Mike Machlan

"The Power Chase" Part 1 of 2. Guest-starring the Punisher. The War on Drugs comes to the pages of the Amazing Spider-Man! As the web-slinger and the Punisher team up to track down a massive cocaine shipment coming into the Big Apple! On the Brooklyn docks, the wall-crawler and the gun-toting vigilante find what they're looking for in droves! The duo is not surprised that the coke is heavily guarded; however, they're shocked it's protected by the U.S. military! Are the feds dealing? Or perhaps better stated...double-dealing? Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Microchip, and Eddie Brock (aka Venom). Flashback cameos by Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson and the Black Cat. (Notes: There exists a JCPenney reprint of this issue (published in 1993) which can be identified by the words "The Amazing Spider-Man" in the UPC box on the front cover.)

"The Power Chase" Part 1 of 2. Guest-starring the Punisher. The War on Drugs comes to the pages of the Amazing Spider-Man! As the web-slinger and the Punisher team up to track down a massive cocaine shipment coming into the Big Apple! On the Brooklyn docks, the wall-crawler and the gun-toting vigilante find what they're looking for in droves! The duo is not surprised that the coke is heavily guarded; however, they're shocked it's protected by the U.S. military! Are the feds dealing? Or perhaps better stated...double-dealing? Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Microchip, and Eddie Brock (aka Venom). Flashback cameos by Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson and the Black Cat. (Notes: There exists a JCPenney reprint of this issue (published in 1993) which can be identified by the words "The Amazing Spider-Man" in the UPC box on the front cover.)

"The Death Standard" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring the Punisher. To destroy the largest cocaine stockpile in the United States, the Punisher and the wondrous wall-crawler break into a secret federal installation in upstate New York! The web-slinger can't believe the government has joined the drug trade! But the Punisher doesn't care who's doing what! He's going to obliterate those drugs or die trying! Meanwhile in Colorado, Venom escapes from the Vault again! And in Soho, the Black Cat scares Mary Jane! Big problems are looming for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man next issue! Cameo appearance by Microchip. (Note: Spider-Man and the Punisher previously worked together in Punisher War Journal (1988 1st series) 14 & 15.)

"Sunday in the Park with Venom" Part 1 of 2. The web-slinger's worst nightmare is back again! Venom! And so is Mary Jane's! Jonathan Caesar! Add Styx and Stone to the volatile mix and the Parkers are in for a very rough day! The Amazing Spider-Man battles the psychotic Venom in Central Park, while Mary Jane confronts the deranged Caesar at Bedford Towers! Could the wall-crawler and his wife score a double victory against their respective nemeses? Mary Jane has a chance; Spider-Man not so much. Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Jimmy Olsen, Jay Leno, and Malcolm Forbes. (Note: The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 426,790; average paid circulation 266,100.)

"Stalking Feat!" Part 2 of 2. In an abandoned subway tunnel below Manhattan; the web-slinger, Venom, and Styx & Stone come together for a donnybrook to the death! But the amazing one can't beat Venom; and Venom can't beat Styx & Stone! And the crazy pair of assassins can't lay a glove on the wall-crawler! It looks like a three-way struggle to a stalemate! But finally someone breaks through! Will it be the end of the line for Styx, Stone, Venom, or your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, Flash Thompson, and Jonathon Caesar. (Notes: Venom battles the wall-crawler again in Amazing Spider-Man 346. Styx and Stone return in Amazing Spider-Man 376.)

"Secrets, Puzzles, and Little Fears..." The Return of the Sinister Six Part 1 of 6. The Sinister Six storyline begins with a bang as Electro and Dr. Octopus clash with the web-slinger in an industrial warehouse! But the battle is short and sweet and inconclusive! Spider-Man doesn't know what Otto Octavius is planning, but right now helping his dear aunt takes priority! Meanwhile with Electro already in the fold, the six-armed super-villain reaches out to the Sandman! Is Doc Ock getting the band back together? Cameo appearances by Iron Man, Mary Jane Watson, and Aunt May. (Notes: The wall-crawler first battled the Sinister Six way back in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1. The Amazing Spider-Man title was published bi-monthly for the next 5 issues.)

