Spectacular Spider-Man (Vol. 1) Annual #4 (Story 2)

Story 'Cat And Mouse'

Spidey drops by on the Black Cat - his 'Frisky Feline'. He has brought around franks, beans, cheese and popcorn for a quiet evening at home like a 'regular' couple. He also has a gift for her - a wine carafe. Felicia certainly seems pleased with it and plants a kiss on him. She puts it down, while Spidey settles down to watch TV. After turning her back, it disappears, however. She sends Spidey out to get some wine, while she finds a matchbook with a mouse on it.

Felicia swings off to the restaurant the matches come from. She sees a couple using the carafe and spins them a story about it being imprinted with some top- secret microfilm. Unfortunately, a long-coated criminal overhears and steals it. Cat doesn't want to jump in, just in case it gets smashed. He takes the couple hostage but, when he sees Cat following, palms the carafe on to them and goes off to confront Cat.

The couple go to a police officer, while the robber tells Cat he left the carafe with them. Cat sees the police officer saying he better check in with Captain DeWolffe. She also sees Spidey and realises she has to beat him back to the flat. She gets back and tells Spidey to leave her be in the kitchen. She nicks out again and heads to the police precinct. DeWolffe has the carafe. The robber is posing as a CIA agent and wants to take the carafe. Cat chases him and they end up on a roof where the carafe is dropped over the edge. The robber unveils themselves as Tamara Blake - Felicia's oldest friend. She tells Cat is was supposed to be a game like when they used to train to be cat burglars together.

Felicia is upset because of all the lies she has to tell Spidey about her powers and how she got them from the Kingpin. Tamara takes Cat home, then turns up at the front door - but she is worried for her friend.

General Comments

The ending points to how things end up going with Felicia and Peter's relationship but the seriousness of it doesn't really fit with the previous nine or ten pages of story. You would also think that Captain DeWolffe - the police chief, no less - might be slightly more interested in a known cat- burglar breaking her window and dashing out, as well. I mean what type of security do they have at the police precinct?

Overall Rating

Just a bit silly, really.