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Quote1 Well, the Spider-Man I know would have nothing to do with any of those things. But maybe... ...we should go and see if this is the Spider-Man I know! Quote2
Silver Sable

Appearing in "Signs of the Times"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Sensational Spider-Man #26

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Synopsis for "Signs of the Times"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Sensational Spider-Man #26

As Peter Parker is getting ready for classes, Aunt Anna is busy teaching Hope Hibbert, the deaf girl from next door, how to use sign language. After finding his books he takes the newspaper and heads into the kitchen. Hope tries to ask Anna if Peter is Spider-Man by using sign-language. Misunderstanding the girl, Anna "agrees" that Spider-Man is a bad man, thinking that Hope is talking about the front page story on the Daily Bugle.[Continuity 1] While in the kitchen, Peter expresses his displeasure that the Bugle is blaming Spider-Man for the recent kidnapping of Normie Osborn, even though there is proof that it was done by the Green Goblin.[Continuity 2] This leads into another tirade about how Norman Osborn is using his part-ownership of the Daily Bugle to attack his alter-ego.[Continuity 3] However, Mary Jane is sick of hearing about Norman Osborn and his schemes against Spider-Man and tells Peter to give it a break, especially since they are running late for classes.

Meanwhile, in the Bronx, the Hydro-Man is reading the newspaper while hiding out from the law. Reading about how the Bugle has a 5 million-dollar bounty on Spider-Man's head, Morrie Bench decides to take advantage of this to draw out his old foe and the money for himself.[Continuity 4] While at the Symkarian Embassy, the Sandman and Silver Sable watch the news. The Sandman can't believe that Spider-Man is capable of doing this. Silver Sable is also disturbed by this and suggests that they investigate and see if this is the Spider-Man they know.[Continuity 5]

Later that day at the Daily Bugle, Peter is approached by Billy Walters who reminds him that they were supposed to go see a movie the night before. Peter feels terrible for blowing him off without a word. That's when Desiree Winthrop arrives looking for Peter Parker after calling for him for some time.[Continuity 6] She has come to talk to Peter about his "cousin" Ben Reilly. Since Ben's tragic death she has had some strange feelings and wants to talk to Peter about them when he has a moment.[Continuity 7] As she is trying to explain herself, Peter overhears reports that Hydro-Man has hijacked a bus full of people and demands that Spider-Man face him, making an abrupt apology, Peter tells Desiree he has to go and rushes out leaving her with Billy. In the Bronx, Hydro-Man has his hostages trapped inside a water tower while he is waiting for Spider-Man. However, it is the Sandman who attacks Bench first. Morrie is not happy to see the Sandman, especially after their last encounter.[Continuity 8] Meanwhile, Adrian Toomes -- aka the Vulture -- is before a judge for his past crimes. Surprisingly, his lawyer manages to convince the judge that due to Toomes old age that he is no longer a threat to society. This ploy actually works and he is released from custody. When asked what he plans to do with his retirement, Adrian tells his lawyer he has one more annoyance to deal with before he can finally rest.

Back in the Bronx, Spider-Man decides to save the hostages while Sandman is dealing with Hydro-Man. After convincing the people trapped in the water tower that he means them no harm he begins helping them out. However, the battle outside damages the water tower causing more danger. Finally, the situation is pacified when Silver Sable arrives on the scene and uses a freeze gun to turn both Sandman and Hydro-Man into ice so the battle can end. With only one hostage left, a woman who was knocked out in the panic, Spider-Man realizes that he is at risk of getting captured if he goes out alone. Instead, he changes into his street clothes and climbs out with her, twisting his ankle in the process. His gambit pays off as he is assumed to be another one of the hostages. Once Peter is out of sight his rigged Spider-Man costume comes popping out prompting officers to open fire on it. When they check on the body, they discover it is merely a dummy made out of webbing used to fool them.

Later that evening, in his spare costume, Peter pays a visit to Hobie Brown to ask him for help on this new idea that he has.

... The Prelude to Identity Crisis continues in Spectacular Spider-Man #256.

Appearing in "The Long Farewell"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #433

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Synopsis for "The Long Farewell"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Amazing Spider-Man #433

The Identity Crisis Prologue continues from Spider-Man #90...

After being his last encounter with the Hulk, Mister Hide has returned to New York City.[Continuity 9] Breaking into a clothing store, Hyde reverts back to his civilian identity of Calvin Zabo. He then steals a number of outfits and escapes before the authorities arrive. With some new clothes, Zabo intends to reevaluate things as well as attempt to collect from the so-called New World Order for his going up against the Hulk.

Meanwhile, Peter Parker, his wife Mary Jane, and Shantal Wilsk pay a visit to Jill Stacy in the hospital.[Continuity 10] Although they are all making jokes, Peter still feels bad that Jill was shot while in their home. This is just one of the many concerns that Peter has, including his alter-ego being wanted for murder, his recent battle with the Black Tarantula, and an injured ankle.[Continuity 11] Suddenly, Peter's spider-sense begins going off as Marina Caches -- Mary Jane's criminology professor -- and her boyfriend Dante Rigoletto enter the room, and wonders why they would do that. The last name sounds familiar, but Peter can't quite place it.[Continuity 12] However, when Peter tries to strike up a conversation, Rigoletto doesn't know who Peter is. The information gathering is cut short when Mary Jane reminds Peter that they have to get ready for a party. As they leave, Peter and Mary Jane wonder what Marina sees in Dante. Mary Jane soon changes the subject, reminding Peter that she doesn't want him going into action as Spider-Man not only because of his injured ankle but also because of the bounty on his head. As they leave, they are unaware that Chesbro, the Black Tarantula's assistant, is watching them as they go.

