Comics : Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #153

This story is part of a Lookback Series: Al Observes

In Detail...

"Siege"

	Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 1) #153  Summary: Tombstone vs. Bruiser, Spider-Man vs. Hammerhead  Arc: Part 14 of "Lobo Brothers Gang War"
	Editor:  Jim Salicrup Writer:  Gerry Conway Pencils:  Sal Buscema Inker:  Sal Buscema Cover:  Sal Buscema	Staff Only Images Review Edit
	Aug 1989 : SMURF 319.675 : SM Title : Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 1)
Characters: Aunt May Parker, Chameleon, Hammerhead, Mary Jane Watson-Parker, Nathan Lubensky, Joseph, Tombstone

Spectacular Spider-Man #153 is Lobo-less, but it does tell how Spidey is repelled by the Kingpin's men from entering Fisk Tower and then diverted into a battle with Hammerhead. He thinks he has been hailed by J. Jonah Jameson and is therefore surprised (in spite of the constant tingling of his spider-sense) when "Jonah" stabs him in the arm with a hypo containing a "highly efficient and nearly lethal" virus. In spite of this handicap, Spidey still manages to outfight Hammerhead. Then, so sick he can barely catch his breath, he kneels on a rooftop and watches gunfire erupt all over Fisk Tower. The gang war has begun.

Elsewhere, Mary Jane comes home to find an ambulance at the house. (And look at this! There's a whole bunch of senior citizens standing around! This is the first time in this whole storyline that we've been reminded that Aunt May is running a boarding house.) MJ thinks it is Peter who is injured but May tells her that she forced open the bathroom and found Kristy passed out with her mouth caked in blood. The paramedics say "she's had a mild heart attack" and MJ can hardly believe it. Kristy is only 13 years old.

And, if you think Kristy has it bad, a big chunk of this issue deals with the ambush staged by Tombstone's men to get to Bruiser. By the time it's all done, Bruiser is dead and Robbie knows he is at the mercy of Tombstone.

By Al Sjoerdsma (E-Mail)