"The Wagers of Sin" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 3 of 6.Nathan Lubensky has been a gambler his whole life! And before Aunt May's fiancé shuffles off his mortal coil, he's going all-in one final time! Strangely enough New York bookies are taking action on whether an Atlantic City casino owner will be successfully assassinated! Nathan is sure the casino owner is a goner! But he doesn't know that the Vulture, Chance, and Spider-Man will play a part in the fateful hit! All the cards are on the table! Is Nathan going to lose everything? A heartbreaking ending. Death of Nathan Lubensky. Cameo appearances by Doctor Strange, Mary Jane Watson, Doctor Octopus, and the Kingpin. (Note: Nathan Lubensky first appeared in Spectacular Spider-Man 47.)

"Death from Above!" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 5 of 6. At last the Sinister Six make their move! Just minutes before Cordco's satellite launches into outer space, Dr. Octopus and his partners in crime storm the control center! If Doc Ock loads his poison-filled canisters on the satellite, the whole planet will be in jeopardy! Unfortunately by the time the web-slinger arrives at the launch pad; the Hobgoblin, Vulture, Mysterio, and Electro are running amok! But what about the Sandman? Would he help Spider-Man stop the launch? Time is running out! Cameo appearances by Mr. Fantastic, Aunt May, Jonathan Caesar, and Mary Jane Watson.

"The Killing Cure" The Return of the Sinister Six Part 6 of 6. To Spider-Man's chagrin, Cordco's satellite launches into the stratosphere with Doc Ock's deadly poison onboard! Oh no, does this mean the Earth is doomed? Not exactly. Because the six-armed doctor's poison is actually just a cure for cocaine addiction! Otto Octavius' master plan is simply to extort rich addicts who have to keep using! But the poison has the side effect of destroying the ozone layer! And only Peter Parker and his labmates at ESU can save the planet now! Meanwhile at the TV studio across town, Mary Jane finds herself in a smaller scale life and death struggle vs. Jonathan Caesar! And only one of them will survive! Final appearance of Jonathan Caesar. Cameo appearances by the Sandman and Thor. (Note: This six-part storyline was reprinted in 1994 in the trade paperback: Spider-Man -- The Return of the Sinister Six; and reprinted again in 2009 in the hardcover: Spider-Man -- Sinister Six.)

"The Hero Subtracter"Due to concerns about his dear aunt's health, Peter debates whether or not it's time to give up being Spider-Man. And fortuitously he bumps into a doctor on the street that might be able to take away his powers! But has Spidey checked the references on this mysterious Doctor Turner? That might be a good idea first! In the meantime though, the wondrous wall-crawler has a rendezvous with the Femme Fatales at Kennedy Airport! And these ladies play rough! First appearances of Knockout and Mindblast. Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, J. Jonah Jameson, and the Chameleon. (Note: Bloodlust and Whiplash previously appeared in Marvel Comics Presents 49 & 50.)

"With Friends Like These!" Part 1 of 3. With the Avengers unable to further help the Vision recover his personality and emotions, the Scarlet Witch accepts an offer of assistance from a shadowy organization in Texas. At first Jeremiah Random and his associates are helpful to Wanda and the Vision; however, it's all a trap! But not for the Vision -- for the Scarlet Witch! Cameo appearances by the Black Panther, Captain America, She-Hulk, Hank Pym, Tigra, U.S. Agent, Wonder Man, and the Wasp. Last 75¢ issue. (Note: The title of the series changes from the West Coast Avengers to Avengers West Coast with this issue.)

"This Ancient Evil" Part 2 of 3. In the Lone Star State, the Scarlet Witch is being "assimilated" by Jeremiah Random's mysterious organization. The secrets from the dawning of the universe have been implanted into Wanda's mind against her will. However Random's group made a big mistake when they destroyed Wanda and the Vision's quinjet last issue! Its destruction set off an emergency signal at Avengers Mansion! And now Captain America and She-Hulk are flying to Texas to investigate! The duo is looking for the Scarlet Witch! But when they find her...they may regret it! Cameo appearances by Nebula, Gunthar, Starfox, Immortus, Ann Raymond, Hank Pym, Wasp, Wonder Man, Hawkeye, Mockingbird, and the Great Lakes Avengers.

