Amazing Spider-Man #72 "ROCKED BY THE SHOCKER" (May, 1969)

Synopsis

The Shocker? Back!? It's been 26 issues since we've seen ol' Shocky, but he's lookin' for the same damn tablet that everyone else is lately. Apparently, the newspapers published that Captain Stacy had it. Shocker breaks in, hurts the Cap'n and snatches it.

Pete can barely take the time to battle the Shocker, but he does anyway. Fortunately the fight runs short and he makes it in time to see Aunt May off to one of her near-constant trips to Florida.

He bumps into Gwen and promptly gets into a fight with Flash. If I could butt-in for a moment. Gwen is really unsupportive in this situation. Flash and Peter have a long history of bad blood, and she immediately jumps in defending Flash. She doesn't even blink when Flash basically says that he'd love to bang her right there.

Pete's so glum he races to find the Shocker and kick his ass. He does.

Notes

• That's a picture of the Shocker's crotch. Enjoy.
• His boots are really just Santa Claus boots, aren't they? So sad, when super-villains can't even afford a custom made suit anymore...
• The Shocker is a confusing villain to me. How is he actually doing that whole vibration thing? I get that if he punches you it comes with an added vibro-boost. If you punch him, he vibrates away some of the force. Sure, okay. But his ability to shoot vibrations over a distance. What is that!? Is that a thing?
• I'd also like to comment on the "vibrates his body to deflect a punch" thing. His vibrations are so strong he can break through concrete and steel. Yet you're telling me that he doesn't shatter every bone in his body when applying the same force to himself?

Credits

Stan (The Man) Lee - Author

Big John Buscema - Innovator

Jazzy Johnny Romita and Jim (Madman) Mooney - Illustrators

Swingin' Sammy Rosen - Letterer

Amazing Spider-Man #71 "THE SPEEDSTER AND THE SPIDER" (April, 1969)

Synopsis

Pete's still moping about his tragic life, compounded by the fact that he can't get rid of the priceless tablet without people knowing that he's Spider-Man.

If only Quicksilver were here to complicate things. In typical Cross-Over fashion, one hero jumps to hasty conclusions about another and Twinkletoes sets his sights on apprehending Spider-Man.

Robbie publishes Pete's pix which generally tie up all the loose plot ends: (Kingpin bad, protesters, good, Spidey innocent).

Lastly Spider-Man convinces Quickie (the wall-crawler totally calls him that once, let's hope it catches on) that's he's a good guy.

Notes

• Take a look at that picture. We're talking about Quicksilver here! A guy who was just running so fast, that he created a vortex around Spider-Man. Now we've seen Pete bruise his arm so badly that he needs a sling, so we know it can be done. You're telling me that this isn't going to be worse than falling awkwardly off a building? I'm not buying.

Credits

Smilin' Stan Lee, Author

Jazzy Johnny Romita, Innovator

Jim (Mad-Man) Mooney, Illustrator

Lettered By- Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #70 "SPIDER-MAN: WANTED" (March, 1969)

Synopsis

Kingpin breaks out of jail, Spidey scares Jameson into having a heart attack, the protesters get their low-rent student dorm, and Gwen thinks Peter is a coward! What an ish!

Notes

• Kingpin "forgot" that he told the police that Spider-Man was his accomplice? C'mon...

Credits

Fantastically Fabricated by: 

Stan (The Man) Lee, Author!

John (Ring-A-Ding) Romita, Innovator!

Jim (Madman) Mooney, Illustrator!

Sam (Rosy) Rosen, Letterer!

Amazing Spider-Man #69 MISSION: CRUSH THE KINGPIN!" (February, 1969)

Synopsis

The arrested protesters are stewing behind bars and Randy lashes out at his father Joe. Don't let it be said that Stan Lee was ever afraid to tackle tough issues.

It turns out the Kingpin has a wife...he gets really mad if you mention her, so you'd better not. Spider-Man beats the Kingpin up and attempts to return the tablet to the authorities. Unfortunately for our hero, when Tubby was arrested, he told the cops that Spidey was his accomplice. The issue closes with Spider-Man being hounded by the blue-coats and his resolving to become the menace he's always been called. 

Notes

• First mention of Vanessa Fisk

Credits

Stan (The Man) Lee, Script!

John (Ring-A-Ding) Romita, Storyboards!

Jim (Madman) Mooney, Illustration!

Sam (Sleepy) Rosen, Letterer!

Amazing Spider-Man #68 CRISIS ON THE CAMPUS!" (January, 1969)

Synopsis

Anyone remember the story arc from the Fox Spider-Man show in the 90s involving a clay tablet and Silvermane? No? That's okay--'cause here's the original.

