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