An instant classic. Lots of folks think it was Ditko, but this was all Jazzy John Romita. The “Spider-Man quits” idea was a great one in this issue, but it was so popular that it became a trope. Every three or four issues the cover would blare “Spidey Quits!” or “Spidey chickens out!” or some variation thereof. Issue #50 is one of the 100 best single-issue stories of all time, according to this objectively accurate list.
Spider-Man quits this time because it’s too hard being both Peter and Spidey.
And JJJ couldn’t be happier.
In his absence, a new criminal rises–Kingpin. Figuring Spider-Man is gone, he decides to organize and lead the NY underworld. (What, is Daredevil chopped liver?)
The 1st appearance of The Kingpin was in issue #50. Of course, we just saw his back. And that’s really the essence of the character–he doesn’t even need to turn to face people, ’cause he’s so damn badass.
By the end, Spider-Man goes blow-for-blow with Kingpin.
Kingpin started as kind of a gimmicky foe–with a gas-blowing tie pin and silly purple pinstriped pants with a white blazer.
Also in the absence of Spider-Man, Frederick Foswell, who also tried to organize the families as “The Big Man,” similarly tries to rush into the void.
Ned Leeds runs the story down, and we mark the first appearances of JJJ’s editor in chief, Robbie Robertson, although he’s just an unnamed black dude who smokes a pipe instead of a cigar.
Oh, and Frederick Foswell dies.
Below, after the credits, as a bonus, let’s look at some of the many tributes to that classic panel of Spidey’s mask in the trash. (I know it wasn’t on the cover, but I’m using my “covers covered” tag–follow the tag to see other great tributes.).
Also, there were in fact many tributes to the cover as well.
