Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man – Volume 17 by Len Wein is a fun-filled Spiderman adventure from 1977-78 featuring the return of The Green Goblin. The Green Goblin is Spiderman’s biggest nemesis first it was the father of his best friend Norman Osborn then it was Harry Osborn, Peter Parker’s former roommate and best friend, both know the secret that Peter Parker is Spiderman. Harry starts the book in good spirits but will be pushed to his limits and become the Green Goblin again. The book’s first half is all forgettable stories but the second half makes up for it as it is full of great stories. The Punisher returns and now knows Spiderman is a good guy and must work together to save J. Jonah Jamison. Molten Man returns from the dead to seek a cure from Liz Allen his step-sister. I have to say every time I read these old Spiderman stories Molten Man has a killer story arc and is one of my favorites if you asked me before I would have just said Molten Man was lame. Nova is brought into Spiderman but with a weak two-parter storyline that is forgettable. The Rocket Racer is only briefly introduced and the scene is weirdly short like a page and a half. Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man – Volume 17 collects issues The Amazing Spider-Man (1963-1998) #169-180, Annual #11 and Nova (1976) #12.

Plot Summary: J. Jonah Jamison confronts Peter Parker about being Spiderman he has pictures that were taken of Spiderman getting rid of the Peter Parker clone. Peter Stumbles into bad guys led by Doctor Faustus who uses a drugged cigarette to poison Spiderman’s mind and help him rob a high-tech lab. Nova believes Peter Parker is a suspect in the murder of his father, Spiderman helps to prove his innocence and find the true killer. Spiderman saves a stuntman in a bad Spider Monster costume that makes a costume designer. Spiderman dresses in the costume and is attacked by costumed Spider monsters on the set. Rocket Racer appears and Spiderman easily defeats him after a chase. Liz Allen is arrested for stealing drugs from the hospital. Molten Man is back and he needs his step-sister Liz Allen to administer a drug formula to him to turn him back into a man again. A hitman is sent after J. Jonah Jamison and The Punisher with Spiderman end up interrupting at the same time. The Green Goblin is back with a big 3 issue twist.

What I Liked: Seeing Harry Osborn driven by anger back into the Green Goblin costume once again. The big twist revealed in the Green Goblin story, no spoilers but it was fun. The Punisher and Spiderman jumping through windows at the same time to save Jonah was fun. The brutal way the hitman dies in a Spiderman comic by The Punisher. Molten Man goes out like a boss. I love the cure angle and the twist with it. I liked that this is the first comic where Aunt May becomes political and becomes a huge part of her character further in the comics.

What I Disliked: The Nova and Spiderman story didn’t do anything exciting to get me to read Nova and I did not like what it did with Peter Parker and Spiderman. The quick Rocket Racer intro was bizarre. The Doctor Faustus storyline was kind of a rehash of what Mysterio has done in the past. I could have gone with a brief explanation of what happened to Silvermane, since the last time he was in a Spiderman comic he was turned into a baby.

Recommendations: Half of this novel is really good and half of it is not so good. I would read the first issue then skip to where Molten Man appears then read to the end. I have to read everything which can sometimes lead to disappointment. The Green Goblin 3-part saga is good with some surprising twists and turns that make it the highlight of the novel.

Rating: I rated Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man – Volume 17 by Len Wein 3 out of 5 stars.