Comic Title: Essential Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB
Publisher: Marvel
Cover Date: 1997
On Sale Date: December 11, 1996 Direct Market Date December 11, 1996
Source: Marvel Vision, #12

Direct Market Date December 11, 1996
Source: ComicList, Heroes World : New Comic Book Releases List for Wednesday, December 11, 1996

Direct Market Date December 11, 1996
Source: Comic Shop News, #492

Cover Price: $12.95
Page Count: 528
Editor: Eric Fein

See Also: The Guide to Graphic Novels and Collected Editions

Title: "Doctor Octopus"
Pages: 21

Feature(s):
Spider-Man

Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve J. Ditko
Letterer: Jon D'Agostino

Reprinted From:
Amazing Spider-Man #3 (1963)

Feature Character(s)

• Spider-Man (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)

Supporting Character(s)

• May Parker (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)
• J. Jonah Jameson (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)
• Flash Thompson (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)

Villain(s)

• Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius; first appearance; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #11)
• Three warehouse robbers (Charlie named; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Human Torch (last appearance in Strange Tales #109; next appearance in Fantastic Four #16)

Other Character(s)

• The staff at the Bliss hospital (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Scientist Otto Octavius has invented a set of mechanical arms which allow him to safely interact with radioactive materials. An explosion in the lab fuses the arms to Octavius's body and damages his brain. The deranged scientist takes over the hospital in which he is recovering and seals it off from the public.

Peter Parker is tasked with obtaining a photo of the so-called Doctor Octopus for the Daily Bugle. He enters the hospital as Spider-Man, but is easily defeated. After Spider-Man's defeat, Octavius leaves the hospital and takes over an atomic power plant. Peter is discouraged by his failure, but a visit from the Human Torch at Peter's school helps to inspire him.

Spider-Man goes after Doctor Octopus again. This time he is prepared with a solution that fuses two of Octavius's mechanical arms together. This evens the fight, but Spider-Man is still unable to get the upper hand. Finally, he stops fighting the mechanical arms and punches the villain in the face. Doctor Octopus is knocked out allowing Spider-Man to turn him over to the authorities.