With volume 7 in this series offering the last all-new Spider-Man annual until the 70s and the demise of The Spectacular Spider-Man magazine, this volume reverts to the format of 10 issues of the regular title with one bonus (unmentioned on the cover) thrown in.

The stories in this volume constitute a kind of mini series with issue 68 introducing a mysterious stone tablet which everybody wants to lay their hands on. Since everybody in the case includes The Kingpin you can bet this means trouble for Spidey.

Another feature of these issues is an emerging social conscience - Joe Robertson's son Randy is introduced as a disillusioned African American student at ESU would gets involved in student politics and finds himself on the wrong side of the law. A strong scene where Randy witnesses a confrontation between his father and J Jonah Jamieson is superbly handled with all 3 characters gaining depth and believability.

Meanwhile the relationships between Peter Parker and his friends become more complex. Flash Thompson's return on leave from Vietnam sparks a confrontation and Peter's relationship with Gwen Stacy encounters more bumps on the road. All the while Gwen's father George Stacy becomes an intriguing father-figure to Peter.

As a bonus this volume also includes the one-off Spider-Man story from Marvel Super-Heroes #14. This is basically a tryout for Ross Andru, newly arrived from DC where he handled titles like The Metal Men. Ultimately Andru would become Spidey's regular artists for a long stint beginning in 1973 but this story is a bit out of place (and out of continuity) here. The artistic combination of Andru with Bill Everett gives Spidey a different look though even if the story is a bit under-par.

Also giving Spidey a different look is several issues of the monthly title which were penciled by the legendary, late John Buscema. For a guy who apparently hated superheroes he does a fantastic job. ( )