Spider-Man: With Friends Like These...

AMAZING
SPIDER-MAN
#590 cover by
Barry Kitson

By Jim Beard You all know that kind of friend, the kind you'll do anything for—if you don't kill them first. That pretty much sums up the rocky relationship between Spider-Man and the Human Torch. This April 1 opens up the latest chapter on one of the Marvel Universe's most fascinating friendship in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #590. To illustrate the unique bond between these two young heroes, we'll have to delve deep into their shared adventures and show you what we mean. Settle in and keep your heads down, kids!

STRANGE TALES ANNUAL #2 (1963) Though they first met in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1, Spidey and the Torch didn't hit it off until—well, they didn't really hit it off here, either. Johnny thought the wall-crawler had "crook" written all over his face and the wily Fox laughed all the way to the art heist while the two teens tussled. Fortunately, the Wallcrawler and the Torch got wise and joined forces to run the Fox into his den.

MARVEL TEAM-UP v1 #1 (1972) Even Christmas Eve couldn't cool the hot-headed heroes when the Sandman's latest caper forced Johnny and Spidey to make nice and team up—and not for caroling. Ol' Sandy gifted them with lees than holiday cheer but despite his Grinchiness received a stocking full of webs and fire balls in return. Season's greetings, Sandman!

MARVEL TEAM-UP #147 (1984) The Human Torch entered into Spider-Man's strange struggle with the evil Black Abbott in the simplest fashion: saving someone's life. For Torch's troubles, the Abbott brainwashed Johnny and set him against the web-slinger. Once freed from mind control, the Torch joined his friend in confronting the villain of the piece but in the end they came up with only false Abbotts, the real one still at large.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #362 (1992) Their relationship strengthened a bit by time, the Torch accompanied Spider-Man to an island whose sole inhabitant answered to the name of Venom. Spidey borrowed a Fantastic Four sonic weapon to soften up his foe but the ensuing battle tasked the two heroes to their limits and the gun didn't last long. Johnny and his knack for machinery came to the rescue though and Venom had to stop and listen to the music.

FANTASTIC FOUR #512 (2004) In perhaps their greatest team-up of all, Spider-Man and the Human Torch made waves at…a water park? Johnny sought out the web-headed wonder for advice on being a loser, but before Spidey could return the left-handed compliment the all-wet Hydro-Man attacked. Then, the Torch learned a most-important lesson when forced to utter that famous cry, "I Have No Pants But I Must Fly!" So, Spidey and the Torch—fast friends or fiery foes? See for yourself this April 1 in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #590. Its part one of a two-part team-up by Dan Slott and Barry Kitson that's gonna change Spidey's life and the Marvel Universe in a big way! Be there! Check out the official Marvel Shop for everything Spider-Man! Download episodes of X-Men: Evolution now on iTunes!

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