Amazing Spider-Man, The (1963 series) #135

Still weak from the Tarantula’s paralytic drugs, Spider-Man stares down the Punisher, who’s convinced Spidey is in cahoots with the villain! The Tarantula plays into this, saying he doesn’t care what happens to Spidey for “betraying” him! Spider-Man gathers enough strength to knock the Punisher’s gun away, but the Punisher refuses to listen to him. As the two briefly fight, the Tarantula uses the distraction to escape via a helicopter, getting away with the passengers’ valuables! This enrages the Punisher and he invites Spidey to meet him at the Museum at Fort Tryon at midnight, now believing he’s innocent. The passengers, including Peter’s friends, then begin to swarm Spidey, many of them still thinking he was a part of the robbery. Spidey jumps from the ship and swims away, while on board, Flash and Mary Jane wonder what happened to Peter. Flash runs through what happened, until Peter is spotted overboard in the water and quickly rescued. He gives the explanation that he was knocked overboard during the scuffle, but he can tell that Flash in particular isn’t buying it!

Meanwhile, at the Daily Bugle, J. Jonah Jameson stresses about the mayor’s ludicrous request to have the Bugle foot the bill for the ransom money, when he gets a call from Peter telling him the boat is safe. Jameson rejoices at not having to pay and orders Robbie and Betty to get him in contact with the Governor’s office! Back at his apartment, Peter takes a shower to wash away the grime and while he’s in there, Harry discovers his Spider-Man costume, confirming his assumptions from last issue that Peter is Spider-Man! That night, Spider-Man swings over to the Museum the Punisher mentioned, where Punisher reveals he’s been using it as a base for the past month. The Punisher then shows Spidey all of the information he’s gathered about Tarantula, including where he came from. Turns out, the Tarantula, real name Anton Miguel Rodriguez, was once a member of a revolutionary group looking to overthrow the dictatorship of their South American country. When Rodriguez couldn’t control his murderous impulses, he was ousted from the group and joined up with the dictatorship as the Tarantula! However, his murderous tendencies got him kicked out of there too and he fled the country, eventually ending up in New York where he quickly learned the ins and outs of the Manhattan underworld!

Now caught up, Spidey and the Punisher decide to work together to finally nail the Tarantula! They make their way to his hideout, where Spidey webs up the guard, leaving the Punisher free to bust his way in! While the Punisher deals with Tarantula’s lackeys, Tarantula flees outside where he’s surprised by Spider-Man! After a short tussle, the Tarantula flees into Central Park and Spidey gives chase. Spidey quickly catches up with Tarantula and the fight resumes. Spidey makes short work of the Tarantula while verbally tearing into him, disgusted at the kind of man who pretends to fight for a cause in order to satisfy his own selfish impulses. With the Tarantula defeated, the Punisher catches back up with his goons in tow. Impressed with Spidey’s little speech, the two part on good terms. In an epilogue, Harry Osborn makes his way to the very warehouse where the Green Goblin met his demise. He enters a hidden door, leaving the details of his venture to be revealed next issue!