The Deadly Designs Of The Disruptor

Peter Parker manages to stop the roof collapsing at a charity fundraiser for Richard Raleigh, and manages to slip away before anyone can learn Spider-Man's true identity. Following the event, Raleigh plays up his tough on crime stance and vows to catch whoever was responsible. The responsible party appears to be a costumed criminal called the Disruptor who has hired a scientist named Dr. Thraxton to create the Smasher to do his bidding, he orders to make the Smasher more powerful.

As Joe Robertson continues to have his doubts about Raleigh, he tells J. Jonah Jameson that he intends to do a more intensive background search on the man (Jameson finds this a needless concern.) While elsewhere in the city, crooks try to rob a fundraiser for Raleigh, Peter arrives as Spider-Man and prevents the crooks from stealing the money. He then returns home and checks in on his Aunt May, before meeting up with Gwen and Mary Jane at a youth rally for Raleigh.

There the Disruptor and his men attack directly, prompting Peter to duck out and change into Spider-Man and battle the Disruptor and send him packing. Later J. Jonah Jameson visits with Raleigh and tells him that Joe Robertson is looking into his background. Word gets back to the Disruptor, who has the newly enhanced Smasher revived and orders the creature to destroy Joe Robertson.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, Harry Osborn, Richard Raleigh, Dr. Thraxon, Smasher, Norman Osborn

Continuity Notes

• This issue adapts the page 20-34 of Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #1. The story was heavily re-drawn and edited to fit the continuity of the time. However, as Richard Raleigh had been seen dead as well in Daredevil #42, it remains unclear which of the two versions are to be considered in continuity. Notable changes are:

  • In the original story, after the roof collapse at the dance hall, Peter returns to the scene and goes home with Mary Jane and Gwen and the scene cuts to Richard Raleigh in his mansion. In this version, there is a scene where Raleigh fields question from reporter Geraldo Riveria. The appearance of Geraldo in this scene should be considered a topical reference per the Sliding Timescale of Earth-616.

  • The scenes of Raleigh follows up with Dr. Thraxon on their agent, the Smasher, he is disguised as the Disruptor. In the original story, Raleigh did not assume the disguise of the Disruptor and the Smasher was called the Man-Monster.

  • In the original story, there is a scene where Peter goes to class with Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn. In this version, that scene is cut.

  • Alternatively, the scene of J. Jonah Jameson at a gentlemen's club talking about the election has been altered. In the original story, Jameson and Joe Robertson are talking to George Stacy. Since George died in Amazing Spider-Man #90, he is replaced with Norman Osborn.

  • In the original version of this story, after Spider-Man stops a holdup, he visits his Aunt May and Anna Watson and leaves on his motorcycle. This scene has been replaced for a few reasons. First, instead of visiting Aunt May, Peter calls her as she is staying at a mansion owned by Doctor Octopus in Amazing Spider-Man #115. Peter did have a motorcycle which he purchased in Amazing Spider-Man #41, however, he was forced to sell it in Amazing Spider-Man #66.

  • Likewise, the scene where George Stacy tries to warn J. Jonah Jameson about Raleigh's shady past is excised from this story. In its place is a story where Peter and his friends attend a Raleigh event and prevent the Disruptor from crashing it. Instead of Stacy looking into Raleigh's past, it is Joe Robertson.

  • Lastly, the scene where Thraxton re-powers the Smasher so Raleigh can send him on a rampage. In this version, Raleigh is disguised as the Disruptor and instead of a rampage, he orders him to destroy Joe Robertson.