Amazing Spider-Man #152. The Shocker

(Cover from January 1976.)

"Shattered by the Shocker!"

Words by Len Wein.

Art by Ross Andru/Mike Esposito/Frank Giacoia.

Lettering by John Costanza.

Colours by Glynis Wein.

Popeye. What was it with him? He'd spend nearly all a cartoon getting knocked about by Bluto and then, at the last moment, take a can of spinach and turn himself into Superman. All of which posed the obvious question of why he didn't eat the stupid stuff at the start of the fight?

A similar question arises whenever Spider-Man faces off against the Shocker. How does our hero defeat our villain in this tale? Easy. He does it the same way he always does, by webbing up his thumbs so he can't control his blasters. In that case, why does it take him so long to defeat the villain? All he has to do is web Shockie's thumbs the moment he sees him and that's that.

I really don't have a lot else to say about this tale. It's solidly drawn, as always, by Ross Andru, though not one of his stand out-issues. It's solidly written by Len Wein, though not one of his stand-out issues. It sort of comes and goes without making any great impact on your consciousness. Due to its noticeable lack of twists and turns, it also feels very short.

So, there you have it, not an issue to turn you off Spider-Man if you're a first time reader but not one to get you hooked either. There aren't even any new developments in the private life of Peter Parker, apart from MJ not speaking to him which is hardly a ground-breaking development and, here, mostly played for fun.

More interesting than the Shocker storyline is the subplot featuring a mysterious street bum fleeing an unseen figure.

Who is it?

How does it impact on our hero?

Only time will tell.