Out of the Blue (Into the Fire)

Spider-Man arrives at a rundown hotel where half a dozen people have disappeared recently. It had attracted the attention of the cops, and the two officers sent to investigate the hotel and came back two days later telling some wild story. Breaking into the room, Spider-Man looks around and finds nothing out of the ordinary. In the middle of the search, he could have sworn there was a bed in the room, but now there is not one. Finding nothing else out of the ordinary, the hero webs up his camera in the corner of the room and leaves, hoping it will get pictures of whatever is going on in the hotel.

The next day, at the Daily Bugle, Peter Parker attempts to seel photos of Captain America to J. Jonah Jameson, but Jameson is not impressed with the quality of the photos and refuses to buy them even though Peter really needs money. Jameson tells Peter to do better if he wants to get paid. On his way out of the office, Peter can’t blame Jonah for being so stern, particularly after Spider-Man’s recent battle with the Silver Surfer was plastered all over the front page of the Daily Globe.[1] On his way out, Peter is stopped by Joe Robertson who sees how upset he is and tells Peter not to let the pressures of the job to get at him.

Meanwhile, aboard the SHIELD helicarrier, Nick Fury as preparing a meeting with the Inhuman royal family to discuss their recent clash with the Silver Surfer.[2] They are soon greeted by Black Bolt, Medusa, and Gorgon of the Inhuman royal family. Medusa, speaking on behalf of Black Bolt, tells Fury that the Silver Surfer has gone mad and has vowed to wage war on the entire planet Earth. Hearing the account of the Inhuman’s clash with the Surfer, Dum Dum Dugan assures them that SHIELD will be ready for the alien wen they meet again.

Back in New York, Peter is late for a meet-up with Gwen Stacy and her father George. Peter engages in small-talk with the Stacys, but can’t keep his mind off his earlier dealings with J. Jonah Jameson. As they talk, the Silver Surfer approaches New York City and his approach begins setting off Peter’s spider-sense. He’s surprised when the Silver Surfer appears on the street outside. When the Surfer begins blasting the buildings with his Power Cosmic, Peter manages to slip away and change into Spider-Man. Watching the Surfer senselessly attacking innocent people in the streets is hard to believe as Spider-Man’s previous encounter with the Surfer saw the alien going out of his way to save a young cild. After stopping a falling deli sign from crushing innocent people, Spider-Man doubles back to check on the Stacy’s and is relieved to see they are all right. George suggests that Spider-Man only focus on making sure other people don’t get hurt, pointing out that the Silver Surfer is way out of his league. However, the wall-crawler can’t just stand by without trying something and swings off. When Gwen remembers Peter is out there somewhere, her father assures her that Peter is probably going to be fine. Soon, Spider-Man catches up to the Surfer and tries to ask him what’s wrong. Without saying a single thing, the Surfer sends Spider-Man flying across the street with a single hand gesture. That’s when the Surfer flies toward the wall-crawler and tires to blast the masked hero. Spider-Man manages to evade the blasts of cosmic energy. Shooting webbing into the Surfer’s face, the wall-crawler manages to pull the Surfer off his board and send him crashing to the ground. Unaware that the alien can mentally command his surf board, Spider-Man is caught off guard when the board strikes him from behind. When the Surfer is recovered, Spider-Man tries to attack again only to be blasted back once more. Fearing for the safety of people nearby, Spider-Man begins luring the Silver Surfer to Central Park.

Meanwhile, back at the Daily Bulge, J. Jonah Jameson is furious that nobody knows where Peter Parker is. Joe Robertson points out that Peter may have been discouraged after Jonah’s discussion with him earlier. However, Jameson doesn’t see Joe’s logic and sends Ben Urich and Ned Leeds to get the story instead. He then begins grumbling about teaching Parker a thing or two about responsiblity. While in Central Park, Spider-Man manages to knock the Silver Surfer off his board with a trip-line of webbing. The Surfer begins to grow annoyed and blast Spider-Man aside again. Exhausted and reaching his own wit’s end, Spider-Man then lays into the Surfer with all his strength but is shocked to discover that not even his most powerful blows can make the alien flinch. The Surfer then swats Spider-Man aside once more, but the wall-crawler refuses to surrender. As the battle continues a single man watches from the trees. He is pleased that he has been able to manipulate the Silver Surfer until he is ripe for use. Deciding the time for pretense is over this mysterious man reverts to his true form of the Psycho-Man. Back to his true form, Psycho-Man activates the fear setting on his Emoto-Caster, knowing that soon the Surfer will be his slave. At that very moment, the Silver Surfer stands over Spider-Man and vows that the wall-crawler shall be the first to fall.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Silver Surfer, Psycho-Man, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Betty Brant, Ben Urich, Ned Leeds, SHIELD (Nick Fury, Dum Dum Dugan), Inhumans (Black Bolt, Medusa, Gorgon), George Stacy, Gwen Stacy

Continuity Notes

1. Spider-Man fought the Silver Surfer in Silver Surfer #14. Peter mentions how the Surfer had been stranded on Earth after saving the planet from Galactus. That happened in Fantastic Four #48-50.

2. The Silver Surfer clashed with SHIELD and the Inhumans in Silver Surfer #17 and 18 respectively.