Randy Robertson

Randy Robertson
Randy Robertson. Art by Todd Nauck.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Amazing Spider-Man #67 (1968)
Created by	Stan Lee John Romita Sr.
In-story information
Full name	Randolph "Randy" Robertson
Supporting character of	Spider-Man

Randy Robertson is a supporting character in Marvel Comics's Spider-Man series. Created by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr., he first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #67 (1968).

History

Randy Robertson, son of Daily Bugle city editor Joseph "Robbie" Robertson, enrolled at Empire State University a year behind Bugle 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 as Spider-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 student. Crime boss Wilson Fisk (the Kingpin) interrupted their demonstration to steal the lifeline Tablet, allegedly containing the secret to longevity. When Spider-Man intervened, Randy tried to restrain the Kingpin; he was easily knocked aside, but following Fisk'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 Pittsburgh State University, where he met and married fellow student Mandy Batavides, a white 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 hitman Tombstone 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.

Randy gave up social work to become an actor, much to his father's disapproval. Renewing his friendship with Peter, whose own wife, Mary Jane Watson, was believed dead, Randy offered to share his apartment with the supposed widower. The two men became roommates, although Randy tended to spend more time with their mutual friends Glory 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 the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn). Following a direct encounter with the Goblin, Randy sought advice from Robbie, who had significant experience with super-villains from his Bugle position. While Randy and Glory began dating, Peter could not return Jill's flirtations; Peter moved out after Mary Jane turned up alive. Once Peter joined the Avengers and move into Stark Tower, Randy lost touch with the Parkers. Randy was seen briefly at the Robertson's household after Robbie was fired from the Bugle. Randy made a comment blaming Peter's unmasking for Robbie's firing and the affect on their friendship as a result of Peter's actions has yet to be revealed.