Amazing Fantasy (Vol. 2) #15 (Story 10)

Background

There are few comic covers more iconic that Amazing Fantasy #15. In fact I would say that only the first issue of Fantastic Four has been copied, lampooned or reproduced on more occasions. But no-one has ever told the story behind the scene. Who was that guy in Spider-Man's armpit? Fortunately, Dan Slott has the answers.

Story 'I Was That Guy in Spider-Man's Armpit!'

High in a New York skycraper, a guy called Steve is on the phone to his friend, Stan. Steve is sure he just saw a man swinging past the window! Leaning out to take a better look, Steve topples forward and begins to plunge to his death. Fortunately, the figure Steve saw swinging by was Spider-Man, and although Spidey is in mid-monologue, that doesn't stop him from saving Steve and delivering him safely to the ground.

Spidey is a little concerned that Steve might have heard his famous monologue: you know the one about the world mocking a certain timid teenager, but marvelling at the awesome might of Spider-Man. However, it looks as though Steve wasn't paying attention to passing banter during his forty-storey drop. Go figure. Spidey tosses Steve a couple of tickets to his TV spectacular that evening and swings off for his future as an overpaid celebrity.

General Comments

Dan Slott's writing is always funny and this is right on the money. It's only a two-page comedy skit, but this alone is worth the price of the issue. And if you don't get the references, then shame on you!

Overall Rating

Laugh-out-loud funny. Four webs.