| Spider-Man |  My heart's racing. Hers is too. I can feel it. How--? Parker's memories! Oh. When I-- Good God! I have his feelings for her now. And more than anything, I want to be with her. I need to--  |
| Mary Jane Watson | C'mere, Tiger. |
| Spider-Man | No! |
| Peter Parker's consciousness | No? |
| Mary Jane Watson | But why? |
| Spider-Man | Because the two of us-- together-- it's insane. I can do the math. You love me as Peter and Spider-Man. But you can't be with me because I'm Peter and Spider-Man. It's a recursive loop. An equation that can never be solved. |
| Mary Jane Watson | What-- what are you saying? |
| Peter Parker's consciousness | Doc, please don't do this. I'm begging you. |
| Spider-Man | I promised to keep you safe. But our relationship is the greatest trap of all. And the only way to free you-- -- is to move on. |
| Peter Parker's consciousness | Whoa! I was wrong about you, Otto. There are things you can do that I never could. |
Appearing in "The Peter Principle"
Featured Characters:
- Spider-Man (Otto Octavius/"Peter Parker")
- Peter Parker's consciousness (Main story and flashback)
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Vulture's henchmen
- Vulture (Adrian Toomes) (Behind the scenes)
Other Characters:
- Ruth Goldman (First appearance)
- J Jonah Jameson
- Daily Bugle
- Norah Winters
- Marla Jameson (Mentioned)
- Horizon Labs
- Uatu Jackson
- Grady Scraps
- Sajani Jaffrey
- Bella Fishbach (Mentioned)
- Sinister Six (Mentioned)
- Living Brain (Leaves)
Races and Species:
Locations:
- 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)
- New York City (Main story and flashback)
- New York (Main story and flashback)
- United States of America (Main story and flashback)
Items:
- Spider-Bots
- Web-Shooters
- Superior Spider-Man's Suit
- Doctor Octopus' Tentacles (Only in flashback)
Synopsis for "The Peter Principle"
Spider-Man returns the stolen device to the Empire State University, where journalists already await for him. Mayor J. Jonah Jameson comes to thank him personally, while Peter Parker's consciousness is shocked to see Jameson's drastically changed attitude towards the hero. The live footage of Mayor and Spider-Man shaking hands is translating on TV, and back in Mary Jane's apartment, she and Carlie (still with the hand in cast) discuss the awkwardness of this scene. Carlie tries to tell MJ about the words Doctor Octavius said to her earlier, but is interrupted by MJ who reveals the upcoming reunion between her and Peter, leaving Carlie shocked.
Later, Peter/Otto arrives to the restaurant intending to rectify (as he thinks) Parker's mistakes with "Watson woman", but MJ offers to postpone their date when some emergency happens. Otto is enraged because his plans for the date are thwarted, and Peter's consciousness tries to convince his foe that sometimes guise of Spider-Man requires the sacrifices.
After creating Spiderbots for patrolling the city, "Peter" takes a second attempt to reunite with Mary Jane. He tells about his new safety system, and MJ (feeling unsure about the recent changes) confesses she doesn't recognize him anymore. "Peter" answers that it might help him to spend more time with her and offers to hang out later. The real Peter begs MJ to reject it, but she accepts.
As seen next, Peter/Otto tries to take their relationship to the next level, but fails every time just because Mary Jane wants to take things slow. As Otto is unpleased, Peter hopes MJ is guessing the guy she dates right now is not her Peter she had known all life.
While spending time in MJ's, both Otto and Peter feel the imminent danger. The cause of spider-sense tingling is in the mysterious bird-like creatures sitting on the nearby building's roof. Suddenly, the certain thought comes to Peter/Otto mind and he invites MJ for the web-ride through the city. Peter's consciousness tells her he's still in love with her, trying to intervene, but fails.
Spider-Man drops MJ off at her apartment believing that he finally succeeded in gaining her trust and body and she'll invite him in. However, Mary Jane doesn't let him to join since Carlie's staying over, and Spider-Man leaves the scene totally enraged. In spite of seeming Peter's triumph, Otto manages to relive all the private and tender moments with Mary Jane from Peter Parker's memory. Next day he comes to the conclusion that it's time to stop "obsessing over Mary Jane Watson", while Peter Parker in his head vows to revenge Octavius for the desecration of his memories.
Later, Peter/Otto receives the video footage from one of his new Spiderbots. He sees how the strange bird creatures are attacking Mary Jane's night club. They steal the papers from the safe and throw MJ out of the window. Luckily Spider-Man arrives in time to save her (interestingly that real Peter forced him to use not a webline but more safe webnet because of slapback effect that killed Gwen Stacy in a similar situation earlier). In gratitude, Mary Jane wants to kiss Spider-Man, but he refuses. He states that despite of her love towards both Peter Parker and Spiderman, they can't be together, and since a relationship with Spider-Man is a dangerous "trap", the best way to free her from it is moving on. After that Peter/Otto swings away.
Back in their home, MJ retells Carlie all of this. She sadly agrees with "Peter" stating if he's changed already, she also must to do it. Carlie's thoughts return to the whole situation about their friend's strange behavior and to the words said by Doc Ock on the memorable day[1]. Intending to find out what happened to Peter, she starts the investigation.
To be continued...
Solicit Synopsis
• The All-New Superior Spider-Man battles All-New Sinister Six!
• PLUS: Spider-Man and Mary Jane...REUNITED!
• PLUS: Slott and Stegman... REUNITED!Notes
- Editions:
- Regular edition with cover by Stegman and Delgado
- Variant cover by McGuinness