Spider-Tracer: Must-Read Mysterio Stories

Judging by how many Spider-Man fans there are on this site (that’s… what, all of you?), you’ve no doubt seen the recent “Spider-Man: Far from Home” trailer featuring none other than everyone’s favorite master of illusions… Mysterio! Best part? He’s going to have that fishbowl helmet! However, it looks like Mysterio will be taking a more heroic turn in this film, and yet, one can never be too sure about anything when ol’ Quentin Beck is involved. Take my word for it, as the following stories will only further prove my point.

 

Mysterio is a very fun villain, and for this month’s Spider-Tracer, we’ll be taking a look at some of the character’s best stories and plots over the years. For newer fans, this will be an excellent way to track down some of those back issues, whether they’re the originals or part of a trade paperback, and I’ll be providing you guys with the names and numbers of those to help you out. Spoilers will be kept to a minimum, so that new readers can be just as thrilled as I was when I read them for the first time.

 

In “The Amazing Spider-Man” Vol. 1, #13, Spider-Man is accused of robbery, all while a new hero makes the scene to defeat Web-Head; a hero by the name of… Mysterio! Yes, you read that right. I get the feeling “Far from Home” will be borrowing some beats form this story, for, as we all know, nothing is what it seems with Mysterio. It’s up to Spidey to connect the robberies to this new rival and save the day in this first encounter between the two enemies. Mysterio screams Ditko with his crazy, oddball design, and it’s a treat to see him depict this theatrical villain in his first appearance. This story is a must-read, as it also provides us with Mysterio’s unique origin. This story can be found in the trade paperback entitled “Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Great Power”.

 

 

“Amazing Spider-Man Annual” Vol. 1, #1 (1964) depicts the first appearance of the Sinister Six, a team Mysterio has played a vital role with ever since. The six enemies attack Spidey separately when Doc Ock, the team leader, realizes they can’t work together for long. Mysterio’s attack on Spidey isn’t even obvious at first (would you expect anything less from him at this point?), but it all does lead to a fantastic full page fight that needs to be seen to be believed. Readers can also find this battle in “Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Great Power”.

 

 

 

“The Amazing Spider-Man” Vol. 1, #24 is unique for its subject matter, at least for comics in the 60’s. Spider-Man, believing himself to be going mad, goes to… a psychiatrist! But there’s more to this madness than meets the eye, and if Spidey hopes to get to the route of this mystery and save his sanity, he’ll need to figure out that not only is it Mysterio pulling the strings, but stop himself from revealing his true identity to Dr. Rinehart while on the couch! This tale is wonderfully offbeat, for the main villain doesn’t even show up in his trademarked zany costume. And wouldja believe… Spidey is saved by none other than J. Jonah Jameson! How? You’ll have to read this wild story to find out, which can be found in the “Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Great Responsibility” trade paperback.

 

 

My personal favorite Mysterio story takes place in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #’s 66-67. Mysterio, having perfected his craft, makes Spider-Man believe he’s only 6” tall; or maybe Mysterio was always this tall? This massive enemy has no fears about squashing spiders, or, in this case, Spider-Men! This story was a blast from start to finish as brought to us by Stan Lee, John Romita Sr, Don Heck, and Jim Mooney. This story also sets up the grand scale that Mysterio’s illusions would take in the years that followed. You can read this story in the upcoming “Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: The Goblin Lives”; according to Amazon.com, this book will be arriving July 2, 2019! Perfect timing, no?

 

 

After this, Mysterio decides to fake his death and lay low for a good while, preferring to avoid Spider-Man and other costumed do-gooders in pursuit of a more lucrative lifestyle. He begins fooling the elderly into signing over their possessions to him when they pass away, pulling in quite a hefty monetary haul for himself in the process. His first big mistake, however, was getting Aunt May involved with his scheme, which led to Spider-Man discovering that Beck is in fact alive, but that’s only part of the story, as readers bear witness to the death of Aunt May! Or… do they? This story takes place in “The Amazing Spider-Man” #’s 196-199, though there was plenty of set up for this story starting in # 193. If you don’t mind your comics in black and white, this story is contained in its entirety in “Essential Spider-Man” Volume 9.

 

 

This story had a sequel of sorts that basically tells us that Mysterio had been meddling in Spider-Man’s life far longer than any of us knew, as explained in “Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man” #’s 50-51, as told to us by the ever-incredibly talented writer Roger Stern. If that all isn’t enough to grab you, nothing will! Check this wonderful yarn out in the Roger Stern Spider-Man Omnibus, or, if you don’t mind the absence of color and want to save a little money, “Essential Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man” Volume 2 is the way to go.

 

 

In “The Amazing Spider-Man” #311, Spider-Man, while battling a mysterious rock giant, is unable to save an innocent bystander, which understandably shakes the hero to his core. Later, while going back for his camera, Spidey discovers not a single sign of his earlier battle. Very… mysterious, wouldn’t you agree? Be sure to check this one out, not only for the great David Michelinie story, but the sweet Todd McFarlane art, as well. Readers can check this story out in the upcoming “Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection: Assassin Nation” trade paperback which has a May 29, 2019 release date according to Amazon.com.

 

 

In “The Amazing Spider-Man” #’s 618-620, we get the official return of the original Mysterio after another of his many “deaths” (he’s great for that, as this story will show). Not only do we get the return of Mysterio, but the return of several long dead Spidey characters as well! Though… with Mysterio as the main villain, can one really believe everything they see? Readers can check this story out July 2, 2019 in “Spider-Man: The Gauntlet- The Complete Collection”, Vol. 1.

 

 

And there you have it, a list of not only great Mysterio stories, but ones that really show what this wonderful character is all about, helping you get ready for his first big screen appearance this summer.

 

What’s your favorite Mysterio story? Did it make the list, or did it mysteriously not show up? Be sure to sound off in the comments section below.