The Amazing Spider-Man #71
Amazing Spider-Man #71 closes the 'Petrified Tablet' storyline — one of the earliest sustained multi-issue arcs in Silver Age Marvel — that ran from issue #68, showcasing a level of serialized continuity that was genuinely rare for late-1960s superhero comics. The issue also marks the first time Joe Robertson steps up as acting editor of the Daily Bugle (with J. Jonah Jameson hospitalized), a storytelling development that highlights Robertson's growing importance as a moral counterweight in the Spider-Man supporting cast. It delivers the first full appearance of Martha Robertson, wife of Robbie, and the first-ever meeting between Spider-Man and Quicksilver — two characters whose shared Marvel universe had largely kept them apart. All of these threads are woven into a single 20-page Stan Lee/John Romita Sr. package that demonstrates how densely plotted the Lee–Romita run had become by early 1969.
In "The Speedster and the Spider!", Quicksilver—still trying to make amends after his time with Magneto—steps in to capture the villain the Daily Bugle has dubbed Spider-Man, only to find the truth behind the headlines isn't what it seems. With Jonah Jameson out of commission and Robbie Robertson publishing photos that clear Spider-Man’s name, the real culprit behind the golden tablet case begins to surface. Written by Stan Lee and John Romita, with art by Johnny Romita and Jim Mooney, and a cover by John Romita, this 1969 classic blends high-speed action with a twist of redemption.
Sell my copy
Have this issue — or a whole collection? Get a fair offer from us, skip the marketplace fees and the hassle.
We Buy Collections ▸History
The issue was plotted by John Romita Sr. and scripted by Stan Lee, with Romita providing layouts and Jim Mooney finishing the pencils and inks — the collaborative division of labor that had become standard on the title by this period. It was published with a cover date of April 1969 and a cover price of 12¢. The story flows directly out of the preceding three-issue Kingpin/tablet arc (ASM #68–70), resolving Peter's exoneration subplot before pivoting to an impromptu fight with Quicksilver, whose motivation is drawn from continuity established in Avengers #53 (June 1968). The Bullpen Bulletins page in this issue reflects the energetic cross-title chatter typical of the Lee-edited Marvel line of the era.
Trivia · 8 facts
- Published April 1969 by Marvel Comics; cover price 12¢; story titled 'And Now… Quicksilver!' / 'The Speedster and the Spider!'
- Written (script) by Stan Lee, plotted by John Romita Sr., with art by John Romita Sr. (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes/inks); cover by John Romita Sr.; lettered by Sam Rosen.
- First full appearance of Martha Robertson, wife of Daily Bugle editor Joe 'Robbie' Robertson (she appeared only in a photograph in ASM #68; this is her first in-person appearance).
- First meeting between Spider-Man and Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff), who attacks the wall-crawler while trying to redeem himself after being forced to serve Magneto in Avengers #53.
- Concluding chapter of the 'Petrified Tablet' saga (ASM #68–71), described by comics historians as one of the first sustained long-form storylines in Silver Age Amazing Spider-Man; Kingpin appears only in photographs Peter sells to the Bugle.
- First time J. Jonah Jameson is hospitalized and first time Joe Robertson serves as acting editor-in-chief of the Daily Bugle — a pivotal character moment for Robbie as a moral center of the supporting cast.
- Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) and Toad appear in flashback only, recounting events from Avengers #53; Edwin Jarvis has a cameo at Avengers Mansion.
- Reprinted in: Essential Spider-Man Vol. 4 (1996/2011, black & white); Marvel Masterworks: ASM Vol. 8 (2014); Spider-Man: The Lifeline Tablet Saga TPB (2017); Amazing Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 3 (2017); Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection Vol. 5: The Secret of the Petrified Tablet (2019); IDW John Romita's The Amazing Spider-Man Artist's Edition (2011) and Artisan Edition (2021).
Cast · 36 characters
Full credits
Full plot ⚠ may contain spoilers
▸ Reveal full plot — may contain spoilers
With Jonah down for the count, Robbie publishes Peter's pictures in the Bugle showing Kingpin, and not Spider-Man, to be the real crook in the case of the golden tablet. Trying to redeem himself after his recent career with Magneto, Quicksilver decides to bring in the menace known as Spider-Man but discovers he isn't the villain the Bugle has painted him to be.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).