Our yarn begins with Kingpin scheming to steal a priceless clay tablet. He doesn't know what it is but it doesn't matter "Men have died for it, then it must be mine!"

Meanwhile....

Trouble is brewing at ol' ESU. The administration is converting a hall into a private dorm for visting alums instead of using it for low-rent housing for needy students. Well, this is the late 60's so that means PROTESTS!

Peter isn't sure where to stand, he doesn't know much about either side, but he ends up ostracizing the students by declining to act without more information.

Kingpin uses the protest as a cover for his theft of the tablet..and the protesters are arrested as accomplices!

Notes

Credits

Script: Stan (The Man) Lee

Storyboards: Johnny (Ring-A-Ding) Romita

Illustration: Jim (Madman) Monney

Lettering: Sammy (Swinger) Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5 "THE PARENTS OF PETER PARKER!" (1968)

Synopsis

Well here's an issue that eventually became the subject of much ret-conning. Let's see how it plays out.

Believe it or not, our story opens in Algeria. Spider-Man is ambushed by a bunch of Algerian hoods and one of them manages to wing him? Head-injury means flashback time...

Peter remembers how we opened a trunk of Aunt May's in the attic. He found newspaper clippings reporting his parents death as traitors to America. Naturally, this means he has to go to Algeria to found out the truth for himself. 

Which brings us back to where we started...

After getting the address of  his parents "boss" Spider-Man races there only to find, the RED SKULL?!?!

Spidey beats up a henchman of the Skull's, but not before finding damning evidence against his father: an identification card in the Red Skull's spy organization.

As a broken-hearted Spider-Man prepares to leave Algeria, a man known as "the Finisher" comes after him on the Skull's orders. The Finisher is hit by his own missile intended for our hero and as he dies tells Spider-Man the truth about Richard Parker.

Spider-Man goes back to the Red Skull and acquires the proof that he needed, an ID card for Richard Parker showing him to be a double agent working for the US Government.

Notes

• If Richard and Mary were working for the US Government, then how come they weren't cleared after their deaths by the Government itself? 
• Even if May and Ben decided never to tell Peter about his parents...I found it ludicrously unlikely that no one else did. The Parkers are an obvious parallel to the Rosenbergs and their children were stigmatized throughout their entire lives. Peter's last name wasn't changed, nor did they move him to a different city. There's simply no way that he could've made it to 20 without finding out that his parents were traitors.

Credits

Phantasmagorically produced by: Smilin' Stan Lee and Larrupin' Larry Lieber

Embellished by: Mickey Demeo

Lettered by: Artie Simek

Chaotic Consultant: Jazzzy Johnny Romita

Amazing Spider-Man #67 "TO SQUASH A SPIDER!" (December, 1968)

Synopsis

Spider-Man fights for his now 6-inch life as Mysterio torments and antagonizes him. Fortunately he realizes just in time that....um....it was all just post-hypnotic suggestion. Hooray!

Notes

• Jim Mooney is an awesome inker
• Introduction of Randy Robertson

Credits

Stan Lee and Johnny Romita

Jim (Madman) Mooney

Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #66 "THE MADNESS OF MYSTERIO!" (November, 1968)

Synopsis

Mysterio opens this issue soliloquizing about how he plans to defeat Spider-Man. Sigh...they never learn. 

Gwen makes up with Peter having learned the truth about what happened in the previous issue. Hooray!

Joe Robertson and Captain Stacy begin their get-togethers to discuss Spider-Man. I'm guessing that Stan Lee's father smoked a pipe. Both of these "father figure" characters do.

Norman Osborn has reverted back to the Green Goblin, but he still hasn't regained the memory that Peter Parker is Spider-Man.

When Spidey tracks down Mysterio, he gets zapped by Mysterio's new weapon. Spidey regains his sense in time to discover that he's only 6 inches tall!!

Notes

Credits

Stan (The Man) Lee and Johnny (Ring-A-Ding) Romita

Amazinlgy Abetted by: Dazzlin' Don Heck + Slick Mick Demeo

Lovingly Lettered by: Adorable A. Simek

Special Effects by: I. Fearless Forbush

Amazing Spider-Man #65 "ESCAPE IMPOSSIBLE" (October, 1968)

Synopsis

Well, they don't unmask him. Captain Stacy holds back the crazed mob like the badass he is. Unfortunately, for his troubles, the good Captain is taken hostage by some criminals who want to break out of jail. Spidey foils the plan and George testifies on his behalf much to JJJ's annoyance.

Notes

Credits

Stan Lee & John Romita

Jim Mooney

Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #64 "THE VULTURE'S PREY" (September, 1968)

Synopsis

Essentially nothing happens in this issue. Spidey beats the Vulture even with his wounded arm. Oh sure, along the way Mary-Jane gets a haircut and JJJ and Robbie are threatened, but that's just fluff. The issue closes with Spider-Man passing out and the crowd around him moving in...

