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 #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 #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 #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 #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 #53 "ENTER DR. OCTOPUS!" (October, 1967)

Synopsis

Harry is peeved at Peter because he's never around. Harry doesn't like feeling like a glorified answering machine. To make matters worse, Pete takes Gwen to a "Science Expo" blowing off Harry and Flash who recently returned from Vietnam. 

Professor Warren goes with the budding couple and he displays some delightfully creepy affection for Gwen. I doubt that Stan intended at this point for Prof. Warren to end up as horribly creepy as he does, but the groundwork certainly was laid here.

At the Expo, wouldn't you just know that Dr. Octopus would show up and start a big ol' fight. Spidey beats him soundly and Ock decides to lay low for a while.

Aunt May and Anna decide to take in a boarder to make some extra cash...guess who moves in?

Notes

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #50 "SPIDER-MAN NO MORE!" (July, 1967)

Synopsis

Here we are folks at another landmark issue. What was meant to be mere filler for a soon-to-be-canceled comic, "Amazing Fantasy" has somehow stretched into a 50 issue run.  Well I'll tell you how! It's because of issues like this. 

Peter Parker is such a relatable character. He's faced with problems, in this issue:

• Aunt May has another attack
• he is spurned by the public he protects
• he has no time for a job doing what he loves
• his grades are slipping
• he doesn't have time to spend with Gwen or MJ

That he hasn't quit before shows his perseverance, and is a testament to his strength. Eventually though, enough is enough and he quits. Parts of the 2nd Spider-Man movie are an homage to this issue. 

It is when Peter is driving home one night, and hears a night watchman attacked that he bursts back into action. He saves the watchman's life without a costume, taking out two burglars. Peter realizes with a shock that the man reminds him of Uncle Ben, and Romita gets a chance to re-draw the origin. Peter renews his vows to Superherodom.

Notes

• Kingpin's first appearance
• Gwen begins to show strong interest in Peter

Credits

Stan (the man) Lee and John (ring-a-ding) Romita invite you to join the capricious company of

Mickey Dimeo: Inker

Sam Rosen: Letterer

Amazing Spider-Man #38 "JUST A GUY NAMED JOE!" (July, 1966)

Synopsis

If a man gets bathed in chemicals and then electrocuted a bit, would you assume he would develop super-human strength? Yer darn right he would! Joe Smith is a pretty unassuming nobody, until one day the aforementioned happens on a movie set. Boom, instant one-issue-villain. 

Spider-Man beats him, and the guy goes back to normal, gets a movie contract, and lives happily ever after. Y'know even I'm getting tired of this completely uninteresting A-stories, but fortunately the B-stories are awesome.

Norman Osborn hires every goon in the city to kill Spider-Man, offering a reward of $20,000. Harry and Flash are still picking on Peter, but Gwen sure seems to be whistling a different tune. Meanwhile, at the Bugle, Ned Leeds is back from California but he doesn't know where Betty is either!

Stay tuned frantic ones!

Notes

• there were several other panels that I loved and wanted to show you, here I present a few choice lines from a protest on ESU's campus

Peter: Another student protest! What are they after this time?

Some Kid: Didn't you hear? They're protesting tonight's meeting!

Peter: It figgers!

Another Kid: Hey, Parker! Not so fast! We can use another man to carry a sign! C'mon, join in the protest march!

Peter: Not me! I haven't got time! Besides, I've nothing to protest about!

Third Kid: Nothing to protest about?? What are you -- some kinda religious fanatic, or somethin'?

Another Kid: What 'smatter with? Aren't you interested in saving the world?? Anyway, it's an excuse to cut classes!

Third Kid: --and maybe you'll get your picture in Newsweek!

Fourth Kid: C'mon, Parker--If you join our protest meeting, we'll join one of yours some time!

Fifth Kid: Sure! And, if you've nothing to protest, Don't worry about it! That won't stop us!

Peter:  Forget it!

Sixth Kid: Aww -- your cousin likes Lawrence Welk!

Seventh Kid: Gowan back to Squaresville you rosy-cheeked reactionary!

Credits

Written & Edited by: Stan Lee

Plotted & Drawn by: Steve Ditko

Lettered, Unfettered by: Artie Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #36 "WHEN FALLS THE METEOR" (May, 1966)

Synopsis

Here comes the candidate for "Worst Named Villain of 1966." The Looter. Guess what he does? You win, he loots. Norton G. Fester was an ordinary, albeit kooky scientist who finds a meteor and gets exposed to strange meteorite gasses. He gains incredible strength and becomes The Looter!

Spider-Man beats him up for having a stupid looking costume/name. Meanwhile at ESU, Gwen Stacy is ever more annoyed with Peter because he ran away from danger, she didn't realize he was just going to change into Spidey!

Notes

Credits

Script & Editing by: Stan Lee

Plot & Artwork by: Steve Ditko

Lettering 'n Stuff by: Art Simek

Amazing Spider-Man #31 "IF THIS BE MY DESTINY...!" (December, 1965)

Synopsis

Get ready...because this three issue arc, seemingly about "The Master Planner" is actually about the very nature of Spider-Man. It will be referred to time and again in the future, both in Spider-Man and in comics in general. This issue though is just the set-up, the real action happens in the next one. Aunt May has another attack and this time she's hospitalized. Peter is so wrought with worry and concern that all of his new classmates at ESU think that he's a stuck-up snob. 

Ned is still pestering Betty for an answer to his marriage proposal, but she still hasn't spoken to Peter. The issue ends ominously with two doctors discussing Aunt May's grave condition.

Notes

• The Master Planner's gang seems to be the same gang as we saw in the previous issue, although they were working for The Cat
• First appearance of Gwen Stacy
• First appearance of Harry Osborn, wearing his trademark bow-tie
• First appearance of Professor Miles Warren
• While this is Gwen's first appearance, she doesn't really come to life until Jazzy Johnny takes over

Credits

Masterful Script by: Stan Lee

Magnificent Artwork by: Steve Ditko

Mellifluous Lettering by: Sam Rosen