Well today I remembered that there’s over fifty years of comic book history to get through here, so I’d better crack on.
![PETER [Thinking about Aunt May]: I never thought of it this way before, but - she's my only relative - she's all the family I have!
GWEN: There's Peter Parker! Now remember, Flash - we all decided to act friendly to him!
FLASH: H, Pete! How's it goin'? Seen anything of Harry Osborn?
STUDENT: Hmmph! Looks to me like you're wasting your time! Parker's not buyin'!
FLASH: Let's face it! He's the original cold shoulder kid! If he wants to be a loner, let 'im! What's it to us?
STUDENT: I knew it was a mistake! That guy's like nowhere!
GWEN: I just don't understand him! Sometimes he's as friendly as a puppy!
HARRY [Exiting car] Well, here's where I get out! Thanks for the lift, dad!
NORMAN: Uh huh...](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-1.png?w=636)
Gwen, Flash and a random ginger kid who I don’t believe we ever see again are badmouthing Peter, who honestly has every reason to blank them at this point.
![HARRY: Is anything wrong, dad? You hardly said a word all the way from the house to here!
NORMAN: There's nothing wrong! Did you want me to give you a lift, or deliver a speech on the way?!
HARRY: I didn't mean to get you angry! I was just wondering-
NORMAN: Well, don't wonder! It costs me a fortune to keep you in college - so try thinking about your studies for once!
HARRY [Thinking]: Everything I say or do seems to displease him! If only I knew what was wrong!
FLASH: There he is now! Hey, Harry - all bets are off about puny Parker! He's as hopeless as ever!
GWEN [About Harry]: What's gotten into him?
HARRY: Holy smoke! Now he's makin' with the "I don't know ya from Adam" bit!](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-2.png?w=626)
And here we get a glimpse inside Harry’s thoughts for the first time! He is, of course, angsting about his dad. Ah Harry, if only you knew how much worse it will get eventually.
![FLASH: I dunno what Parker's got - but we better put 'im in quarantine! It's turnin' into an epidemic!
HARRY [Thinking] : If he's in trouble - if he needs anything - why won't he tell me? I'm only a college student, but maybe I can help!
PETER: [Thinking] Never saw Osborn so quiet! Normally he'd have tossed a dozen insults my way by now! [Speaking] S'matter, Harry? Anythin'g wrong? Aren't you feeling well?
HARRY: I'm okay, Parker! And since when is it any of your business whether or not I- Aw, forget it! I didn't mean to snap at you!
PETER [Thinking]: Wow! Something must be really bugging him! He's almost acting human!](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-3.png?w=626)
Here we go! The moment they become friends! Or at least not enemies!
![HARRY: I just can't figure out parents! Now take my dad -we were always real pals - til a few years ago! Then he started to - change! I know he's been having tough sledding in business - but why take it out on me?
PETER [Thinking]: The poor guy! No wonder Harry seemed so bitter! [Speaking] I know what you mean, fella- but try to look at it this way - It can always be worse! For instance, take me - I don't remember ever even havi'g a father!
HARRY: You mean - you're an orphan? I didn't know that about you-
GWEN: [Thinking] Peter and Harry - having a real heart-to-heart! Now I've seen everything!
HARRY: I shouldn't have sounded off that way to you, Parker! Forget about the whole thing, huh?
PETER: Sure, but sometimes it's to get something off your chest!
GWEN [Thinking]: If Peter Parker becomes one of our crowd, it'll be just wonderful - for me!](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-4.png?w=632)
This moment, a BIG one in spiderhistory it would later transpire, gets revisited for the Harry-back-from-the-dead issue Amazing Spider-Man Family #4 in 2009. But we’re a looooong way from there yet.
Awww, how absolutely ridiculously lovely is Peter? Upon hearing that his school bully is going through a tough time he is GENIUNELY SORRY! Even puts his hand on Harry’s shoulder. This is the first time they ever touch and it won’t be the last.
Also note that Harry is wearing green here! Gosh I wonder why.
Harry claims here that he and Norman used to be “pals.” This would later be retconned to be THOROUGHLY not true, Norman was just a flat out abuser, but well since Harry has maintained love for his abuser (something depressingly accurate for abused kids in real life) right up to more modern issues of the comics you can handwave that line away.
![FLASH [Thinking] Parker's a funny guy! After all the needlin' he's taken form him, there he is talking to Harry like a dutch uncle! He's either a real weak sister - or a lot more man than we ever thought he was!
PETER: [To Harry] Well don't let it bug you, fella! Things have a way of getting better when you least expect it!
HARRY: Yeah - I guess so -!
NARRATOR: But, just to prove you're not really reading Tom Brown's School Days, classes finally break, and action time is approaching fast-
PETER [Thinking]: Still can't shake this darn cold! Maybe a little web-swinging is what I need!
NARRATOR: You or I might wish for "a little web-slinging" and that would be that - but when Peter Parker says it - it's for real, tiger!
PETER [Thinking]: Ahh, this is more like it! I'm feeling better already!](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-5.png?w=621)
I don’t know what a dutch uncle is either. Also yes Flash you’re right! Gosh these kids are all so dumb I love them.
Wait for it…
![GREEN GOBLIN: And now, before you meet your end, I've one final surprise in store for you!
PETER [Thinking]: That's it! Keep talking - ranting - anything! Just so long as I have a little while to strain against these coils!
GREEN GOBLIN: Since you'll never live to betray me to another soul, it's only fitting that you learn the identity of the one who has beaten you! And so, at long last - the Green Goblin will introduce himself-](https://harryosbornfansite.files.wordpress.com/2021/05/asm39-6.png?w=616)
norman: tis I, your worst enemy
peter: Holy crap! You’re…that one guy’s weirdly identical father?
Another BIG MOMENT! Told you this issue was full of them!
We’ll deal with this not-remotely-a-revelation-anymore next post…
Want to buy this story? It’s collected in Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks Vol. 4.
harryosborn.net 
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