Notes

• Captain Stacy finally regains his memory and tells Gwen that Peter didn't try to hurt him

Credits

Stan Lee & John Romita

Donnie Heck

Mickey Demeo

Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #63 "WINGS IN THE NIGHT!" (August, 1968)

Synopsis

I bet most of you Spider-Fans were bummed to find out that Vulture died in ish 48 even though Blackie Drago took over his mantle as "New Vulture." Fret not, turns out Adrian Toomes is alive and well.

Now if you want to make your comeback as the high-flying Vulture what would be your first move? Would you break-0ut from prison the guy who tried to replace you so that you can beat him up? Vulchy would.

Our issue closes with the original Vulture soundly beating the new one, and then turning to face Spider-Man!

Notes

• yes, more of "Norman is gaining back his memory!"
• also more of "I wish Peter would try to explain!" "How can I ever explain to Gwen?"
• Check out what the Vulture thinks about copyright law in the above pic

Credits

Stan (The Man) Lee/John (Ring-A-Ding) Romita

Don (Hero) Heck

Mickey Demeo

Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #62 "MAKE WAY FOR MEDUSA!" (July, 1968)

Synopsis

Spidey is swinging above the city, thinking about how to make up with Gwen--when suddenly Medusa appears! Not the mythological creature but the Inhuman with living hair. She's come to New York to see if mankind is ready to accept the Inhumans living among them. 

Naturally she is immediately confronted by an advertising executive who thinks she'd be a great spokesmodel for hairspray. 

Meanwhile...

Norman Osborn is still struggling with his returning memories about the Green Goblin...

Does anyone else notice how often Marvel uses the idea of a foreign dignitary (Ka-Zar, Namor, Inhumans, etc.) coming to New York and inadvertently causing mayhem due to culture clash?

Well here we go again, Medusa, unsuprisingly, gets bored with the hairspray ads and walks out after trashing the place. The ad exec hails Spider-Man and tricks him into going after Medusa.

Oy.

The ensuing battle is mostly a complete misunderstanding, I sure wish Spidey would use his words before his fists. It really doesn't help though that Medusa is so taken with her status as Queen of the Inhumans that she refuses to discuss anything.

Fear not, once the snafu is cleared up, Medusa goes back the Inhumans and the corrupt ad-man is fired. Justice reigns!

Notes

• JJJ's thoughts in the above pic are just....so linear. We don't think like that!

Credits

Smilin' Stan Lee/Jazzy John Romita

Delineated by: Dashing Don Heck

Inking: Mighty Mickey Demeo

Lettering: Swingin' Sammy Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #61 "WHAT A TANGLED WEB WE WEAVE..!" (June, 1968)

Synopsis

Gwen and Captain Stacy go on the run but are soon apprehended by Kingpin's men. Spider-Man saves the day, and with the help of Norman Osborn shuts down the brainwashing plan permanently.

Notes

• Norman is starting to remember his alter ego, the Green Goblin

Credits

Stan Lee/John Romita

Don Heck

Mickey Demeo

Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #60 "O, BITTER VICTORY!" (May, 1968)

Synopsis

Peter loves Gwen! Yup, this issue is all hearts and flowers because they get married and live happily ever after. The End.

Nah, just kidding.

We've all been there, you're visiting the woman you love and her father who's been brainwashed by a mobster attacks you. I know, I know--it's happened to us all. You raise an arm merely in self-defense and you end up hurting him because of your radioactively enhanced strength. 

Long story short, Gwen is heart-broken and furious at Peter. In an effort to clear things up, Pete follows Captain Stacy hoping he'll find the Kingpin, but instead sees the Captain stealing private police files. Of course, Spidey knows that it's only because George is brainwashed, so in an attempt to help him, Spidey takes photographs and gives them to the Bugle. 

I guess the rationale is that by bringing attention to George, the Kingpin will have to play his hand and then Spider-Man could capture him and thus exonerate George. Sure sucks for Gwen though who has to see "photos by Peter Parker" in the newspaper the next day....CONTINUED NEXT ISH

Notes

Credits

Stan (the man) Lee/Johnny (ring-a-ding) Romita

Dashing Donnie Heck

Mighty Mickey Demeo

Swingin' Sammy Rosen

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.

Amazing Spider-Man #58 "TO KILL A SPIDER-MAN!" (March, 1968)

Synopsis

Spider-Man wasn't dead! Okay, you may now return from the edge of your seat. I know that many of you were nervous. Remember he lives for another 500 issues or so, (I don't want any of you nay-sayers pointing out that he dies a few times along the way).

