I: Feature Story: "Disaster!"

Pages: 20

Script: Stan Lee
Pencils: John Romita
Inks: Mike Esposito (credited as Mickey Demeo)
Letters: Sam Rosen

First Appearance: Captain George Stacy

Villain: Dr. Octopus, Master Planner Goons

Guest Appearance: Gwen Stacy, Flash Thompson, Mary Jane Watson, Aunt May, Anna Watson, Col. John Jameson, Captain Stacy

Cameo Appearance: Joseph "Robbie" Robertson, J. Jonah Jameson, Betty Brant

Gadgets & Technology: Isotope 16

Synopsis: (continued from ASM #55)

The amnesiac Spider-Man is the witless pawn of Doctor Octopus, helping him abscond with the Nullifier. Every fiber in his being tells him not to do what he's doing, but Spider-Man's amnesia prohibits him from disbelieving fully what Doc Ock tells him - that they are partners in crime. After Doc Ock uses the Nullifier to stop a police car in hot pursuit, the machine starts to break down. He determines that it must be fixed, so they go to his secret hideout. All the while, Spider-Man tries to remember who he was. At the base, Doc Ock concludes that the Nullifier needs Isotope 16 to complete its assembly. He knows of a cache that is stored at the nearby Fort Tyson army base, and he commands Spidey to go get it. He gives him directions to find it, and off Spidey goes.

Meanwhile, Aunt May is worried about Peter's long absence, and so are Gwen and Harry. Their nervousness goes up a notch when they find out that Spider-Man has joined Doc Ock in a crime spree, and they assume Peter has been involved while taking pictures of the battle. At the same time, Col. John Jameson discusses his plan with city officials to get the Nullifier back. Among them is retired police commander Captain George Stacy, father of Gwen Stacy.

Relying heavily on his map to get there, Spidey makes it inside Fort Tyson. He penetrates the lab and finds Isotope 16 in a storage closet. He draws the attention of the armed guards, and Spidey runs away, webbing up the army MPs on his way out. For some reason that is inexlicable to him, he leaves the map behind on the ground. He realizes that perhaps subconsciously, he wants to be caught. In fact, Col. Jameson arrives at the scene and finds the map, with directions leading directly to Doc Ock's hideout. He rallies his troops to confront the tentacled madman, and possibly even Spider-Man! Meanwhile, his father, J. Jonah Jameson, is enraged that Spidey is finally showing his villainy to the world by knocking over an army base, but he doesn't have any photographs to print!

Spidey arrives at Octopus' hideout with the isotope, but when he realizes he's left the map behind, thus compromising their location, the villain slugs Spidey in the jaw. With the Isotope 16 in hand, Doc Ock figures he can go without Spider-Man, so he attacks. Even though he's got amnesia, Spidey fights back against his former partner, but as they tussle, they hear army helicopters touching down outside. Jameson's commando unit swarms over the hideout, and Octopus' Master Planner goons raise their hands high in a quick surrender. Jameson's men toss smoke grenades inside the house, and they penetrate the room while wearing gas masks. Octopus tries to fan the smoke away with his tentacles, while Spider-Man seems to be in a daze, not sure what to do. Col. Jameson sizes the whole situation up, and grabs the Nullifier, turning it on Octopus and causing his arms to fall off.

Octopus commands Spider-Man to fight the army, but instead of fighting, Spidey calmly walks up to Col. Jameson and admits that he is confused and has no idea what is going on. Octopus is arrested and put in handcuffs, loudly declaring that Spidey is just as guilty as he is. Despite thinking Spidey is the good guy, Col. Jameson tells him he will have to take him into custody too, but Spidey takes off like a shot. He realizes he must get away from everyone if he can ever find out who he really is.

--synopsis by Gormuu

Issues Reprinted
Amazing Spider-Man #51-61, Annual #4

Click on cover image to learn more about each issue.