Appearing in "Back to Basics: Part One"
Featured Characters:
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (Main story and flashback) (Leaves the Daily Bugle)
Supporting Characters:
- Mary Jane Watson (Main story and flashback)
- Boomerang (Fred Myers) (Main story and flashback)
- Randy Robertson (Main story and flashback)
- Cindy Lawton (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
- Daily Bugle (Only in flashback)
- Robbie Robertson (Only in flashback)
- May Parker-Jameson (Only in flashback)
Antagonists:
- Mayor Wilson Fisk (Only in flashback)
- Mysterio (Quentin Beck)
Other Characters:
- Jin Soo (Earth-616)
- NYPD (Only in recap)
- Avengers
- Thing (Ben Grimm)
- Rogue (Anna Marie LeBeau)
- Defenders
- X-Men
- Logan
- Black Widow (Natasha Romanoff)
- Vision
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Hawkeye (Clint Barton)
- KISS (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
- Human Torch (Johnny Storm)
- Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde) (Referenced)
- Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom) (Referenced)
- Henry F. Potter (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
- Daily Bugle (Only in recap)
- J. Jonah Jameson (Only in recap)
- Kenny (a reporter) (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
- Cross Technological Enterprises (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Amanda Clarksdale (Earth-616)
- Michael Prescott (Earth-616)
- Ricky London (Earth-616) (Deceased)
- Amanda Clarksdale's alternate-reality counterpart (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Mephisto (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Parker Industries (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Uncle Ben Foundation (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Spider-Man (Otto Octavius / "Peter Parker") (Only in recap)
- Superior Octopus (Otto Octavius) (Mentioned)
- Hobgoblin (Roderick Kingsley) (Only in recap)
- Sajani Jaffrey (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Horizon Labs (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- God (Yahweh) (Invoked) (Only in flashback)
- Liam Neeson (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
- Juggernaut (Cain Marko) (Referenced)
- Beyonder (Referenced)
- The Burglar (Only in recap)
- Black Cat (Felicia Hardy)
- Ben Parker (Only in recap)
Races and Species:
- Humans (Main story and flashback)
- Unidentified alien species
- Mutants
- Asgardians
- Synthezoids
- Human-Kree Hybrids
- Human-Spartax Hybrids
- Halfworlders
- Flora colossi
- Deraxi (Mentioned)
- Skrulls (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
Locations:
- Prime Marvel Universe (Main story and flashback)
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- United States of America (Main story and flashback)
- New York (Main story and flashback)
- New York City (Main story and flashback)
- Manhattan (Main story and flashback)
- Midtown (Main story and flashback)
- Fifth Avenue (Dream)
- Empire State Building (Dream)
- Murray Hill (Only in flashback)
- 39th Street and Second Avenue (Only in recap)
- Daily Bugle Building (Only in recap)
- Daily Bugle Offices (Only in flashback)
- 39th Street and Second Avenue (Only in recap)
- Columbus Circle (Only in recap)
- Fifth Avenue (Dream)
- East Village (Main story and flashback)
- Bowery (Main story and flashback)
- Peter, Randy, & Fred's apartment
- Empire State University (Only in flashback)
- Bowery (Main story and flashback)
- Upper West Side (Main story and flashback)
- Central Park West (Only in flashback)
- Museum of Natural History (Referenced)
- Lincoln Center (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- May Parker-Jameson's apartment (Only in flashback)
- Mary Jane Watson's apartment
- Central Park West (Only in flashback)
- Stern Savings & Trust (First appearance)
- Katz's Delicatessen, Houston Street, Lower East Side (Mentioned)
- RKP Palace (Only in recap)
- Midtown (Main story and flashback)
- Prospect Park, Brooklyn (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Queens (Only in recap)
- Forest Hills (Only in recap)
- Parker Residence (Only in recap)
- Forest Hills (Only in recap)
- Manhattan (Main story and flashback)
- New York City (Main story and flashback)
- New York (Main story and flashback)
- Latveria (Mentioned)
- Doomstadt (Mentioned)
- Canada (Mentioned)
- United States of America (Main story and flashback)
- Apokita IV (Mentioned)
- Infinity Sands (Mentioned)
- Hell (Invoked)
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- Unidentified alternate reality (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
Items:
- Spider-Man's Suits and Web-Shooters (Main story and flashback)
- Call of Duty: Latveria
- Lifeline Tablet
- Iron Man Armor Model 29 (Extremis Armor)
- Captain America's Uniform and Shield
- Cloak of Levitation and Eye of Agamotto
- X-Uniforms
- Daredevil's Suit and Billy Club
- Unidentified metal arm prosthesis
- Thor's unnamed enchanted hammer (First appearance)
- Panther Habit
- Black Widow's Gauntlets
- Captain Marvel's Suit
- Hawkeye's Suit, Bow and Trick Arrows
- Reality Stone (Referenced)
- It's a Wonderful Life (Mentioned) (Topical Reference)
- Disintegrator Cane
- Watchr (First appearance) (Only in flashback)
- Cerebro (Mentioned) (Only in flashback)
- Doctor Octopus' Tentacles (Only in recap)
- Superior Spider-Man's Suit (Only in recap)
- Pumpkin Bombs (Only in recap)
- Goblin Armor (Only in recap)
Vehicles:
- Goblin Glider (Only in recap)
- Mysterio's bubble spaceship (First appearance)
Synopsis for "Back to Basics: Part One"
Following the dissolution of his company, Peter lands on some hard times as Spider-Man due to Kingpin winning the Mayorship for his protecting New Yorkers during Hydra's usurpation, Fisk has been pretending to be Spidey's biggest supporter and managed to put the web-head at odds against the whole superhero community. Trying to see a positive in his personal life, Peter Parker enjoys his job as a science editor at the Daily Bugle until he is accused by Cindy Lawton of plagiarizing his doctoral thesis from that of Otto Octavius (who occupied his body at that time.) As this was proven by an advanced computer comparison algorithm. the exposure results in Peter losing his job. He later fights with Aunt May over his hiding from the fallout of his company and the loss of his doctorate.