Not only did he survive his encounter with Ka-Zar, but his amnesia is gone! Apparently being knocked unconscious due to lack of oxygen is a great cure for amnesia. 

Meanwhile...JJJ receives a phone call from Dr. Smythe who has a new Spider-Slayer. Naturally Jonah can't pass up this opportunity and he immediately sets the new robot after Spidey.

The Spider-Slayer chases Peter all over the city but when they arrive at Professor Smythe's lab, it gets overloaded by all the "spider-impulses" there. Which was Spidey's plan all along of course.

Notes

• Stan establishes George Stacy's interest and curiosity for Spider-Man
• Ned Leeds and Betty STILL haven't gotten married--yeesh, what the heck is taking them so long?
• re: the pic above--you'd think Spidey wouldn't freak out about that

Credits

Spectacular Script - Smilin' Stan Lee

Brilliant Breakdown - Jazzy Johnny Romita

Fabulous Finalizing - Dashin' Donny Heck

Exotic Embellishment - Mighty Mickey Demeo

Luscious Lettering - Swingin' Sammy Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #57 "THE COMING OF KA-ZAR!" (February, 1968)

Synopsis

Spider-Man still has no memory of who he is. While his friends and family are worried sick, Harry finds a spider-tracer in the apartment. This leads him, and soon the entire city, to believe that Spider-Man kidnapped Peter Parker!

Meanwhile, Ka-Zar is in town on business and JJJ convinces him to apprehend our memory-addled hero. Their epic battles ends with a limp Spider-Man in the arms of Ka-Zar....STAY TUNED.

Notes

• Captain Stacy's name is misspelled "Stacey"
• See! Even with amnesia Peter loves Gwen

Credits

Smilin' Stan Lee/Jazzy John Romita

Dashin' Don Heck - Additional Penciller

Mickey Demeo - Embellisher

Sam Rosen - Letterer

Amazing Spider-Man #56 "DISASTER!" (January, 1968)

Synopsis

1968! An important year in American History. Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. are killed, massive protests break out on college campuses about Vietnam, and Nixon is elected.

Will there be as much significance in the Spider-Verse? Let's find out!

Spider-Man, besotted with amnesia has been duped by Dr. Octopus into believing that they're partners. Somehow though (probably due to his spider-sense) Spidey knows that everything isn't what it seems.

Meanwhile, the gang is missing Peter. Aunt May of course, is upset both that Peter is missing and that everyone is telling lies about poor misunderstood Dr. Octopus.

Colonel Jameson is determined to get back the nullifier and is aided by Police Captain George Stacy. Yes, that's right: Stacy. Gwen's father! I'm sure all of you've been wondering where the heck her family was. Well her surprisingly old father is a widower, and he's raised gorgeous Gwendolyne all by his lonesome.

When the army eventually shows up, Ock is defeated by the very weapon he stole. Spider-Man refuses to fight the army, now convinced that he's not a criminal but the issue ends with him still being unsure of who he actually is!

Notes

• First appearance of George Stacy

Credits

Smilin' Stan Lee/Jazzy John Romita

Inked by: Mickey Demeo

Lettering by: Sam Rosen 

Ignored by: Those of Little Faith

Amazing Spider-Man #55 "DOC OCK WINS!" (December, 1967)

Synopsis

Remember the Nullifier that Ock tried to steal way back in ish 53? Well he finally gets it despite the best efforts of Colonel Jameson. 

He uses it on Spider-Man which afflicts him with a well known plot-device....AMNESIA!!

Notes

• the juxtaposition between "party-girl" MJ and more thoughtful Gwen continues
• Harry is again annoyed at his missing roomate
• that cover? awesome.

Credits

Stan (the man) Lee/John (ring-a-ding) Romita

Mickey Demeo - Inking

Sam Rosen - Lettering

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #4 "THE WEB AND THE FLAME! " (1967)

Synopsis

Another year, another annual. Am I the only who thinks these are stupid, hokey, and just a way to sell a comic for 25 cents? Probably not, the stories aren't better--just more ridiculous in their story-telling. Human Torch and Spidey get tricked into fighting each other by the Wizard and Mysterio. It'd be mildly interesting if we hadn't already seen the idea of a movie set being a trap back in ish 14. 

Notes

• this issue had a "surprise penciller." We find out at the end that it was Larry Lieber, although Stan neglects to mention that Larry is his younger brother. 
• The continuity of when this issue is supposed to take place isn't totally clear. Aunt May is on some sort of vacation, but in ish 55, she was being treated by Dr. Bromwell. Maybe she just dashed off for a quick pick-me-up. Or maybe Stan just doesn't read his own comics?

Credits

Stan Lee - Writer

Mickey Demeo - Inker

Larry Lieber - Penciller

Jerry Feldman - Letterer