Besides the first appearance of Doctor Octopus–and the Spider-Signal–there are a couple other things I noticed. First, Spider-Man’s catching bad guys at the beginning of the issue. That brief scene is the first suggestion he’s actually been out crime fighting. Second, the banter starts this issue, between him and Doctor Octopus (or am I supposed to use the trademarked Doc Ock?).
While the issue does feature some decent angst–Peter Parker ready to quit being Spider-Man because he got beat up only to be inspired by Johnny Storm–Lee’s action plotting is a little silly. The first fight with Doctor Octopus is in an office. The second features Spider-Man on the run from a bunch of automatons until he can find the lab where he concocts a device to defeat the villain (Spider-Man, the thinking superhero).
It’s good, but there’s definitely something missing.
Like many 60’s reprints, it’s been so long since I’ve read them I believe my memories have shaped my perceptions too much. But like most series, it’ll take a few to gel, and I remember Spidey’s best stuff comes from the interplay of it’s characters as well as the forefront of Peter to main emphasis of the story. Hang on, hopefully it’ll be worth the wait for you.