Stan Lee Meets the Amazing Spider-Man (November 2006)

"Stan Lee Meets the Amazing Spider-Man"

Writer: Stan Lee

Penciler: Olivier Coipel

Inker: Mark Morales

Colorist: Jose Villarrubia 

Letterer: Dave Lanphear

Stan Lee's wife is out for the evening, so The Man decides to cook some of his "famous super-hero cookies." But before he can get even get them in the oven, Spider-Man swings through the window, hoping Stan can help him with a problem. It seems Spidey is having second thoughts about the whole hero thing, having to constantly fight super-villians while still being resented by the populace he protects, and he says he just wants to live a normal life. However, Stan reminds Spidey that should the webslinger ever retire, he would be damaging a good dozen industries that rely on Spider-Man's existence:

Spidey finds Stan's speech more than a little inspiring, immediately becoming ashamed that he could ever doubt his own importance to the world. 

***

"Some Steves"

Writer: Joss Whedon

Artist: Michael Gaydos

Colorist: Pete Pantazis

Letterer: Dave Lanphear

At the Second Interdimensional Comicon, Steve Rennitz runs into several versions of himself from different dimensions, all selling comics at the show. The group compares the titles available in their respective dimensions, but apparently only one dimension has any comics written by Stan Lee. The rest have titles like "The Normal Four" and "Amazing Reality," and feature stories about Peter Parker such as "The Night Gwen Stacy Lightened Up." All this may be intended to make the audience appreciate Stan's contribution to comics, but still: 

I would totally buy "The Normal Four."

***

"Spider-Man Unmasked"

Writer: Stan Lee

Art: John Romita, Sr. and Jim Mooney

Letterer: Sam Rosen

In this reprint of The Amazing Spider-Man #87, Spider-Man is worried that his blood might be losing the radioactivity that gives him his powers. He swings across the city to seek aid from Dr. Curt Connors, but when the doctor isn't in, Spider-Man remembers that he has more important matters to attend to than his own health: he needs to find Gwen a birthday present! for her birthday! which is today! and the party has already started! and it's a surprise party!

Spidey makes one attempt at getting Gwen a present by breaking into a jewelry store and taking a pearl necklace, but immediately realizes that stealing is wrong and mopes about on some buildings instead.

Meanwhile, Gwen is the life of her own party, and Mary Jane is jealous. Until Peter crashes the party! declaring that he was Spider-Man all along! but now he's given up his super-hero alter ego! because his powers are on the fritz!

This sends Gwen to the edge of hysterics. MJ tries to help by talking down Parker, but you know she's trying to horn in on Gwen's guy.

Still overcome with intense feelings of wooziness and grogginess, Spider-Man stumbles into a hospital, where a doctor treats the webslinger and pronounces that he has...the flu!

"Oh," says Spider-Man.

Buy this issue and more at mycomicshop.com