Amazing Spider-Man #22
Preeeeeesenting...the Clown, and his Masters of Menace!
Spider-Man pays a visit to the Ringmaster and his cronies giving them a warning and subtly placing a Spider-Tracer on the Ringmaster's hat before leaving. Seeing their current trick no longer works, the gang decides to give Ringmaster the heave-ho and elect the Clown as their new leader. Meanwhile, Betty Brant invites Peter to join her at an art exhibit that J. Jonah Jameson is sponsoring.
Outside though, the Clown and his cronies are breaking into rob the place, using the Cannonball to break down a door and the Clown distracting the art exhibit visitors. Peter recognizes the Clown from the Ringmaster's gang and Jameson sees Cannonball stealing a picture off the wall. While trying to stop the theft, Jameson gets knocked out cold by a headbutt from Cannonball. Spider-Man, not knowing the split-up of the gang, follows his Spider-Tracer to the Ringmaster to see him leaving a police station as an innocent man, but uses the Ringmaster's hat to hypnotize him and find out where the real crooks are. Yet, as the newly-named Masters of Menace celebrate their heist, Spider-Man finds them and while kept off balance manages to fight them all off.
One of the members, Princess Python runs away and Spider-Man tries to be a gentleman, not fighting a woman and instead pleads with her to surrender. While Spider-Man is knocked into her snake pit, the Ringmaster decides to get revenge and knocks the Clown out cold making his way out with the treasure. The Ringmaster is caught red-handed with paintings and the rest of the gang (including Princess Python) is rounded up by the police.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Aunt May, Flash Thompson, Liz Allan, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant, Circus of Crime/Masters of Menace (Ringmaster, Princess Python, Precious, Clown, Human Cannonball, The Great Gambonos)
Continuity Notes
Spider-Man reminds the Ringmaster and his Circus of Crime how he defeated them the last time they met. That was in Amazing Spider-Man #16.
Betty gives Peter a hard time for "making a play" for the Human Torch's girlfriend. She thought that was what was going on last issue.
