The "Petrified Tablet" storyline was one of the longest, most complex stories from Spider-Man's early years and many consider it to be a favorite from the Stan Lee/John Romita era. The story begins here, in Amazing Spider-Man #68.

It doesn't take long to set up the premise for this tale. From the first couple of pages, we learn that this ancient stone tablet is rumored to grant extraordinary powers. "Thruout (sic) the ages, countless men have died for it Kingpin!" the Kingpin's assistant tells him. "In that case...it must be mine!" the crime boss declares. The petrified tablet currently is on exhibit at Empire State University, which just happens to be where Peter Parker is a student. The Kingpin makes plans to steal the tablet. But tensions already are running high on the ESU campus. The Exhibition Hall where the petrified tablet is on display is slated to be turned into a private dormitory for visiting alumni. That is a controversial decision, as a group of students wants the building to become affordable housing for low-income student. A group of students, led by Randy Robertson, the son of Daily Bugle City Editor Joe Robertson, plans to march on the Exhibition Hall in protest. Not surprisingly, Peter decides to check things out.

Randy invites him to join the protest, but Peter isn't sure, since he doesn't know both sides of the story. Josh, a fellow student and apparently something of a campus militant, gives Peter a hard time about his indecision: "Look, Whitey...how much do you haveta know?...Then go on...cut out! You're too chicken to get involved!" Josh says the students should try to take the tablet; that way, the ESU administration will have to listen. But Randy says "that's plain stealing" and wants no part of it. Meanwhile, the security guards who are looking out for the petrified tablet are getting nervous and antsy about the protesters. It seems like the whole situation is a powder keg waiting to explode.

Unfortunately, that's just what happens - thanks to the Kingpin. He detonates a small bomb at the Exhibition Hall, figuring the protesters will take the blame. In the confusion, he and his men sneak in to steal the tablet. Peter Parker sees the Kingpin (and actually gets shoved aside by the massive villain) and knows Spider-Man is needed on the scene. "Sorry, Chubbs! If you want that tablet, you'll have to get it the hard way!" Spider-Man says, delivering a jumping kick to the Kingpin. The two of them fight, with Spidey getting the upper hand. However, Randy Robertson enters the scene, hoping to help Spider-Man. But the Kingpin causes a wall to collapse and Spider-Man must shield Randy from injury. That gives the Kingpin an opportunity to steal the petrified tablet and escape while Spider-Man digs himself out from under the collapsed wall. "I feel like I've been wrestling a steam roller...and the roller won!" he thinks.

Unfortunately, the police blame Randy, Josh and the other protesters for the theft. They get arrested, with Joe Robertson vowing to give them the best legal aid he can. Meanwhile, Spider-Man swings away after the Kingpin's car, hoping to catch the villain before he can flee.

We also get some nice interplay between Peter and Gwen Stacy. They visit Aunt May, who remarks that things between the couple may be more serious that she thought. However, earlier in the story, Gwen puts her hands over Peter's eyes and plays "Guess who?" -- and poor Peter guesses "Mary Jane"! The Peter-Gwen-Mary Jane love triangle was a tremendously entertaining soap opera. While Peter was squarely in Gwen's corner at this point, MJ made it clear she liked young Mr. Parker and the romantic tension was there. Not that I'm complaining about how things turned out, but it would've been interesting to see what would've happened had Gwen lived. There still was a lot of life in that love triangle.

Next issue: The "Petrified Tablet" storyline continues as Spider-Man finds himself in the clutches of the Kingpin!

Reviewed by Bruce Buchanan.

Reprinted In:
Marvel Tales #51
Spider-Man Comics Magazine (Digest) #6
Spider-Man Essentials III