Amazing Spider-Man #13
The Menace of... Mysterio!
Reports of Spider-Man robbing various establishments at night hit the news, causing Peter to wonder if he's developed multiple personality disorder and go on crime sprees in his sleep as Spider-Man. He decides to see a psychiatrist, however changes his mind about getting help, as Spider-Man believes that it may compromise his secret identity.
Later, Peter goes to visit J. Jonah Jameson for a loan, so his Aunt May can make her mortgage payment on time. While there, he snaps at Betty when she asks him why he hasn't taken any pictures recently. Jameson rejects his request and tells him to go out and take more pictures. When Peter tries to find crimes to photograph as Spider-Man, he only succeeds in getting an angry mob after him. Later, at school, Liz Allan tries to impress people with her new hair style, and she snubs Flash Thompson when he comments that her new look is so beautiful that he didn't recognize her.
Meanwhile, a new costumed being named Mysterio appears at the Daily Bugle and tells Jameson that he's a crime fighter, and he will bring Spider-Man to justice. He vanishes in a puff of smoke and leaves a note for Jameson, telling him to publish a challenge to Spider-Man to meet on the Brooklyn Bridge. Peter meet this challenge, but Mysterio, who appears to have magical powers, easily defeats him.
The next day Mysterio is heralded as a hero, and later, when he appears at the Daily Bugle for a photo opportunity with Jameson, Peter tags him with a Spider-Tracer.
Spider-Man tracks Mysterio to his base, and Mysterio reveals that he is a special effects artist who has decided to turn his skills to crime. He reproduced Spider-Man's abilities artificially, in order to frame him for the crimes. Spider-Man reveals to Mysterio that he recorded the whole confession. A battle ensues, and Spider-Man uses his spider-sense when Mysterio fills the room with smoke.
With Mysterio turned over to the police, Jameson realizes that he's been made a fool of, again. However, when he finds that Parker has brought him pictures of Spider-Man's fight with Mysterio, his mood changes. Later, Spider-Man pays another visit to Jameson. He strings Jameson up from his office ceiling and mocks him for once again making a fool out of himself with his anti-Spider-Man press.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Aunt May, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, Mysterio
Continuity Notes
Certain details in this story should be considered topical references per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616, particularly any depictions of technology, vehicles, and equipment that were commonplace in the 60s. Specifically, the kind of camera that Peter Parker uses, the car that Mysterio drives in, and how his various illusions work, as well as the film making equipment displayed in the movie studio.
Mysterio singles out Spider-Man because, unknown to the wall-crawler, he was indirectly involved with his getting fired from his special effects job in Amazing Spider-Man (vol 3) #1.1 and later in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #51 reveals that Beck was one of the "aliens" that Spider-Man encountered in Amazing Spider-Man #2.
Betty Brant recounts how Spider-Man saved her life in Amazing Spider-Man #11.
