Appearing in "The Schemer!"
Amazing Spider-Man #83
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Schemer (First appearance) (Unidentified)
- Kingpin (Wilson Fisk)
Other Characters:
- Vanessa Fisk (First full appearance)
- Dr. Bromwell
- George Stacy
Races and Species:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "The Schemer!"
Amazing Spider-Man #83
A new criminal known as the Schemer has risen in the ranks of organized crime and seeks to eliminate his primary competition for control of the underworld: The Kingpin. When the Schemer's men attack one of the Kingpin's trucks, Peter Parker is in the area and stops the violence as Spider-Man (taking much needed pictures) before departing when the police arrive. Meanwhile, at the home of the Kingpin, his wife Vanessa shows him a newspaper article about how their son, Richard, had gone missing in the Swiss Alps. The idea that their son committed suicide because of his father's connection to organized crime angers the Kingpin.
Meanwhile, Peter tries to sell his pictures to the Bugle, and is met with minimal success selling them. With money as tight as it is, he goes to see Aunt May's doctor to insure him that he's good for the bill, albeit eventually. Dr. Bromwell alleviates some of the stress on Peter when he tells him that Aunt May's health insurance will cover most of her medical costs.
As the Schemer gains a new ally in one of the Kingpin's men who has defected to the Schemer's organization, Peter and his friends bid farewell to Flash Thompson who is going back to Vietnam. Later as Peter and Gwen are strolling through the streets, Peter is about to confide in Gwen that he's really Spider-Man. At that moment, the Schemer's men attack another one of the Kingpin's trucks. When it's jackknifed off the road, it pins Peter and Gwen under it. Gwen is knocked out and Peter uses his spider-strength to get them out of anymore harms way.
After tagging the Schemer's getaway vehicle with a spider-tracer, Peter accompanies Gwen to the hospital. When Gwen is in stable condition, Peter goes into action as Spider-Man and uses his spider-tracer to track down the Schemer's lair. There Spider-Man fights off the Schemer's men, however, when he gets to the Schemer himself, the crook traps Spider-Man in a pressing device. Spider-Man manages to break free, but the Schemer managed to escape.
With no leads to go on, Spider-Man changes back into Peter Parker and goes back to Gwen in the hospital. Gwen has just come out of her coma and is upset that Peter wasn't there by her side. She asks her father to escort Peter away. As they are leaving, George tries to console Peter telling him that Gwen will be in a better mood the next day. Before leaving, Peter almost lets slip to George that he's really Spider-Man, before catching himself and quickly departing.
Appearing in "What Price Victory?"
Tales of Suspense #71
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Senator Harrington Byrd
- Countess Stephanie de la Spiroza
- Doctor Schiller (First appearance)
Races and Species:
Locations:
Items:
Synopsis for "What Price Victory?"
Tales of Suspense #71
Continuing from last issue... Happy Hogan has been critically injured bringing a new component for Iron Man's armor to the battle field where the Golden Avenger is battling the Titanium Man. Iron Man quickly uses his boosted strength and abilities to fight the Titanium Man head on. Iron Man manages to overpower the Titanium Man and easily win the match between the two, returning to the nearby crowd as the victor.
Learning that Happy is still alive and was taken to a nearby hospital, Iron Man returns to his hotel room to recharge himself and change back into Tony Stark. Arriving at the hospital, Tony comforts Pepper, which angers the Countess who storms off vowing to get back at Stark.
Meanwhile, Tony has to push back his feelings for Pepper leaving both thinking they can never express their feelings for one another.
Appearing in "Let There Be...Chaos!"
Thor #148
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Loki
- Wrecker (Dirk Garthwaite) (First appearance)
- Karnilla
Other Characters:
- Spider-Man (Only on screen as a static image or video record)
- NYPD
Locations:
Items:
- Mjolnir
- Wrecker's Crowbar (First appearance)
Synopsis for "Let There Be...Chaos!"
Thor #148
Continued from last issue...
For disobeying his orders, Odin has struck down Loki, Sif and Balder with a bolt of energy which robs them of their godly powers just as Odin had done so previously to Thor. With all possible advantages against Thor removed, Loki flees the scene hoping to find another way to best his half-brother.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, the notorious criminal known as the Wrecker has once more robbed another home of a rich couple. The robbery is called into by the police who organize a dragnet to try and capture the crook. Under pressure to not get caught, the Wrecker is forced to drop his loot in order to escape arrest and begins looking for a new victim.
While in the office of Dr. Donald Blake, Thor, Balder and Sif order in a meal and lament over the loss of their godly powers. Elsewhere still, Loki has rented out a room where he attempts a spell to contact Karnilla the Norn Queen to cast a spell to regain his powers. Loki is unaware that he is being watched by the Wrecker who has targeted Loki as his next robbery victim. At the critical point of the spell, the Wrecker breaks in and knocks Loki out with his crowbar.
Finding only a special container and Loki's helmet, the Wrecker is a little more than disappointed. He puts on Loki's helmet none the less, and when Karnilla finally appears, she mistakes the Wrecker for Loki and grants the petty crook with the power that Loki intended to regain. When Loki revives he demands that the Wrecker give him the power. The Wrecker instead gives Loki back his helmet, relinquishes his crowbar, and even though he doesn't really know how to use his powers, manages to use them to teleport Loki back to Asgard. Impressed by his new super-powers, the Wrecker decides to use them to resume his criminal career.
Back in the office of Donald Blake, Thor decides to pass the time by entertaining Sif and Balder with a television set. The program they are watching is interrupted by a news bulletin where they hear reports of the now super-powered Wrecker has begun a rampage through the city. The three Asgardians resolve to try and stop the Wrecker, even without all of their powers at their command.
The Wrecker continues his rampage, using his magical strength to enhance the power of his crowbar and wreck full buildings. When Thor, Balder and Sif confront the Wrecker, the crook uses his powers to banish Balder and Sif back to Asgard, wanting only to best Thor in combat and wanting no interference from anyone who might help the Thunder God.
As the fight between Thor and the Wrecker rages, it is clear that Thor is no matched for the added might that the Wrecker has at his disposal. Arriving on Asgard, Sif and Balder rush to Odin to beg him to restore Thor's full power. Still furious at Thor for past disobedience, Odin refuses to aid his son, feeling that he has not yet met his penance.
This story is continued next issue...