Amazing Spider-Man #680

Sep 5

Sep 5 Amazing Spider-Man #680

John Jameson is attaching a new solar panel on the Apogee One space station owned by Horizon Labs. On the ground, the process is being watched by Max Modell who tells John that his father, mayor J. Jonah Jameson, has come to say hello. John offers his condolences as he wasn’t able to be there for Marla Madison’s funeral, but Jonah understands saying his mission in space is far more important for humanity.[1] Suddenly, the video feed cuts out prompting the elder Jameson to demand the Horizon Labs staff, which includes Peter Parker, to get it back up and running. When Jurgen Muntz pulls up the diagnostic feeds they learn that the space station has suddenly suffered a catastrophic systems failure. As everyone scrambles to do something, they suddenly noticed that Parker disappeared.

This is because Peter slipped away to change into Spider-Man and is making a b-line to the Baxter Building to enlist the aid of the Fantastic Four. When he arrives he finds Johnny Storm, aka the Human Torch, who is having a night alone while the rest of the team have taken the children of the Future Foundation on a field trip.[2] When Spider-Man tries to impress the importance of getting to Apogee One, Johnny complains about all the sports and entertainment he needs to catch up on. Spider-Man spoils the results of the last World Series and Superbowl and key plot points out the popular shows in order to get Johnny moving. As they climb aboard the Fantastic Four’s rocket, Spider-Man updates the Torch on the situation in space.

Meanwhile, back at Horizon Labs, J. Jonah Jameson goes outside to get some fresh air. Max Modell tries to come out and console him, but Jonah doesn’t want any of it. He has decided that Horizon Labs is a danger to everyone and warns Modell that he won’t forget this.

Soon, Spider-Man and the Human Torch dock at the space station, Johnny bickering the whole way. Once aboard the station they quickly discover that the artificial gravity systems have failed. As they search the station in the dark Spider-Man’s spider-sense begins going off. That’s when they are attacked by a swarm of miniature octobots tipping them off to who was responsible for the situation on the Apogee.[3] When Johnny flames on and tries to incinerate, Spider-Man tells him to stop because he might burn out all of the oxygen they need to breath. Soon they are swarmed by the creatures but are rescued by John Jameson who blasts all the drones away.

At the secret headquarters of the Sinister Six, Mysterio warns Doctor Octopus about the problem that has just arisen. Although the Octobots were briefly shut down they come back online again. Doctor Octopus then orders Mysterio to push ahead with the mission as the Apogee needs to be destroyed.

By this time, John has fitted Johnny and Spider-Man with propellant belts to help them get around in the zero gravity. He then leads them to the shuttle where he was hiding so they can figure out a plan because his blaster only temporarily shut down the octobots. As he is explaining how the entire crew went missing, the door on the other side of the shuttle bay opens and they witness as the missing crew — now being controlled by the octobots — begin entering the room to stop them. When Spider-Man asks the Torch for ideas but all Johnny can say is how much he really hates the web-slinger.

Recurring Characters

Spider-Man, Human Torch, Doctor Octopus, Mysterio, John Jameson, J. Jonah Jameson, Max Modell, Jurgen Muntz, Glory Grant

Continuity Notes

John went into space and Marla was murdered during an attack on the Jameson’s by the Spider-Slayer and his Slayer-Swarm. See Amazing Spider-Man #652-654.
Johnny mentions how he was dead. Johnny was apparently killed in Fantastic Four #587 while trying to prevent an invasion from the Negative Zone. Johnny survived and returned home in Fantastic Four #600.
Both Spider-Man and the Torch recognize the octobots because they both encountered them back in Amazing Spider-Man #600.