Genres: Action, Adventure, Superhero
Publisher: Marvel
Vol 1: 1976
Sponsored by Planned Parenthood, this mini-comic tried to prevent STDs and pregnancies among teenagers.
Suspicious that a group of teenagers are boarding a private helicopter, Spidey follows them to a secluded estate where he learns that a mysterious figure has brainwashed thousands of kids to carry out his plans. The villain (an alien) has a magnetic voice that causes people to obey him, and his message is simple: have lots and lots of sex, kids! “How else can you prove you’re a man? How else are you going to get a man?” he tells his teen audience. “Pregnancy’s good for you… helps your hormones, even clears up acne.” Spidey can’t believe the “jive stuff” he is hearing (you go, Superfly!) and figures “there’s gotta be some way these kids can get the right info.” Luckily, there is – right after the part where Spidey clocks the alien inside his own makeshift TV studio (all the better to spread his message of free love to the masses) and saves the day, there are two pages of information about pregnancy, STDs, and how to contact a Planned Parenthood Center for help.
