Comic Title: Amazing Spider-Man #3
Publisher: Marvel (Non-Pareil Publishing Corp.)
Address: 655 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: July 1963
On Sale Date: April 9, 1963 Copyright Date April 9, 1963
Source: Library of Congress, Periodicals 1963

Frequency: Bimonthly
Cover Price: $0.12
Page Count: 32
Editor: Stan Lee

Title: "Doctor Octopus"
Pages: 21

Feature(s):
Spider-Man

Writer: Stan Lee
Artist: Steve J. Ditko
Letterer: Jon D'Agostino

Reprinted In:
Marvel Collectors Item Classics #1 (1965)
Mighty World of Marvel #7 (1972)
Mighty World of Marvel #8 (1972)
Marvel Tales Starring Spider-Man #140 (1982)
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1:Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC (1988)
Amazing Spider-Man Masterworks TPB (1992)
Spider-Man Classics #4 (1993)
Marvel Milestone Edition:The Amazing Spider-Man #3 (1995)
Essential Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB (1997)
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1:Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC (1999)
Spider-Man Vs. Doctor Octopus TPB (2000)
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1:Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC (2002)
Marvel Masterworks:The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 – Barnes & Noble Edition TPB (2003)
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1:Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC (2003)
Marvel Masterworks Vol. 1:Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 HC [Variant] (2003)
Spider-Man:Doctor Octopus #1 (2005)
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1 HC (2007)
Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1 HC [Variant] (2007)
Marvel Masterworks:The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB (2009)
Marvel Masterworks:The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB [Variant] (2009)
Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection:Great Power TPB (2014)
Mighty Marvel Masterworks:The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB (2021)
Mighty Marvel Masterworks:The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1 TPB [Variant] (2021)

Feature Character(s)

• Spider-Man (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)

Supporting Character(s)

• May Parker (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)
• J. Jonah Jameson (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)
• Flash Thompson (last appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #2; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #4)

Villain(s)

• Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius; first appearance; next appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #11)
• Three warehouse robbers (Charlie named; no further appearances)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Human Torch (last appearance in Strange Tales #109; next appearance in Fantastic Four #16)

Other Character(s)

• The staff at the Bliss hospital (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Scientist Otto Octavius has invented a set of mechanical arms which allow him to safely interact with radioactive materials. An explosion in the lab fuses the arms to Octavius's body and damages his brain. The deranged scientist takes over the hospital in which he is recovering and seals it off from the public.

Peter Parker is tasked with obtaining a photo of the so-called Doctor Octopus for the Daily Bugle. He enters the hospital as Spider-Man, but is easily defeated. After Spider-Man's defeat, Octavius leaves the hospital and takes over an atomic power plant. Peter is discouraged by his failure, but a visit from the Human Torch at Peter's school helps to inspire him.

Spider-Man goes after Doctor Octopus again. This time he is prepared with a solution that fuses two of Octavius's mechanical arms together. This evens the fight, but Spider-Man is still unable to get the upper hand. Finally, he stops fighting the mechanical arms and punches the villain in the face. Doctor Octopus is knocked out allowing Spider-Man to turn him over to the authorities.