In the previous five issues, Spider-Man battled the Kingpin after the crimelord stole an ancient stone tablet from an Empire State University display. Spider-Man eventually recovered the tablet and defeated the Kingpin. But in Amazing Spider-Man #72, Spidey's old for the Shocker steals the ancient tablet from NYPD Capt. George Stacy, to whom Spider-Man had given the tablet for safe keeping. Spidey sent the Shocker to jail, but the tablet is still missing. Got all that? Good! If not, check out our previous back issue reviews. This issue begins the three-part finale to the Ancient Tablet storyline. As the issue opens, Spider-Man sneaks a visit to Capt. Stacy, who is recovering at home from the Shocker's attack. "Only a nut like me would be hanging from the ceiling when he could have a dream-thing like Gwen in his arms!" he thinks. Anyway, Capt. Stacy doesn't know much about the Shocker's plan, but he does recall that his girlfriend was an exotic dancer who lived in the Theatre District on New York City's West Side. It's not a whole lot to go on, but lacking any other leads, Spider-Man goes to check it out.

It turns out that Capt. Stacy's hunch is right on the money. At that very moment, the Shocker's girlfriend is being threatened by a new villain named Man Mountain Marko. He lacks any superpowers, but he's a giant of a man and doubly tough. He works as an enforcer for the Maggia (Marvel's version of the Mafia) and he's looking for the ancient tablet. "I ain't leavin' till I get what I came for!!" he declares as he rips the girl's furniture apart. Spider-Man's spider-sense warns him of danger and he peeks into the apartment to see Man Mountain Marko in action. The two men fight and Marko gives Spidey a surprisingly tough battle. The fight ends when Marko throws the girl out the window. Of course, Spider-Man goes after her. He saves her from harm, but that allows Marko to escape with the ancient tablet.

At the same time, a Maggia attorney named Caesar Cicero bails the Kingpin's assistant Wilson out of jail. "You were the Kingpin's biggest brain! So you know more about the tablet than anyone!" Cicero says. He brings Wilson to the office of Silvermane, an elderly crime boss who could be straight out of a Godfather movie. "You...you're the man called Silvermane!" Wilson declares. "One of the last of the legendary old-time leaders of the Maggia!" It turns out that Cicero is actively plotting to undermine Silvermane and take his spot as the leader of the Maggia. "I am old..and I am tired. But this I tell you, Caesar...So long as I do live, it is I who lead and you who follow!" Silvermane says. Marko brings in the ancient tablet. Now, all Silvermane needs is the knowledge of how to use it. For that, Cicero and his men kidnap a scientist who may be able to decipher the tablet's hieroglyphics - Dr. Curt Connors! Of course, long-time Spider-Man fans know that Dr. Connors is one of Spidey's staunchest allies. But he sometimes transforms into one of the Web-Slinger's deadliest foes, the lethal Lizard! If the Lizard shows up, then both the Maggia and Spider-Man will have their hands full.

The previous two issues were somewhat slow and almost seemed to just be stalled in neutral, keeping the Ancient Tablet storyline going without really moving it along. However, things really get cooking in this issue. We get two new villains, Silvermane and Man Mountain Marko. We get the new element of the Maggia's involvement. And Dr. Connors (and possibly the Lizard) are now in the mix. Things certainly bode well for an exciting conclusion in the upcoming two issues.

There's so much with the main plot that we don't get much of either Peter Parker or his supporting cast in this issue. However, we do get a little bit of nice interaction with J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson and his son, Randy Robertson. In recent issues, Randy has been struggling with his father's role as City Editor of the Daily Bugle and trying to reconcile that with his own, somewhat militant, views of race relations. Jonah laces into Robbie for running a positive article about Spider-Man. But Joe stands his ground, saying that he prints the truth - and if Jonah doesn't like that, he'll just quit. "With his whole future at stake...everything he's spent a lifetime working for...Dad's standing right up to him!" Randy thinks. Jonah quickly backs down and agrees to let Joe do things as sees fit. This was a common theme in Marvel Comics during the late 1960s. Stan Lee clearly was sympathetic to the causes of social liberals (particularly on race relations and ending the Vietnam War). However, he felt they should work for change within the system, not fight against the establishment.

Next issue: The secret of the Ancient Tablet revealed!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #54
Spider-Man Comics Magazine (Digest) #7
Spider-Man Essentials IV