Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Amazing Spider-Man #59 " THE BRAND OF THE BRAINWASHER!" (April, 1968)


Synopsis

Okay here's the skinny. Peter's memory fully returned, he heads to the hospital to ease Aunt May's concerns. He then settles things with the police and explains that he was kidnapped by Spider-Man but only because Spider-Man had lost his memory and mistook him for an enemy.

Finally, he squares things away with the gang which includes an impassioned embrace with Gwen. Her father shares some of his thoughts on Spider-Man with Peter. He may even have hinted that he knows about Peter's dual life.

Meanwhile...

A mysterious figure has hired MJ at a club called Gloom Room A-Go-Go. Her job is to dance and entertain people then take their photos because "no one ever turns down a chance to get a free photo of himself. It can't miss!"

Brilliant plan, right? Well the flashbulbs contain a "hypnotic quality" that makes the patrons want to return to the club at which point the villain will brainwash them.

Seriously, great plan.

That night at the club, MJ snaps a photo of Captain Stacy sending him right into the clutches of the Brainwasher. The issue ends with Spidey confronting this nefarious villain only to discover that it's the Kingpin!

Notes
  • despite the Brainwasher saying that his plan involves tricking the hypnotized patrons into returning to the club for brainwashing, he brainwashes them the first time they visit!
  • I realize that I keep putting up pictures of Gwen, and I'm fully aware that I'm editorializing. I'm choosing to highlight the Gwen/Peter aspects of his life. Deal with it, I'll give Mary-Jane her fair share later.
Credits

Stan (The Man) Lee/Jonny (Ring-A-Ding) Romita
Enchantment by Don Heck
Embellishment by Mickey Demeo
Lettering by Artie Simek
Peter's Wardrobe by Forbush Fashions, Inc.

No comments: