by Ross Andru, 1976

Joe "Robbie" Robertson

• Occupation: Editor-In-Chief of Daily Bugle
• Known Relatives: Marla (wife), Randy (son), Amanda (ex daughter-in-law)
• First Appearance: Amazing Spider-Man #51
• Status: Criminal Record (pardoned)

History:

Joseph Roberton learned the foundations of his reporting skills growing up on the streets of Harlem. In high school, he was threatened into withdrawing a story about Lonnie "Tombstone" Lincoln he wrote for the school newspaper. Years later, when Tombstone was a prominent criminal figure, Robbie witnesses him commit murder but stayed silent about the killing for years.

Finally, Robbie reported the murder and sent Tombstone to jail. However, a corrupt judge was bribed into sentencing Robbie to the same prison for failing to report the crime. Finally, after being forced to break out of jail with Tombstone, Robbie stood up to him impaling (but not killing) him with a pitchfork.

Robbie remains one of the most level-headed and principled members of the Bugle's staff and is well-liked and well-respected by all. He offers steady and rational counterpoint to Jameson's tirades and editorials. It is likely that he is one of the few people to deduce Spider-Man's secret identity but has taken the route of protecting his friend rather than breaking this huge story.