Spectacular Spider-Man #141
The Tombstone Testament
With a recorded confession from Joe Robertson regarding a murder committed decades ago by the mobster named Tombstone, Spider-Man finds himself working with the Punisher. Following the Punisher's van to the West Side Marina, the wall-crawler is brought to the yacht that the Punisher has been using as a mobile base of operations. Spider-Man isn't sure he can trust the Punisher after the vigilante pulled a gun on him when they first met on Liberty Island. There, the Punisher explains that he has been tracking Tombstone across the country. After learning that the mobster had recently arrived in New York City, and the Punisher is making it his business to find out why. He wants access to the recorded confession from Joe Robertson as he believes that it holds the answers he needs. Knowing that the recording is in the possession of Peter Parker, the Punisher tells Spider-Man that he will get it even if Parker and the wall-crawler opposing him. At that moment, outside, Tombstone and some of his men have tracked down the Punisher to the marina. Confirming the Punisher's hideout, Tombstone tells his minions to wait until dawn and attack him but to let the Persuader do what needs to be done.
Inside the Punisher's yacht, the vigilante explains that he has been tracking Tombstone for weeks after he murdered Harold Ullman, the Deputy District Attorney of St. Louis. With no evidence to prove Tombstone murdered the Ullman, he followed Tombstone to New York. With his explanations complete, the Punisher asks Spider-Man to hand over the recording. However, the wall-crawler doesn't have it. The Punisher then heads off to convince Peter Parker to hand it over, however, Spider-Man assures him that Parker won't do anything with the tape until Joe Robertson says otherwise. He tells the Punisher to cool down and let him talk to Robertson and Parker and secure the recording. The Punisher agrees to give Spider-Man until sundown to get the recording. The entire conversation is overheard by Tombstone and his men. The murder decides to deal with the Robertson recording and tells his men to wait to attack the Punisher.
Meanwhile, at Midtown Hospital, Ben Urich pays a visit to Joe Robertson. Joe's son Randy tells Joe that the doctors discovered that there was no perminant damage to his father's spine and he will be up walking again soon. Asking to speak to Joe in private, Ben asks him for the location of his recording. Joe tries to pretend like he doesn't know what Urich is talking about, however Ben knows better. Urich lays out all the clues that prove his point. He understands that Joe is afraid, but tells him to talk. However, Joe remains silent, and Urich leaves telling Joe he knows where to find him when he is ready to speak. The next morning, the Punisher is cooking breakfast on his yacht when Tombstone's men attempt to ambush him. However, the vigilante is ready for them and kills all but one. The lone survivor is blinded by boiling hot grease and is forced to reveal that Tombstone's hideout is in the Cloisters. While at the condo shared by Peter Parker and his wife Mary Jane, Peter plays Joe's recording. After hearing it, Peter asks his wife what she thinks he should do. If it were up to Mary Jane, she would destroy the recording and be done with it. However, Peter can't bring himself to do it, and decides to leave it up to Joe Robertson to make the choice. As he leaves, Mary Jane finds herself incredibly worried about her husband's wellbeing and realizes how dangerous his life is, and how much she is afraid for him when he goes out as Spider-Man. Unknown to Mary Jane, her fears are far more warranted than she would like, as Tombstone arrives in the lobby of their building looking for Peter Parker.
Soon, the Punisher arrives at the Cloisters and discovers that it is under armed guard. He takes out the two guards at the gate with a silenced pistol and leaps over the wall. There he is ambushed by a army of thugs. At that same moment, Mary Jane is getting ready for a modeling shoot when she is grabbed by the hair by Tombstone. Mary Jane struggles to get free, but Tombstone is too strong. The brutal killer doesn't want to hurt her anymore than he has to and demands to know where he can find her husband. A few moments later, the Punisher makes short work of the the guards and heads toward the old monestary intent on putting the Punisher down. Rushing up to a limo. He whips open the passenger side door expecting Tombstone. Instead, he finds the Arranger and a man in a strange costume. The Arranger introduces the Punisher to Roland Raymond, who has taken on the costumed identity of the Persuader. At that, the Persuader uses his mutant powers to influence people to take control of the Punisher. The Punisher tries to resist, the Persuader unleashes the full fury of his power, causing the Punisher to keel over in pain. While at that moment, Peter is telling Joe to come forward with his confession, regardless of how afraid he is. However, Joe can't bring himself to do it. Suddenly, a nurse enters the room and tells Peter that his wife Mary Jane has just been rushed to the hospital and has been hurt. As Peter rushes out of the room to see his wife, Joe Robertson can only lay in bed and cry.
Recurring Characters
Spider-Man, Punisher, Mary Jane Watson, Joe Robertson, Ben Urich, Arranger, Persuader, Randy Robertson
Continuity Notes
Ben Urich mentions how he was almost killed by Elektra for his invetigations. That happened in Daredevil #179.
Peter and Mary Jane are referred to as husband and wife here. However, years later, their marriage is erased from history by the demon Mephisto in Amazing Spider-Man #545. As such, the couple should be considered a common-law couple as opposed to husband and wife.
