Here's another installment of "The Web Page":
THE WEB PAGE: NOV. 28, 2007
Wizard Universe’s regular swing through ‘Spider-Man: One More Day’
By Sal Loria | Posted November 29, 2007 12:55 PM |
EDITOR’S NOTE: The amazing Spider-Man is swinging into a whole new friendly neighborhood thanks to the back-to-back Spidey mega-events “One More Day” and “Brand New Day,” both of which are poised to change the wall-crawler’s world forever. So check the Web Page with each new issue for recaps, insight, analysis, Easter eggs and more web-slinging goodness!)
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!
PREVIOUSLY IN THE LIFE OF SPIDER-MAN:
• Bitten by a radioactive spider while on a school field trip, nerdy Peter Parker gained the proportionate strength and abilities of a spider. Following the death of his Uncle Ben, Peter took on the alter-ego of Spider-Man in hopes of helping others, because with great power comes great responsibility.
• Life threw many curveballs at Peter, but he still found love with the beautiful Gwen Stacy—until a battle with the Green Goblin left her dead. Eventually, old wounds healed as he fell for, and eventually married, model/actress Mary Jane Watson. With his wife and his beloved Aunt May behind him and a membership in the New Avengers offering new support, things were looking up for Peter.
• Then the Stamford disaster, in which an out-of-control battle between heroes and villains left hundreds of civilians dead, turned the Marvel Universe upside-down. Wanting to put a stop to these “unsanctioned” heroes, the government and Tony Stark/Iron Man put instituted the Superhuman Registration Act, forcing all heroes to receive official sanction from the government. Spider-Man chose to back the act, and as a sign of good faith, he revealed his secret identity to the world.
• As a civil war among the heroes broke out, Peter began to rethink his stance, and realized just how much of a mistake he made by going public. Switching sides meant that Peter and his family were on the run—fugitives for making a stand against Iron Man and registration.
• While the Parkers were on the lam, a sniper hired by long-time Spider-Man adversary the Kingpin shot Aunt May. Spider-Man tracked down the man who gave the order and trounced the Kingpin while he was still in prison, vowing to return and to finish him should his Aunt May pass away. She remains in a coma, with extremely little chance for recovery…
• With rising hospital costs, Peter and MJ are aided by Jarvis, personal butler to Tony Stark and one-time romantic interest to Aunt May, as he covers all of the bills for May’s care. With the financial problem in order, Peter heads off in search of other alternatives in saving his aunt.
• Dr. Strange helps Peter split his consciousness into many parts, allowing him to ask the majority of the Marvel Universe’s power players to save his aunt—all of whom are unable. Attempting to stop the gunman by going back in time, all Peter manages to do is nearly get himself killed by the mystical Nightwalkers and relive the initial horror of his aunt getting shot all over again. Dejected, Peter leaves Strange’s sanctorum and comes across a mysterious little girl…
THIS WEEK…
SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41
J. Michael Straczynski (W)/Joe Quesada (A)
THE SPIDER-SUMMARY:
• Peter talks to the little girl who seems to know everything about his current troubles, and agrees—reluctantly—to follow her. Rounding a corner, Peter encounters another stranger sitting on a park bench. The older gentleman starts explaining to Peter that if he had the power to be a real hero who could change the world and save lives, he’d be grateful and not ask for anything in return.
• At that moment, a Rolls Royce arrives and another, even older gentleman beckons Peter over, offering a lift to the person who can help Peter. This third stranger is obviously well off, but seems depressed over the fact that he has everything a person could possibly want, but he’d trade it all in for his true beloved. Down yet another street and Peter meets up with a woman who explains that the tiniest change in history can drastically alter what a person becomes.
• One possible course for Peter would be to become introverted and focus only on the things he can control, thereby losing sight of his own potential. Another option would be to constantly want to prove his worth and value regardless of how successful he may become, resulting in Peter becoming consumed.
• Fed up with the surreal surroundings, Peter lashes out, intent on carrying on with his quest to save his aunt’s life. It’s at this point that the woman shows her true identity—Mephisto. Peter quickly surmises that Mephisto wants his soul in exchange for Aunt May’s life, but that’s not the case at all. Simultaneously giving the offer to both Peter and Mary Jane, Mephisto promises that one of two things will happen at midnight the following day: either Aunt May dies, or Peter and MJ’s marriage will be wiped out completely!
MAYDAY?!?
Long thought buried under Marvel continuity, baby May Parker was swept under the proverbial rug never to be seen or mentioned again. Then again, a little girl who claims to be smart like her dad but wants to be beautiful like her mom is sure to raise a few eyebrows…
SUBWAY’S NEW SPOKESMAN
At least we now know that a powerless, alternate reality version of Peter Parker could still find fame shilling foot-longs, and much like Jared, Petey’s 15 minutes of fame would be unnecessarily stretched for an eternity.
SOMEONE KEEP WANDA OUTTA HERE!
We all saw what “No more mutants” did to the Marvel U’s resident homo superiors, but while there still are almost 200 mutants running around, there’s only one Spider-Man. Imagine no more web-spinning adventures, comical zingers and catchy theme songs. I
DEMON…REVEAL THYSELF!
The only thing missing from this reveal is someone to announce Mephisto’s arrival. Understandably, Thor’s tied up with things since his return, but couldn’t Hercules be rounded up for this special occasion? He’s always in need for ale money after all…
WHAT’S THE CATCH?
Here it is, folks, the moment that Joe Quesada and JMS have been inching towards for six years. How will it end? Check out Amazing Spider-Man #545 for the answer!
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