"SPIDEY SMASHES OUT!"
Writer: Stan Lee/Penciller: John Romita Sr./Inker: John Romita Sr./Letterer: Sam Rosen/Editor: Stan Lee/Cover Art: John Romita Sr.
Synopsis: The Lizard furthers his plans to create an army of mutant lizards with which to take over the world, and only a one-armed Spider-Man can stop him...
Review: This is a bit of a downgrade from the previous issue, but only just. It's still an enjoyable enough time, and provides that fun slice of escapism that Spider-Man provides. There's a lot more action this time around and less of the character stuff, which is the main reason why I don't favour this issue above its predecessor, but the action we get is pretty tremendous. Even the brief little scene at the start with Spider-Man leaping down and taking out a couple of petty criminals is a lot of fun; I love the way he gracefully leaps from the top of a van to kick them both square in the face; when Spidey action is done really well, as it is here, it's almost like watching a ballet dancer because the movements are so fluid and precise.
The big action set-piece, though, is the fight between Spider-Man and the Lizard, first in a train yard, and then atop a moving train as it departs for Philadelphia. The train yard fight is tons of fun, especially when the Lizard releases a horde of rampaging reptiles to attack the web-head; Romita does a fantastic job with all the slimy, scaly critters, and I adore the moment when Spider-Man picks up a crocodile by the tail and uses it as a club against the other reptiles that are swarming around him. Justifiable animal cruelty? You be the judge. The excitement continues as the two foes leap on top of the train, and this is just great stuff; I'm a sucker for train-set stories, and the artwork here really captures the feeling of an epic battle as Spider-Man dodges the Lizard's attacks as the train hurtles through the night. I also rather like the solution Spidey has to his Lizard problem: by using the train's freezer car, he's able to weaken his foe because lizards don't do so well in cold temperatures; another nice little bit of Peter's science knowledge coming into play.
As said, there's not much character drama to speak of here, but I do like the little development for Foswell that was seeded last issue, and that carries over into this one. Foswell is beginning to get suspicious about how Peter gets such good photos of Spider-Man, and decides that he'll try tailing him in his Patch identity. This doesn't actually bear any fruit until the following issue, but it's good to see that Foswell is at least doing something again, as for the first several Lee and Romita issues, he's been pretty well side-lined. I get the feeling that Stan didn't really like the character all that much, as he won't last too much longer - spoiler alert - and it has to be said that Foswell, with his shady past and slightly untrustworthy vibe is looking increasingly out of place in the college soap opera book that Lee and Romita are producing. As a little side note, I find it hilarious to see Betty and Ned making their wedding plans in this issue, when they don't even get married for another ten years. Obviously the writers forgot this subplot was a thing.
One last scene to draw special attention to: the final page, where Peter sits brooding alone at home is one of the best examples of the era, and proof that Romita is every bit the equal of Ditko when it comes to depicting Peter's angst and maudlin moods. The use of shadow is beautiful, and you can't help but wonder if Stan was quietly setting up the events of "Spider-Man No More" in ASM #50 with these scenes of Peter questioning why he even bothers being Spider-Man when it brings him little to no reward.
ASM #45 is a good deal of fun, if lacking some of the great character moments of the previous issue, and it has to be said that to an extent, the story feels as if it's being made up as Lee and Romita go on. There's an especially strange detail that the Lizard isn't supposed to realise that he and Curt Connors are one and the same, and yet he's aware of the fact that he has been transformed from a human into a lizard by means of a special formula; why does he not put two and two together? Oh, well; it's a solid issue regardless, and overall, I'd say that I prefer this to the Lizard's initial outing - just - simply because of the urban setting.
Rating: 3.5/5
Next time, Peter finally moves out of Aunt May's house, and faces the sinister Shocker...
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