Spider-Man reads in the paper that there is a $5,000
reward for the Schemer’s capture, put forth by a mystery party. Spidey then
decides to try and ferret out the Schemer’s location. He swings down upon a
thug but soon discovers that the man is actually an undercover cop, and
Spidey’s just blown his cover! Spidey swings off and coincidentally comes upon
the apartment of one of Schemer’s guys. However, when Spidey questions him, he
soon learns that the Schemer changes hideouts every day and his goons know nothing.
Peter then decides to visit Gwen, who still isn’t quite sure how she feels
about seeing him. Gwen questions Peter about the accident, feeling that things
don’t quite add up. Feeling that she’s probing too much, Peter feigns feeling
shaky in order to leave and get out of the conversation.
Meanwhile, the Schemer heads in his special-made car
to one of the Kingpin’s hideouts. He expertly takes on all of the Kingpin’s men
inside and orders them to tell the Kingpin that the Schemer is coming for him!
Later, they relay the message to the Kingpin at his mansion, who is obviously
enraged at the declaration. Vanessa is not pleased, hoping her husband will put
this violent chapter of his life to bed, but the Kingpin reaffirms that any
threats to her or himself must be dealt with! Elsewhere, Spidey swings through
the snow looking for any clues he can about the Schemer. He swings by one of
the Kingpin’s warehouses and overhears his men talking about the Schemer and
his souped-up car. Not long after, Spidey happens by said car and drops down on
it, surprising the Schemer! Schemer decides to use the opportunity to get
Spider-Man out of his way and drives off the pier, shaking Spidey loose in the
river.
The Schemer heads off for his real target, leaving
Spidey to follow his conspicuous trail. The Schemer sneaks into the Kingpin’s
home and confronts the man. Just then however, Vanessa comes between them, not
wanting her husband to become a murderer. She then sees something in the
Schemer’s eyes that stuns her to her core! Spidey arrives just after and he and
the Kingpin engage in another battle. Kingpin even rips up the entire carpet in
order to tangle Spidey up in it! Spidey soon frees himself and finds that the
Schemer has disappeared in the scuffle. Kingpin realizes that his wife is also
gone and surmises that the Schemer must have kidnapped her. Kingpin escapes
through a pneumatic tube in order to search for his wife, leaving Spider-Man to
feel as if the day was a total bust. To be continued!