While watching the Vulture go through his paces in these two issues you might notice his obvious old age coupled with his rather surprising physicality. Not only does he lift people time and time again, but he is able to sustain hits from both Spidey and the Hitman. Long time Spider-Man readers need no explanation, but for those of you unfamiliar with the Vulture, its worth mentioning that he has super-strength and increased vitality as a side effect of the electromagnetic harness he uses for flying. According to the ever handy Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe the Vulture, also known as Adrian Toomes, can lift 500 pounds.
What I like about this story is that the Vulture, a villain I'm rather fond of, is up against the mob. Vulture I like, I hate organized crime (unorganized, dumbass crime is the best, don't you think?). I love how the mob muscle and then the mob boss try to shakedown Adrian Toomes only to find out that the Vulture is nobody's victim. So the mob hires the Hitman to ruin the Vulture's day by killing Spider-Man and robbing Toomes of his revenge (as opposed to simply offing the Vulture; this plot device is a bit of a stretch); and just like that, we get reminded of the Punisher. Apparently the Hitman is the mob's answer to the depredations of the Punisher - Spidey is even reminded of Frank Castle while the Hitman is shooting at him. Outside of the twist introduced by the addition of the Hitman, the core of this story is a good old-fashioned battle between Spider-Man and the Vulture; and it is fun to watch.
Posted by Pete Albano - May 6, 2011
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Spectacular Spider-Man (1976) comic books
Other Spectacular SPIDER-MAN Stories
1-3 : Tarantula, Lightmaster, Kraven
7-8 : Morbius the Living Vampire
47-48 : Belladonna and the Prowler
80 : J. Jonah Jameson - Reporter
87 : Spider-Man unmasks before the Black Cat
113 : Thugs break into the Parker house
114 : The Spider-Man costume gets stolen