Web of Spider-Man # 83 1991 VF/NM

Web of Spider-Man #83, published in December 1991, features a self-contained story titled "Entrepreneurs." It is a notable issue from the early 90s that explores the commercialization of superheroes.

Plot Summary

The story centers on Bob Robbins, a struggling public relations specialist who believes Spider-Man is a "marketing disaster."

• The Pitch: Robbins approaches Peter Parker, offering to represent Spider-Man to fix his public image and turn him into a profitable brand. Peter, naturally, turns him down.
• The Transformation: Desperate for a success story, Robbins steals a suit of high-tech battle armor designed by rogue scientists from A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics).
• The New Hero: Robbins debuts as the "hero" Hypertron 1.0, attempting to perform heroic deeds while filming them for publicity.
• The Conflict: During a battle with the villainous N'Kantu, the Living Mummy, the Hypertron armor malfunctions. Spider-Man has to intervene to save Robbins and stop the mummy, ultimately proving that being a hero isn't about PR.

Key Details

• First Appearance: This issue marks the first (and only significant) appearance of Hypertron 1.0 (Bob Robbins).
• Creative Team: Written by Kurt Busiek (known for Marvels and Astro City) with art by Chris Marrinan.
• Cover Art: Features Spider-Man battling the armored Hypertron, with the tagline "Spider-Man... You're Fired!"
• Historical Note: Like the surrounding issues in 1991, the cover includes the Captain America 50th Anniversary corner box.

Collector Note: The JCPenney Variant

There is a rare JCPenney Reprint of this issue. You can identify it by looking at the barcode area; the reprint has a Spider-Man head icon or a generic graphic instead of a barcode, and the paper quality is slightly different. These variants often sell for significantly more than the standard edition.