After the events of last issue, Spider-Man still finds
himself with no memory of who he is and resorts to stealing a bit of food from
a rooftop party so as to not starve. Spidey tries to find somewhere to sleep in
the pouring rain and eventually finds solace near the top of Grand Central
Station. Meanwhile, Aunt May is fraught with worry over Peter, seeing as he’s
never gone so long without contacting her in some form. Aunt May can’t sleep
and decides to try phoning Harry again, but collapses from stress. She is found
by Anna Watson who promptly phones Dr. Bromwell, advising to send an ambulance.
We then cut to a meeting of the city council, where John Jameson is being
questioned over his decision to let Spider-Man get away last issue. John admits
he hesitated due to Spider-Man having saved his life many times in the past, a
fact which Captain George Stacy backs up, having been closely studying
Spider-Man’s exploits.
After the meeting, John is accosted by his father,
J. Jonah Jameson, who is furious that his own son let Spider-Man escape. Jonah
then says that he knows of someone arriving in the city that can take care of
Spider-Man, determined to do what his son couldn’t. We then cut to JFK Airport
and the arrival of the man Jonah had in mind, Ka-Zar, accompanied by his
sabretooth tiger Zabu. Ka-Zar has come to the United States to discuss legal
matters with his lawyer and finally makes it to his hotel after being hounded
by the press. Just then, Jonah arrives and, after receiving a fright from Zabu,
tries to convince Ka-Zar to go after Spider-Man. Meanwhile, back at the
apartment he shares with Pete, Harry Osborn is despondent over Peter’s
disappearance, feeling it is somehow his fault. He then discovers one of the
spider-tracers in Peter’s room and comes to the conclusion that Spider-Man must
have kidnapped Peter!
Back with Spidey, he’s awakened by a news report after
hearing his name, about how Spider-Man has kidnapped a college freshman and how
only John Jameson has spoken to Spidey’s defense. Spidey decides to go find
John, figuring he might have some answers for him. As Spidey swings past the
hospital, there is a quick interlude where Dr. Bromwell concludes that the best
thing for Aunt May is to know that Peter is safe and sound. Spidey finally
arrives at police headquarters, encountering John Jameson and Captain Stacy,
and admits that he’s lost his memory. Gwen Stacy then suddenly arrives, angrily
demanding to know what Spidey has done with Peter. Spidey leaves more confused
than ever, as no one knows quite what to think. Back with Ka-Zar, he also
departs after hearing enough from Jameson and borrows a grappling hook and rope
from a nearby construction site to better traverse the city with, while hunting
down Spider-Man.
Spidey’s next move is to head to the Daily Bugle,
thinking that looking through the old clippings might help him remember
something. There, he runs into J. Jonah Jameson, who quickly tries to turn
Spidey’s amnesia to his advantage by trying to get him to unmask, by saying
that he knows Spidey in both identities. It’s at that very moment that Ka-Zar
finds his prey however, smashing through the window and ruining Jameson’s
plans. Spidey tries to escape out the window, but Ka-Zar lassos his leg and the
two continue their fight outside. Spidey is able to knock Ka-Zar off of him and
Ka-Zar saves himself with the rope but not before Zabu senses Ka-Zar’s
predicament and heads their direction to assist his master. Ka-Zar propels
himself back up at Spidey, knocking the two of them into the park to be more in
his element. Spidey decides to stop holding back and stuns Ka-Zar with a
powerful punch when Zabu suddenly appears and tackles Spidey into the pond.
Seconds later, only Zabu emerges and Ka-Zar jumps in, pulling out the defeated
Spider-Man, leaving us in suspense about whether Spidey is unconscious or dead!
To be continued!