Shadows & Light #2 (Story 4)
Background
Each issue of this 46-page B&W anthology contained four short stories as well as a few pin-ups.
Story 'The Date!'
Shadows & Light #2 (Story 4)
| Editor: | Joe Andreani |
| Writer: | Marc Andreyko |
| Pencils: | Jill Thompson |
| Inker: | Jill Thompson |
Young Peter Parker is in such a hurry to get someplace. It is after school at Midtown High, and he is checking his watch. Liz Allan invites Peter to join the gang at Big Al's for an egg cream, but Peter begs off as he has something very important to do. Liz inquires what is so important, to which Peter replies that he has a date. When Liz relates this to Flash Thompson he can't believe it.
Outside of school, Pet changes into his Spidey suit, webs his street clothes to his back, and heads out. As he heads across town he swings past a little old lady getting her purse stolen, and he stops to help her out, by retrieving her purse, and capturing the criminal who took it. Further along, he spots a bank heist in progress and feels that he doesn't have the time to stop, only he remembers what happened when he didn't stop the thief that eventually killed Uncle Ben, and swings down to stop the Rhino.
Finally he makes it home, and greets his Aunt May, and heads up stairs to drop off his books, then he and his beloved Aunt head out to Forrest Lawn Cemetery to visit Ben's grave on the anniversary of his death.
General Comments
For us old timers, this story evokes images of classic Stan Lee storytelling. Everything you need to know about Peter and Spidey is wrapped up in a quick eight pages.
Overall Rating 
Short, sweet, and to the point. Today's storytellers could learn a lesson from reading this tale.
Footnote
Note that the other stories in this comic include The Thing (who is cover-featured).
CSherman pointed out two errors in this story. Firstly, the writer sets the story in Peter's high school days, but he pits Spider-Man against the Rhino. Of course, Spider-Man and Rhino don't meet until Amazing Spider-Man #41 and by that point, Peter's already a college-man.
Secondly, just before Spider-Man bests the Rhino, he says "To quote the March Hare, 'I'm late, I'm late for a very important date' " But it's Wonderland's other bunny, the White Rabbit, and not the March Hare, who says this.