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Astonishing Spider-Man Vol 1 41

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Reilly and I are supposedly the same person-- --but he has a quicker temper than me! He's headstrong, reacts without thinking sometimes! Must have been all those years on the road!

—Peter Parker

Appearing in "Collisions with the Past"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Sensational Spider-Man #5

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Synopsis for "Collisions with the Past"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Sensational Spider-Man #5

Blood Brothers continues from Spectacular Spider-Man #234...

Swinging across the city, Spider-Man thinks about how his entire life has quickly turned into a mess. The Daily Grind, where he was employed as Ben Reilly was burned to the ground by an arsonist and his alter ego is a suspect, on top of this, his girlfriend Jessica Carradine discovered that he is secretly Spider-Man.[Continuity 1] When he happens upon a group of men attempting to mug a woman in an alley, he offloads his anger on them. Before the crooks can be seriously hurt, Spider-Man is stopped by their would-be victim, prompting the wall-crawler to recompose himself. As it turns out, the web-slinger was intentionally following the woman, as she is Trish Kowalski the financial controller at Multivex. He tells her that the company has been involved in some shady business and demands to know who is funding the corporation. After some convincing, she doesn't know much but she has always been concerned about Multivex's large security force as it is funded from a separate account owned by Osborn Industries. Hearing this shocks the wall-crawler and he leaves without another word.

He rendezvous with Peter Parker to tell him what he had learned, although he can't understand why Osborn Industries would be a threat to them. Peter points out that Ben has missed a lot in the five years that he hasn't been operating as Spider-Man and begins filling him in.[Continuity 2] Naturally, they both know that Osborn Industries was originally run by Norman Osborn, the original Green Goblin, and how Norman died shortly after he murdered Gwen Stacy years ago.[Continuity 3] Peter then explains that the company was taken over by Norman's son Harry, who also became the Green Goblin until the Goblin Formula in his veins proved highly toxic and he died.[Continuity 4] Since then, the company was handed down to Harry's widow, Liz, who then put her step-brother Mark Raxton -- aka the Molten Man -- as the CEO of the company. Spider-Man is shocked to discover that Osborn Industries has been handed over to one of their old foes, but Peter explains that Raxton had gone straight a while ago and has no reason to think his reformation is disingenuous.[Continuity 5] Although Liz Osborn has since moved out of Manhattan, Peter knows she comes into town on occasion to check in on business and decides to pay her a visit.

Meanwhile, at the Multivax facilities, the Molten Man has broken in and fights his way past the guards and automated defenses. He is conducting his own investigation into Multivex's dirty dealings and how it connects to Osborn Industries.[Continuity 6] Forcing himself into the main computer database, he hopes he finds those answers. By this time, Peter pays a visit to Liz Osborn and her son Normie at the hotel they are staying at.[Continuity 7] Peter tells her that he is researching a story for the Daily Bugle about Spider-Man. She tells him that the wall-crawler is no longer part of her life and she wants nothing to do with him. However, he presses on, saying that he is looking into the possibility that the company, or her step-brother, would want to go after the web-slinger. She reminds Peter that Mark has gone straight, but also admits that she hasn't seen Mark in months. Peter then meets up with Spider-Man on the roof of the hotel to tell the wall-crawler what he learned, however, he points out that Liz was lying about not seeing Raxton recently as she noticed that there was a man's jacket resting on a chair. More telling was the fact that it was a fireproofed jacket.[Continuity 8] Although this convinces Spider-Man that the Molten Man is behind this, Peter isn't fully convinced and suggests that they go and investigate Multivex.

While at the burnt out remains of the Daily Grind, owner Shirley Washington meets with a representative of her insurance company to assess the damage done to her business. The situation has gathered a group of supporters including Jessica Carradine and Desiree Winthrop. The insurance broker informs Shirley that due to Ben Reilly's reputation and the police reports that arson was involved, they believe she is not at fault for the damages done and agree to accept her claim so she can rebuild her business. Hearing all of this, Desiree is convinced that Ben Reilly did it. Jessica can't believe it, but when Desiree presses her for answers, Carradine becomes upset and storms away.[Continuity 9] By this time, Peter and Spider-Man have arrived at Multivex. While Peter waits on the roof, the wall-crawler climbs down to look for the database. There he spots the Molten Man looking over the computers, confirming his belief that Raxton is behind all of this and attacks, despite Peter's protests to proceed with caution. When the web-spinner accuses the Molten Man of committing crimes, Mark doesn't know what the hero is talking about.

The pair soon come to blows, their battle draws the attention of Seward Trainer who is in the basement preparing a rejuvenation process for his mysterious master.[Continuity 10] Even though the battle is causing the computers to overheat, the cyborg orders Trainer to continue the process and ignore the battle above. As Spider-Man and Molten Man continue to battle it out, Peter lowers himself into the window and tries to stop them, but they are not willing to listen. Suddenly, the damage caused by the battle causes them to fall through the floor into the laboratory where Seward Trainer is working. Trainer's master then orders the security forces to eliminate the three intruders once and for all.

