| Randy Robertson | |
|---|---|
 Randy Robertson. Art byTodd Nauck & Robert Campanella | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| First appearance | The Amazing Spider-Man #67 (December 1968) |
| Created by | Stan Lee (writer) John Romita Sr. (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Full name | Randolph "Randy" Robertson |
| Supporting character of | Spider-Man Janice Lincoln |
Randolph "Randy"Robertson is afictionalcharacter appearing inAmerican comic books published byMarvel Comics. He is asupporting character in Marvel'sSpider-Man series and is depicted as the son ofRobbie Robertson, and the husband ofJanice Lincoln.
Randy first appeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man #67 (December 1968), created byStan Lee andJohn Romita Sr. He was the firstAfrican-American amongPeter Parker's friends,[1] and was introduced in a storyline about student unrest at college, a move by Marvel to be more in touch with the teenagers of 1968.[2]
Randy's father, Robbie, was a high-ranking editor at theDaily Bugle whose storylines did not draw attention to his race; his portrayal was criticized by one letter-writer who said, "It seems to me that your Negroes are merely white people drawn by the artist with their skins darkened by the colors."[3] The creation of Randy was in part a response to this criticism. Randy directly leveled the challenge at his father: "I know you've got made here in whitey's world! But what about theother brothers who played it your way... whogot their sheepskins... andstill can't make it on the outside?" (Amazing Spider-Man #73, June 1969).[3]
In 1971, Randy played a similar role, acting as a voice of the people in an argument withNorman Osborn about drug abuse: "It hurts us more than anyone else — 'cause too many of us got nohope — so we're easierpickin's for the pushers. But it ain't justour problem! It'syours, too!" (Amazing Spider-Man #96, May 1971). This compassionate take on the hot topic of drug abuse was applauded by readers, as well as teachers and parents.[3]
Randy never became a first-tier supporting character; he appeared off-and-on through the 1970s, and was then dropped for several years. There have been periods where Randy has appeared regularly, including 1988–1989, 2000–2001, and 2011–2012.Nick Spencer's "Back to Basics" arc at the beginning ofAmazing Spider-Man (vol. 5) brought Randy back as a regular character, living with Peter Parker as his roommate.Zeb Wells' "Gang War" arc saw Randy marryJanice Lincoln.
Randy Robertson, son ofDaily Bugle editorRobbie Robertson, enrolled atEmpire State University a year behindBugle photographer Peter Parker. A boisterous hothead unlike his even-tempered father, Randy quickly became involved in student activism, albeit usually as the voice of moderation to the more radical Josh Kittiling. On his father's advice, Randy sought Peter's friendship, although Parker's double life asSpider-Man left him little time to help Randy promote social change. The day after meeting Peter, Randy joined Josh and other in protesting E.S.U.'s plans to turn an exhibition hall into a dorm for visiting alumni, rather than for needy students. The crime bossKingpin interrupted their demonstration to steal the lifeline Tablet, allegedly containing the secret to longevity. When Spider-Man intervened, Randy tried to restrain Kingpin.[4] Though he was easily knocked aside, but following Kingpin's defeat, Spider-Man did not forget Randy's act of courage. Randy soon joined Peter's circle of college friends, although he was rarely drawn into Spider-Man's activities at E.S.U. and elsewhere in New York City. His rebellious streak eventually faded, and after graduating from E.S.U. Randy pursued graduate studies in social work at Pittsburg State University, where he met and married fellow student Mandy Batavides, a Jewish woman.
Randy eventually returned to New York with Mandy, and although their hasty marriage troubled Robbie, he soon accepted Mandy as a daughter-in-law. Randy and Mandy stayed at Robbie's side after the hitmanTombstone crippled him. Following his father's recovery, Randy disagreed with Robbie about pleading guilty to misprison of felony and vigorously protested his father's imprisonment. He nonetheless continued to provide his mother Martha with emotional support. and the family was soon reunited when Robbie, after escaping death at Tombstone's hands during a forced prison break, received a pardon. When Mandy received a job offer in California, the younger Robertson couple relocated to the West Coast, but various factors strained their marriage, and Randy returned to New York alone following their divorce.[5]
Randy gave up social work to become an actor, much to his father's disapproval.Renewing his friendship with Peter whose own wifeMary Jane Watson was believed dead, Randy offered to share his apartment with the widower.[6] The two men became roommates, although Randy tended to spend more time with their mutual friendsGlory Grant and Jill Stacy, little realizing the hazards he and Peter were sharing such as nocturnal experimentation by the extraterrestrial Brll'nah>zhhk< and drugged toothpaste from theGreen Goblin.[7] Following a direct encounter with Green Goblin, Randy sought advice from Robbie as his father had significant experience with super-villains from his Bugle position.[8] While Randy and Glory began dating, Peter could not return Jill's flirtations.[9] Peter moved out after Mary Jane turned up alive.[10] Once Peter joined theAvengers and moved intoStark Tower, Randy lost touch with the Parkers. Randy was seen briefly at the Robertson's household after Robbie was fired from the Bugle.[11] Randy reappeared inThe Amazing Spider-Man and began dating a reporter from theFront Line namedNorah Winters.[12] Later,Phil Urich is jealous of Randy for dating Norah. WhenAlistair Smythe's minions attack theFront Line offices, Phil breaks a support beam. This, along with the damage caused by the attack, causes the ceiling to collapse on Randy. Randy survives the collapse, but he is seriously injured.[13]
During the "Spider-Island" storyline, Randy Robertson goes to assist Norah during the outbreak. During this time, he is attacked by theHobgoblin (Phil Urich) when the villain had been trying to break them up for quite some time. To his surprise, Randy is one of the New Yorkers given spider powers. With his newfound powers he is able to fend off the Hobgoblin for some time, but begins to lose because of his lack of experience. While almost meeting his death, Norah is entranced in reporting the whole thing and misses an opportunity to save Randy. Randy manages to fend off the Hobgoblin, but decides to break up with Norah, citing that she cares more about the story than his life, or hers.[14] However, his mutation, like the millions of others in New York City, turns him into a monstrous spider hybrid.[15] Randy and the rest of the civilian population are cured when Spider-Man usesDoctor Octopus' Octo-Bots to disperse an antidote.[16]
Randy and Peter started living as roommates again in the Amazing Spider-Man run byNick Spencer.[17]
When Spider-Man goes to visit Randy Robertson, he finds him making out withJanice Lincoln.[18] As Spider-Man secretly watches them, Randy learns that Janice's Syndicate kidnapped Boomerang and what had transpired at the F.E.A.S.T. building. He tells Janice that she needs to let Boomerang go. Beetle leaves stating that he would not use her disintegrator ray on him because she is nice to Randy. At the F.E.A.S.T. building where men working for Mr. Stone are helping to rebuild the building,Aunt May mentioned to Randy Robertson that a high-powered lawyer got Councilman Galazkiewicz to expedite a permit request in exchange for not suing the city on F.E.A.S.T.'s behalf. Randy learns that the lawyer is Janice who invites them to brunch. Randy sees Beetle on a nearby building while accepting the brunch invite.[19]
The 2023 eventGang War begins with Randy and Janice getting married, with their wedding kicking off a gang war after Janice's fatherTombstone is shot byShotgun during the wedding.[20][21]
An alternate universe variant of Randy Robertson from Earth-65 appears inSpider-Gwen. This version is a rock n' roll reporter and friend of a band called the Mary Janes.[22]
Randy Robertson made his debut. The son of city editor Joe Robertson, he would go on to be the first African-American member of Peter Parker's group of friends.
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