WHO KILLED DOCTOR RIDER? (1977)

Nova's trip to Long Island and first team-up with Spider-Man rapidly turns into a bizarre whodunnit when Richard Rider's uncle is murdered by the super-powered Photon. But who is the man beneath the villain's mask?

Crossover: This story is a direct crossover - a rarity for the Amazing Spider-Man title at the time

• Nova #12
• Amazing Spider-Man #171

Nova #12

Richard Rider (secretly the man called Nova) heads to Long Island to visit his uncle, Dr Ralph Rider, only to discover he's been murdered. Initially, he blames science student Peter parker who he discovered at the scene of the crime, but the return of the costumed killer who calls himself Photon removes Peter from the suspect list. Photon disappears again after battling Spider-Man and Nova, but Police Captain Jason Steele lines up a list of suspects, with Dr Rider's former assistant Michael Lincoln who envied Dr Rider's success beng the number one. But shady businessman Franklin Risk, AIM agent Harry Daze and Maggia member Jason Dean were all there to bid for Dr Rider's transistorised nuclear device before he could give it to the government. Before Rider's butler can reveal who did it, he too is murdered by Photon, while Risk, Daze and Dean make their escape...

Amazing Spider-Man #171

Despite some initial uncertainty between them, Spider-Man and Nova join forces against Captain Steele's wishes. They follow Daze's hydrofoil to AIM's secret Manhattan base where they battle AIM agents and Photon. The defeated heroes are tied to an anchor and thrown into the harbour. They escape and head back to Dr Rider's home where the AIM agents are attempting to steal the device. Photon emerges and takes Rich Rider's father, Charles Rider, prisoner. The two heroes free Charles and unmask Photon, revealing him to be Jason Dean. Meanwhile, in New York, a mystery figure stalks Harry Osborn and Liz Allan while they discuss their wedding plans...

Ms Marvel #6-10 (1977)

Ms Marvel takes on AIM's Manhattan branch during THE DOOMSDAY CONNECTION.

Amazing Spider-Man #172-173 (1977) 

The figure following Liz Allan and Harry Osborn in this story is revealed to be the her half-brother, the Molten Man, who asks her to steal a cure for his super-powered state; Spider-Man confronts the Molten Man who appears to die in an explosion.

Peter Parker, the Spectacular Spider-Man #63 (1982)

Harry Osborn and Liz Allan are revealed to married and relocated to New Jersey; the Molten Man returns, having survived his previous encounter with Spider-Man, and destroys their new home.

Amazing Spider-Man #312 (1989)

After experiencing a series of nightmares, Harry Osborn becomes the Green Goblin again during INFERNO.

Web of Spider-Man #75 (1990)

Nova (who's changed his name to 'Kid Nova' and joined the New Warriors) next teams up with Spider-Man.

Spectacular Spider-Man #200 (1993)

Having given in to the darker side of his Green Goblin persona, Harry Osborn has a final confrontation with Spider-Man; the Goblin Formula Harry had been using was poisoning him and he finally succumbed to its effects.

Avengers Unplugged #5 (1996)

While this Photon doesn't return, Monica Rambeau drops her Captain Marvel codename and becomes Photon herself during THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN MARVEL.

Amazing Spider-Man #545 (2008)

Harry Osborn is revealed to be alive, though he's not reunited with Liz Allan upon his return having found new love with Lily Hollister during ONE MORE DAY.

Amazing Spider-Man #581 (2009)

Harry Osborn's 'resurrection' is explained; the original Green Goblin, Harry's father Norman Osborn, paid Mysterio to fake Harry's death; Harry divorced Liz Allan and remained in rehab in Europe for a number of years.

See how this story fits into the wider Marvel Universe continuity with these reading orders:

• NEW WARRIORS: Before the New Warriors (1972-1989)

Marvel Masterworks The Amazing Spider-Man vol.17

Nova Classic vol.1
Collect Amazing Spider-Man #171 and Nova #12.