In Florida, the Lizard terrorizes the locals. Jameson issues a challenge to Spider-Man to defeat the Lizard, not expecting him to take it. Peter visits the Natural History Museum to study up on reptiles and also goes into action as Spider-Man when two hold-up men threaten the museum patrons. Spider-Man then visits Jameson and tells him he will accept the challenge. Jameson goes to Florida to witness the event and brings Peter to take pictures, but Peter manages to slip away from Jameson and sets out as Spider-Man, finds the Lizard and nearly drowns in their first clash. Journeying to the home of reptile expert Dr. Curtis Connors, Spider-Man meets his wife who relates how Curtis had been experimenting with reptile genes to regrow his right arm, which he lost in the war. The serum worked, but transformed him into a reptilian creature. Spider-Man uses Curtis' research to create an antidote, then finds the Lizard in an old Spanish fort, raising alligators as his personal army. After a pitched battle, Spider-Man forces the antidote into the Lizard who reverts to Curtis Connors. After reuniting the Connors family Peter returns to Jameson with photos of the Lizard, but Jameson no longer believes in the creature and destroys them. Spitefully, Peter sends a letter to Jameson "from" Spider-Man, mocking him.