... This story continues in Amazing Spider-Man #412.

Appearing in "The Face of My Enemy!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #412

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Synopsis for "The Face of My Enemy!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #412

Blood Brothers continues from Sensational Spider-Man #5

Seeking to learn the connection between Seward Trainer and the Multivex Corporation, Spider-Man, Peter Parker, and the Molten Man have entered the facility only to be attacked by robots created by the mystery man known as Gaunt.[Continuity 11] As it turns out they have interrupted Seward Trainer's attempts to restore Gaunt to normal health, a job that he was forced into doing. As the Molten Man keeps the robots at bay, Spider-Man pulls Peter to safety as he no longer has his spider-powers.[Continuity 12] Trainer warns Gaunt that if he doesn't stop Molten Man his attempts to restore Gaunt to normal will be in jeopardy. Gaunt leaps down to battle the Molten Man. As they battle, the Molten Man discovers that Gaunt knows his real name, prompting demands to know the connection with Multivex and the Osborn Industries. Gaunt refuses to explain the connection, only telling Raxton that it would horrify him and his step-sister Liz Osborn.

Meanwhile, Liz Osborn is entertaining Mary Jane Watson, the wife of Peter Parker.[Continuity 13] Liz apologizes for how she treated Peter earlier, fearing that the Daily Bugle might be trying to smear Osborn Industries again. She explains that there has been talk about a connection between Oscorp and Multivex, an organization that has been involved in some unethical practices. Given the criminal pasts of her late husband and father-in-law, she sent her step-brother the Molten Man to investigate.[Continuity 14] Unaware that her husband and Ben Reilly are already working with Molten Man, Mary Jane wonders how she can pass along this information without causing Liz any more distress. She assures Liz that everything will be okay. As she says so, Normie Osborn ominously pops the head off of a Spider-Man action figure.

Back at the scene of the battle, Spider-Man has finally gotten Peter to safety. When Parker insists on following after Seward Trainer, Spider-Man slams him against a wall. He reminds Peter that he no longer has his powers and that he needs to stay safe for his wife and unborn child.[Continuity 15] At this same moment, Gaunt revels in the opportunity to unleash his full strength, knocking out the Molten Man in the process. As Spider-Man continues his search for Seward Trainer, he is surprised that the man he once considered a close friend has been harboring secret of his own.[Continuity 16] When he finds Seward and demands answers, Trainer tries to explain that he is being forced into helping Gaunt. Suddenly, the wall-crawler's spider-sense goes off and he shoves Seward out of the away just as Gaunt tosses the Molten Man at them. This causes the web-slinger to take the full brunt of the impact. This leaves Spider-Man disorientated and open for attack by Gaunt. As Gaunt beats on the wall-crawler, Spider-Man thinks he recognizes his attacker. Gaunt admits that he knows the wall-crawler, but doubts he will be recognized in his current form.[Continuity 17] Not far away, Peter Parker wanders the facility, hurt that Ben would order him to stay on the sidelines, although he doesn't disagree. That's when security tries to reach him over the intercom. They order Parker to stand down, revealing that they caught his wife on the property and have her prisoner. Mary Jane came to warn her husband about what she learned from Liz Osborn, and regrets coming here. While fearing for the safety of his wife and unborn child, Peter agrees to surrender.

Not far away, Spider-Man continues to lash into Gaunt, wondering which one of his past foes it could be. He has grown tired of his enemies coming back from the dead to haunt him. Running through the list of his recently deceased foes, he even wonders if Gaunt could be Harry Osborn.[Continuity 18] That's when Seward Trainer tells Gaunt that his Rebirth Procedure is complete and he can enter the chamber at any moment. That's when Gaunt sprays Spider-Man in the face with gas. As the wall-crawler struggles with consciousness, Gaunt merely introduces himself by his current moniker. He then says that he and his employer -- another old acquaintance of the wall-crawler -- wish to remain their true identities a secret for the time being. With Spider-Man, Molten Man, and the Parkers as his prisoner, Gaunt allows them to witness as he enters the Rebirth Chamber and restores his body back to full health. Mary Jane insists that Peter do something, and in response Parker starts attacking Spider-Man, calling him a failure. However, this is all a ruse to distract the guards long enough for the wall-crawler to break free from his bonds.

Freed from his bond, Spider-Man then frees the Molten Man and the ensuing clash with the guards appear to damage that regeneration chamber causing it to reach critical mass. With the entire facility about to explode, the Molten Man and Spider-Man get Peter and Mary Jane to safety. The wall-crawler begs Seward Trainer to get to safety, but he insists on staying behind to try and contain the explosion until the others can get to safety. When the Parkers are brought to safety, Spider-Man tries to go back in and rescue Seward. However, before he can get inside the building explodes, leaving the wall-crawler to believe that Trainer died in the blast. In the aftermath of the battle, the Parkers offer their condolences to the web-slinger over the loss of his friend. Thinking back to the battle, Spider-Man wonders if the explosion was caused by his battle or if Seward tried to sabotage the process that could have cured Gaunt.