Meanwhile, Joe Robertson fusses as his wife tries to put a tie on him for the goodbye party being thrown in Joe's honor after he resigned from his position at the Daily Bugle.[Continuity 13] Later, Peter and Mary Jane arrive at the Hotel Roosevelt for Joe's going away party where they are greeted by Billy Walters. As they are talking, Peter's spider-sense goes off warning him of a man checking at the front desk. When the man introduces himself as Calvin Zabo, Peter once more finds himself hearing a familiar name that he cannot quite place. When Peter tries to slip away to investigate, he is stopped by Mary Jane who reminds him that they are here to celebrate Joe Robertson. Pulled back into the party where he is happy to see Phil Urich and Meredith Campbell.[Continuity 14] When they spot Joe and Martha talking to Ben Urich and his wife Doris, the Parkers note that they are having a heated discussion about Joe's departure and figure they should hold off on talking to him. Things become tense when J. Jonah Jameson and his wife approach Joe to give their fond wishes. Jameson tells Joe that Norman Osborn won't be attending due to a prior obligation and tries to hand Robertson a check. There is a tense moment between the two that Martha smooths over by taking the check and thanking Jonah for the money, saying that they could use the money to go on a second honeymoon. The women find this romantic and Martha tells them that they are planning on going to the Aegean Sea in Greece.

Peter has stepped aside from this awkward scene to talk to Ben Urich. Urich sets Peter right on why Joe is quitting the Bugle, pointing out that it is not a stable workplace anymore. Peter decides to ask Phil if he knows anyone named Calvin Zabo, and Urich tells him that is the civilian name for the villain known as Mister Hyde. This confirms to Peter that he needs to do something about this, but he left his Spider-Man costume at home. Not willing to call the authorities for fear a police officer might get hurt, Peter steals Phil Urich's hooded sweatshirt from the coat check in order to conceal his identity. Going up to the rooftop, the sweatshirt reminds Peter of the one worn by his clone Ben Reilly, making him once again mourn the loss of the man he grew to consider a brother.[Continuity 15] Using the hood to conceal his face, Peter takes off his shoes and starts scaling down the side of the building to look for Zalbo, taking care not to put too much weight on his injured ankle. In his hotel room, Calvin tries to call his contacts with the New World Order and discovers that their phone number has been disconnected and wonders what he should do next. Thinking he saw someone looking in through his window, Calvin decides to change into Mister Hyde and narrowly avoids striking Peter with a desk when he tosses it out the window.

As Mister Hyde tries to flee the scene, Peter follows after him even though he knows he should probably leave something like this to the Avengers. Leaping into the elevator with his foe, Peter is able to dodge Mister Hyde's blows in the tight space thanks to his spider-agility. The fight soon spills out into the lobby where it is witnessed by the attendees of Joe Robertson's going away party. As they fight, Mary Jane realizes that one of the combatants is her husband while Phil Urich recognizes his hooded sweatshirt and begins to wonder who is wearing it. As the attendees begin trying to get to cover, Mister Hide incorrectly thinks that his attacker is his old partner the Cobra. When Hyde tosses a piano at the Robertsons, Peter quickly knocks it out of the way with his strength. He then continues to battle Mister Hyde, but the villain is too strong. Thankfully, Peter has kept Mister Hyde distracted long enough for the authorities arrive. They pelt the madman with knock out gas and take him into custody, prompting Peter to slip away before anyone notices that he was missing during the entire fracas. With the danger over, Martha is glad that they can finally get away from this sort of madness from now on. Meanwhile, J. Jonah Jameson is complaining about how there was not a photographer present to take photos of the battle. That's when Peter tosses Jonah a roll of film, telling him that he photographed the whole thing.

Later, as they walk home, Mary Jane realizes that she cannot stop Peter from doing what is right due to his sense of responsibility.[Continuity 16] When Mary Jane reminds him that there is still a bounty on Spider-Man's head, Peter suggests that he change his costumed identity. This idea gets Mary Jane to start brainstorming, intending to use her experience in the fashion industry to design him an appropriate costume.

... Identity Crisis begins in Sensational Spider-Man #27.

Appearing in "Through the Looking Glass"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spectacular Spider-Man #256

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  • The Flying Hare

Synopsis for "Through the Looking Glass"

Reprint of the 1st story from
Spectacular Spider-Man #256

Peter and Mary Jane discuss Peter adopting a new superhero identity due to Norman Osborn framing Spider-Man for murder. Meanwhile, White Rabbit threatens the lives of Gibbon and Grizzly, forcing Peter to don a paperbag to save them. Later, Mary Jane presents Peter with a new costume for his new superhero identity: Prodigy!

Notes

This is a UK title that features reprints of American Spider-Man titles.

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