Despite how many timesSpider-Manhas been hit, Peter Parker will always get back up. Tragedies are drawn to Peter Parker like a giant spider magnet, yet, it will never deter him from being the friendly neighborhoodSpider-Man, even if he has been through more tragedy and grief than almost anyone, super or otherwise.
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Throughout the 60 years Spider-Man has swung from comic pages, Peter Parker has befallen tragedy after tragedy. Whether it’s the loss of his future, the death of a loved one, or the burden of having great power that comes with great responsibility, Peter Parker has been through many tragic events over the years.
10The Death Of Uncle Ben
Superheroes seem to always emerge after the death of a loved one, and the death of Uncle Ben was monumental in turning Peter Parker into Spider-Man. Peter was raised by Uncle Ben and Aunt May, and the death of Ben Parker is something that Peter sees as his fault because he ignored the burglar that killed him weeks prior.
Without Uncle Ben’s tragic death, Peter wouldn’t be the Spider-Man that people know today. Being Spider-Man also comes with Uncle Ben’s iconic quote that created the mantra that Peter Parker lives by: “With great power, there must also come great responsibility.”
9Becoming Superior Spider-Man
Peter Parker can never catch a break, and when he went to visit a dying Otto Octavius, he found himself forever changed. Otto had swapped bodies, causing Peter’s mind to be trapped in the dying body of Otto, whilst Otto was free toswing around as Spider-Man. This horror body swap saw Peter dead for a time, whilst Otto learned what it meant to be Spider-Man.
As Spider-Man, Otto broke many of the bonds that Peter had made over the years through his violence and inexperience as a hero. However, Otto sacrificed himself after discovering Peter’s consciousness was still inside his body, and thus allowed Peter to return to Spider-Man.
8Harry Osborn Dies
Harry Osborn took up the mantle of the Green Goblin after the death of his father, vowing revenge against Peter Parker, who he saw as the true killer. As the Green Goblin, Harry’s mental state began to crack, and violence emerged, thus making the former friends sworn enemies.
The goblin formula has warped Harry’s mind, and Spider-Man desperately tries to find his friend in the Green Goblin, which he does to a degree, and Harry saves Mary Jane and Spider-Man from his crimes. Yet, he discovers that the goblin formula is killing him too late, and Harry buries the hatchet with Peter before dying, leaving Peter Parker with the loss of his best friend.
7The Death Of Gwen Stacy
After discovering the identity of Spider-Man, the Green Goblin decides that capturing Peter Parker’s first true love wouldbring out the wall-crawler. Gwen Stacy was Green Goblin’s hostage, and he revealed to her that Peter Parker is Spider-Man, thus throwing Gwen into confusion and anger with the belief that Spider-Man killed her father.
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Gwen was pushed off of a bridge, causing Spider-Man to shoot a web to save her. The momentum of Gwen’s fall and the snare of the web pulling her caused her neck to break due to whiplash, thus killing her instantly. Gwen Stacy was taken far too soon at the hands of the Green Goblin.
6One More Day
One of the most controversial and tragic parts ofPeter Parker’s legacyisOne More Day, a comic event that sees the life of Peter Parker forever changed. May Parker was shot by one of Kingpin’s assassins and lies dying. The inability to allow Aunt May to die to a bullet intended for him, Peter Parker does everything he can to bring back the beloved May Parker.
In a cruel twist of fate, Mephisto appears, informing Peter Parker and Mary Jane that he can save Aunt May, but in exchange for their relationship. Mephisto uses his demonic powers to verify the world forgets the identity of Spider-Man, changes reality to cause Peter Parker and Mary Jane to never marry, and thus save the life of Aunt May. Peter Parker lost his life, and his progression as a person, to wake up alone and without his wife.
5Death Of A Captain
It was a difficult time for Peter Parker to date the daughter of one of the most respected police captains in New York City. What made it even harder, was the fact that George Stacy wanted to arrest Spider-Man. Captain George Stacy was one of the only people to figure out Peter’s true identity as the Web-Head but decided to keep it a secret due to knowing that Peter was a good kid.
George Stacy feared the dangers of Peter’s life, and what that could bring to his daughter, Gwen Stacy. However, Captain Stacy’s life was cut short after falling debris fell on him after he saved a small child who was watching a battle between Spider-Man and Doctor Octopus. Dying in Spider-Man’s arms, Captain Stacy gave Peter some last words, confirming he knew his identity, whilst also telling him to be good to Gwen.
4Losing His Friends
With theAmazing Spider-Man 2022run of the Spider-Man comics, Peter Parker begins this comic adventure with the loss of his friends. Peter has alienated himself from the Avengers and The Fantastic Four due to stealing some valuables from them out of a necessity that they are yet to understand.
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It’s tragic to see the relationships with other heroes that Peter has built over the years crumble so easily, without much of an explanation. Peter Parker resumes life asSpider-Man without the Avengers, The Fantastic Four, and many more allies and friends.
3Evolve Or Die
Peter Parker discovers that he is suffering from a rare disease caused by a spider bite that has provided him with a very short time left to live. As time progresses, Peter’s condition sees his powers drained momentarily, as well as suffering from dizzy spots. In his weakened state, Peter is beaten savagely by Morlun, including the loss of one of his eyes.
Due to his injuries and disease, Peter Parker dies, with his body remaining at Avengers Tower whilst the other Marvel heroes decide what to do about his death. Despite the tragedy of his death, Peter Parker returns, emerging from a cocoon under the Brooklyn Bridge, revitalized, and with somenew spider-like powers.
2Clones, Clones, And More Clones
Throughout Spider-Man’s tenure in comics, the Clone Saga saw the inclusion and return of many iconic characters across theSpider-Man dimensionsand mythos. However, this event can be seen as a tragedy for Spider-Man, because not only did it throw in brand new Spidey characters that were clones of Peter Parker, but it raised the question if Peter Parker himself is a clone.
Of course, Peter Parker is not a clone, but the Clone Saga has many worried about the potential of this story, including Peter himself. The comic event also sees the return of Norman Osborn, thus bringing back Spider-Man’s nemesis.
1The Paul Rabin Incident
The current run of Spider-Man comics has seen many fans on social media dive into a frenzy around the portrayal of Peter Parker, and the failure to let him just behappy with Mary Jane. Although Paul Rabin is not a villain, many fans see him as a true enemy to Peter Parker and the fans of Spider-Man due to his disruption of what fans enjoy from Spider-Man comics.
The Paul Rabin incident comes as a tragedy to Peter Parker because he has seen Mary Jane move on with a new man, along with two adopted children. This all comes from the fact that there was a time dilation between Earth-616 and Earth-TRN1023, causing Mary Jane and Paul to spend four years together.