However, Seward and Gaunt both survived and the next day the Daily Bugle reports that the explosion at Multivex was due to industrial sabotage. When Gaunt suggests that Seward had something to do with the blast, he denies it. That's when Gaunt's employer, his identity obscured by shadows, expresses his anger with both Seward and Gaunt. Their activities have almost exposed his long-term plans that he has been cultivating for years. Satisfied by manipulating both Peter Parker and Spider-Man from the shadows, this mystery man cannot allow the destruction of Multivex to go unpunished and vows to destroy his two greatest enemies.

... The Clone Saga continues in Spider-Man Unlimited #12.

Appearing in "It Begins With a Bang Not a Whimper!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man #69

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Synopsis for "It Begins With a Bang Not a Whimper!"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spider-Man #69

The Hobgoblin has called a meeting with the other members of Cell-12 to express his disappointment in their recent failures. When they demand payment, he tells them that they cost him enough in cybernetics and medical bills and decides to cut his losses. The Hobgoblin departs, leaving a pumpkin bomb behind that destroys the entire factory, seemingly killing the entire team.

Meanwhile, Spider-Man is on the Upper East Side of Manhattan shaking down stool pigeons in order to find out where the Hobgoblin is hiding out. He is playing rougher than usual as the Hobgoblin turned his life upside down recently.[Continuity 19] Eventually, he learns that the Hobgoblin can be found at the old Macray Warehouse on Avenue A and heads there to confront his foe. At that moment, Peter and his wife Mary Jane are out shopping together.[Continuity 20] As they shop, Mary Jane asks Peter what J. Jonah Jameson wants to talk about at the meeting they scheduled later that afternoon. As they leave the story, they are unaware that they are being observed by someone who notes how happy the Parkers look, and what he can do to change that.[Continuity 21] At that moment, Spider-Man pays a visit to Shirley Washington and her son Devon. He tells them that he is going after the person responsible for burning down the Daily Grind, and assures them that Ben Reilly is innocent of the crime. Shirley knew that Reilly couldn't have done something so horrible and prays that Spider-Man is successful.

Later that afternoon, Peter Parker and Mary Jane arrive at the Daily Bugle where they are warmly greeted by friends and colleagues that Peter has worked with over the years including Charlie Snow, Ann Macintosh, Betty Brant, Ben Urich, Ken Ellis, Angela Yin, and Glory Grant. Lastly, they meet with Joe Robertson who walks them the rest of the way to J. Jonah Jameson's office. Jonah tells Peter that there is an opening for a staff photographer. Jameson acts indifferent, suggesting that it was Joe's idea, and tells Parker to tell Joe if he wants the job or not. On their way out of the Bugle Building, Peter doesn't know if he should take the job or not. The pair are then flagged down by Spider-Man who has come to ask Peter for help. While at the Macray Warehouse, the Hobgoblin thinks about his current lot in life. He has no home, no friends, his ex-wife wants him dead, and his son is frightened of him, in fact, he has nothing.[Continuity 22] His rant is interrupted by his employer, the cyborg known as Gaunt who informs him that the Hobgoblin's services are no longer needed. This angers the Hobgoblin because he is looking for something bigger to be involved but Gaunt will hear none of it. Grabbing the Hobgoblin by the throat, Gaunt reiterates that he is no longer needed and then warns him that Spider-Man is on the way. Gaunt tells the Hobgoblin that he can harm the wall-crawler as much as he wants, but Spider-Man is to be kept alive. Gaunt's final threat is that if Spider-Man is killed, the Hobgoblin's life will be forfeit as well.

No sooner is Gaunt gone that Spider-Man comes crashing in through one of the windows. As the two battle it out, Spider-Man demands to know who hired the Hobgoblin to terrorize Peter Parker and Ben Reilly. Already in a bad mood, the Hobgoblin attacks Spider-Man and begins detailing how he was employed to burn down the Daily Grind and having Peter Parker beaten in the street, but won't go as far as to say who hired him. Ultimately, Spider-Man webs up the Hobgoblin and his entire confession is recorded by Ben Urich and Peter Parker who were on the scene to document the battle. The next day, Ben Reilly shows the front page of the Daily Bugle -- with the story that reveals the Hobgoblin's plot -- to Shirley and Devon at the newly re-opened Daily Grind. Shirley is glad to hear that the person who was really responsible for burning down her business was brought to justice. That's when Peter and Mary Jane arrive at the Grind and he is introduced to Shirley, Devon, and Buzz -- the Grind's regular -- as Ben's "cousin" and his wife. Taking a booth together, Peter and Mary Jane surprise Ben by telling them that they are staying in New York as J. Jonah Jameson has offered them a job if it's okay with Ben. Before Reilly can speak, Peter suddenly squeezes his glass so hard it shatters in his hand. This raises concern from both Mary Jane and Ben, but Peter dismisses it as nothing but a faulty glass, then asks Ben for his answer again. Ben tells Peter to take the job and welcomes him back to New York.

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