Marvel; May 1975
Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita

Title: “The Delusion Conspiracy”
Synopsis: Spider-Man saves Jonah Jameson – with an unlikely assist from a Parisian hardware store – but the real surprise awaits back home.

Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Ross Andru
Inker: Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt

Review: Amazing Spider-Man was often an above-average title during the mid-1970s, but this outing fails to meet that standard. Ross Andru’s art – with its clear storytelling, clean rendering and occasional stylistic flourishes – is certainly serviceable, but Gerry Conway’s story falls short. Cyclone is an admittedly lackluster villain, but the notion he could be defeated with a fan purchased at a hardware store undermines suspension of disbelief. And Spidey protecting his secret identity with a remote control tape recorder is some Saturday morning silliness, too. Of course, this is mostly filler as readers wait for the final page reveal hinted at by the cover.

Grade: C+

Second opinion: “We can only hope this was intended as a tribute to the legendarily awful Mighty Comics from Archie in the 1960s. 1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Don Butler, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1601 (February 2005). Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide second edition (2003).

Cool factor: Gil Kane makes great use of dramatic perspective for that cover.
Not-so-cool factor: Unbeknownst to readers at the time, this story would unleash some convoluted clone nonsense in the 1990s.

Notable: First full appearance of the Gwen Stacy clone. According to the annual statement of ownership on “The Spider’s Web” letters page, Amazing Spider-Man had an average total paid circulation of 288,232 for the 12 months preceding September 18, 1974. LOC from future Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson.

Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue. Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series A) #18 (Volstagg).

Character quotable: “What is this, American? A jest? Do you plan to use a simple fan against the murderous force of the all powerful Cyclone?” – Cyclone (answer: why yes, yes he does)

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