Amazing Spider-Man #255
Even a Ghost Can Fear the Night!
The infamous cat burglar known as the Black Fox has broken into a luxury apartment in the hopes of stealing enough loot to finance his retirement. As he grabs what appears to be an expensive vase, it transforms into Igor, of the Red Ghost's Super-Apes. The burglar attempts to fight off the ape with a flash-bang, but is quickly subdued by Peotor and Miklho. The burglar looks on as the ape's master, the Red Ghost, rises through the floor. Shocked by what he is witnessing, the Black Fox can only scream in terror.
Meanwhile, at his Chelsea apartment, Peter Parker is washing his new costume. He remarks about his recent adventure with Captain Marvel and Starfox, and how it was the second time in as many months that he has been away from the planet Earth. After he has finished washing his costume, Peter decides to fix himself something to eat. He begins preparing to make a sandwich but decides against it when he sees that his bread is covered with mold. Sighing, he resigns to call it a night, but can't help but think about his recent battle with Jack O'Lantern, and the disappearance of the Hobgoblin's battlewagon. Climbing into bed, Peter falls asleep instantly. No sooner is he asleep, than his costume descends from the clothesline he hung it on and creepily oozes across the floor toward him.
At that moment in the luxury apartment, the Black Fox has regained his composure. The Red Ghost has just finished introducing himself and has poured the Fox a drink. He explains that he has been hiding out in this apartment until he can complete his Cosmicizer, a device that will enable him to increase his cosmic powers a thousandfold. Unfortunately, he has run out of money and is to afraid to leave the apartment lest his foes discover and recapture him. Instead, he has decided to have the Black Fox steal the needed component for him, threatening to kill the thief if he refuses.
The following morning, Peter Paker is rudely awakened by his landlady, Mrs. Muggins, who tells him that he is late with his rent again. He realizes that it is 7 pm in the evening, and he had slept the entire day away. He assures her that he will be getting a big payment from the Daily Bugle shortly and will get the money to her as soon as possible after.
Since it is too late to make a visit, Peter decides to try and call his Aunt May to smooth things over. However, Nathan Lubenski answers the phone and scolds Peter for having the nerve to call. Before he can explain why he was late to dinner the night before, Nathan hangs up. With nothing else to do, Peter decides to go out web-slinging to try and clear his head.
As he swings across the city, Peter notices how exhausted he is and wonders why, since he slept most of the day. He also wonders what the Black Cat has been up to, as he hasn't seen her since their recent battle against the Blob. He also feels bad that he has been getting her to take pictures for him to sell to the Bugle, especially since he is being praised for her superior camera work. After limbering up, Spider-Man decides to continue his search for the Hobgoblin's battle van.
Some blocks away, the Black Fox begins his search for a place to rob to earn enough money for the Red Ghost. The Red Ghost has sent his Super-Apes along with him, to ensure he doesn't try to escape. Spotting a jewelry store, the Fox attempts to break in, but he is pushed aside by Miklho who rips the security door off the building, setting off the alarms.
The police arrive on the scene, just as they enter the vault. To keep the police busy, The Black Fox sends Peotor out, directing him to use his magnetic abilities to keep the officers at bay. With the loot in hand, the Black Fox decides to use this opportunity to make his escape. He blinds the apes with another flash bomb and makes a run for it.
The commotion attracts the attention of Spider-Man who decides to investigate what is going on. The Super-Apes catch up to the Black Fox, but before they can harm him they are intercepted by Spider-Man. Our hero quickly frightens the Super-Apes away, and while he is distracted, the Black Fox attempts to make good his escape. Spider-Man manages to catch up to him, and the Black Fox is forced to explain everything.
After hearing the Black Fox's explanation, Spider-Man swings off to find the Red Ghost, leaving the Black Fox behind. Seeing that the jewels were long forgotten, the cat burglar recovers them and rejoices that he can finally retire.
Meanwhile, the Super-Apes return to their home where they are scolded by the Red Ghost. Suddenly Spider-Man arrives. The masked hero has the upper hand against the Super-Apes and tricks them into destroying the cosmicizer, much to the Red Ghost's frustration.
When the police arrive at the scene, the Super-Apes keep them and Spider-Man at bay long enough for their leader to escape. With the battle over, Spider-Man laments over the Red Ghost's escape, wondering what else could possibly go wrong.
At that very moment, across town in a warehouse, the unknown individual responsible for recovering the Hobgoblin's battle wagon, discovers Spider-Man's spider-tracer on the vehicle and crushes it in his hand. As the issue ends, he vows that when they next meet, he will destroy the cursed wall-crawler once and for all.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Nathan Lubensky, Black Fox, Red Ghost, Super-Apes (Igor, Peotor, Miklho) Mamie Muggins, Hobgoblin (unidentified)
Continuity Notes
Spider-Man recounts the following events:
His recent travel to another world with Captain Marvel and Starfox. This happened in Marvel Team-Up #142-143.
How he got his new costume from Battleworld, as seen in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8.
His recent clash with Jack O'Lantern, which occured last issue.
How he is getting paid a large some of money soon. This was due to the photos the Black Cat took of their battle with the Blob. These events happened in Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #91-92.
The reason Peter is so exhausted is because his costume is really alive and has been taking him out web-slinging while he's asleep, as revealed in next issue and in Amazing Spider-Man #258.
Aunt May is upset with Peter because he quit grad school, as revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #243. He told her in Amazing Spider-Man #253, and stood her up for dinner last issue, making matters worse.
Spider-Man recalls his last battle with the Super-Apes, which happened in Amazing Spider-Man #223.
The man who has the Battlewagon is revealed to be the Hobgoblin as revealed in Amazing Spider-Man #257.
