Comics
Published April 5, 2018

The History of Spider-Man: 2007

With Aunt May at death's door, Spider-Man once more dons the black costume!

Image for The History of Spider-Man: 2007

For over 50 years, Spider-Man has been a sensational standout in the Marvel Universe and the web-slinger will swing onto the silver screen once again in Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” this May! In celebration of his memorable history, we present Spidey’s spectacular step-by-step story…

Mary Jane dealt with the fallout from Spider-Man’s unmasking on live TV in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #32, and came home to find him nearly beaten to death by the Rhino. Aunt May nursed Peter back to health in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #33 while the Black Cat sought revenge for the beating in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #34.

Sensational Spider-Man (2006) #34

Sensational Spider-Man (2006) #34

What is Marvel Unlimited?

Peter’s old girlfriend Deb Whitman published a tell-all book about their time together in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #14, and when the Vulture attacked a bookstore she appeared in for a signing in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #15, Spidey swung in to break his binding in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #16. Across town, the final, sprawling battle between Captain America’s rogue heroes and Iron Man’s government-sanctioned forces broke out in CIVIL WAR #7, while elsewhere the Kingpin sent an assassin to eliminate Mary Jane and Aunt May in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #537.

The webslinger arrived home from Captain America’s surrender to the authorities to witness May shot by an assassin in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #538. He donned his old black costume to reflect his mood on the hunt for the shooter in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #539, and May ended up in the hospital on the verge of death. To confuse the situation further, strange, inexperienced Spider-Mans began appearing in the city in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #35, a student of Peter’s got involved in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #36, and Spidey faced off against Mr. Hyde to learn the truth behind it all in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #37.

Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #539

Amazing Spider-Man (1999) #539

  • Published: March 21, 2007
  • Added to Marvel Unlimited: February 25, 2008
  • Rating: T+
What is Marvel Unlimited?

With May’s condition worsening, the wallcrawler dealt with the reemergence of the Sandman in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #17, resolved to help the criminal free an innocent man from prison in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #18, and uncovered the real culprit in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #19.

Answering a call for help from the Avengers in NEW AVENGERS #27, Spidey wanted to rescue Captain America from jail in NEW AVENGERS #28, fought the sanctioned Avengers team in NEW AVENGERS #29, welcomed Clint Barton back in NEW AVENGERS #30, and watched Elektra turn into a Skrull after being stabbed in NEW AVENGERS #31. Alongside the team, Spidey then returned to New York in NEW AVENGERS #32, felt mistrust for his teammates in NEW AVENGERS #33, and heaved a sigh of relief when Dr. Strange proved no one else seemed to be a Skrull in NEW AVENGERS #34.

New Avengers (2004) #28

New Avengers (2004) #28

What is Marvel Unlimited?

Spidey tracked down May’s shooter in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #540 only to see him shot by someone else and discover the Kingpin’s fingerprints on the whole mess. After giving a blood transfusion to his aunt in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #541, he confronted Kingpin in front of his prison and beat him savagely in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #542. Eddie Brock, former host to Venom, wound up in the same hospital as May in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #38, and Peter joined in a séance to contact May’s fleeting spirit in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #39. Later, at the end of his rope and crushed over the news of the death of his friend Steve Rogers, Captain America himself, he talked to God about the recent events in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #40.

After drowning his sorrows in the traditional super hero card game in FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA #2, Spider-Man helped the Avengers kick the snot out of Tiger Shark and sat down with Wolverine in FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA #4 to chat about the loss of Cap. The Spider-creature that appeared when Peter emerged from his cocoon some months before revealed herself in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #20 as Miss Arrow, the school nurse where Peter taught. Known as Ero, she captured Flash Thompson to use as a mate in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #21, prompting Spidey to swing in and battle her in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #22.

Avengers: The Initiative (2007) #3

Avengers: The Initiative (2007) #3

What is Marvel Unlimited?

Following a confrontation with J. Jonah Jameson in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #23, our hero avoided capture by the young recruits of the new Initiative program in AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE #3 and hung his head during the funeral of Steve Rogers in FALLEN SON: THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA #5. A cop arrived at May’s hospital to investigate the Parkers in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #543, forcing Peter to move her comatose form to another facility. He later demanded money for the mounting medical bills from Tony Stark in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #544.

Still at wit’s end, Peter attempted an astral trip with Dr. Strange’s help in FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #24 to solicit aid from a variety of sources to save May, but ended his journey in failure. Unsure of what to do, he listened to an offer from the demonic Mephisto in SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #41 and contemplated the ramifications of accepting it…

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