Trying to think of what to do next, he ventures as Spider-Man he manages to thwart an alien invasion upon discovering that it was all a trick of Mysterio. Realizing a monotony of the encounter, Spider-Man webs Mysterio to a building for authorities to take into custody. As Peter, he apologizes for everything from his body swap with Otto to his recent attack by Red Goblin, and makes amends with Mary Jane Watson. Reconciled, the two begin dating again and find some measure of glee.
Appearing in 2nd story
Featured Characters:
- Mysterio (Quentin Beck) (Main story and flashback)
- Spider-Man (Peter Parker) (Main story and recap)
Supporting Characters:
- Beetle (Janice Lincoln) (Main story and recap)
- Cindy Lawton
- Lizard (Curtis Connors)
Antagonists:
Other Characters:
- Tom Hanks (Topical Reference)
- Avengers (Only in recap)
- Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers) (Only in recap)
- Doctor Strange (Stephen Strange) (Only in recap)
- Thor (Odinson) (Only in recap)
- Logan (Only in recap)
- Human Torch (Johnny Storm) (Only in recap)
- Thing (Ben Grimm) (Only in recap)
- Gambit (Remy LeBeau) (Only in recap)
- Tombstone (Lonnie Lincoln) (Referenced)
- Sinister Six (Mentioned)
- M.O.D.O.K. (George Tarleton) (Mentioned)
- God (Yahweh) (Invoked)
- Dr. Don Lamaze (Mentioned) (Deceased)
- Otto Octavius (Mentioned)
Races and Species:
- Humans (Main story and flashback)
- Mermaids (Referenced)
- Human-Kree Hybrids (Only in recap)
- Mutants (Only in recap)
- Asgardians (Only in recap)
- Cockroaches (Illusion or holographic simulation)
- Rats (Illusion or holographic simulation)
- Demons (Illusion or holographic simulation)
- Human-Reptile Hybrids
Locations:
- Earth (Main story and flashback)
- United States of America (Main story and flashback)
- New York (Main story and recap)
- New York City (Main story and recap)
- Manhattan (Main story and recap)
- New York City (Main story and recap)
- New York (Main story and recap)
- United States of America (Main story and flashback)
- Hell (Mentioned)
Items:
- Splash
- Captain Marvel's Suit (Only in recap)
- Cloak of Levitation (Only in recap)
- Thor's unnamed enchanted hammer (Only in recap)
- Unidentified metal arm prosthesis (Only in recap)
- Spider-Man's Suit and Web-Shooters (Only in recap)
- Beetle Armor MK V (Only in recap)
- Adamantium-encased Inhibitor Chip (Behind the scenes)
- Mysterio Suit
Vehicles:
- Mysterio's bubble spaceship (Mentioned)
Synopsis for 2nd story
As Mysterio has decided to represent himself alone in court, despite his lawyer Janice Lincoln having arrived to defend him, as she is determined to invoke mental infirmity. Quentin disagrees as his vaunts his brilliance, but he suddenly sees Janice start vomiting insects, with the judge is torn to pieces by rats, and the court room begins to collapse. Terrified, Quentin finds himself cornered by a disfigured man covered with bandages, threatening to bring him back to Hell if he doesn't prepare a big clash with Spider-Man as per their deal, declaring to have procured him Janice's services to ensure it. Returning to real time, Mysterio suddenly finds himself screaming in the courtroom, to which he is declared mentally infirm; Janice congratulates him for having favored her defensive strategy so well.
Meanwhile, Peter arrives at ESU expecting more difficulties with his doctoral revocation, but discovers that Lawton instead offers him a chance to regain his doctorate as a student. She explains that someone opposed the revocation of his academic qualifications, revealing them to be Curt Connors. While shocked, Lawton affirmed Connors was in control of himself due to his Vibranium pacification chip in his brain stem controlling his transformations. Connors offered Peter a chance at going to school again under the condition of being his lab technician.
Solicit Synopsis
An alien invasion hits New York City and the only one who can stop it is… Spider-Man?! But that’s far from all you’ll find here – a revelation from the past puts Peter Parker’s job, relationships, and whole life in jeopardy! And if even that’s not enough, you’ll see a new roommate, new love interests – and a new villain! Spider-Man goes back to basics courtesy of Nick Spencer (SECRET EMPIRE, SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN) and the Marvel debut of RYAN OTTLEY (Invincible)!
Notes
- A launch trailer was released by Marvel on YouTube to promote the series:
- The flashback sequence originated from Sensational Spider-Man Annual (Vol. 2) #1.
Trivia
- In Webspinners: Tales of Spider-Man #1, Mysterio cites his inspiration as being the work of stop-motion special effects artist, Ray Harryhausen; however, to make it more contemporary, in this issue he cites the film, Splash, as his inspiration.