Jimbo Ryan, former Doc Ock gang member who has stolen his boss’ “super weapon” design plans and struck out on his own, kills Secret Service agent Kent Blake, making it look like a suicide. Later, Spidey stumbles on Jimbo’s gang at a ware-house, catching them all but Jimbo. A green-suited figure approaches him, asking for his help to prove Blake was murdered. Peter talks to Sue Blake at Kent’s funeral. She insists Kent would not kill himself. The green-suited man arrives at Peter’s apartment and pulls open Pete’s shirt, revealing the Spidey outfit underneath, then gives him the address where Jimbo is recruiting a new gang. In the role of “Kid Parker”, Peter impresses Jimbo with his strength and joins. That night, the gang raids a Japanese ship to steal parts for the “super weapon.” Seeking revenge, Ock tracks down Jimbo’s hideout, recognizing and blowing Peter’s cover. Peter feigns unconsciousness and two gang members toss him in the river. The green-suited man helps him out and steers him to Jimbo’s penthouse, fi nding Ock throttling Jimbo there. Ock tosses Spidey off the roof and escapes. Spidey’s benefactor reappears and points him toward the Graham construction site. There, Spidey fi nds Ock and Jimbo. During the succeeding battle, Spidey rips one of Ock’s tentacles off, causing him tremendous pain. Ryan tries to flee but the green-suited man intervenes, so scaring Ryan that he falls off the half-built building. Spidey rescues him, allowing Ock to grab his plans from where Ryan hid them and escape. Jimbo confesses to Blake’s murder. Peter visits Mrs. Blake who says she believes her husband’s spirit can now rest. Peter sees Kent Blake’s picture and recognizes it as the green-suited man who aided him.
Kent Blake was the star of his own series, Kent Blake of the Secret Service, between 1951 and 1953; this Annual thus marks the brief return of one of Marvel’s lesser known Golden Age heroes. Includes “A Gallery of Spider-Man’s Most Famous Foes!” (8 pages), featuring pin-ups of the Molten Man, the Looter (aka the Meteor Man), the Rhino, the Shocker, the Kingpin, Silvermane and Man-Mountain Marko, the Prowler, the Kangaroo; “Peter Parker’s Pad!” (1 page) revealing Peter’s address as 410 Chelsea St., off Eighth Avenue (bystanders featured) but including incorrect details corrected in ASM Ann #15, ’81; “Daily Bugle” (1/2 page), revealing JJJ’s 46th fl oor penthouse offi ce; “The Daily Globe” (1/2 page), revealing KJ Clayton’s 28th fl oor offi ce; “Empire State University” (1 page), featuring cameos of Peter/Spidey, Flash, Sha Shan, Hector Ayala/White Tiger, Holly Gillis, Dr. Morris Sloan, Curt Connors, Marcy Kane, Steve Hopkins, Philip Chang, Chris Martin, & Debra Whitman. Midtown High called Midvale High here. All features by Marv Wolfman (writer, editor), Keith Pollard & Jim Mooney (pencils), Ed Hannigan (pencil assist), Mike Esposito (inks), John Costanza (letters), Glynis Wein (colors). Ock’s scheme continues in PPSSM Ann #1, ’79.
