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The Amazing Spider-Man #60

May 1968
Stan Lee, Don Heck

The Amazing Spider-Man #60 cover

Story Name:

O, Bitter Victory!

Synopsis

The Amazing Spider-Man #60 synopsis by Anthony Silvestro
Rating: 4.5 stars
Image from The Amazing Spider-Man #60

Starting right off from last issue, Spider-Man has discovered a plot by the Kingpin to brainwash the city’s leading officials to use for his personal gain, including Captain George Stacy! Spidey and the Kingpin engage in a brawl, with Spidey tripping the Kingpin and then trying to apply pressure with his legs. The Kingpin throws Spidey in a wide arc and Spidey flips around so as to fly right into the electrical power source, shutting off the equipment and creating a huge smokescreen. Spidey is rattled from the shock and escapes while the room is still obscured. Not long after, the Kingpin gets the equipment working again and completes his brainwashing of Captain Stacy, putting him under the Kingpin’s control. Mary Jane Watson then frantically runs up to Gwen Stacy and Harry Osborn, asking if they’ve seen Captain Stacy, so she can tell him about the encounter she had last issue with Spider-Man. Captain Stacy then reappears and assures everyone that everything is alright, though Gwen remains a little skeptical.

Back with Spidey, the electrical shock really did a number on him, as he finds he’s now seeing double, making it much more difficult to traverse the city. He wearily makes his way home, while Harry takes Gwen and her father home, with Gwen concerned about where Peter ended up. At home, Peter bemoans his situation, distraught over possibly having to face Captain Stacy if he really is under the Kingpin’s control, especially since he’s the father of the girl he loves. Peter realizes that this is the first time he’s admitted to himself that he loves Gwen and finds that he can’t rest. With his vision improved slightly, he makes his way over to the Stacy residence and a surprised Gwen answers. She leaves to make coffee while Peter tries to test the waters with Captain Stacy, telling him about the encounter with Spider-Man he “witnessed.”

When Peter threatens to go to the police, Captain Stacy takes a swing at him with his cane and Peter instinctively deflects the blow. However, his strength causes him to knock Captain Stacy to the floor, just as Gwen walks back in, making her think Peter attacked her father. Peter can’t explain without exposing too much and Gwen angrily tells him that she never wants to see him again, leaving both of them heartbroken. Afterward, Captain Stacy alerts the Kingpin to Peter’s suspicions and the Kingpin orders some of his men to take care of Peter. The following morning, Peter visits Aunt May and Anna Watson, while Aunt May notes that Peter seems distressed about something. It’s at this point that the Kingpin’s men arrive at Peter’s apartment and trash the place while threatening the indignant Harry Osborn. Peter returns home and sees the damage, feeling guilty that he’s got Harry mixed up in all this, while Harry reassures Peter that he’ll stand by him no matter what.

Peter feels that he needs to act now and heads out as Spider-Man, even though his vision is still a little shaky. Spidey swings over to the club and witnesses Captain Stacy leaving with two of the Kingpin’s men. Spidey follows them to police headquarters and sees that Captain Stacy is leading them in to steal top secret police files. Spidey sets up his camera and swings in, tackling the two hoods. Spidey is reluctant to get too aggressive, not wanting to hurt Captain Stacy, and that reluctance costs him, as the Captain hits him over the head with his cane when Spidey is preoccupied. The stunned Spidey hears Captain Stacy’s plan to frame the break-in on him as he grabs his camera and heads home. At home, Peter finds that the photos prove Captain Stacy’s alibi false and reluctantly takes them to J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle. Jonah excitedly orders a new edition be sent out while Peter is less enthused, knowing that this will hurt Gwen despite being the right thing to do. The issue then ends with Gwen indeed seeing the new headline showing her father stealing police secrets and that it was Peter who took the photo! To be continued!


 

Review / Commentaries

The Amazing Spider-Man #60 Review by (May 15, 2024)

Review: Here we have the second part of this story, with an absolutely drama-filled issue! Before that though, I just want to comment how great I think this cover is, managing to be exciting and a little funny at the same time. Onto the drama, Captain Stacy has been brainwashed by the Kingpin. Not only that, but when Peter confronts him about what happened at the club, Peter deflects an attack from Captain Stacy which just makes Gwen think that Peter attacked her father. What makes this extra dramatic is that this comes directly after Peter finally realizes that he truly loves Gwen and her reaction proves to him that she feels the same way. The absolute worst timing in typical Peter Parker fashion!

Adding to his troubles, Captain Stacy alerts the Kingpin of Peter’s snooping and Kingpin sends guys out to take care of Peter. This really showcases Kingpin’s ruthlessness, willing to kill a teenager just over suspicions, especially as even his men are hesitant to actually kill Peter over this. They trash the apartment and threaten Harry, leaving Peter even more guilty that now Harry is mixed up with this too. We do get a very nice moment with Harry as he tells Peter that he’s going to stick by him no matter what trouble he may be in, only solidifying their friendship. Finally, Spidey catches Captain Stacy stealing police secrets and gives the proof to Jameson, knowing that it will only hurt Gwen further despite being the correct course of action. Overall, a tense and dramatic issue where nothing quite seems to go right for Peter, to be concluded next issue!

Comments: First time that Peter admits to himself that he loves Gwen.

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This comic is in the following collection:
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Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #53-67, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1968) #1-2, MARVEL SUPER-HEROES (1967) #14, and material from NOT BRAND ECHH #6 and #11.

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Main/1st Story Full Credits

Don Heck
Mike Esposito
?
John Romita (Cover Penciler)
John Romita (Cover Inker)
Additional Credits
Layouts: John Romita. Letterer: Sam Rosen.



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