| Real Name: Peter Parker Powers: Spider-Man possesses superhuman strength, reflexes and equilibrium; the ability to cling to most surfaces; and a sixth sense that warns him of impending danger. History: Orphaned when his parents were killed in a plane crash, Peter Parker went to live with his Uncle Ben and Aunt May. Although extremely bright, his shyness and studious nature often caused him to be branded a social outcast. Ironically, just such a scholastic pursuit made possible Peter's transformation into a wall-crawling, web-slinging extrovert. During a public exhibition on radiation, an irradiated arachnid fell on his hand, bit him and died. Peter left the demonstration in pain; soon he began to manifest strange, spider-like abilities. Rather than put his talents to just use, the teenager followed a path dictated by his late 20th-century upbringing: He created a costume and capitalized on his newfound powers to pursue TV stardom as the Amazing Spider-Man. Leaving the TV studio after a taping, Peter chose to mind his own business when he encountered a burglar fleeing the scene of a robbery. Though he could have stopped the man easily enough, Peter allowed him to pass -- arrogantly believing that it was not his responsibility to chase criminals. He returned home only to discover that an intruder had murdered his uncle. Learning that police had cornered the hoodlum in a nearby warehouse, Peter donned his Spider-Man costume and rushed off to seek vengeance. Employing his amazing abilities to capture the burglar, he realized that it was the thug he had allowed to escape at the studio. Filled with remorse, Peter finally understood that with great power, there must also come great responsibility -- and he vowed never to shirk his responsibilities again. Ben Parker's death left Peter and Aunt May without a regular source of income, save Social Security. Peter attempted to pursue a career in show business, but was unable to do so because of a smear campaign mounted against Spider-Man by J. Jonah Jameson, influential publisher of the Daily Bugle newspaper. Making good on his vow, Peter began to use his powers to fight crime. Meanwhile, he would earn a living selling photographs of Spider-Man in action to the Bugle. Jameson's attempts to influence the public's perception of Spider-Man have waned due to positive word-of-mouth support for the wall-crawler's activities. Although he remains a controversial figure, Spidey has faced and thwarted a vast number of costumed criminals in the New York City area -- including the Kingpin, the Vulture, Electro, the Sandman, Mysterio, Dr. Octopus, the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, the Scorpion, the Rhino, Venom and Carnage. Peter's costumed career has had its share of ups and downs. His first love, Gwen Stacy, died during a battle between Spider-Man and the Green Goblin. Peter has lost other friends, as well -- including Harry Osborn, son and successor of Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin; and police Captain George Stacy, Gwen's father. Peter's marriage to Mary Jane Watson often was troubled by his crimefighting actives, and the two have separated. But through all his trials, he has remained steadfast in his determination to use his powers for the benefit of all. |
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