we get this story, but then full page pictures of Spidey's first dozen or so villains, and then a description of how Spidey's powers work. This jam packed issue is completed with a tongue in cheek look at how Stan and Steve write a Spidey story.
Truly a watershed in the annals of Silver Age annuals
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WHAT...??? HM...?? HUH?
Reviewed by ENGLENTINE on April 9, 2008. ENGLENTINE has written 583 reviews. His/her last review was for SUICIDE KINGS,” PART 3: DEAD MAN'S HAND . 16 out of 17 users recommend his reviews. |
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Okay, so the six villains assembled here, ( Electro, Kraven The Hunter, Dock Ock, Sandman, Mysterio & The Vulture ) team up, and while they plan what to do about Spiderman Kraven acknowledges that none of them were able to defeat him alone. The rest agree, and Doc Ock says " I have a fool proof plan " and it consists of them fighting Spiderman one on one. Not only that, but after each battle, they give him a card telling him where to meet up with the next villain. Seriously, this annual shows no respect for the villains intelligence. While this book does have some merit, I am afraid, it's one flaw is almost a deal breaker. Almost. I especially did like the way Stan Lee worked in cameo/plugs for the rest of the Marvel Universe.