"Return of the Hero" A distraught Ann Raymond travels to California seeking assistance from the Avengers. She thinks that her husband, the former superhero known as Toro, might still be alive! Toro was the WWII-era partner of the original Human Torch; and the revelations during the Vision Quest saga have raised doubts about Toro's and the original torch's fate. Intrigued by the mystery, the west coast team travels to an old cemetery! And when Wanda casts a hex over the torch's possible grave...the original Human Torch is reborn! Wow! And for the second time, the silver age Vision meets the golden age Human Torch! [See Giant-Size Avengers #3 for their first meeting.] Cameo appearances by Agatha Harkness, Tigra, Iron Man, Master Pandemonium, Immortus, and the Sub-Mariner. Flashback cameos by the Mad Thinker and Toro (aka Tom Raymond) to recap the events of Sub-Mariner (1st series) #14. Avengers Lineup: Hank Pym, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, and the U.S. Agent. (Notes: The original Human Torch previously appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) Annual #4. Avengers Forever (1998) #8 provides the definitive history behind the torch's reawakening. The Avengers West Coast title is published bi-monthly for the next four issues.)

"I Sing of Arms and Heroes..." Part 1 of 2. The ranks of the West Coast Avengers are growing as Iron Man and the original Human Torch join the team! The golden age torch receives a warm reception, but Shell-Head gets a cold one. Meanwhile across the compound, Agatha Harkness pays a visit to the Vision and the Scarlet Witch to talk to them about their children. The aging witch from Whisper Hill says that Tommy and Billy disappear when Wanda stops thinking about them. Whoa, is this true? However before Wanda can respond, Master Pandemonium suddenly attacks! The Avengers swiftly leap into action against his demon horde! But during the mêlée, Master Pandemonium kidnaps the twins! Where on Earth or elsewhere has he taken them? Cameo appearances by Ann Raymond and Immortus.

"I Sing of Arms and Heroes..." Part 1 of 2. The ranks of the West Coast Avengers are growing as Iron Man and the original Human Torch join the team! The golden age torch receives a warm reception, but Shell-Head gets a cold one. Meanwhile across the compound, Agatha Harkness pays a visit to the Vision and the Scarlet Witch to talk to them about their children. The aging witch from Whisper Hill says that Tommy and Billy disappear when Wanda stops thinking about them. Whoa, is this true? However before Wanda can respond, Master Pandemonium suddenly attacks! The Avengers swiftly leap into action against his demon horde! But during the mêlée, Master Pandemonium kidnaps the twins! Where on Earth or elsewhere has he taken them? Cameo appearances by Ann Raymond and Immortus.

"Fragments of a Greater Darkness" Part 2 of 2. In horrifying fashion, Master Pandemonium has incorporated the souls of the Vision and Wanda's children into his body! And now in his demonic dimension, Earth's Mightiest Heroes wage a truly desperate battle to save the twins! But can the Avengers save two children who may have never really existed? As the fight rages, the west coast team discovers the true villain behind this terrible circumstance: Mephisto! And with help from Agatha Harkness and Ebony, the Scarlet Witch defeats the dark lord! But if ever there were a hollow victory in Avengers' history...this would be it. A sorrowful ending for all. Cameo appearances by Ann Raymond, Tigra, Ghaur, and Llyra. Avengers Lineup: Hank Pym, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, U.S. Agent, and the original Human Torch. (Notes: The loss of the Scarlet Witch's children will have dire consequences for Earth's Mightiest Heroes years later in the Avengers Disassembled storyline in Avengers (3rd series) 500-503. The West Coast Avengers appear next chronologically in Marvel Super Heroes (1990 2nd series) #9; and then in Avengers Annual #18 and Avengers West Coast Annual #4 for the Atlantis Attacks saga.)

"Fragments of a Greater Darkness" Part 2 of 2. In horrifying fashion, Master Pandemonium has incorporated the souls of the Vision and Wanda's children into his body! And now in his demonic dimension, Earth's Mightiest Heroes wage a truly desperate battle to save the twins! But can the Avengers save two children who may have never really existed? As the fight rages, the west coast team discovers the true villain behind this terrible circumstance: Mephisto! And with help from Agatha Harkness and Ebony, the Scarlet Witch defeats the dark lord! But if ever there were a hollow victory in Avengers' history...this would be it. A sorrowful ending for all. Cameo appearances by Ann Raymond, Tigra, Ghaur, and Llyra. Avengers Lineup: Hank Pym, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, U.S. Agent, and the original Human Torch. (Notes: The loss of the Scarlet Witch's children will have dire consequences for Earth's Mightiest Heroes years later in the Avengers Disassembled storyline in Avengers (3rd series) 500-503. The West Coast Avengers appear next chronologically in Marvel Super Heroes (1990 2nd series) #9; and then in Avengers Annual #18 and Avengers West Coast Annual #4 for the Atlantis Attacks saga.)