Amazing Spider-Man #144
Published and © by Marvel, May 1975
Title: “The Delusion Conspiracy”
Synopsis: Spider-Man saves Jonah Jameson – with an unlikely assist from a Parisian hardware store – but the real surprise awaits back home.
Writer: Gerry Conway
Penciler: Ross Andru
Inker: Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt
Review: Amazing Spider-Man was often an above-average title during the mid-’70s, but this outing fails to meet that standard. Ross Andru’s art – with its clear storytelling, clean rendering and occasional stylistic flourishes – is certainly serviceable, but Gerry Conway’s story falls short. Cyclone is an admittedly lackluster villain, but the notion he could be defeated with a fan purchased at a hardware store undermines suspension of disbelief. And Spidey protecting his secret identity with a remote-control tape recorder is some Saturday-morning silliness, too. Of course, this is mostly filler as readers wait for the final-page reveal hinted at by the cover.
Grade: C+
Second opinion: “We can only hope this was intended as a tribute to the legendarily awful Mighty Comics from Archie in the 1960s. … 1/2 out of 4 stars.” – Don Butler, Comics Buyer’s Guide #1601, February 2005 … Recommended by The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003.
Cool factor: Gil Kane makes great use of dramatic perspective for that cover.
Not-so-cool factor: Unbeknownst to readers at the time, this story would unleash some convoluted-clone nonsense in the 1990s.
Notable: First full appearance of the Gwen Stacy clone. … According to the annual statement of ownership on “The Spider’s Web” letters page, Amazing Spider-Man had an average total paid circulation of 288,232 for the 12 months preceding Sept. 18, 1974. … LoC from future Fantagraphics co-publisher Kim Thompson.
Collector’s note: According to MyComicShop.com, there is a Mark Jewelers variant of this issue. … Beware, this issue contains Marvel Value Stamp (Series A) #18 (Volstagg).
Character quotable: “What is this, American? A jest? Do you plan to use a simple fan against the murderous force of the all powerful Cyclone?” – Cyclone (answer: why yes, yes he does)
Editor’s note: This review was written June 6, 2025.
