The Spectacular Spider-Man # 173
Plot: Gerry Conway
Script: Gerry Conway & David Michelinie
Artist: Sal Buscema
Letterer: Rick Parker
Colorist: Bob Sharen
Cover Date: February 1991
Rating: 
This week I will take a look at another forgotten Christmas story and that is Spectacular Spider-Man # 173 that features of the return of Doctor Octopus.
On Christmas Eve the good doctor resurfaces so that he can spend the holidays with his one true love, May Parker (The two of them were almost married back in the 70s in Amazing Spider-Man # 131. Oh yeah, it’s true believe it on not) After having an intense confrontation at the Daily Bugle’s Christmas party with rival photographer Nick Katzenberg, Spidey then shows up at his old house in Queens to see Doc Ock watching Aunt May, Mary Jane, Willie Lumpkin (Aunt May’s beau at the time) through a window and the two of them have a quick brawl (Who knew a hero and a villain would brawl on Christmas Eve of all days- crazy huh!)
This is a great Christmas issue that shows how the holiday is celebrated within the Marvel Universe but while the story moved at a quick pace it’s still worth reading just to see how these characters bask in the warmth of Christmas, while at the same time showing how certain circumstances than bring out the more depressing aspects of the holiday especially in the case of Doc Ock who really wanted to bring in some cheer by spending Christmas with May but some things aren’t meant to be. Gerry Conway’s time on Spectacular was coming to an end with this issue. While the ending could have been better (**NO SPOILERS**) Conway, along with the help of David Michelinie delivered a another holiday tale that still stands the test of time and should be read whenever December comes around.
Well, that’s it for me this week. I’ll. be back next week with another holiday story to look at so thanks for sticking around and I will see you all next time.
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