The Amazing Spider-Man #22
This issue marks the comic-book debut of Princess Python (Zelda DuBois), one of Spider-Man's earliest female adversaries and the character who proves durable enough to graduate from circus villainy to membership in the Serpent Squad and the Serpent Society across decades of Marvel storytelling. The story also introduces the 'Masters of Menace' name for the Circus of Crime splinter group and delivers a noteworthy Silver Age storytelling beat: Spider-Man's visible reluctance to physically confront a female opponent, a period-specific social convention that becomes a genuine plot device rather than mere background color. Set within the Lee–Ditko creative partnership at its peak, the issue also continues the running Betty Brant–Peter Parker romantic subplot, weaving soap-opera continuity into a villain-of-the-month adventure in a way that was distinctive to the early Amazing Spider-Man title. As a Circus of Crime chapter it forms part of a line of appearances — from Incredible Hulk #3 through repeated Spider-Man and Avengers encounters — that established the group as a recurring presence across the Silver Age Marvel Universe.
In "The Clown, and His Masters of Menace!", the Circus of Crime sheds its old leader and rebrands as the Masters of Menace, turning their sights on a high-stakes art heist. This pivotal 1965 issue marks the first appearance of Princess Python, introduced as a bold new threat in the web-slinger’s rogues’ gallery. Written by Stan Lee and brought to life with sharp, expressive art by Steve Ditko—both pencils and inks—on a striking cover also by Ditko, this classic tale blends suspense and spectacle with a touch of theatrical flair.
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The issue was produced by the same core creative team responsible for defining the early Amazing Spider-Man: writer Stan Lee, penciler and inker Steve Ditko, and letterer Artie Simek, with Stan Goldberg providing colors. It was released in December 1964 with a March 1965 cover date — consistent with the standard Marvel distribution lag of the era. The Circus of Crime had previously appeared against the Hulk and Spider-Man (in ASM #16), and this issue follows directly from the romantic misunderstanding of ASM #21 involving Dorrie Evans and Johnny Storm, illustrating Lee and Ditko's then-novel commitment to serialized character continuity. Stan Lee served simultaneously as writer and editor-in-chief, the standard arrangement at Marvel during this period.
Trivia · 8 facts
- First appearance of Princess Python (Zelda DuBois), a snake charmer and circus criminal created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, who later becomes a member of the Serpent Squad and a charter member of the Serpent Society.
- First appearance of Princess Python's giant pet python, named Precious — a recurring story element in the character's subsequent appearances.
- The Circus of Crime members mutiny against the Ringmaster (Maynard Tiboldt), elect the Clown (Elliot Franklin) as their new leader, and rename themselves the Masters of Menace — a designation used only in this issue before they revert to the Circus of Crime name.
- Written by Stan Lee, penciled and inked by Steve Ditko, lettered by Artie Simek — the core Lee–Ditko creative team on ASM at its peak Silver Age output.
- Cover date: March 1965; actual release date: December 1964. Page count: 20 story pages.
- Dr. Henry Pym (Hank Pym/Ant-Man/Giant-Man) and Johnny Storm (Human Torch) appear only by mention/reference — Pym is cited in connection with school, and Storm is referenced as part of resolving the Dorrie Evans subplot carried over from ASM #21.
- The story was reprinted twice in the Marvel Tales reprint series: Marvel Tales #17 (November 1968) and Marvel Tales #160 (February 1984), and has since been collected in Marvel Masterworks: The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 3, The Essential Spider-Man Vol. 2, and The Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1.
- The Circus of Crime (as the Masters of Menace) next appear in Avengers #22 (November 1965), launching the group as a recurring threat across multiple Marvel titles throughout the Silver and Bronze Ages.
Cast · 19 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
After being released from prison, the Circus of Crime decides they no longer need the Ringmaster and become the Masters of Menace and plan an art heist.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
