In the previous three issues of Marvel Team-Up, Spider-Man and Iron Man, aided by newly introduced New York City Police Captain Jean DeWolff, set out to solve a series of murders. Their investigation put them in conflict with a masked villain named the Wraith, a mystery man with vast psychic powers, including mind control, mentally-induced illusions and telekinesis. With the aid of Dr. Strange, the heroes learn that the Wraith is really Jean's brother, Brian DeWolff, who is under the mental control of their father, Phillip DeWolff. Brian DeWolff was badly injured in a shooting two years earlier and the experimental surgery to restore him to health gave him his powers and connected his mind to his father's. Phillip DeWolff, a former police commissioner, used the Wraith to avenge his family against well-connected criminals who had wronged them. When their mental connection was severed, Brian returned to his catatonic state. So end of story, right? Not exactly. The four-part Wraith/Jean DeWolff saga concludes with "The Trial of the Wraith!"

The issue opens with Iron Man, Dr. Strange and Jean DeWolff in the courtroom. The alpha-jammer helmet designed by Iron Man is still preventing Phillip DeWolff from controlling his son's powers. Peter Parker, in his civilian guise as a news photographer, and Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson enter the courtroom. Writer Bill Mantlo gets a few digs in at the media, with Iron Man saying, "The press already has begun misrepresenting this case, Doctor, turning it into a side show!" However, Peter walks out when Jonah insists he takes a photo of a distraught Jean DeWolff. "I may work for you -- but picking the flesh off another person's misery is way out of my line!" Sounds like Mr. Mantlo had a bad experience with the Fourth Estate somewhere along the line! Anyway, the unorthodox trial proceeds, but unbeknownst to the good guys, Phillip DeWolff is working to override the alpha-jammer helmet. He succeeds in taking over the mind of a courtroom technician, who unplugs the alpha-jammer, allowing him to repossess his son. Jean DeWolff is the first to notice, saying, "I know it's impossible -- but I swear that I just saw Brian move!" Sure enough, the Wraith is back on the loose and takes down the surprised Iron Man and Dr. Strange, not to mention the courtroom personnel. But Peter has had a chance to don his Spider-Man costume and swings to the rescue. He knocks out Phillip DeWolff, thinking that will end the fight. But the Wraith is still fighting. "The guy in the long johns is still standing! And he ain't suppose to do that!" Spider-Man says.

As it turns out, Phillip DeWolff transferred his mind to Brian's body, meaning he is now truly the Wraith. The Wraith creates several illusionary monsters - Nick Fury, who is watching via a closed circuit television hook-up says, "Am I goin' flaky -- or are those three fightin' empty air?" They sure are, Col. Fury, but the Wraith has them seeing danger all around them. Dr. Strange puts an end to the Wraith's construct, while Iron Man takes out the bad guy himself with a right cross. "I'm not beaten yet!" Phillip DeWolff declares. "Once Brian awakens, our power will again be whole and then--." But Dr. Strange doesn't intend to let that happen. He decides to use his magical abilities and his knowledge of medicine (remember, he was a surgeon before becoming a superhero) to repair Brian's damaged nervous system. It's tough, but Dr. Strange removes the bullet lodged in Brian's spine and he returns to normal, with no knowledge of his actions as the Wraith. But there's still the matter of the trial. The witness list for the defense includes Professor Charles Xavier of the X-Men and Moondragon of the Avengers. Matt Murdock, AKA Daredevil, lends his legal expertise to the defense effort. The court finds Phillip DeWolff guilty of murder - and Brian DeWolff innocent.

The story ends with a nice twist. The panel of judges confers in private and one of them says, "We couldn't acknowledge forces such as telepathy or telekinesis legally, yet morally we were bound by knowing that such forces do, indeed, exist." As he's saying this, the judge is levitating a cigarette lighter to his lips!

Overall, the four-part Wraith saga is some of the finest work ever produced in Marvel Team-Up, and Jean DeWolff is arguably the most important character introduced in the series' 150-issue run. However, this issue feels a little redundant. The heroes solved the mystery and beat the Wraith in Marvel Team-Up #50 - I'm not sure we needed another issue to tie up all the loose ends. Still, that's a minor complaint, as this four-issue story is definitely a highlight of this series in the 1970s.

Next month: Spider-Man teams up with Captain America to tangle with Batroc the Leaper and a "Demon on a Rampage!"

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.