—Black CatSpider Spider. I was intrigued by our last meeting. Were you? Life is too short. We should explore this. Meet me one roof over from last.
Appearing in "Shadow Puppets"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
- Elektra (First appearance)
Other Characters:
- Walter Dini
- Mr. Moore
- Greg Watson
- Kenny "Kong" McFarlane (Cameo)
- Liz Allan (Cameo)
- Flash Thompson (Cameo)
- Gwen Stacy (Cameo)
Races and Species:
Locations:
Synopsis for "Shadow Puppets"
In the home of Walter Dini, Dini and a Mr. Moore watch a news recording of the theft by Black Cat and Spider-Man. After pausing the recording, Dini asks Moore what is he going to do about it. Moore is confused by Dini's question as Spider-Man and Black Cat have stolen the piece of the tablet and he couldn't do anything about it. Dini is "disappointed" with Moore for breaking a "promise". However, Moore further defends himself and explains that Dini is "putting him in an awkward position", since Moore came to Dini for help in recovering the tablet. Also, Moore himself is a valuable asset in recovering the pieces of the tablet from people he knows, and that the tablet would serve as a "bread breaking" deal with the Kingpin. As Moore says "Kingpin", Dini catches it, and Moore quickly apologizes in letting out the criminal mastermind's name, to which Dini reinforces that Wilson Fisk is disappointed in Moore losing the tablet piece. Moore continues to insist that he, being a simple investment banker, couldn't do anything in retrieving the stolen tablet piece and needs help. In response, Dini gives Moore a card with a phone number, instructing him to call the number and leave a message as "someone will call" Moore and "name a place and time and tell" him "how much to bring". Dini says that at the meeting, Moore just needs to inform the person about the problem. After Dini finishes in his explanation of hiring "someone skilled", Moore is reticent in doing this. Dini reiterates that Moore came to Fisk with "a promise" and Fisk doesn't like to be disappointed. Moore wants to know why the tablet was important to Fisk, but Dini refuses to answer. Moore then asks for a recommendation on what to do about Spider-Man. Dini answers that the only reason the "Fisk organization" is concerned about Spider-Man is because "he is the most dangerous man on the face of the Earth".
At Midtown High, Peter is sentenced to Saturday detention for sleeping in class. After class, Peter is met by Mary Jane, and laments both his detention and him (as Spider-Man) being mistakenly accused as a "cat burglar". M.J. informs Peter that her father, Greg, was serious in not allowing her to talk to him, to which Peter is in disbelief. M.J. tries to tell Peter that her father is serious but Peter refuses to believe it, until their conversation turns into a bitter argument. This causes their relationship to split as M.J. leaves in a huff.
In the Daily Bugle newsroom, Peter is at his workstation and is approached by Robbie Robertson. Robbie asks Peter to log a series of personal ads onto the Bugle's server. While browsing through the letters, he discovers an envelope with a considerable amount of money. Robbie suggests that some people don't want things to be traced back to them. Despite what Robbie said, Peter is still puzzled as to why so much money is paid for a "half-page ad". Interested over the sender, Robbie then reads the ad:
- Spider Spider. I was intrigued by our last meeting. Were you?
- Life is too short. We should explore this. Meet me one roof over from last.
- The Cat
After finishing the letter, Robbie passes off suspicion of it. Concerned, Peter knows that Black Cat wants to meet with Spider-Man.
In a bar, Moore meets with the "skilled" person: Elektra. He pays her the money is then (forcefully) asked to leave.
Late at night at the Parker's residence, Peter attempts to call M.J. only to hang up after remembering that Greg is on the phone-line. Peter then recalls Black Cat and decides to meet with her.
Spider-Man swings to where he and Black Cat met and is surprised to find her with cheese and wine. Black Cat says the reason she wants him here was to talk, eat and drink. Despite being incredulous, Spider-Man has a brief conversation with Black Cat (unmasked) until his spider-sense is triggered. He quickly tackles Black Cat to the ground as a sai flies pass them. They then see Elektra besetting upon them as she throws her shurikens.
