I: Feature Story: "Mission: Crush the Kingpin!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Layouts: John Romita
Pencils: Jim Mooney
Inks: Jim Mooney
Letters: Sam Rosen

Villain: Kingpin, Louis Wilson

Guest Appearance: Randy Robertson, Josh, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Gwen Stacy, Captain Stacy

Synopsis: (continued from ASM #68)

While Spider-Man is scouring the city looking for him, the Kingpin secures the tablet inside his secret base. One of his flunkies makes the mistake of mentioning his wife and receives a savage beating from the Kingpin. He bellows to his gang that they are never to make mention of his wife ever again. He then goes to seal the tablet inside a vault with a massive door that only his strength can open.

The police interrogate the protesters, including Randy and Josh. Robbie Robertson is there to help his son, but Josh accuses him of being part of the establishment. Meanwhile, protesters line up outside the jail to demand the release of the prisoners. Gwen arrives to see her father and slaps the bejeesus out of a protester who calls Peter a chicken for not joining them. Unfortunately, Gwen's deepest thoughts reveal that she cannot reconcile in her heart whether that is actually true or not.

Spider-Man finds the Kingpin's headquarters and floats a web decoy inside. The Kingpin's men drain their handguns into the decoy and Spider-Man launches a surprise attack. The Kingpin grabs him, though, and throws him into his decoy, which gums him up. Evading the Kingpin's punches, Spidey finally worms his way out of his webbing, then tackles the Kingpin. But the Kingpin grabs Spidey's wrist and appears to be holding him in submission until he passes out, but Spidey was only playing possum and launches a counter-attack that appears to knock the Kingpin for a loop. The Kingpin plays the same trick, though, and surprises Spidey by playing possum! Next, he pulls his cane out and is about to blast him, but Spidey webs up the barrel of the cane and it explodes in the Kingpin's grip, knocking him out.

Kingpin's aide, Wilson, races towards the vault and Spidey gives chase. The police come onto the scene and arrest Kingpin, who bellows that Spider-Man is his partner and the real instigator behind the theft of the tablet, and that no prison can hold him because Spidey will break him out! This puts Spidey #1 on the cops wanted list....

Spider-Man webs up Wilson and is able to use his spider-strength to open up the vault. He tries to take the tablet directly to the police, but they are so scared of him as the Kingpin's accomplice, they shoot at him. Spider-Man hits the rooftops in a furious rage that he is being treated like a menace. Maybe, he thinks, he should be a menace....

(continued in ASM #70)

--synopsis by Gormuu

--letters pages provided by Debricazar

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #68-77, Marvel Super-Heroes #14

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.