Amazing Spider-Man #114

Gang War, Schmang War! What I Want to know is ...who the Heck is Hammerhead?

Credits

After just barely defeating Dr. Octopus (needing a strength-boosting harness to boost his strength thanks to an ulcer) Spider-Man must now face a new criminal, Hammerhead, who has been warring with Octopus over control of crime in New York City. During the fight, Spider-Man is creased by a bullet and passes out. Dr. Octopus revives and gets away. When Hammerhead wonders why Octopus wanted Spider-Man alive, he takes the wall-crawler back to his hideout.

When Spider-Man revives, Hammerhead gives him an ultimatum: Join his gang or die. He then explains his origins: How he was a man gunned down and was found by Jonas Harrow, a scientist. The man who would become Hammerhead would have amnesia but would adopt the persona of Al Capone-esque mobster after seeing a movie poster about the famous gangster. Harrow would reconstruct Hammerhead's skull so that it would be made out of titanium, he has since worked his way up the crime ladder, his current conquest is to crush Dr. Octopus.

When word reaches Hammerhead that Dr. Octopus has "shacked up with some old broad", Spider-Man has a feeling that it's his Aunt May, and tries to convince Hammerhead that he's changed his mind (while tagging him with a spider-tracer) Hammerhead doesn't believe him and leaves Spider-Man under armed guard while he goes to the location where Octopus was spotted. While on the campus of ESU, Dr. Miles Warren confronts Gwen Stacy about the rumors he's heard about Peter Parker, she confirms them for him. She is then met by Flash Thompson, who makes a crack about Peter's ulcer. This upsets Gwen who tells him off and storms away.

Back at Hammerhead's hideout, Spider-Man manages to distract the guards charged with watching him enough to knock them out and hitch a ride on Hammerhead's car. When it arrives outside the hideout of Dr. Octopus, Hammerhead sends out some of his men to the house. Spider-Man knocks them out. Sneaking inside, he's suddenly knocked out when he's hit over the head with a vase from behind. It turns out that it's Aunt Many, who's quite sure she's killed Spider-Man.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Hammerhead, Doctor Octopus, Gwen Stacy, Flash Thompson, Aunt May, Jonas Harrow, Miles Warren

Continuity Notes

• Spider-Man recounts how his Aunt May once let Doctor Octopus rent a room in her home. That occurred in Amazing Spider-Man #53-54.