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 #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 #52 "TO DIE A HERO!" (September, 1967)

Synopsis

In classic Super-Villain fashion, the Kingpin does not simply shoot JJJ and Spider-Man. He locks them in a room with a rising water level, simply leaving them to die. Do you think they escape? You bet your bippy they do. 

Meanwhile Flash returns from Vietnam earlier than everyone expected. 

Back at the his penthouse, the Kingpin manages to escape before Spider-Man can defeat him. While JJJ is escaping, a henchman tries to gun him down and Frederick Foswell takes the bullet. Foswell is remembered as a hero by all. 

Notes

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Sam Rosen

Amazing Spider-Man #51 "IN THE CLUTCHES OF THE KINGPIN!" (August, 1967)

Synopsis

Spidey is back in full swing since last ish. First item on his agenda: take out the newly organized mob under the reign of the Kingpin!

Meanwhile, Mary-Jane and Gwen both have the hots for Peter. Everyone seems to know it except for poor Harry, who thinks Gwen is digging him. Seeds are being planted!

Spider-Man, along with JJJ, is captured by the Kingpin in a thrilling cliffhanger.

Notes

• First appearance of Joseph "Robbie" Robertson
• In a rare display of integrity, Jonah refuses to alter the content of his paper to suit the Kingpin's needs

Credits

Stan Lee, John Romita, Mickey Demeo, Sam Rosen

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