The Kingpin is made aware of a priceless clay tablet
that’s being exhibited at ESU. Many men over the decades have died for it, as
it possibly contains valuable secrets, and Kingpin decides he must have it!
Kingpin then has his daily workout, effortlessly defeating six of his best men.
He fires them for not giving him enough of a challenge, and promises that once
he’s acquired the clay tablet, that he and Spider-Man will have their final
reckoning! Speaking of Spidey, he swings home after his fight with Mysterio the
previous issue, only to find that Harry apparently locked his window! Luckily,
Pete is able to sneak in through Harry’s window, as he hasn’t gotten home yet.
The next day, at ESU, Randy Robertson introduces
himself to Peter, having been told of Pete by his father. They’re then
approached by another student named Josh who makes Pete aware of an issue
that’s bugging a lot of the students. After the clay tablet exhibit, the hall
is being turned into a private dorm for visiting alumni, even though it was
supposed to be a low-rent dorm for needy current students, understandably
angering Josh and many others. Over at the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson is
blowing a gasket over not getting any coverage of Spider-Man’s recent battle
with Mysterio, while Joe Robertson is preoccupied worrying about what’s bugging
Randy. Meanwhile, Pete and Gwen pay a visit to Aunt May and May realizes just
how serious Peter and Gwen are getting. She gives the two her approval, while
also not letting on just poorly she’s feeling.
The next morning, Peter arrives at campus to find the
students preparing for a full-on protest! Josh and Randy explain that they’re
going to close down the hall with their protest until the administration
listens to them. Pete wants to know the dean’s side of the story, and leaves in
a huff after feeling like he’s being pushed into protesting with the others. He
admits that he agrees with them but that he lost his temper, as the protestors
move to storm the hall! At the Bugle, Robbie sees the news of the protest in
progress and plans to head down to cover the story himself. The Kingpin also
sees the news of the protest and decides he can use it to his advantage in
order to steal the clay tablet. At the hall, Josh has the idea of getting ahold
of the clay tablet, thinking that it will force the administration to listen to
them. Tensions rise as one of the cops guarding the tablet actually pulls his
gun, forcing the crowd back! Peter thinks that it’ll be a miracle if no one
gets hurt and decides he might as well get some photos in the meantime.
Just then, the Kingpin arrives and sets off an
explosion to sneak in, planning that everyone will think the protestors were
responsible. Kingpin makes his way through the hall and pushes past Peter, who
afterwards changes to Spider-Man to tackle him. Kingpin uses gas to
incapacitate the cops, when Spidey intervenes. The two fight a bit, when Randy
sneaks up behind the Kingpin, trying to help. Kingpin bats him away causing
Spider-Man to savagely lay into the Kingpin, bringing him to his knees. Spidey
checks on Randy, but Kingpin fires his cane beam, knocking the wall down on
Spidey and Randy! Kingpin escapes with the tablet while Spidey digs himself and
Randy out of the rubble. Spidey heads outside, where Randy, Josh, and the other
protestors are being arrested. From the crowd, Robbie promises he’ll get them
the best legal aid possible, as Spidey swings off in pursuit of the Kingpin! To
be continued!