—Peter ParkerI drank the potion-- even though it was untried-- it was untested-- because I wanted it to change me but-- not like this! NOT LIKE THIS!
Appearing in "The Spider or the Man?"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
- Aunt May (Dream)
- Gwen Stacy (Dream)
- George Stacy (Dream)
- Daily Bugle Staff (Dream)
- J. Jonah Jameson (Dream)
- Ned Leeds (Dream)
- Betty Brant (Dream)
Antagonists:
- Vulture (Adrian Toomes) (Dream)
- The Lizard (Curt Connors) (Dream)
- Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) (Dream)
- Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) (Dream)
- Kingpin (Wilson Fisk) (Dream)
Other Characters:
Races and Species:
Realities:
Locations:
- Earth
- North America
- United States of America
- New York State
- New York City
- Manhattan
- Murray Hill
- Peter and Harry's Apartment
- Manhattan
- New York City
- New York State
- United States of America
- North America
Items:
- Spider-Man's Suit and Web-Shooters
- Vulture's Wings (Dream)
- Doctor Octopus' Tentacles (Dream)
Vehicles:
- Goblin Glider (Dream)
Synopsis for "The Spider or the Man?"
Peter begins to dream, his first thoughts are of how he feels guilty for the death of his Uncle Ben. How, with his Aunt now a widow, he was forced to find a source of income to help support himself and his aunt. To this end, he ended up getting a job as a freelance photographer for the Daily Bugle, whose publisher -- J. Jonah Jameson -- often uses Peter's photos to discredit and demonize Spider-Man. He then recounts how his romance with Betty Brant was lost due to his alter-ego, and how she eventually became engaged to Ned Leeds. However, he now loves Gwen Stacy. He thinks about how Gwen blames Spider-Man for the death of her father.
In this dream, Spider-Man calls out into the sky, asking why he has to constantly live a life of tragedy. Suddenly, he hears a familiar voice calling out for help and begins traveling the rooftops to help. Suddenly, he is attacked by the Vulture who swoops in from the skies. Although the villain has the element of surprise, Spider-Man is easily able to incapacitate his longtime enemy. As the Vulture falls to the ground, Spider-Man snares him with a web line, but no sooner has he done this that he is whipped in the face by the Lizard's tail. Spider-Man struggles with the Lizard, wrapping webbing around the man-monster's mouth. He then flees his new attacker to try and find the person calling for help. He is then attacked by the Green Goblin, who Spider-Man knocks off his glider. Moments later, he is attacked by Doctor Octopus. Like with the other foes, Spider-Man knocks out Doctor Octopus and continues on his trek across the rooftops. He is then attacked by the Kingpin, but despite the villain's great strength, Spider-Man defeats him in hand-to-hand combat.
Spider-Man reaches the voice and is surprised to see the spirit of George Stacy floating in the air. George tells Spider-Man that he knows that Spider-Man is really Peter Parker. He implores Parker to keep his powers to continue fighting against the forces of evil. His final words is that Peter is Spider-Man, and therefore not entitled to a normal life, which is a blessing and a curse. Suddenly, Peter wakes and realizes that it was all a dream. He begins regretting drinking his formula without testing it first as his sides have become incredibly itchy. Removing his sweater, Peter is shocked to discover that he has grown four additional arms in his sleep.